Staff Picks: Best EPL Fantasy Fixture, Week 13

Chris - Newcastle v. Leicester City

Unlike last game week, there's an abundance of strong options this time around. For games promising goals from both sides, there's Chelsea v. Norwich, Everton v. Aston Villa and Newcastle v. Leicester City. For teams which should dent the scoreboard on offense while also having a solid chance at a clean sheet, there's Southampton (vs. Stoke), Manchester City (v. Liverpool) and Crystal Palace (vs. Sunderland).

Since I don't have a six-sided die handy, guess I've got to make an actual decision on my own and it's Newcastle vs. Leicester City. Sure the Magpies are absolute rubbish on the road, but they're surprisingly solid at St. James' Park. Meanwhile, the Foxes actually have a higher goal differential as visitors than when enjoying the cozy confines of King Power Stadium. Newcastle should be able to turn a comfortable possession advantage into plenty of solid chances, but Leicester should have no trouble making hay with its blistering counterattacks. In a fun game that could go either way, I'm expecting to see something on the order of 2-2, 3-1 or 3-2, with Riyad Mahrez, Aroze Perez, Jamie Vardy and Georginio Wijnaldum continuing to reap the rewards.

Roberto - Manchester City v. Liverpool

The match of the weekend has to be Manchester City vs. Liverpool. When you look at the situation both sides, it's a must win for both. The Reds ran out winners over City on the majority of occasions under Rodgers, but can they replicate that under Klopp? Klopp's men will need regain momentum after losing to Crystal Palace two weeks ago and have to rely on big players such as Philippe Coutinho and Christian Benteke.

For the Citizens, with Sergio Aguero's fitness in doubt, are Manuel Pellegrini's men in a disadvantage? They need to have players like Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne up and rolling with they want victory to stay at the top of the league table.

Charles - Chelsea v. Norwich City

Greetings to all for the magical kingdom of Cambodia where I am helping start a soccer Academy here in Siem Reap. Hopefully more will follow on that later, but I just wanted to offer my fantasy game selection of the week.

The game I like this week is Chelsea hosting Norwich at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea, of course, has been the major team disappointment in the Barclay's premiership this season. And Jose Mourinho is fortunate, in some ways, to still have his job. I'm sure he and all the Chelsea fans are hoping that the international break gives the Blues an opportunity to get back on track.

What's the deal with Eden Hazard? He hardly looks the same player from last year. Chelsea's defense has already conceded 23 goals, the exact same number as Norwich. The Chelsea defenders were once considered fantasy gold. And actually Norwich ranks one spot ahead of Chelsea in the table. I'm actually taking Chelsea to get back in the w in the win column this week and intend to load up on a few of their players, hopefully bargain priced. It's now or never for Chelsea.

Gavin - Chelsea v. Norwich City

As Chris mentioned, this is a tough week to select a fixture because there are quite a few good options. I came very close to selecting Crystal Palace hosting Sunderland as my top fantasy fixture this week, but something keeps telling me there's a sea change on the horizon for Jose Mourinho and his Chelsea charges, to the tune of a season-changing drubbing against Norwich.

It's hardly a notion that lends itself to probability at this point, with the Canaries actually sitting one place ahead of the Blues in the table, but the international break has will have allowed the manager some time to reflect on things out of the media spotlight, and given the manager's quality I think he'll have something up his sleeve to spring on poor Norwich.

The Chelsea players may also have benefited from some time away from the club and the relative drama surrounding it, and I think we'll see rejuvenated performances from the likes of Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa and the fit-again Branislav Ivanovic. My prediction is a bold one, but I say Chelsea run out winners by at least 3 goals.

Simon - Manchester City v. Liverpool

Neither side look solid in defence struggling with sides who press and attack in numbers which both of the attacks in this match do. But don't rule out the defenders completely as they join in with attacking duties as much as their more forward teammates.

In what looks an open, end-to-end game I can see plenty of players racking up the points in this one. Which player to pick is the challenge. Keep an eye on team news for sure starters, then make a gut pick from those options.

Jason - Newcastle v. Leicester City

This match has some of the highest odds in the sportsbooks to see three goals or more, and for good reason. Anytime you match Jamie Vardy, Marc Albrighton, and Riyah Mahrez up against the magical realm that is Newcastle's defense, you're going to get excited. Throw in the fact that the Leicester City stars have had some time to rest over the international break, and you have an improved chance to see Vardy match Ruud van Nistelrooy's record for consecutive matches with a goal. Vardy is likely going to give it a go, as reports state he will take an injection to help with the groin issue he suffered late in the win against Watford.

On the flip side, you have a Newcastle team at home that will be looking to build on their recent form, which won't be easy to do. However, Leicester City hasn't exactly been Fort Knox on defense. They have only recorded one clean sheet in the last six matches, Georginio Wijnaldum is obviously the best choice for points in this matchup, but Ayoze Perez is going to get chances to score against the Foxes. When it's all said and done, this could easily be the highest scoring match of the weekend, and while it would be an upset for the Magpies to steal the win, don't be surprised if they give Leicester City all they can handle.