Staff Picks: Best EPL Fantasy Fixture, Week 22

Zach: Aston Villa v. Leicester City

Aston Villa produced their first victory under manager Remi Garde, defeating Crystal Palace 1-0 at Villa Park. But don't let that win fool you, Villa were gifted the 3 points after a major blunder by Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey. Needless to say the corner has yet to be turned and Villa are still a club in a dire crisis. While any win will be a boost to any club in the same position, the Villans will have their hands full when joint league leaders Leicester City pay a visit to Villa Park.

Leicester City for their part have failed to let their miraculous bubble burst, something many predicted would happen. But yet, the Foxes have been able to forge on in admirable fashion, taking all 3pts against a surging Spurs side at White Hart Lane. While Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy have gone quiet in the last few matches, Leicester's other players have stepped up to fill the void. There is no better match than against bottom of the league Aston Villa for Vardy and Mahrez to rediscover their deadly form. Goals are not a chance in this match, they are all but certain.

Simon: Tottenham Hotspur v. Sunderland

In terms of entertainment Sunday has a pair of crackers. Both Liverpool v Manchester United and Stoke v Arsenal has history and could be games that are all to play for into the last 10 minutes. Based on the defending midweek pool v Utd could be any score but I suspect both sides will tighten and it will be a low goal scoring affair. Stoke has had the beating of Arsenal in recent years but they are a side that will approach the fixture very different know.

For our fantasy thoughts then we need to look elsewhere. I tipped them midweek and it went wrong but I'm sticking with Spurs again. Tottenham v Sunderland should see the home side get back to winning ways. Sunderland just cannot defend making Kane a must. Jermain Defoe scored his 9th Premier League hat trick at Swansea. The officials and Spurs defence will not be so kind this weekend. A home win by a couple of goals for me and possible clean sheet.

Roberto: Liverpool v. Manchester United

The match of the week for me is one of the biggest rivalries in the Premier League: Liverpool against Manchester United. Following a pair of enthralling draws (both of them 3-3!) in midweek, the Reds and Red Devils are looking for what will be a huge three points at this stage of the season. The teams are separated by just three points, so a win would not only bring bragging rights but also carry momentum into the rest of the season for their Top 4 hopes. If midweek is anything to go by, Jurgen Klopp vs Louis Van Gaal is a dream made in heaven and the attacking form of the likes of Wayne Rooney and Roberto Firmino is hard to ignore.

Mo: Newcastle v. West Ham United

The standout fixture for me this week will be West Ham visiting Newcastle. It will be a match full of points for both teams, though I expect the majority to come from West Ham's attacking trio of Dimitri Payet, Michail Antonio and Enner Valencia. Newcastle seems to concede a lot these days and the Hammers are looking in a great form after Payet's recovery from injury. I also have a feeling that James Collins will score this week.

Charles: Tottenham Hotspur v. Sunderland

It's always fun to have players playing in the first match on Saturday, and I believe there are some good choices to be had from each side.

Tottenham has enjoyed a great season and will be making a concerted effort to get to Champion's League competition and perhaps even more. I like Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane always seems to score at White Hart Lane. The Spurs defense has been tough this season, also, so there's a lot of value to be found in the North London squad.

Almost miraculously, Sunderland exploded for 4 goals this week at what looked like an improving Swansea City side. Jermain Defoe is still cheap following his hat-trick and will be facing his former club. Patrick Van Aanholt has also enjoyed a resurgence and he is capable of devastating opponents with his marauding runs down the flanks.

Gavin: Aston Villa v. Leicester City

For a brief time over the holiday period it looked like Leicester City were finally beginning to drop off the pace for the title, but a midweek victory over Spurs has thrust them back into the lead alongside Arsenal. The first half of the season was built on the attacking form of Mahrez and Vardy, but we've seen the rest of the squad catch up recently with a slew of improved defensive performances to help cover for a bit of a slowdown from the attacking duo. I expect both the attack and defense for the Foxes to put up solid points this week against a Villa side that had to rely on a goalkeeping error to claim their first league win in recent memory.

While the Villans are looking down and out with only 11 points, Remi Garde has made some changes to the squad that led to an improved performance against Palace, so there could be some differential plays here if you're not a fan of Leicester's defense. Jordans Ayew and Veretout have been consistently productive attacking options lately, while Aly Cissokho and Mark Bunn represent bargain options on the defensive side if you're feeling like Villa have turned a corner (I do not and wouldn't recommend investing on the defensive side for Villa).