We are slowly and steadily moving towards the business end of the season. It’s time to make your decisions count. Best of luck and may your arrows be green!
Here’s the Gameweek 22 Preview:
West Ham vs Arsenal
There will be fireworks when West Ham United and Arsenal, the two local rivals, take on each other at the London Stadium on Matchday 22. The Hammers have been struggling to find their best form of late, but it has to be noted that they were hit by injuries. Marko Arnautovic scored and then suffered yet another injury in a 2-0 FA Cup win over Birmingham City, but he should recover in time to face Arsenal. Anyhow, the Hammers are tough to beat at home and we predict that they are going to grab something in this one. The Gunners are eyeing a place in the Champions League, but seeing as they were hammered by Liverpool in their last away game in the Premier League, we believe that there is big value in betting on a draw in this London derby.
STAR MAN: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (11.4m)
4 goals and an assist in the last 4 fixtures; the man in form.
PREDICTION: West Ham United 2-2 Arsenal
Brighton vs Liverpool
Brighton and Liverpool face each other at the AMEX in what is expected to be one of the most entertaining games of Saturday’s program. The Seagulls have been showing signs of improvement of late and you should bear in mind that they are undefeated in their previous three league fixtures. After sharing the spoils with Arsenal in front of home fans, Brighton defeated Everton in their last home game, which is surely giving their supporters a reason for optimism ahead of the visit of Liverpool. The league leaders aim to bounce back from a heart-breaking 2-1 loss to Manchester City and we predict that they are going to leave their hearts on the field. Both Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah were unfortunate not to score against Man City, but we predict that the duo will help the Reds return to winning ways.
STAR MAN: Sadio Mane (9.5m)
His pace and ability to run in behind defences could be something that could trouble the Seagulls back 4.
PREDICTION: Brighton Hove Albion 1-3 Liverpool
Burnley vs Fulham
Burnley made a very slow start to the season, but they seem to be on top of their game at the moment. Following back-to-back wins over West Ham and Huddersfield Town in the Premier League, the Clarets defeated Barnsley in the FA Cup at the weekend, with Chris Wood scoring a late winner from the penalty spot. Burnley are determined to secure Premier League survival and a win over Fulham will give them breathing space from the danger zone. The Cottagers, on the other hand, desperately needed a win against Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup to regain much-needed confidence, but they failed to get one. Top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic missed a penalty in the second half of the match, but he is still widely expected to pose a big threat for Burnley defenders. However, seeing as the hosts have been in much better form of late when compared to the visitors, we are tempted to put our money on Sean Dyche’s side.
STAR MAN: Johann Berg Gudmundsson (5.6m)
If fit, the wide man could prove pivotal for his side in this one.
PREDICTION: Burnley 2-1 Fulham
Cardiff vs Huddersfield
Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town take on each other in South Wales in a relegation six-pointer. The Bluebirds failed to impress in a 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur, but they have been producing fine performances in matches against bottom-half-of-the-table sides this season. Cardiff City are eyeing their fifth home win of the season and we predict that they are going to prove their worth on the field in Saturday’s match. The Terriers are stuck at the bottom of the Premier League standings and considering that they are on a nine-game losing run in all competitions, we are positive that the visitors are going to return home empty-handed. In four of their last five meetings in all competitions, Cardiff City emerged triumphant, which is yet another reason why the home win should be expected.
STAR MAN: Callum Paterson (5.1m)
About time he ends his goal scoring drought!?
PREDICTION: Cardiff City 1-0 Huddersfield Town
Crystal Palace vs Watford
Selhurst Park will play host to Crystal Palace versus Watford on Saturday, two teams who will be aiming to finish the season in the top half of the standings. The Eagles have been in fine form of late and they are eyeing their third consecutive win in all competitions. Crystal Palace will be aiming to move away from the danger zone, but beating the Hornets, who have been producing splendid displays in the English top flight this term, is easier said than done. Watford played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium in their last league fixture and we believe that they are going to share the spoils with the capital club at Selhurst Park. A man to watch in the home team will be Andros Townsend, whilst Palace defenders will need to keep experienced attacker Troy Deeney at bay.
STAR MAN: Wilfried Zaha (6.7m)
An assist last time around, the Ivorian seems to be a promising pick going forward.
