Written by @arsenal49
Leicester - Crystal Palace
Leicester is back. They are almost playing as good as they did when they won the league. Maybe an overexaggerating, but they play tremendously well. They are also playing the first match of game week 18, and therefore the preview. Just like Leicester, Crystal Palace also seems to have found their form. A six-match unbeaten run, but are yet to score away from home in eight matches. This match might be the match to do it. Leicester has been struggling to keep a clean sheet, and I could see Palace get a goal in this match. However, how I don't see them get any points. Leicester has been on a heater, and Mahrez and Vardy will make sure they go home empty-handed. Speaking of Vardy and Mahrez, they would also be the players to have on your team. Okazaki might not get a place in the starting eleven, due to rotation. Also, Leicester defenders and Schmeichel would also be fine to have, taking Crystal Palace away form into consideration. I expect a 3-0, or 3-1 victory for the foxes. They seem in great form, and Palace is not the team to stop it.
Missing or doubtful players: James, Huth, Silva (Leicester), and Wickham, Delaney, Sakho, Milivojevic, Mensah, Ward (Crystal Palace)
Chelsea - Southampton
I wrote in a recent review on Chelsea, that I would expect them to keep more clean sheets in the coming fixtures. This might be the match do so. Southampton comes from a devastating loss to Leicester, while Chelsea secured all three points at home against Huddersfield. Considering this, and the fact that Chelsea is just a better team, I think we have a clean sheet and a victory coming. Chelsea is most likely to play the same back three with Christensen, Cahill, and Azpilicueta, with Alonso, and Zappacosta playing wide. Alonso got an assist last match and seems to finally score some points after a few games of low scoring games. He could be an interesting choice as captain, if you think Chelsea will keep Southampton from scoring. Fabregas is likely to replace Babayoko, while Morata is still in doubt. Willian seems in form, and for 6.6m he would be a great buy if he manages to continue his form. I expect him to do so, as I expect Hazard to score a goal, with Chelsea winning 2, or 3-0.
Missing or doubtful players: Luiz, Morata (Chelsea)
Manchester City - Tottenham
15 matches. That's how many Manchester City has managed to win in a row. 15 consecutive wins. Impressive. Guardiola that has the record of winning most matches in a row in Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga. I think he will add another one to the tally here. It takes the character and a great team to beat United at Old Trafford, and beating Spurs at home seems like an easier challenge. I don't think we will see many changes in each teams line-up compared to the last match. Sane, Sterling and Agüero is likely to play in front, while De Bruyne, Silva, and Fernandinho will lead the midfield. Kane, Son, and Alli are likely to play in front for Spurs, with Eriksen, Dembele and (maybe) Winks to control the midfield. Some changes in the Spurs defense will occur. Davies and Trippier will replace Aurier and Rose. The City defense might see one change as well with Walker replacing Danilo. I think we will see an entertaining match. Manchester City will dominate throughout the match, but I don't see them keeping a clean sheet. Kane, and especially Son seem to be on form, and Mangala and Otamendi will not keep them from scoring. I would not recommend buying any players from either team, as it's always hard to predict such a game. Even though it's hard to predict, I will try. I expect a Manchester City win with a two-goal margin. 3-1 seems realistic.
Missing or doubtful players: Mendy, Stones, Kompany (Manchester City) and Wanyama, Alderweireld, Sanchez (Spurs)
Match Prediction Game
The Match Prediction Game is simple. For all the matches you will have to predict the outcome.
For example:
Arsenal - Leicester
1- Arsenal will win
X - Draw
2 - Leicester will win
Copy Paste the text below and add your predictions in the comment!
Leicester - Crystal Palace
Arsenal - Newcastle
Brighton - Burnley
Chelsea - Southampton
Stoke - West Ham
Watford - Huddersfield
Man City - Spurs
West Brom - Man Utd
Bournemouth - Liverpool
Everton - Swansea
Overview posts of gw16-17 and payouts are delayed due to transactions requiring key input on each transaction nowadays which takes up a lot of time. I have also gotten some help from @arfa now to go through all predictions as it usually took a lot of time to do manually and I've been super busy lately.
There are 5 Gameweeks still to go until January 4th which then will go back to regular week to week basis. These frequent matches have caused the delays and the overviews will most likely be posted all at once after. Apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
