With almost two thirds of the season done and dusted, it’s time to put your foot on the accelerator and make every decision count.
Best of luck & may your arrows be green! Here is the Gameweek 25 Preview:
Tottenham vs Newcastle
Tottenham will be looking to build on a come-from behind win over Watford when they host Newcastle United at Wembley. Son, who returned from the Asian Cup, found the net in the 2-1 win over the Hornets and seeing as Dele Alli and Harry Kane remain in the treatment room, the Korean attacker will be the man to watch in the home team. Rafa Benitez’s troops came from behind to beat league leaders Manchester City at St. James’ Park on Tuesday evening, but given their poor away record, we do not believe that they are capable of claiming yet another major scalp. In the first half of the season, Tottenham recorded a 2-1 win over Newcastle United and you should bear in mind that Pochettino’s troops are eyeing their fourth consecutive win over the Magpies in the English top flight.
STAR MAN: Heung-min Son (8.6m)
His presence up-front will be vital in the search for goals.
PREDICTION: Tottenham 2-1 Newcastle
Brighton vs Watford
Despite producing a fine display in Wednesday’s match against Tottenham, Watford were eventually beaten in London on Matchday 24. Pochettino’s men put an end to Watford’s four-game unbeaten run in the Premier League but the Hornets remained in the top half of the table. Seeing as the Seagulls are eager to bounce back from a 4-2 loss against Fulham, we believe that there is big value in betting on draw. A man to watch in the home team will be Glenn Murray, who scored a brace against the Cottagers, whilst Brighton defenders should have their eyes on Roberto Pereyra, who has netted six goals so far this term. It has to be noted that under 2.5 goals have been netted in each of their previous eight meetings in all competitions.
STAR MAN: Ricardo Pereyra (6.2m)
He’ll be looking to up his tally for the season.
PREDICTION: Brighton 1-1 Watford
Burnley vs Southampton
After sharing the spoils with the likes of Watford and Manchester United in their previous two league fixtures, Burnley will be aiming to start a new winning run in the Premier League when they host Southampton at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon. The Clarets made a very slow start to the season, but they seem to be on top of their game and therefore, we predict that they are going to pick up all three points from the clash against Southampton. The Saints, on the other hand, are desperate to secure Premier League survival yet again, but seeing as Burnley have been in better form of late, the away win should not be considered. New Zealand attacker Chris Wood, who scored his fourth goal of the season in the 2-2 draw with the Red Devils, is likely to lead the line for the hosts against Southampton.
STAR MAN: Chris Wood (6.2m)
After getting a much needed goal against United, he’ll be poised to deliver again.
PREDICTION: Burnley 1-0 Southampton
Chelsea vs Huddersfield
Chelsea will be aiming to make amends after an embarrassing 4-0 loss to Bournemouth when they host Huddersfield Town at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon. The Blues experienced all sorts of problems at the back in the midweek fixture and, as a result, they dropped to fifth place in the standings. Maurizio Sarri’s men are eager to regain their spot in the top four and we predict that they are going to fight tooth and nail against the Terriers. Gonzalo Higuain, who joined the club in the January transfer window, is likely to lead the line for the hosts. Huddersfield Town, on the other hand, have suffered ten defeats in their previous eleven league fixtures and seeing as they have been struggling in front of goal of late, we do not believe that there is value in betting on the rock-bottom side in this one.
STAR MAN: Eden Hazard (10.9m)
He will need to step up for his side, after a disappointing defeat.
PREDICTION: Chelsea 2-0 Huddersfield
Crystal Palace vs Fulham
Selhurst Park will host Saturday’s London derby between Crystal Palace and Fulham. After sharing the spoils with Southampton at the weekend, Crystal Palace are eager to return to winning ways, but this local derby will be anything but a walk in the park for the hosts. The Cottagers, on the other hand, came from behind to beat Brighton in front of home fans, with the team regaining much-needed confidence. Claudio Ranieri’s men are determined to secure Premier League survival and we are positive that they are going to leave their hearts on the field in this Selhurst Park clash. Anyhow, both teams are likely to adopt a cautious approach in Saturday’s match and therefore, we believe that there is big value in betting on a draw. When the two teams met at Craven Cottage, Crystal Palace recorded a 2-0 win over Fulham .
STAR MAN: Michy Batshuayi (6.5m)
Debut day goal..!?
