Gameweek 26 now seems a long time ago due to the FA Cup fixtures breaking up our beloved Fantasy Premier League, but this weekend, Premier League football is back! However, we don’t have a full set of 10 Premier League fixtures as 4 teams blank due to the League cup final. Without further ado, here is our gameweek 27 preview:
West Ham vs Sunderland
West Ham are certainly eyeing up the Europa league spots this season, however their result against struggling Norwich was a game they ought to have won going in to it. In the end the Hammers were lucky not to go back to London empty handed as 2 reasonably late goals earned them a point. Sunderland had a great weekend and provided a big shock. They were the early Saturday kick off and certainly kicked off the weekend in a big way as they beat Manchester United 2-1 at the Stadium of Light.
Star Man – Dimitri Payet
Played a key part in West Ham’s FA Cup fixture, providing two goals and an assist.
Prediction – West Ham 2-1 Sunderland
Leicester City vs Norwich
Leicester were left gutted when Arsenal beat the Foxes 2-1 at the Emirates thanks to a goal deep into stoppage time to cut Leicester’s gap from the following pack. Norwich were on the receiving end of a comeback most recently which wasn’t the first time the Canaries had failed to hold on to a lead, most notably going 3-1 up against Liverpool and later losing the game 5-4.
Star Man – Jamie Vardy
This man is currently the Premier League’s top goalscorer, and if anyone is to stop him, I don’t think it will be Norwich.
Prediction – Leicester 3-0 Norwich
Southampton vs Chelsea
This game is a tale of 2 teams who are very much in form at the moment. Southampton have staggeringly kept 6 clean sheets in their last 6 games meaning Koeman’s side have picked up a decent amount of points recently, most recent of all being a 1-0 away win at Swansea. Chelsea were the top scorers last week as they thumped a poor Newcastle side to extend Guus Hiddink’s unbeaten Premier League run. Chelsea ran out 5-1 winners which saw Pedro grab a brace.
Star Man – Diego Costa
The Spaniard looks to be in good form, scoring 4 in Chelsea’s last 5 games.
Prediction – Southampton 1-2 Chelsea
Stoke vs Aston Villa
Villa currently sitting bottom of the table will want to get something out of this fixture against Stoke. However, Stoke have been in some brilliant form of late, but Aston Villa do have some fortune as Ryan Shawcross is unlikely to feature and when he doesn’t, they tend to concede so there may be goals in this game!
Star Man – Giannelli Imbula
The new boy opened up his goal account with Stoke City last week and looked very good. No doubt he will look to increase this tally against a poor Villa side.
Prediction – Stoke 3-1 Aston Villa
Watford vs Bournemouth
Most people thought these two teams would be likely to go back down after promotion last season, however they currently sit 9th and 15th respectively, which isn’t a bad feat at all! Both will look to push on and secure safety in the Premier League, so this one could be full of goals.
Star Man – Odion Ighalo
At the start of the season, it was Deeney that everyone thought would be the one grabbing the goals. However, Ighalo has shown his class and we expect this trend to continue again this week.
Prediction – Watford 2-1 Bournemouth
West Brom vs Crystal Palace
Both West Brom and Crystal Palace’s forms have dropped of late, and both of these teams are sitting in the bottom half of the table, joint on 32 points after 26 games. Therefore, we expect both teams to be up for this and both will want to come away with the 3 points.
Star Man – Scott Dann
The Palace centre back has been a rock for the Palace team, and has even contributed a goal or two this season!
Prediction – West Brom 0-2 Crystal Palace
Manchester United vs Arsenal
The match of the weekend see’s two ‘big boys’ crash heads, as Manchester United host Arsenal. With both teams involved in midweek fixtures, there could be changes to both squads due to possible fatigue. However, this will still be a feisty affair, as Arsenal will want to keep up their title challenge and Manchester United seemingly must win if they are to have any hope of Champions League football next season.
Star Man – Alexis Sanchez
Although Mesut Ozil has somewhat outshone the Chilean, he could explode into form at any point!
Prediction – Manchester United 1-2 Arsenal
Tottenham vs Swansea
Spurs are currently sitting 2 points from top and with a game against a struggling Swansea side this week, they will be looking to pile more pressure on Leicester City who are sitting handsomely at the top. Swansea on the other hand will be looking to take any points from Spurs as they are lurking just above the relegation zone in 16th!
Star Man – Harry Kane
We expect the HurriKane to take full advantage of a weak Swansea side.
Prediction – Tottenham 2-0 Swansea
Written by Harry Clark