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The clash between 1st & 2nd

Wayne Rooney is thriving in his new role as Manchester United captain – do you agree?

Chelsea is breaking away and building a lead at the top, leaving the defending champions in its trail – will Manchester City be able to catch up this weekend?

 

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Diego Costa is the runaway top scorer for Chelsea Photo: Laszlo Szirtesi / Shutterstock.com

We are now well into the second half of this Premier League season. With Chelsea five points clear at the top and not looking like it’s going to lose that lead any time soon, this weekend’s clash between 1st and 2nd place may just be the title decider.

Here are this week’s must-watch Premier League games.

Chelsea vs Manchester City (1 Feb, 1.30am)

For what many are calling the potential title decider for this season, the clash of Chelsea and Manchester City will no doubt be hard fought until the very last minute. The odds do not look to be in Manchester City’s favour, who will be coming from a 0-2 defeat to the Gunners at the Etihad stadium last Monday.

In contrast, Chelsea are fresh off a 5-0 thrashing of Swansea City where Oscar and Diego Costa were shining as bright as ever.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Manchester City

Manchester United vs Leicester City (31 Jan, 11pm)

Wayne Rooney is thriving in his new role as Manchester United captain – do you agree? Photo: YiAN Kourt / Shutterstock.com
Wayne Rooney is thriving in his new role as Manchester United captain – do you agree?
Photo: YiAN Kourt / Shutterstock.com

Who could forget the humiliating defeat Manchester United faced earlier in the season against bottom of the table Leicester City? When the teams last met in September last year, the Red Devils were taken by surprise when a surprisingly hungry Leicester side saw through an incredible comeback to win 5-3.

Manchester United, who currently stand at 4th place, will be hoping not to be beaten twice by currently 20th-placed Leicester City.

Prediction: Manchester Utd 2-0 Leicester

Santi Cazorla, the Spanish wizard, continues to be integral in Arsenal’s success, along with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez Photo: Sam Aronov / Shutterstock.com
Santi Cazorla, the Spanish wizard, continues to be integral in Arsenal’s success, along with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez
Photo: Sam Aronov / Shutterstock.com

Arsenal vs Aston Villa (1 Feb, 9.30pm)

Arsenal fans will be bursting with excitement in light of their team’s next opponents. Coming fresh from a 3-0 win against Stoke City followed by a 2-0 win against Manchester City at the Etihad, the Gunners look primed to secure another three points against a vulnerable Aston Villa.

What will excite Gooners more is the fact that the reverse fixture ended in a 3-0 victory for Arsenal when the teams met earlier in the season.

Prediction: Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa

Southampton vs Swansea City (2 Feb, 12am)

It seemed like a waiting game for the rest of the football world, as to how long Southampton could cling on to its position in the Champion’s League qualification zone. To the surprise of many, The Saints have not only survived, but have begun to impress many with their brand of football.

Southampton holds firm at 3rd place and goes up against Swansea City, who’s evidently already missing former star striker Wilfried Bony, who just completed a transfer to Manchester City.

Prediction: Southampton 2-1 Swansea

By Basil Lee

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