Gameweek 24 saw Leicester retain their top spot after a win over Liverpool. Arsenal dropped down to 3rd after failing to beat Southampton at the Emirates. There weren’t a great amount of goals in midweek, let’s hope ga week 25 can produce better games and some Fantasy Premier League points returns! Without further ado, here is our FPL gameweek 25 preview and star men tips:
Manchester City vs Leicester City
Manchester City won twice in a matter of days last week. They convincingly beat Aston Villa away from home thanks to an Iheanacho hat-trick. On Tuesday Man City recorded a 1-0 win away from home against Sunderland with a less than convincing performance. Leicester had the privilege of not having an FA Cup game meaning they had more rest time which ultimately paid dividends against Liverpool where they won 2-0 thanks to 2 Jamie Vardy finishes.
Star Man – Sergio Aguero (13.5m)
The Argentinean has scored 5 goals in his last 3 appearances for Man City.
Prediction – Manchester City 1-1 Leicester
Aston Villa vs Norwich
Aston Villa still find themselves rock bottom and suffered 2 defeats in a matter of days against Manchester City and most recently West Ham. They lost 4-0 to Man City and 2-0 to West Ham, meaning Remi Garde needs a miracle if Villa are going to stay up. Norwich are also on an edgy run of form. They did score 4 against Liverpool but failed to score against Tottenham where they lost 3-0.
Star Man – Steven Naismith (5.0m)
Has started his career at Norwich very well and is a very cheap forward.
Prediction – Aston Villa 0-1 Norwich
Liverpool vs Sunderland
Liverpool failed to win in their last 2 fixtures as well. They fought out a draw against West Ham in the FA Cup and lost to Leicester in the league which saw Liverpool drop down the table. Liverpool had a disappointing transfer window which certainly won’t help the team morale. Sunderland on the other hand spent some money, especially defensively. They bought Kone (not that one) from Lyon and Kirchoff from Bayern Munich.
Star Man – Roberto Firmino (8.0m)
The Brazilian is in good form and plays up front for Jürgen Klopp’s side.
Prediction – Liverpool 2-0 Sunderland
Newcastle vs West Brom
Newcastle were another team who spent big in the January transfer window. They purchased Andros Townsend from Tottenham and Jonjo Shelvey from Swansea most notably. They also made a late loan deal with Roma for striker Seydou Doumbia. Despite this they lost to Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park. West Brom will be a bit more merrier on the pitch as Solomon Rondon earned a late winner at home to Swansea. However they did slip to a 2-2 draw at home to League 1 side Peterbrough.
Star Man – Seydou Doumbia (6.5m)
The Ivorian has recently arrived from Roma on loan and will certainly add pace to the team.
Prediction – Newcastle 1-1 West Brom
Tottenham vs Watford
Tottenham now see themselves as very strong title contenders after Pochettino saw his side rise to 3rd and in amongst that battle at the top. They beat Norwich away from home most recently thanks to a Harry Kane brace. Watford also saw themselves get a decent result in midweek with a 0-0 draw at home to a rejuvenated Chelsea side. They also recruited well in the transfer window with Suarez (not that one) from Fiorentina and Amrabat from Malaga.
Star Man – Dele Alli (5.8m)
Very good attacking midfielder but felt a bit “under the weather” so perhaps a slight doubt for this weekend.
Prediction – Tottenham 2-1 Watford
Stoke City vs Everton
This fixture earlier in the season saw the 2 sides fight out a 4-3 score line which saw Mark Hughes’ side come out on top. Stoke however lost 3-0 in their most recent game against Manchester United. After a shaky run Everton are now starting to change their fortunes. The 3-0 win against Newcastle might just be the stepping stone the Toffees need to push on into the top 8.
Star Man – Peter Crouch (5.6m)
The tall man started their most recent game against Man United and is always a danger.
Prediction – Stoke City 2-2 Everton
Swansea vs Crystal Palace
Swansea were left disheartened after having 3 points snatched away from them away at West Brom. They were leading after a Sigurdsson goal until they conceded deep into stoppage time. They are fresher than most teams as they were knocked out of the FA Cup prematurely away at Oxford. Crystal Palace have slipped significantly in recent games after a run of form which sees the Eagles lose all of their last 5 games, most recently at home to Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth.
Star Man – Gylfi Sigurdsson (7.0m)
Scored a goal against West Brom most recently and usually plays in a centre forward role.
Prediction – Swansea 1-1 Crystal Palace
Bournemouth vs Arsenal
Bournemouth look like they may just have enough to stay up thanks to their January acquisitions, most notably Benik Afobe who has found himself on the scoresheet in all of his last 3 games for the Cherries. Arsenal have fallen dramatically in recent games to 4th after drawing to Southampton most recently. Before hand they suffered another loss at home against Chelsea. In amongst that they beat Burnley 2-1 at home in the FA Cup.
Star Man – Benik Afobe (6.1m)
Has scored in all of his last 3 games for the Cherries and is always very dangerous.
Prediction – Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal
Chelsea vs Manchester United
Chelsea are a team who have been rejuvenated under Hiddink, this was shown in their convincing 5-1 victory away at MK Dons in the FA Cup. Most recently they drew away at Watford where a few teams have slipped up this season. Manchester United look like they are playing with a lot more freedom in recent matches. They posted 3 goals in both matches whilst conceding just the 1. They beat Derby away from home in the FA Cup and Stoke at home.
Star Man – Oscar (8.1m)
Scored a hat-trick against MK Dons in the FA Cup and looks back to his best under Hiddink.
Prediction – Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United
Southampton vs West Ham
Southampton probably made the signing of the transfer window with their 4 million pound bargain in the shape of Charlie Austin. On the pitch they are on good form which was shown against Arsenal which saw the Saints hold on for a 0-0 draw at the Emirates. West Ham are a team also on good form. Their most recent result was a home win against rock bottom Aston Villa. Before hand they fought Liverpool to a draw in the FA Cup.
Star Man – Michail Antonio (5.3m)
Has been overshadowing Payet in recent times with his goals and is considerably cheaper.
Prediction – Southampton 1-2 West Ham
Written by Harry Clark
