EPL Week 15 - Sunday Preview
Chelsea (1st) v West Brom (8th) @ Stamford Bridge
The high flying Blues go in search of their 9th straight win when they host West Brom on Sunday in the early kickoff. Chelsea put in their most impressive victory of the season last week with a stunning 3-1 win at Manchester City giving them a 3-point buffer at the top of the Premier League. Central to Chelsea's rise to the top has been their defence, conceding just 2 goals in their past 8 matches. West Brom have been in much better form of late climbing to 8th in the table, just one point behind Manchester United. They have won 3 of their past 4 matches including a dominant 3-1 home victory over Watford last week. When the sides last met in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea had to rely on a late equaliser to draw 2-2.
Verdict - Chelsea 2 West Brom 1
Chelsea are flying high at the moment and I expect them to keep the roll going with a win here. I don't think this game will be straightforward as West Brom are also currently playing really well and are a team that can frustrate opponents for long periods.
Manchester United (6th) v Tottenham Hotspur (5th) @ Old Trafford
Jose Mourinho will be desperate for his troops to get back in the winner's circle when they host Spurs at Old Trafford on Sunday. United once again threw away the 3 points at Everton last week as they crumbled late, conceding a soft penalty as Leighton Baines converted from the spot. Despite being just one place behind Spurs on the table, United are alarmingly 6 points from 5th place nearing halfway through the season. Tottenham need a statement win if they are to be considered more than just a Top 4 team once again. A Loss to Chelsea, and draws against Liverpool and Arsenal have frustrated Spurs, with them often unable to find that killer instinct. Back in August of 2015 when the teams last met at Old Trafford, United secured a tight and tense 1-0 victory.
Verdict - Tottenham 2 Manchester United 1
Going for an upset here and Spurs to grab a win at Old Trafford. United are travelling back from a Thursday night game and I feel they might be flat here. United have gone a while without a win at Old Trafford and they will be desperate for a win here.
Southampton (12th) v Middlesbrough (16th) @ St. Mary's
Southampton will be looking to put a nightmare week behind them when they host Middlesbrough on Sunday. The Saints put in a miserable performance in being thumped 3-0 at Crystal Palace last week, before being eliminated from the Europa League in mid-week. Middlesbrough held on for a 1-0 victory at Hull at home last week to stay 16th in the table. While they occupy a fairly lowly position, Middlesbrough have been competitive in nearly every game this year, and have been one of the better lower ranked teams in terms of consistency in performance. This is a game with big ramifications for Middlesbrough, as they can jump their opponents and go all the way to 12th with a victory.
Verdict - Southampton 0 Middlesbrough 0
Expecting this game to be tense and tight. Middlesbrough have been hard to break down at times this year and the Saints are looking a bit down on confidence and form. Going for a rare scoreless draw !
Liverpool (3rd) v West Ham (18th) @ Anfield
Liverpool will be looking to put last weekend's nightmare collapse behind them with a victory against West Ham at Anfield on Sunday. Liverpool were once again banging in the goals and dominating another game before they shockingly conceded 3 goals in the final 20 minutes in a disastrous loss at Bournemouth last week. Despite being the leading scorers in the Premier League, Liverpool now sit 4 points behind leaders Chelsea and can ill afford to give away many more games in similar circumstances. West Ham are having a disastrous season and that was on show last week as they were whacked 5-1 at home against Arsenal. After 14 rounds, West Ham are in the relegation zone and their fans will be worried that this team are falling apart after such a promising season last year. West Ham claimed a famous victory in their last trip to Anfield in the Premier League, running out 3-0 winners in August 2015. Way back in 2004 was the last time these two sides met in the Premier League at St Mary's, with the teams playing out an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Verdict - Liverpool 4 West Ham 1
West Ham are a team in crisis at the moment and I see them copping another pasting here. Liverpool need to rebound from last week's disaster and I think they will pick apart a defence that has been all at sea this year.