Premier League preview & predictions: Gameweek 16

Christmas is just around the corner and that means the Premier League schedule is becoming more congested with each passing week.

Gameweek 16 kicks off with a meeting between newly-promoted Brentford and Watford on Friday night, before Chelsea host Leeds and Anfield welcomes back Steven Gerrard in the pick of Saturday's games.

Sunday then sees Leicester and Newcastle, as well as Burnley and West Ham, square off before the curtain comes down with Crystal Palace vs Everton.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of this weekend's action...


Friday

Brentford vs Watford

When is kick off? Friday 10 December, 20:00 (GMT)
Where is it being played? Brentford Community Stadium
TV channel? Sky Sports (UK), fuboTV (US), DAZN (Canada)
Highlights? BBC Match of the Day (UK), Sky Sports Football YouTube channel
Referee? Michael Oliver
VAR? Jarred Gillett

Both Brentford and Watford have produced some impressive performances since winning promotion to the Premier League. However, there has also been some not-so-impressive displays.

The Hornets will be keen to arrest a run of three straight defeats and if anyone can mastermind an away point it's Claudio Ranieri. Apologies to any FPL managers who have Emmanuel Dennis in their team.

Prediction: Brentford 0-0 Watford


Saturday

Man City vs Wolves

Bernardo Silva has been in excellent form | Richard Heathcote/GettyImages

When is kick off? Saturday 11 December, 12:30 (GMT)
Where is it being played? Etihad Stadium
TV channel? BT Sport 1 (UK), fuboTV (US)
Highlights? BBC Match of the Day (UK), Sky Sports Football YouTube channel
Referee? Jonathan Moss
VAR? Andre Marriner

Manchester City are in the rare situation of entering a Premier League game off the back of a defeat. A much-rotated City side slumped to a disappointing Champions League loss against RB Leipzig in midweek and, unfortunately for Wolves, they will be extra motivated to win here.

Bruno Lage's side are impressive away from home though, so this won't be a walkover for the reigning champions.

Prediction: Man City 2-0 Wolves

Read 90min's full preview of Man City vs Wolves here


Arsenal vs Southampton

Martin Odegaard netted in defeat to Everton last time out | Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages

When is kick off? Saturday 11 December, 15:00 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Emirates Stadium
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, BBC Final Score (UK), fuboTV (US)
Highlights? Sky Sports Football YouTube channel, BBC Match of the Day (UK)
Referee? Jarred Gillett
VAR? Michael Oliver

After a mini-revival last month, a string of disappointing results has brought Arsenal crashing back down to Earth in more recent times. Their opponents on Saturday, Southampton, are faltering too, largely due to their inability to keep hold of a lead.

Arsenal's home record is impressive, as is their defence - most of the time anyway. Another trademark Mikel Arteta 1-0 win could be on the cards here.

Prediction: Arsenal 1-0 Southampton

Read 90min's full preview of Arsenal vs Southampton here


Chelsea vs Leeds

Chelsea were shocked by West Ham in their last Premier League game | Alex Pantling/GettyImages

When is kick off? Saturday 11 December, 15:00 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Stamford Bridge
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, BBC Final Score (UK), fuboTV (US)
Highlights? Sky Sports Football YouTube channel, BBC Match of the Day (UK)
Referee? Chris Kavanagh
VAR? Mike Dean

Chelsea welcome Leeds on Saturday off the back of some worrying recent performances. Marcelo Bielsa's charges, on the other hand, have looked rejuvenated of late, losing just one of their last five Premier League games.

Despite their contrasting fortunes, Chelsea - who could deploy Romelu Lukaku from the outset - should have more than enough to overcome their visitors.

Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Leeds

Read 90min's full preview of Chelsea vs Leeds here


Liverpool vs Aston Villa

Gerrard is back at Anfield | Shaun Botterill/GettyImages

When is kick off? Saturday 11 December, 15:00 (GMT)
Where is it being played? Anfield, Liverpool
What TV channel is it on? Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, BBC Final Score (UK), fuboTV (US)
Highlights? BBC Match of the Day (UK), Sky Sports Football YouTube channel
Who's the referee? Stuart Attwell
Who's the VAR? Lee Mason

Prepare yourselves for gushing montages galore, as Steven Gerrard takes his Aston Villa side back to his former stomping ground on Saturday.

His chances of it being a happy return are slim. Liverpool resemble an unstoppable juggernaut at the moment, with Mohamed Salah in the form of his career.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Aston Villa

Read 90min's full Liverpool vs Aston preview here


Norwich vs Man Utd

Rangnick has made an unbeaten start | Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages

When is kick off? Saturday 11 December, 17:30 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Carrow Road
What TV channel is it on? Sky Sports (UK), UNIVERSO (US), DAZN (Canada)
Highlights? Sky Sports YouTube channel (UK), Match of the Day (BBC - UK, 10.30pm)
Referee? Darren England
VAR? John Brooks

Ralf Rangnick takes Manchester United on the road for the first time, as they travel to Norwich in Saturday's late kick-off.

The Canaries also have a new boss in Dean Smith and he has already turned them into a more solid outfit. Will they be good enough to spring an upset? Probably not, no.

Prediction: Norwich 0-2 Manchester United

Read 90min's full Norwich vs Man Utd preview here


Sunday

Burnley vs West Ham

West Ham are massive | Julian Finney/GettyImages

When is kick off? Sunday 12 December, 14:00 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Turf Moor
What TV channel is it on? Sports Sunday (UK), fuboTV (US), DAZN (Canada)
Highlights? Sky Sports YouTube channel (UK), Match of the Day 2 (BBC - UK)
Referee? Graham Scott
VAR? Jon Moss

It's the battle of claret and blue as West Ham travel to Turf Moor to take on Burnley on Sunday afternoon.

The Hammers rotated heavily in the Europa League on Thursday night and with Burnley without a win in four games, they will confident of keeping their season on the right track here.

Prediction: Burnley 1-3 West Ham

You can read 90min's full preview of the match here.


Leicester vs Newcastle

Newcastle picked up a big win last time out | Ian MacNicol/GettyImages

When is kick off? Sunday 12 December, 14:00 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? King Power Stadium
What TV channel is it on? Sky Sports (UK), fuboTV (US), DAZN (Canada)
Highlights? Sky Sports YouTube channel (UK), Match of the Day 2 (BBC - UK)
Referee? Peter Bankes
VAR? Paul Tierney

Leicester's season is looking pretty bleak, with the Foxes' poor domestic form compounded by a Europa League exit in midweek.

There is still plenty of talent among their ranks but they need to kickstart the turnaround soon. Newcastle at home could be the ideal fixture to get some momentum back.

Prediction: Leicester 2-1 Newcastle


Crystal Palace vs Everton

Everton triumphed over Arsenal on Monday night | Naomi Baker/GettyImages

When is kick off? Sunday 12 December, 16:30 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Selhurst Park
What TV channel is it on? Sky Sports (UK), fuboTV (US), DAZN (Canada)
Highlights? Sky Sports YouTube channel (UK), Match of the Day 2 (BBC - UK)
Referee? Andy Madley
VAR? Stuart Attwell

With Tottenham's meeting with Brighton postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak, the ninth and final fixture this weekend is Crystal Palace vs Everton.

After a flying start the Patrick Vieira revolution has veered off track more recently, and after Everton got a victory over Arsenal last time out they will be a dangerous prospect.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Everton

You can read 90min's full preview of the match here.


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Source : 90min