Gameweek 16 of the Premier League campaign comes hot on the heels of gameweek 15. This weekend’s fixtures could be pivotal in many of the big issues in the Premier League this season. Here is the pick of this weekend’s games.
Saturday
Bournemouth v Liverpool (Kick-off 12:30 PM)
The early Premier League kick-off sees Liverpool travel to the south coast to face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
A victory for the Reds would see them move to the top of the table, at least temporarily. Meanwhile, a draw or win for the Cherries would be enough to move Eddie Howe’s side up to sixth, again at least temporarily.
Bournemouth returned to winning ways in the Premier League last time by recording a 2-1 victory over Huddersfield. The win ended a poor run of form in the league, as the home side had suffered four consecutive losses in the top-flight.
Despite the recent poor run, the Cherries are still seventh place in the top-flight table, only behind sixth-place Everton by virtue of an inferior goal difference. One concern for Howe’s side is that they have won just one of their last four league games at the Vitality Stadium.
Liverpool heads to the south coast unbeaten in their 15 Premier League games this season, just two points behind league leaders Manchester City in the race for the title.
The Reds know they have a chance to capitalise on the fact that the Citizens have a potentially tough trip to Chelsea in the late kick-off.
Jurgen Klopp’s team have recorded four straight victories in the Premier League, while also enjoying a good eye for goal by scoring at least twice in three of their last four matches in the top-flight.
The Merseysiders are unbeaten in eight away games in the top-flight, having recorded six wins. Klopp’s team have only failed to score twice in 15 away games in the top-flight, at arch-rivals Everton and Chelsea. The Reds are the favourites to record a victory that would move them to the summit of the table.
Chelsea v Manchester City (Kick-off 5:30 PM)
The late kick-off in the top-flight sees Manchester City face a test of their unbeaten run against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea head into this big clash on their worst run of the season in the Premier League, having claimed just one win in their last four league outings. The Blues have also suffered two defeats in that run, in what are the first blips of Maurizio Sarri’s reign as boss.
In their last top-flight outing, the Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat at Wolves. However, they will be looking to bounce back against the reigning champions in this clash.
One positive for the Blues of late is their recent home record in the Premier League. The home side are unbeaten in 11 top-flight games at Stamford Bridge, a record that City have the quality to put to the test.
The Citizens once again look the team to beat in the English top-flight this season. Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in the Premier League this season, having collected 13 wins from 15 matches.
The visitors have won seven straight matches in the Premier League while scoring at least two goals in each of their last five outings. City are undefeated in 14 away games in the Premier League, while recording 11 wins.
City are renowned for their attacking play, but Guardiola’s side has also collected clean sheets in six of their last eight matches in the Premier League on their travels.
This weekend’s other Premier League games (Kick-off 3 PM unless stated)
Saturday
Arsenal v Huddersfield
Burnley v Brighton
Cardiff v Southampton
Manchester United v Fulham
West Ham v Crystal Palace
Leicester v Spurs (Kick-off 7:45 PM)
Sunday
Newcastle v Wolves (Kick-off 4 PM)
Monday
Everton v Watford (Kick-off 8 PM)
Who will pick up crucial wins in gameweek 16 of the Premier League?