PREDICTION: Crystal Palace 2-1 Watford
Leicester vs Southampton
Leicester City will be looking to bounce back from a shocking 2-1 loss to Newport County when they host Southampton at the King Power on Matchday 22. The Foxes have been producing fine performances in the Premier League of late, with the team recording three wins in their last four league fixtures, but the Saints should not be underestimated. Jamie Vardy was rested in the FA Cup clash at the weekend, but the experienced attacker is likely to lead the line for the hosts against Southampton. The Saints did well to hold Chelsea to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge in their last league fixture and seeing as they are desperate to secure some points, we predict that the visitors are going to leave their hearts on the field in Saturday’s match, which should help avoid defeat at the King Power Stadium.
STAR MAN: Cedric Soares (4.2m)
Priced at a mere 4.2m, it is perhaps time to invest in this enabler with potential attacking returns.
PREDICTION: Leicester City 1-2 Southampton
Chelsea vs Newcastle
Despite being regarded as favourites in their last league match against Southampton, Chelsea played out a goalless draw with the relegation strugglers at Stamford Bridge. The Blues remain in fourth but Arsenal are breathing down their neck. Maurizio Sarri’s men are eager to return to winning ways in the English top flight and seeing as Alvaro Morata found his goal-scoring touch in the FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest, we believe that there is big value in betting on Eden Hazard and co. Newcastle United, on the other hand, have been struggling to find their best form of late, with the team failing to win in their previous four league fixtures. The Magpies face an uphill task in Saturday’s game and we do not believe that they are capable of spoiling Chelsea’s party.
STAR MAN: Eden Hazard (11.1m)
Having blanked in each of the last 2 league games, it almost seems inevitable for him to be among points.
PREDICTION: Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle United
Everton vs Bournemouth
Everton will be aiming to make amends for back-to-back losses to the likes of Brighton and Leicester City when they host Bournemouth at Goodison Park. The Toffees failed to score in their previous two league fixtures, but given Bournemouth’s shaky defence, we predict that Richarlison and co. are going to find the net in Sunday’s game. The Cherries played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Watford in their first game in 2019 and we predict that the visitors are going to stick to their attacking style of play against Everton, with Callum Wilson widely expected to lead the line for the Cherries against the Toffees. Anyhow, the two teams are level on points and a close encounter is on the cards. In their last meeting in the Premier League, the two teams played out a 2-2 draw.
STAR MAN: Nathan Ake (5.0m)
2 goals in 2 games, but will lightning strike yet again!?
PREDICTION: Everton 2-2 Bournemouth
Tottenham vs Manchester United
Tottenham and Manchester United face each other in London on Matchday 22 in what is expected to be the game of the weekend. Spurs recorded six wins in their previous seven league fixtures and, as a result, they are still in the race for the Premier League title. The capital club are likely to adopt an attack-minded approach in Sunday’s match and we predict that Harry Kane and co. are going to give fans yet another reason for celebration. The Red Devils have been impressive in all competitions ever since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over the reins, but seeing as Tottenham are likely to pose a much bigger threat for them than their previous opponents, a home win should be considered. A man to watch in the away team will be Paul Pogba, who has been producing splendid showings ever since Jose Mourinho got fired.
STAR MAN: Paul Pogba (8.4m)
The Frenchman will need to be in supreme form if the Red Devils are to overcome Poch & his boys.
PREDICTION: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Manchester United
Manchester City vs Wolves
After rolling over Rotherham United 7-0 in the FA Cup at the weekend, and then Burton 9-0 in the Carabao cup, Manchester City will be aiming to give fans yet another reason for celebration when they host Wolves at the Etihad Stadium on Monday. The Citizens did well to reduce Liverpool’s advantage in the Premier League standings to four points, but they can’t stop now. Pep Guardiola’s troops are likely to go all guns blazing against Wolves and we predict that the reigning champions are going to prove their worth on the field. The newcomers, on the other hand, shocked Tottenham at Wembley Stadium in their last away game in the English top flight, but we do not believe that they are capable of claiming yet another major scalp. You should bear in mind that Man City emerged triumphant in five of the last six meetings between the two teams in all competitions.
STAR MAN: Raheem Sterling (11.3m)
Having been benched for the game against Burton, he is almost certain to start at the weekend. A potential captain choice!?
PREDICTION: Manchester City 3-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Written by FPL Transfer Tips (@FPL_TransTips)
