Supporters keen to see a Premier League title race in earnest would have breathed a huge sigh on Wednesday night when Raheem Sterling rattled in a 96th-minute winner against Southampton for Manchester City.
Just when it seemed as though City’s sense of invincibility was going to wear off a little, they snatched a vital three points at the Etihad Stadium. Their eight-point lead was restored and a serious dose of momentum was accrued.
It feels even more significant when you consider what awaits the title challengers this weekend. Not only do City have what should be a straightforward showdown with a struggling West Ham United team, their nearest challengers Manchester United visit Arsenal in what is a massive challenge.
With that in mind and the congested festive period on the horizon, the upcoming days feel critical in the pursuit of the division’s top prize.
Read on for a line on the Week 15 fixtures and a prediction for all 10 games to come from English football’s top flight. Picks are in bold, odds and bookmaker in italics.
Watford vs. Tottenham Hotspur
For the first time since he arrived at Tottenham Hotspur, manager Mauricio Pochettino is under a little bit of pressure.
Of course, not the type of pressure that can result in a coach losing his job, as the Argentine has done some sensational work at Spurs. But critics will be looking at Tottenham, as they’ve fallen a whopping 16 points behind City already.
The loss to Leicester City on Tuesday was the third away defeat in succession for Tottenham, having earlier come up short against Manchester United and Arsenal. In those game, Spurs lacked their usual defensive solidity, while up top the supply line to Harry Kane has been uncharacteristically inconsistent too.
If your side is in a rut, a trip to Watford is far from ideal at this point in time, as they’re a dangerous prospect under Marco Silva.
Even though they were beaten by Manchester United 4-2 in midweek, the Hornets acquitted themselves well for long spells in the match. Their attacking shape is exceptional, their passing slick and in Richardson, they boast one of the best young players in the Premier League at the moment.
They’ll approach this one as they have every game, with Silva demanding a high press from his side and plenty of attacking endeavour. If Spurs can weather an early storm, they should have a little too much in an entertaining game. 1-3 (13.00 Betfair)
Brighton vs. Liverpool
In the early throes of the Premier League season, of the three teams that were promoted to the top flight, it was Brighton that appeared least equipped to stay afloat.
On the cusp of Week 15, it’s Chris Houghton’s side that, of the same trio, look best placed to stay in the Premier League. And potentially by some distance too.
Although they’ve only taken two points from their last three games, there have been reasons to be confident in each clash. Against Stoke City, they fought back twice to draw, at Manchester United they were unfortunate to lose 1-0 and in the showdown with their bitter rivals Crystal Palace they probably would’ve to take a point.
Liverpool’s visit on Saturday will most likely be their toughest test yet, as the Reds appear to be gathering themselves for a strong run of results.
At Stoke City, on Wednesday they showed how devastating they can be on in the final third, with Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino performing brilliantly. The fact that Mohamed Salah was rested and then came off the bench to grab another brace was a huge bonus for Jurgen Klopp, who will want to see his rotation pay off here.
There were still signs of defensive frailty from Liverpool at the Bet365 Stadium and Brighton’s vibrant attack will create chances against them. Still, the firepower the Reds possess will see them through in the end. 1-3 (12.00 SkyBet)
Arsenal vs. Manchester United
This fixture feels as though it’s got its fizz back after a spell of relative insignificance. And there’s no denying the importance of this meeting at the Emirates Stadium.
We may be getting into a position where we can actually start to trust Arsenal. On home soil at least. The Gunners have strung together 12 wins in succession on their own patch and have come through in plenty of matches that they’ve been renowned for slipping up in.
At the moment they’re among the form teams in the division and manager Arsene Wenger owes much of that to rejuvenation of his two attacking gems. Although there’s been massive speculation about their future, both Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil have hauled the team to some huge results.
It means there’ll be a confidence in the camp when United come to town, as Wenger and his players will have picked up some areas in which this team can be exploited.
They were on show against Watford, as the Hornets did well to set up a nervy finish, while losses on the road to Basel and Chelsea have painted a picture of a United side still struggling for balance in these matches. Under Mourinho, away at the rest of the top six the Red Devils have yet to win in seven, scoring just one.
While Mourinho may have opted to “park the bus” in matches like this previously, with City already so far ahead there’s a feeling the Red Devils can’t afford to take a backwards step. Nor should they really with the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Anthony Martial.
A more enterprising United should make for an intriguing 90 minutes. But Arsenal will have the edge at the Emirates. 2-1 (10.00 BetVictor)
Chelsea vs. Newcastle United
Antonio Conte may have lost his cool in midweek against Swansea, but his team continues to keep theirs in what has been a really good run for the champions. Newcastle were able to stop the rot with a fine comeback point at West Brom, drawing 2-2. Nonetheless, Rafael Benitez’s side don’t have the attributes needed to trouble Chelsea. 3-0 (9.00 Betfair)
Everton vs. Huddersfield Town
Sam Allardyce takes charge of Everton for the first time on Saturday and will hope to see a similar display to the one the team turned in on Wednesday against West Ham when Wayne Rooney bagged a hat-trick in a 4-0 win. Against a Huddersfield side that have conceded nine goals in their last two away games, the new boss should get off to a winning start. 2-0 (8.00 William Hill)
Leicester vs. Burnley
This meeting at the King Power Stadium has the potential to be one of the most exciting of the weekend, as Burnley hope to keep their remarkable away form up. Leicester have settled down under Claude Puel and will be in fine spirits after swatting aside Spurs. Both teams will be wary of what the other can offer and an even encounter is surely in store. 1-1 (7.00 William Hill)
Stoke City vs. Swansea City
Swansea are in desperate need of a trigger, as they’ve gone six games without a win and are now level on points with Palace at the bottom of the table. Stoke remain one of the division’s most inconsistent sides and were well below their best against Liverpool. At home, they’ll get over the line against an opponent that’s having major issues in front of goal. 2-0 (8.50 Ladbrokes)
West Brom vs. Crystal Palace
Roy Hodgson and Alan Pardew face something of a role reversal on Saturday, as they each take on their respective former clubs. For Pardew, it’ll be his first match at the helm of West Brom and that’ll make matters difficult against a Palace team that have been on the up under Hodgson. That extra time on the training pitch will give the visitors the edge. 1-2 (12.00 Ladbrokes)
Bournemouth vs. Southampton
While this contest isn’t the most fiercely contested derby around, there’s some semblance of an edge when Bournemouth meet Southampton. The visitors here were unfortunate to go down to that late Sterling goal at the Etihad Stadium and will respond with a strong performance here. 1-2 (11.00 Betfair)
Manchester City vs. West Ham United
Although Manchester City appears to have slowed down somewhat in recent weeks, the impetus gained from that dramatic win over Southampton will give them a huge boost ahead of Sunday. West Ham, who were shambolic against Everton, will be no match for them. 3-0 (7.50 Betfair)
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