Two teams with incoming managers clash at Goodison Park, Leicester and Manchester City try to make ground on Liverpool and there’s a London Derby for the ages at White Hart Lane
While there are some interesting ties between teams battling to avoid the drop, much of the focus this weekend is on two sleeping giants who meet in the North, a battle for the right to challenge the throne in the North-West and a gigantic clash in the capital. It’s like Game of Thrones returned for Winter in the English Premier League.
Everton vs. Arsenal (Saturday 21st December, 12:30 pm GMT kick-off)
A fascinating clash between two teams about to kick off new regimes will unfold on Saturday lunchtime local time as Everton host Arsenal. While in the 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s, this would have likely been a top six clash, neither side look close to cracking that group of clubs (Liverpool, Leicester, both Manchester clubs and the two London teams who meet on Sunday).
With Carlo Ancelotti and Mikel Arteta likely to be confirmed as the new incumbents at Everton and Arsenal respectively, who will win on Saturday may be of more significance than the immediate gain or loss of the three points at stake. A clear direction and positive impetus with which to achieve it are two hallmarks that both managers can lay claim to understanding, Arteta under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and Ancelotti virtually everywhere he’s been. Oddly, the Italian’s recent failure to land a title has come at a club no-one expected it of him, at Napoli.
Whether Everton or Arsenal purport to be genuine top six contenders in the 2020/2021 season remains to be seen. But both sides will want to get their new boss off to the best possible start.
Our tip: Both teams to score and a draw
Man. City vs. Leicester City (Saturday 21st December, 5:30 pm GMT kick-off)
While Manchester City look to be too far behind Liverpool to catch their challengers from last season, the one side within range is Leicester. This weekend will tell us whether that’s due to their amazing form in their first 17 games or the fact that so far, they’ve yet to play last season’s champions.
Brendan Rodgers has so far led his side to a run of games that has seen them defeated only by the title favourites Liverpool and a buoyant Manchester United, on each occasion only a questionable penalty defeating The Foxes.
Can Jamie Vardy lead Leicester to another high-profile win on the road and in doing so, completely end any chance Manchester City have on including themselves in discussing regarding the title race come the New Year.
Our tip: Leicester to score the first goal
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Chelsea (Sunday 22nd December, 4:30 pm GMT kick-off)
A massive clash in the capital takes place at White Hart Lane as Jose Mourinho’s Spurs welcome his old protégé Frank Lampard’s Chelsea. For the neutral, it promises to be a mouthwatering clash between two teams who hate each other. For the clubs involved, from managers to players, fans and coaching staff, only winning matters.
With both clubs on the edge of Champions League qualification, they will know that a draw only lets Manchester United gain ground on both sides. A win for either side, however, and the race for 4th place in the Premier League looks a whole lot easier.
Our tip: Dele Alli to score and Spurs to win
EPL Gameweek #18 fixtures:
Saturday 21st December
Everton vs. Arsenal (12:30 pm GMT kick-off)
Bournemouth vs. Burnley (3:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Aston Villa vs. Southampton (3:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Brighton vs. Sheffield Utd (3:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Newcastle vs. Crystal Palace (3:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Norwich vs. Wolves (3:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Man. City vs. Leicester City (5:30 pm GMT kick-off)
Sunday 22nd December
Watford vs. Man Utd (2:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Chelsea (4:30 pm GMT kick-off)
