So here we are, the busy festive period. Happy Christmas everyone and here is our gameweek 18 preview:
Chelsea v West Ham
The league leaders have returned to their dominant form and were ruthless in the Monday Night Football fixture against Stoke, and although the Hammers are high-flying, it really is too difficult to look past anything other than a home win.
STAR MAN – Cesc FABREGAS
The midfield maestro got a goal and an assist in his previous game and he really is loving life on his return to the Premier League.
Burnley v Liverpool
Liverpool will be full of confidence going into this game after gaining an impressive point in their previous game against Arsenal, whilst Burnley are finding the net but are struggling to pick up points, so an away win should be on the cards.
STAR MAN – Martin SKRTEL
The solid centre back scored the equalising goal last week, and as well as his heading ability, he should also keep a clean sheet at Turf Moor.
Crystal Palace v Southampton
The Saints finally managed to end their losing run with an impressive 3-0 victory on the weekend whereas Palace only just lie above the bottom three so they need to start picking up points thick and fast.
STAR MAN – Graziano PELLE
The Italian international recently rediscovered his shooting boots with two goals in his last two games.
Everton v Stoke
It is has been a topsy-turvy season for the Toffees as you just don’t know what to expect from them, but we should see a home win as they have been rather rampant at Goodison Park this season and should have too much for the Potters.
STAR MAN – Samuel ETO’O
The experienced Cameroonian may well be starting up front after Lukaku’s calamitous goal last week and he has a good eye for the target.
Leicester v Tottenham
It’s just getting from bad to worse for Leicester as they remain rooted at the bottom of the Premier League table and are winless in ten. Spurs on the other hand are slowly but surely climbing up the table and will look for the away win here.
STAR MAN – Christian ERIKSEN
This Danish attacking midfielder has had a hand full of Tottenham’s recent goals and will look to provide yet again.
Man Utd v Newcastle
The Red Devils’ winning run got put to an end by a resistant Aston Villa side and they will hope to return to winning ways against a topsy-turvy Newcastle side, as Van Gaal’s side begin to be considered a title-chasing side.
STAR MAN – David DE GEA
Arguably the goalkeeper of the season, De Gea should have no trouble once again keeping out a Newcastle side who are struggling for goals.
Sunderland v Hull
Both these sides are struggling in the bottom half; however Sunderland will be absolutely buzzing after their away win in the North-East derby. Hull is having issues both on and off the field and will look to try and grab a point.
STAR MAN – Adam JOHNSON
We must not forget that this English winger was in consideration for the England squad after his solid end to the campaign last season and is back on the score sheet.
Swansea v Aston Villa
Despite dropping key players in Sigurdsson and Bony, Swansea are still having a fantastic season by their standards and will look to continue this with another three points at home to a poor Aston Villa side.
STAR MAN – Ashley WILLIAMS
Aston Villa have scored the least amount of goals in the league this season so Williams should have no trouble captaining his side to a clean sheet.
West Brom v Man City
There really is no stopping the champions who have now won their last nine matches in a row despite their injury problems, but West Brom will give it a go since City have no fit striker, but an away win should be the outcome.
STAR MAN – David SILVA
A fantastic performance last weekend, Silva scored two goals from midfield and will look to step up to the plate for his team again.
Arsenal v QPR
The Gunners must be heartbroken after last week’s disappointing last minute goal they conceded to Liverpool and will look to rectify this with an impressive performance against a team who have not got a single away point all season.
STAR MAN – Mathieu DEBUCHY
Debuchy should not be conceding in a game like this and will also look to assist down the right hand side. He must be buzzing from his goal last weekend too.
Dean.
@footywriterdean
