This week we already have one match in the books: West Ham and Leicester battled to a 1-1 draw yesterday. Leicester are now winless in their last four, and West Ham have not won since September 30.
But we still have a sumptuous Thanksgiving feast of fixtures laid out for us, with nine matches yet to play out this weekend. Here’s what’s on the menu:
*
Saturday
Crystal Palace v Stoke
Palace weren’t quite able to pick up their second win last week, but they’ll have a decent shot at it again this week when Stoke comes to town. On the opposite end of the pitch, Stoke will be looking for their first win this month.
Manchester United v Brighton
The return of Paul Pogba marked the return of the imperious style of football that characterized Manchester United’s play prior to his injury. I expect them to lay seige to Brighton in this match of whale against minnow.
Newcastle v Watford FC
Both teams have lost three of their last four, and both will feel they need to pick up points from this match.
Tottenham v West Brom
West Brom have fired Tony Pulis after he accrued a record of 2-4-6, with his last four games all ending in defeat. The Baggies now find themselves just one point above the relegation zone, and face a trip to a top-5 side under the guidance of a caretaker manager. The Spurs have lost two of their last three, including key matches against Manchester United and last week’s bitter defeat to Arsenal. They’ll be looking to make amends today, so this could get ugly for WBA.
Swansea v Bournemouth
Swansea are not a good side, but Bournemouth have won two in a row. I see a road win here.
Liverpool v Chelsea
This fixture has serious Champions League implications, with only 3 points separating #3 Chelsea from #5 Liverpool. This should be very fun to watch — I’m expecting goals.
*
Sunday
Southampton v Everton
Southampton haven’t won since October 21. Everton have only two wins on the entire season. The better team will win this one, and that is the Saints.
Burnley v Arsenal
Arsenal pulled off a masterful (and unexpected?) win against arch-rival Spurs last week, but they have had less success away from the Emirates. Nick Pope has only lost one game since he became Burnley’s #1, and he’ll be looking to keep that statistic intact.
Huddersfield v Manchester City
Not much to say here besides “incoming!!!” City will shell a Huddersfield side that just does not have the talent to match up to what is possibly the best team in Europe right now. Jonas Lossl will be a busy boy.
Come on in and join the conversation as we discuss all this weekend’s action!