PREDICTION: Crystal Palace 2-2 Fulham
Everton vs Wolves
Everton will be looking to build on a hard-fought 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town when they host Wolverhampton at Goodison Park on Matchday 25. The Toffees have been having their ups and downs of late, but the victory over the Terriers helped them retain their spot in the top ten. Marco Silva’s men do not want to stop now and we predict that they are going to adopt an attack-minded approach in Saturday’s match with Wolves. Wolves proved their worth in a 3-0 win over West Ham United and they will be looking to give fans yet another reason for celebration when they face Everton this weekend. A man to watch in the home side will be Brazilian ace Richarlison, who scored the winner against Huddersfield Town.
STAR MAN: Raul Jimenez (6.6m)
Two goals last times around. He’s the man on form.
PREDICTION: Everton 0-2 Wolves
Cardiff vs Bournemouth
After recording a thrilling 4-0 win over Chelsea in their last league fixture, Bournemouth will be looking to give fans yet another reason for celebration when they take on Cardiff City in South Wales on Matchday 25. The Cherries outclassed the star-studded capital club in front of home fans and they must be high on confidence ahead of the trip to Cardiff. Callum Wilson is unlikely to be risked, but, in his absence, Norway international Joshua King is likely to prove a handful for the opposition defenders. The Bluebirds have been struggling to find their best form of late and seeing as they failed to score in four of their last five games in all competitions, we predict that the visitors are going to emerge triumphant in the Cardiff City Stadium clash. When the two teams met at the Vitality Stadium in the first half of the season, Bournemouth recorded a 2-0 win over Cardiff City.
STAR MAN: Josh King (6.4m)
He’ll be high on confidence after that result against Chelsea.
PREDICTION: Cardiff 0-2 Bournemouth
Leicester vs Manchester United
The King Power Stadium will host Sunday’s game between Leicester City and Manchester United. The Foxes did well to hold Liverpool to a draw at Anfield midweek, with the team producing one of their best performances of the season. Leicester City will aim to do one better in this one and we predict that they are going to adopt an attack-minded approach against Man Utd. The Red Devils, on the other hand, came from two goals behind to share the spoils with Burnley at Old Trafford, with the team moving a little closer to the Champions League places. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men aim to return to winning ways in the Premier League, but seeing as the Foxes are tough to beat at home, we predict that the two teams are going to share the spoils at the King Power Stadium on Matchday 25.
STAR MAN: Paul Pogba (8.7m)
Undoubtedly the heart of that United attack.
PREDICTION: Leicester 2-2 Manchester United
Manchester City vs Arsenal
All eyes will be on the Etihad Stadium when Manchester City and Arsenal face each other in the Premier League. The Citizens have recorded four wins in their previous five league fixtures, but they failed to impress in a midweek game against Newcastle United. Pep Guardiola’s troops aim to bounce back from the shocking 2-1 loss to the relegation-threatened side and seeing as Arsenal are not regarded as good travellers, we are tempted to put our money on Sergio Aguero and co. The Gunners recorded a hard-fought 2-1 win over Cardiff City in their last league match, but seeing as they are on a five-game winless run on the road, we are positive that Unai Emery’s troops are going to return home empty-handed from the trip to Manchester. In their last meeting in London, Man City recorded a 3-1 win over Arsenal.
STAR MAN: Sergio Aguero (11.3m)
The Argentine always loves a goal against the Gunners.
PREDICTION: Manchester City 3-1 Arsenal
West Ham vs Liverpool
West Ham and Liverpool face each other at the London Stadium in the Monday night football fixture. The Hammers aim to put an end to their three-match losing run in all competitions and it has to be noted that they conceded nine goals in total in their previous three games. Manuel Pellegrini’s men are low on confidence ahead of the visit of the league leaders, which is the main reason why the home win should not be considered. The Reds, on the other hand, dropped two points in a 1-1 draw with Leicester City at the weekend, meaning that they are desperate to get back on course. Jurgen Klopp’s men want to move one step closer to winning the Premier League trophy and we predict that they are going to take advantage of the fact that West Ham have suffered a dip in form.
STAR MAN: Mo Salah (13.6m)
Owned by more than 50% of live teams. You need to have him in your side.
PREDICTION: West Ham 0-3 Liverpool
Everton vs Manchester City
With the gap between the league leaders rising, Pep and his boys can’t afford to drop any more points. A double gameweek for these two teams means having representation from one of both sides is essential.
STAR MAN: Leroy Sane (9.7m)
His blistering pace will be something the Toffees will need to worry about.
PREDICTION: Everton 1-2 Manchester City
Written by FPL Transfer Tips (@FPL_TransTips)
