EPL Preview - Round 11
Chelsea and Liverpool clash in a match that could result in several ramifications in what is set to be another cracking weekend of English Premier League action.
Match of the round
Chelsea v Liverpool
There’s little debate to the biggest game in the English Premier League this weekend, but this season’s match will not have the same impact on the top of the table.
Chelsea has been very disappointing from their first kick of the season already losing five games in the first 10 rounds of the competition.
Jose Mourinho is under immense pressure for his side to bounce back with his job possibly on the line here.
The Blues don’t even look like a fraction of who they were last season with Eden Hazard’s form the most worrying.
Add their midweek loss to Stoke City on penalties, effectively knocking them out of the Capitol One Cup.
Liverpool on the other hand is undefeated under Jurgen Klopp with one win and three draws.
Despite the positive results they are still yet to light the world on fire and are struggling to score with two goals in their last three games.
That doesn’t look like it will change any time soon with the club suffering with a striker crisis with Daniel Sturridge ruled out and Christian Benteke racing the clock to be fit.
A midweek Capitol One Cup win over Bournemouth will surely give them confidence going into the match.
Prediction – Both sides need a win so tipping a draw with even more pressure to be mounted on Mourinho
Swansea v Arsenal
Swansea has the chance to spring a major upset with Arsenal reeling after injuries decimated their right midfield in the last week.
After losing Aaron Ramsey against Everton, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott picked up hamstring and calf injuries respectively ruling them both out for up to three weeks.
Arsene Wenger has already mentioned playing Joel Campbell or Alex Iwobi in the position who are both fairly inexperienced.
Swansea grinded out a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa last time out and has played impressive football this season.
Couple that with Swansea’s positive run against Arsenal in Wales and this could cause another shock.
In saying that, Arsenal stars Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil have been in sublime form and if they fire again it will be lights out Swansea.
Prediction – It will be a tight one but Arsenal will get away with a win by one goal
Crystal Palace v Manchester United
Manchester United coach Louis Van Gaal continues to tinker with his side to find the right formula but it seems to be unsettling the players.
Early this season Memphis Depay was the star but just weeks later he has been likened to former United star Angel Di Maria – and we all know how that ended.
Van Gaal has stuck to his usual style of high tactics including sitting a bit deeper and controlling possession.
However the style is yet to entice any United fan with minimal chances created that suits many teams.
This may very well suit Crystal Palace this weekend.
Palace has beaten Chelsea 2-1 already were unlucky to lost to Arsenal by the same scoreline so there is history to show they will be in this.
Despite losing their previous two games anything can happen here at Selhurst Park.
Prediction – Manchester United to grind out a win, but it will not be easy.
Remaining fixtures
Manchester City v Norwich City – Too easy to pick, Manchester City by many goals
West Brom v Leicester City – Tight one here with goals to flow before a Leicester win
Watford v West Ham – Watford will stay with the Hammers before the London side run away with it
Newcastle v Stoke City –The visitors should win this one
Everton v Sunderland – After a difficult run Everton should bounce back easily here
Southampton v Bournemouth – The struggle is real for Bournemouth and it will continue this weekend
Tottenham v Aston Villa – Spurs should keep their unbeaten run at home intact
Tweet Chris Georgakopoulos at @ChrisGeorgak