The Premier League rolls on with some huge questions surrounding the league’s ability to continue in the face of rising COVID cases.
Assuming it goes ahead (and it’s a big assumption to make), there is no clash more intriguing than Chelsea hosting Manchester City as two powerhouse clubs try and keep in touch with the top four.
Read on for our Premier League Week 17 tips.
Everton is back on track, they’ve won four in a row and are once again in touch with the top four.
We were all very impressed when West Ham won four of five although looking at those results again, the 12 points might have been more due to the fact they defeated the likes of Fulham, Sheffield and Aston Villa than anything good they did.
On the plus side for the Hammers they did come away with draws against Palace, Brighton and Southampton but Everton are a totally different beast.
Not to mention Everton’s unexpected week off thanks to their clash with Man City getting postponed, they should be firing for this contest.
It might not have been overly pretty, but United’s resilience to come away with a late winner against Wolves was pretty damn impressive.
Villa’s form is quite solid as well picking up 11 of their last 15 available points and they managed to come away from Stamford Bridge with a point during the week.
If the visitors go for broke they could get after United’s backline but I just can’t back against the home team.
The festive period always throws up some strange results and Tottenham has looked bang average in the last few weeks.
A squad that was once touted as possible title favourites (perhaps by people who had never watched Spurs play… ever) is now wavering all over the pitch and Jose Mourinho is starting to get that “I don’t know what to do here” look on his face.
Not to mention the ego boost that Marcelo Bielsa would get, masterminding an upset over one of the game’s best defensive managers.
Given Spurs’ history, there’s value to be had taking them on.
Not every Premier League game has “instant classic” written all over it and this one is probably better to just catch the highlights of, they’ll only last 30 seconds.
Palace has been horrendous in the last few weeks and have repeatedly found themselves blown away by opponents.
Sheffield has been awful all year, they can barely score a goal and are on track to be the worst side in Premier League history.
This one won’t be the worst match in Premier League history but it could be the most forgettable one of the season.
When you can’t make a convincing case for either team, the draw can be your best friend.
Brighton has not won since November 22, while Wolves have taken one point from their last three matches.
It’s entirely possible both teams have forgotten how to win so the value draw is where to go here.
Are Arsenal… good again?
They’ve looked like something closer to the side some expected to challenge for the top four getting by Chelsea and Brighton since Christmas.
All things considered they absolutely should make it three on the trot against a West Brom side whose form has been uneven at best.
Considering West Brom just shipped five to Leeds, this one should see another three points for Mikel Arteta and his perfect hair.
When you look at their form line, the fact Fulham have drawn four straight games is kind of impressive in a way.
I can’t see them getting another draw against a Burnley side that is building up a nice home ground advantage in spite of playing in front of empty stands.
Their last four games have seen three wins and a draw and Fulham’s run of results gives me plenty of confidence taking them on.
When it comes to one sided affairs, Newcastle has been on the wrong end of some big scorelines from Leicester.
This has every chance of getting ugly with the Foxes trying to stay in touch with the top of the table.
Let’s not forget this is the same team Leeds put five past and Leicester is every chance of doing the same.
If we have learned one thing watching sport in 2020, it’s that a team that has had a COVID scare go through it tends to take a step back in terms of performance on the field.
That has scared me off backing City to do anything other that add to Pep Guardiola’s woes as he is forced to cobble together a squad.
Of course the Premier League might do him a favour and postpone this fixture as well.
On the plus side, Southampton have not lost in three of their last four matches.
On the other hand, Southampton have drawn three of their last four matches and scored one goal in that time.
Liverpool is the stronger side here and they should slaughter the Saints.