With Arsenal and Leicester level on points at the top and Manchester United looking to scale the Premier League table, how will the landscape look after this weekend?
It has been one hell of a ride this season so far, and Arsenal and Leicester are now tied at the top of the English Premier League table, on 44 points.
Without a doubt, the chasing pack is hot on their heels, with Manchester City on 43 points, Tottenham Hotspur on 39 points, and Man-chester United on 37 points.
Expect changes to the top five after the weekend.
Arsenal VS Chelsea
Already strong Arsenal expect the influential Alexis Sanchez back this week, just in time to face Chelsea. (Photo: Natursports / Shutterstock.com)
Arsenal can be satisfied with the point at bogey team Stoke last Sunday that kept its nose in front of Leicester at the Premier League summit, albeit on goal difference.
The Gunners surely felt the absence of playmaker Mesut Oezil but the good news for Arsene Wenger is the imminent return of inspirational forward Alexis Sanchez.
Chelsea, meanwhile, is still only six points above the relegation zone.
Things have improved since Guus Hiddink took over from Jose Mourinho but it might be too much to ask for them to grab all three points at the Emirates Stadium.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
West Ham VS Manchester City
West Ham was aiming for five wins in a row in all competitions before a surprise 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United last weekend. Had the Hammers won, they would’ve stayed above United in fifth place.
Third-placed Manchester City remains most people’s favourite to win the title this season but it continues to struggle for consistency. The long-term absence of club captain Vincent Kompany is a big concern, given the defensive frailties of the Citizens away from home.
The high-flying Hammers (sixth) have taken points off Liverpool and Chelsea at home at Upton Park this season and should hold their own against the visitors.
Prediction: West Ham 2-2 Manchester City
Manchester United VS Southampton
Wayne Rooney set new records when he scored for Manchester United against Liverpool last weekend but the burden of reviving the team rests heavily on his shoulders. (Photo: AHMAD FAIZAL YAHYA / Shutterstock.com)
Another sterile performance from United last weekend was rescued by a rare Merseyside goal from Liverpool-born Wayne Rooney. That fateful winning goal helped Rooney set a new record for the most number of goals scored by a player at a single Premier League club, at 176 goals, just overtaking Thierry Henry.
Rooney’s return to form is just what Louis van Gaal needs as United looks to secure a top-four spot in the League.
United’s mysteriously unproductive record at Old Trafford will be put to the test by in-form Southampton, which has strung together two impressive wins on the bounce. And let’s not forget the 4-0 thumping of Arsenal last month.
The Red Devils’ hopes rest on Rooney’s renewed vigour and the enterprising Anthony Martial, who has turned out to be the club’s best signing of the season. Van Gaal should have more options with players returning from injury and will be happy that his defence has managed more clean sheets than any other Premier League club this season.
However, this could be another frus-trating afternoon for them. They are likely to maintain their recent unbeaten run but fall short of collecting all three points.
Prediction: Manchester Utd 1-1 Southampton
Crystal Palace VS Tottenham
Christian Eriksen scored a brace to help Tottenham come from behind to win 4-1 against Sunderland — he is expected to play a vital role against Crystal Palace in the London derby. (Photo: Mitch Gunn / Shutterstock.com)
Mauricio Pochettino has been playing down title talk even though Tottenham is now only five points off the top of the table. Spurs has been far from perfect in 2016 — last Sunday’s 4-1 victory over Sunderland was the first of the year after two draws and a defeat in all competitions.
After the trip to Selhurst Park this weekend, Spurs has surmountable matches against Norwich and Watford, and has every opportunity to climb up the standings from the current 4th position.
After an encouraging first half of the season, Crystal Palace appears to have stalled after losing to Aston Villa and Manchester City, and should come off second best in this London derby.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Tottenham
Norwich City VS Liverpool
Liverpool did almost everything right last weekend but still came up short against arch-rival United. With forgotten man Daniel Sturridge having watched from the stands and fellow striker Christian Benteke having spent most of the game on the bench, the Reds were toothless up-front, despite some beautiful passing and quick movement on the break.
Jurgen Klopp is finding out just how challenging an English season can be, with a long list of injuries and a daunting fixture list. The Capital One Cup semi-final, second leg, will be played three days after this match.
If Klopp wins silverware in his first season, it might satisfy the club’s owners even if they miss out on a top-four position.
Norwich has displayed some giant-killing feats this season — it has beaten United and Southampton and held Liverpool to a draw at Anfield — but it has dropped form in recent weeks.
The Canaries have suffered three con-secutive defeats and conceded nine goals.
This is likely to be the week when things finally click for Klopp.
Prediction: Norwich 1-3 Liverpool
By Jason Dasey
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About Jason Dasey
Jason Dasey is Senior Editor for ESPN FC in Singapore, Southeast Asia’s No. 1 football website.[/su_note]
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