After another midweek of European football, the English premier league takes center stage as teams eliminated from European club competitions will be turning their attention to the league to make sure they give a good account of themselves on the "local" scene.
The week 15 round of matches we will see Watford take on Everton in an early kickoff, while Arsenal host in form Stoke City, last week surprised winners AFC Bournemouth will be hosted by Burnley at the Turf moor, other games see, Hull City take on Crystal Palace, Swansea tackle David Moyes' Sunderland, while Leicester City and Manchester City concludes the Saturday fixtures. Sunday sees Chelsea host West Brom at Stamford Bridge, then the Super Sunday clash between Manchester United and Tottenham, while other fixtures include, Southampton vs Middlesbrough then week 15 concludes with Liverpool taking on West Ham .
Saturday 09/12/2016
Watford will be hoping to end their loosing streak with a result in this fixture against an Everton team who themselves are not doing so well and were aided by a clumsy tackle in the dying minutes by Fellaini to secure a point at home against Manchester United last time out.
Watford have suffered two straight defeat with their last win coming against Leicester on the 19th of November. They will be hoping to repeat the same against Everton in front of their fans. Though Everton will be considered huge favourites for this one I see Watford causing an upset.
Prediction: Watford 2 - 1 Everton (1x, GG, over 2.5)
Arsenal Vs Stoke City 4pm
The Gunners enjoyed an easy ride last weekend against a devastated West Ham team who were suffering from a hangover after a doubled legged affair with Manchester United, they will be hosting Stoke City at the Emirate stadium. The gunners currently sit 2nd on the log with 31 points 3 behind leaders Chelsea, and have scored a total of 31 goals and conceded just 14, which goes to show that goal scoring is part of their package. But this time instead of a weak West ham team, the gunners ambition for the title will be tested by an in form Stoke city who have recorded back to back wins in their last two matches. Stoke city on have not defeated any of the big teams this season and this fixture will also be a huge test for them.
Prediction: Arsenal 2 - 2 Stoke City (1x, GG, over 3.5)
Burnley Vs AFC Bournemouth 4pm
AFC Bournemouth will be pleased with this fixture after their heroic come back last week against title contenders Liverpool at the Vitality stadium. Burnley are currently on a loosing streak having lost their last three matches. If they are to get anything from this game they will have to put in their 100% while bearing in mind that there will a lot of games to be played during this period.
Prediction: Burnley 1 - 2 AFC Bournemouth (2, GG, over 1.5)
Hull city Vs Crystal Palace 4pm
This looks like the most tricky game of the weekend, with both teams struggling for form and having won just once in their last six games. Crystal Palace will be hoping they can carry on with their victory last weekend and continue the fight to keep Alan Padew at the club for a little longer. Hull City on the other hand will be hoping to get something from this game to keep up with Sunderland in the race to move out of the relegation zone.
Prediction: Hull City 0 - 1 Crystal Palace
Swansea City Vs Sunderland 4pm
This is going to be one of the most interesting game of the week, with two teams who play good football but unfortunately find themselves in the relegation zone battle it out for 3 points. Swansea were recently involved in a crazy game of football when they defeated Crystal palace 5 -4, while Sunderland last week defeated the reigning champions Leicester City 2-1. Games like this is what makes the English premier League an entertaining one. Despite what is at stake in this game I do not see this game ending in a draw meaning that there is going to be a winner and a looser, but the question is which team takes which?
Prediction: Swansea 1 - 2 Sunderland (x2, GG, over 2.5)
Leicester City Vs Manchester City 6pm
This is one of those games when you have to close your eyes to the current form of the teams involved and their position on the table, because this is a game between two great managers of different generations. Claudio Ranieri and Pep Gaurdiola will come up against each other for the first time this season, as the game mean different things for both managers. For City it is a game that will provide them with the opportunity to keep in touch with leaders Chelsea, and for Ranieri is another opportunity to stay away from the relegation zone.
Prediction: Leicester City 2 - 2 Manchester City (x2, GG, over 2.5)
Sunday 11/12/2016
Chelsea Vs West Brom 1pm
League leaders Chelsea take on West Brom at the lunch time kick off on Sunday. This is going to prove a difficult task for the Blues as West Brom are a difficult side to break down, when they set up defensively which is exactly what they will do. Conte will be hoping his men can dig in deep and maintain their winning streak till Christmas at least. Chelsea are huge favourite for this as they boast of an 86% home win record this season.
Prediction: Chelsea 3 - 0 West Brom (1, over 1.5)
Manchester United Vs Tottenham 3pm
Manchester United are once again handed an opportunity to get a win in the month of December in the premier League having just recorded their first away win in Europe since November 2013. This fixture has always been an interesting one to watch as both teams play very fast attacking football.
There is isn't much to be said about this fixture because we all know how both teams play their football, so we hope the best team wins.
Prediction: Manchester United 2 - 1 Tottenham (1x, GG, over 1.5)
Southampton Vs Middlesbrough 3pm
Southampton will now have to concentrate on the premier league having been knocked out of the Europa League on Thursday night. Southampton have not been playing well of late with a single win in 6 games, and now they have to face a Middlesbrough team who at the moment are enjoying their football. This is going to be a tricky one for the Saints.
Prediction: Southampton 1 - 1 Middlesbrough (x, GG, over 0.5)
Liverpool Vs West Ham United 5:30pm
Liverpool after their shocking defeat to AFC Bournemouth last Sunday will be hoping to correct any error that might have led to a loss in concentration after throwing away a 3 - 1 lead and having to leave the Vitality stadium with no point which now see them in third position below Arsenal and Chelsea.
West Ham on their part will be praying for this run of fixtures (Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool) to quickly come to an end so they can concentrate on picking up points from teams in their ''category'' in terms of class and reputation.
Prediction: Liverpool 2 - 0 West Ham United (1, over 1.5)
Liverpool after their shocking defeat to AFC Bournemouth last Sunday will be hoping to correct any error that might have led to a loss in concentration after throwing away a 3 - 1 lead and having to leave the Vitality stadium with no point which now see them in third position below Arsenal and Chelsea.
Prediction: Liverpool 2 - 0 West Ham United (1, over 1.5)
