Premier League preview & predictions: Gameweek 17

Got enough football into your veins recently? No? Well, you're in luck. Yes? Well, here's another heavy dose regardless.

We're well into the hectic festive schedule English football loves to provide around this time of year, with games coming thick and fast for clubs up and down the land.

One fixture, Brentford vs Manchester United, has already bitten the dust because of a Covid-19 outbreak at Old Trafford, but we're still hopeful of seeing nine fascinating matches this round.

Here's all the info you need before gameweek 17.


Tuesday

Norwich vs Aston Villa

Gerrard's return to Anfield ended in defeat | Clive Brunskill/GettyImages

When is kick off? Tuesday 14 December, 19:45 (GMT)
Where is it being played? Carrow Road, Norwich
TV channel? BT Sport 3 (UK), Peacock (US), DAZN (Canada)
Highlights? BBC Match of the Day (UK), Sky Sports Football YouTube channel
Referee? David Coote
VAR? Peter Bankes

With the United/Brentford game now off, we kick things off with Aston Villa - another side to have been hit by a Covid-19 outbreak, though right now it is expected their clash with Norwich will be played.

Canaries manager Dean Smith has the chance to exact some revenge on his former employers, who let him go in November following a poor run of results. He got his next job at Carrow Road just over a week later and has started reasonably well, though a run of four games without a win is worrying.

Steven Gerrard, the manager who replaced Smith at Villa, saw his side beaten on his return to Liverpool at the weekend, but the Villans should be able to squeak out another good result under their new boss on Tuesday.

Prediction: Norwich 1-2 Aston Villa

Read 90min's full preview of Norwich vs Aston Villa here.


Manchester City vs Leeds

Sterling bagged the winner against Wolves | Visionhaus/GettyImages

When is kick off? Tuesday 14 December, 20:00 (GMT)
Where is it being played? Etihad Stadium, Manchester
TV channel? BT Sport 2 (UK), fuboTV (US), DAZN (Canada)
Highlights? BBC Match of the Day (UK - 15/12), Sky Sports Football YouTube channel
Referee? Paul Tierney
VAR? Darren England

It's always fun when Pep Guardiola and Marcelo Bielsa get together. The former is a noted admirer of the latter and games between the pair since Leeds were promoted have been brilliant.

The Whites didn't lose to Manchester City last season and earned a shock victory in this corresponding fixture, though with their current injury issues it's hard to envisage such a result repeating itself.

The Citizens are entering their customary 'we're going to win the league' mood and should run out comfortable victors here.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Leeds

Read 90min's full preview of Manchester City vs Leeds here.


Wednesday

Crystal Palace vs Southampton

Gallagher is enjoying life at Selhurst Park | Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages

When is kick off? Wednesday 15 December, 19:30 (GMT)
Where is it being played? Selhurst Park, London
TV channel? BT Sport 3 (UK), Peacock (US), DAZN (Canada)
Highlights? BBC Match of the Day (UK), Sky Sports Football YouTube channel
Referee? Simon Hooper
VAR? John Brooks

Crystal Palace have been in a bit of a rut recently but brought that to a stylish end by thumping Everton 3-1 on Sunday, with Conor Gallagher starring with a classy double.

That win took them three points ahead of Southampton, their next opponents, who have only won three league games so far this season.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has often got a result when he's needed one, and he definitely needs one here. However, with a few injuries up front, he may not get it.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Southampton


Brighton vs Wolves

Brighton haven't played since drawing against Southampton | Mike Hewitt/GettyImages

When is kick off? Wednesday 15 December, 19:30
Where is it being played? AMEX Stadium, Brighton
TV channel? BT Sport 2 (UK), Peacock (US), DAZN (Canada)
Highlights? BBC Match of the Day (UK), Sky Sports Football YouTube channel
Referee? Tony Harrington
VAR? Craig Pawson

Draw specialists Brighton have stalled over the past couple of months, with their inefficiency in front of goal costing them points. They didn't have a game at the weekend as their fixture with Tottenham was postponed.

They're a defensively frugal side, just like Wolves, who gave Manchester City a tough game despite having Raul Jimenez sent off in comical fashion.

This won't be a classic. We'll be lucky if we see a few goals, but it still might end in stalemate.

