Staff Picks: Best EPL Fantasy Fixture, Week 14

Zach - Liverpool v. Swansea City

If the Klopp effect was due to take hold, then Liverpool's dismantling of Manchester City 4-1 at the Etihad serves as a bench mark for what the German has instilled in his players. High pressing, aggressive, counter attacking football full of confidence was on display as the Red's were scintillating against a shell shocked City.

Now returning home to Anfield to avenge their previous loss to Crystal Palace, Liverpool will look to build on the back of that performance against Swansea City. With just one win in nine matches, the Swans will head to Liverpool desperate for points after a poor run of form. If the City match is any indication of how Liverpool will play, there could be goals a plenty in this fixture.

Jason - Manchester City v. Southampton

With the injury to Joe Hart on Wednesday, this fixture just got a whole lot more interesting. The Citizens, fresh off their dumpster fire of a performance against Liverpool, will want to get back on track against a Southampton side in great form. With 14 points taken from a possible 21, the visitors will be looking to add a big win, and they will need Grazianno Pelle and Saido Mane to step up in order to do so.

For City, replacing Hart means that an already suspect defense will have an even bigger hole to fill. Their best means of defense might be attack. And with Aguero back in the mix, along with the likes of KDB, Yaya Toure, and Raheem Sterling helping to spearhead the attack, that is a very real possibility. They will be taking on a Southampton defense that has only allowed six goals during that seven match stretch, but will be severely tested by the attack of the hosts.

Roberto - Tottenham Hotspur v. Chelsea

Spurs have not lost a single match since the opening day of the season against Manchester United, while Chelsea have won their first match after losing three straight in the league last time out against Norwich City. Pressure is still on the defending champions and they'll be facing off against a recent nemesis in Harry Kane, who is back in form and will look to repeat his New Years Day performance from last year and score against Chelsea at White Hart Lane. Chelsea looked great against Norwich and in the Champions League win midweek, but will the same level of play be enough to take down a much better Spurs side?

Charles - Leicester City v. Manchester United

Well, is it time to drop Mahrez and Vardy? Leicester lead the premiership having lost but one time so far this season delivering 28 goals. Are year ago they appeared certain candidates for relegation and now they find themselves top of the table but are heading into a very rough stretch of matches. Following this week, Swansea, Everton, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City. This will be the measure of their quality. And they have allowed 20 goals, the strength is in their attacking. Only the brave among us will ride them onward.

Manchester United are in second place and this game will be a statement for them going forward. Other than Juan Mata, David de Gea and Chris Smalling, who will be the starters? And perhaps this game should be avoided altogether because there are a number of other attractive fixtures.

Red hot Everton travel to Bournemouth, and if you prefer defensive struggles with consider Stoke/Sunderland and Villa hosting Watford. Chelsea travels to Whitehart Lane to face Spurs, hoping to build on last week's victory. Crystal palace host a poor Road team in Newcastle. But the fan and me is going to be watching Manchester United play Leicester.

Chris - Crystal Palace v. Newcastle

This may not be the obvious choice, a tilt between two teams coming off disappointing home shutout losses. However, the setback against Sunderland looks to be an aberration as Palace's first poor result of the season. While Newcastle could have been expected to perform better at St. James' Park against Leicester City, its season has been littered with horrific returns, particularly on the road where the Magpies have been outscored by a staggering 13-2. Palace has not poached more than a pair of goals in any game yet this season, but given the Selhurt Park locale as well as savvy striker Dwight Gayle's likely return from injury, I'll take the Eagles to secure a comfortable 2-0 victory in a weekend where the other fixtures appear murkier.

Keeper Wayne Hennessey is bargain-priced at 3,503 in Fantrax and sits at the basement cost of 4.0 in official BPL while defenders Scott Dann, Damien Delaney, Papa Souare and Joel Ward are not only a strong bet for a clean sheet, they've also combined to score five goals and notch two assists; beware, although Dann and Hennessey were the goats, Alan Pardew may be more tempted to rotate Souare or Ward out for Martin Kelly due to the wing backs' particularly piss-poor efforts on Monday. On offense, you hopefully already have Yohan Cabaye at discount but could be warranted rolling with him at retail, as the consistent midfield maestro was by far the best player on the pitch against the Black Cats, peppering the net with shots and delivering salivating service to his substandard teammates. If you feel like a more speculative play, this is the week you could earn a tidy payoff rolling the dice with the likes of Yannick Bolasie, Jason Puncheon and/or the aforementioned Gayle.

Gavin - AFC Bournemouth v. Everton

I was torn between this match and the Norwich - Arsenal match for my best fantasy fixture, but have opted to go for what I believe will be an enthralling match between the dessert clubs in the Premier League (Cherries and Toffees sound much more suited to a Thanksgiving meal than they do a football pitch, if you ask me). Bournemouth have struggled mightily since losing Callum Wilson to injury and don't look like improving their level of play too terribly much until they have the opportunity to bring in some reinforcements in January. On the other hand, Everton have been steamrolling lower-tier teams this season now that they don't have the distraction of Europa League football on Thursday evenings.

I think the Merseyside club will build on the impressive form of their attacking quartet of Romelu Lukaku, Arouna Kone, Gerard Deulofeu and Ross Barkley, while a second consecutive clean sheet for Tim Howard and company shouldn't be out of the question. Of course, Matt Ritchie is always capable of a moment of magic, but it's hard to see where else the goals will come from for Bournemouth at the moment. I'll be investing in Everton and hoping they're able to replicate their performance against Aston Villa this weekend.

Simon - Leicester City v. Manchester United

It's the match of the weekend for a number of reasons that make it also a fantasy game worth considering.

Its 1st vs 2nd in the table on a Saturday night UK time. Floodlights, a noisy and passionate home crowd will make this a must watch game. While they may not be the best two sides in the league in reality they have achieved the best results so far. Manchester United hold the EPl's top defence while Leicester has the league's top goal scorer. Last year it was one of the match of the season as Leicester City came from 3-1 down to win 5-3 and yes Vardy scored!

This year's match headlines will likely not be about the result or who leads the Premier League into December. The headlines will likely be about the current leader In the player of the season stakes Jamie Vardy. Should the Foxes hotshot score in his 11th consecutive EPL game he will break the Premier League record.

Despite the Red Devils issues in front of goal I do think there will be goals in this match. Vardy is in such form you can't bet against him scoring again and there is a certain inevitable feeling about him do so. Rihad Marhez has been in great form also and with talk of possible January bids for him will very much in the shop window in this one. Leicester still concede chances and I'm struggling to see back to back clean sheets for them at any point this season. For Utd they have looked a better attacking force in away games where the opposition pushes up on them a little more. They have scored more away than at home but also conceded more. There is little between the sides and it has the look of a game that may come down to the final minutes.