It’s been a busy week of football in England and this weekend’s Premier League fixtures will be the third round within seven days.
Liverpool will attempt to keep their stunning run of form alive at the expense of Bournemouth first-up in Week 16, while West Ham and Crystal Palace will square off in the weekend’s sole London Derby.
The match of the round is scheduled to take place at 4:30am AEDT on Sunday when league-leaders Manchester City travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea.
Bournemouth
Last 5 Matches: LLLLW
Ladder Position: 7th
Goal Difference: +3 (GF 25, GA 22)
Liverpool
Last 5 Matches: DWWWW
Ladder Position: 2nd
Goal Difference +24 (GF 30, GA 6)
Five weeks ago this would have been an outstanding match, but it’s tough imagining Bournemouth competing with Liverpool for the full 90, even off the back of a win. The Reds were outstanding int their second half against Burnley and should just be winning.
Arsenal
Last 5 Matches: DDWWD
Ladder Position: 5th
Goal Difference: +14 (GF 34, GA 20)
Huddersfield
Last 5 Matches: WDWLL
Ladder Position: 17th
Goal Difference: -16 (GF 10, GA 26)
Two different classes of team will be stepping out at The Emirates when Arsenal host Huddersfield. The Gunners fought out a 2-2 draw with Manchester United midweek, while Huddersfield dropped all the points to Bournemouth. Arsenal should be winning this and winning well.
Burnley
Last 5 Matches: LDLLL
Ladder Position: 19th
Goal Difference: -18 (GF 14, GA 32)
Brighton
Last 5 Matches: LLDWW
Ladder Position: 10th
Goal Difference: -2 (GA 19, GA 21)
This looms as a great opportunity for both clubs, particularly the lowly Burnley who will be aiming to capitalise on a Brighton side without Shane Duffy and likely, prolific goal scorer Glenn Murray. Aussie Mat Ryan has been an absolute wall for Brighton, but it’s tough imagining them having a huge impact away from home without several key players.
West Ham
Last 5 Matches: WDLWW
Ladder Position: 13th
Goal Difference: -3 (GF 20, GA 23)
Palace
Last 5 Matches: LLDWL
Ladder Position: 15th
Goal Difference: -9 (GF 11, GA 20)
The weekend’s only London Derby will see the Hammers host the Eagles and it should be an excellent fixture. The Hammer have seemingly snapped an inconsistent run of form by winning their two most-recent matches, while Palace were comfortably beaten by a ten-man Brighton on Wednesday morning.
Cardiff
Last 5 Matches: LWLWL
Ladder Position: 16th
Goal Difference: -16 (GF 14, GA 30)
Southampton
Last 5 Matches: LDLDL
Ladder Position: 18th
Goal Difference: -16 (GF 13, GA 29)
Two of the league’s cellar dwellers will do battle in Wales when Cardiff host Southampton. The Bluebirds have been noticeably better of late and while they do enter this match off the back of an away loss to West Ham, they’ve won two of their last four fixtures. Southampton have struggled for goals and face another tough assignment.
United
Last 5 Matches: WLDDDD
Ladder Position: 8th
Goal Difference: -1 (GF 24, GA 25)
Fulham
Last 5 Matches: LLWLD
Ladder Position: 20th
Goal Difference: -21 (GF 15, GA 36)
Two completely different classes of team and regardless of United’s apparently inability to win a match recently, they should be returning to winning form against the last-placed Cottagers. I;m expecting United to get on the scoresheet early and maintain their lead.
Chelsea
Last 5 Matches: WDLWL
Ladder Position: 4th
Goal Difference: +18 (GF 31, GA 13)
City
Last 5 Matches: WWWWW
Ladder Position: 1st
Goal Difference: +38 (GF 45, GA 7)
This is set to be an outstanding match, particularly at Stamford Bridge and it’s about as close to even money as you’ll get for Manchester City all season. The Cityzens really have been a cut above again and they enter this match off the back of another classy win over Watford, while Chelsea were last-start losers to Wolves.
Leicester
Last 5 Matches: WDDWD
Ladder Position: 9th
Goal Difference: +3 (GF 21, GA 18)
Spurs
Last 5 Matches: WWWLW
Ladder Position: 3rd
Goal Difference: +12 (GF 28, GA 16)
This should be one of the better contests in Week 16 and there’s a case to be made for both clubs. The Foxes have been extremely consistent of late and are undefeated in the league for five weeks. Spurs are one of the league’s better clubs, however and atoned for a loss to Arsenal with an easy win over Southampton midweek.
Newcastle United vs Wolves
Newcastle
Last 5 Matches: WWWLD
Ladder Position: 14th
Goal Difference: -8 (GF 12, GHA 20)
Wolves
Last 5 Matches: LDLLW
Ladder Position: 12th
Goal Difference: -3 (GF15, GA 18)
Two clubs that are extremely difficult to trust from a betting perspective will square off in the north of England early on Monday morning. Wolves pulled off a huge upset against Chelsea midweek, but lost to the lowly Cardiff only days prior. Newcastle were flogged by West Ham at home but drew away with Everton. I’m happy to stay out of this one from a betting perspective.
Everton
Last 5 Matches: WDWLD
Ladder Position: 6th
Goal Difference: +4 (GF 21, GA 17)
Watford
Last 5 Matches: LDLLL
Ladder Position: 11th
Goal Difference: -3 (GF 18, GA 21)
The final match of the round will take place at Goodison Park on Tuesday morning and I think that the home side can capitalise on the recent poor form shown by their opponents. The Toffees were unlucky to lose the Merseyside Derby last weekend and the Hornets are staring down the barrel of four-consecutive defeats.