Prediction: Brighton 1-1 Wolves


Burnley vs Watford

Dennis has impressed this season | Alex Pantling/GettyImages

When is kick off? Wednesday 15 December, 19:30 (GMT)
Where is it being played? Turf Moor, Burnley
TV channel? BT Sport ESPN (UK), Peacock (US), DAZN (Canada)
Highlights? BBC Match of the Day (UK), Sky Sports Football YouTube channel
Referee? Martin Atkinson
VAR? Stuart Attwell

From one potentially boring encounter to another, two relegation candidates battle it out at Turf Moor when Burnley host Watford.

The Clarets have managed to avoid any serious danger of dropping into the Championship in recent years but they've stalled in recent weeks, sitting 18th following a run of four draws from five games.

Watford have managed to show considerably more goal threat despite losing each of their last four games. They should have beaten Brentford on Friday night but capitulated to lose 2-1. They could get that victory here though.

Prediction: Burnley 1-2 Watford


Arsenal vs West Ham

Ramsdale is already a fan favourite | Eddie Keogh/GettyImages

When is kick off? Wednesday 15 December, 20:00 (GMT)
Where is it being played? Emirates Stadium, London
TV channel? BT Sport 1 (UK), NBCSN (US), DAZN (Canada)
Highlights? BBC Match of the Day (UK), Sky Sports Football YouTube channel
Referee? Anthony Taylor
VAR? Chris Kavanagh

Even when things are going well at Arsenal, there seems to be some kind of silly sideshow. This past weekend it was the latest axing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and it remains to be seen whether manager Mikel Arteta will bring his captain into the side to face West Ham on Wednesday.

It's an exciting fixture and one the visitors will be confident of winning, given they've dispatched of sides like Liverpool and Chelsea already this season.

Arsenal rolled over Southampton for a straightforward 3-0 last time but might not have things all their own way here.

Prediction: Arsenal 1-2 West Ham

Read 90min's full preview of Arsenal vs West Ham here.


Thursday

Leicester vs Tottenham

Leicester thumped Newcastle | Visionhaus/GettyImages

When is kick off? Thursday 16 December, 19:30 (GMT)
Where is it being played? King Power Stadium, Leicester
TV channel? BT Sport 3 (UK), Peacock (US), DAZN (Canada)
Highlights? BBC Match of the Day (UK), Sky Sports Football YouTube channel
Referee? Craig Pawson
VAR? Lee Mason

This is another game where it remains to be seen whether it'll go ahead.

Some Tottenham players have returned to training after the first team area of their training ground was shut following a spate of positive Covid-19 results.

More testing will be required, and while there's been no official word yet, communication from the Premier League is expected soon.


Chelsea vs Everton

Jorginho bagged two penalties to beat Leeds | Visionhaus/GettyImages

When is kick off? Thursday 16 December, 19:45 (GMT)
Where is it being played? Stamford Bridge, London
TV channel? BT Sport 2 (UK), NBCSN (US), DAZN (Canada)
Highlights? BBC Match of the Day (UK), Sky Sports Football YouTube channel
Referee? Michael Oliver
VAR? Darren England

Everything seemed to be going swimmingly for Chelsea, but their characteristic stodginess at the back has crumbled recently. They've conceded eight goals in their last three games, surrendering their position at the top of the Premier League to Man City in the process.

However, Everton should prove to be a pretty good tonic to the Blues' current issues.

While the Toffees recently scored a memorable victory over Arsenal courtesy of Demarai Gray's stunner, the defeat at Palace on Sunday again highlighted problems in their side. Rafa Benitez hasn't been helped by injuries, and things likely won't get any better in their trip to Stamford Bridge.

Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Everton


Liverpool vs Newcastle

Salah is in fantastic form | Clive Brunskill/GettyImages

When is kick off? Thursday 16 December, 20:00 (GMT)
Where is it being played? Anfield, Liverpool
TV channel? BT Sport 1 (UK), Peacock (US), DAZN (Canada)
Highlights? BBC Match of the Day (UK), Sky Sports Football YouTube channel
Referee? Mike Dean
VAR? Simon Hooper

Liverpool put their feelings to one side on Saturday by dispatching of Gerrard's Villa, though they were made to work hard for that victory and only got there courtesy of a Mohamed Salah penalty.

The Reds are second in the league and have netted 45 goals in the process. Newcastle, by contrast, are 19th and have the worst defence in England's top flight, having shipped 45 goals. Their fans had a pretty miserable trip to Leicester on Sunday, seeing their side lose 4-0.

There's really only one possible result here, and it's a heavy Liverpool win. Make sure you make Salah your FPL captain this gameweek, folks.

Prediction: Liverpool 5-0 Newcastle


For more from Jude Summerfield, follow him on Twitter!


Source : 90min