Match to catch
This season’s unpredictable Premier League title race took yet another twist in midweek, as Claudio Ranieri’s fearless Leicester City side consolidated their unlikely position as league leaders. But just five points separate the top four and the highly competitive nature of the division means Leicester have by far the lowest points per game average of any of the leaders of the top five leagues in Europe - just 2.08 compared to the continent-best of 2.74 by Paris St Germain in France. Now the Foxes face a severe test of their title potential as they visit Manchester City and Arsenal in successive matches - but if they can come out of those two matches with their confidence largely intact, then they could soon be thought of title favourites for the first time. Man City haven’t lost to Leicester in more than 12 years and they will expect that run to continue on Saturday, but writing off Ranieri’s team has become a dangerous game. Prediction: Man City 2 Leicester 1.
Keep an eye on
Manchester United and Chelsea have won 17 of the 23 English Premier League titles so far - including seven in a row between 2005 and 2011 - but Sunday’s match-up between the pair will be somewhat overshadowed by the battle of the top two 24 hours earlier. Chelsea go into the match unbeaten in eight league games, while United scored three fine goals against Stoke on Tuesday, but it’s safe to say that, even as early as February, neither of them will win the league this season. That’s quite a comedown for both, but there will still be plenty at stake at Stamford Bridge and the Red Devils will be desperate to end their run of nine games without a win against the Blues. Prediction: Chelsea 1 Man Utd 1.
For the purists
Life was peachy for Crystal Palace as 2015 ended, with the Eagles in the top six on the back of a six-game unbeaten run. But, five games into the new year, they haven’t added anything to their points total of 31, have scored just two goals and are now down in 12th position. Manager Alan Pardew has gambled on Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor in a bid to reignite their season and he needs the enigmatic frontman to deliver quickly if Palace are to stay in the battle for a European place. Prediction: Swansea 1 Palace 0.
Showing form
It’s extraordinary to think that Tottenham Hotspur, one of the biggest names in English football, are still waiting for their first league triumph since their 1961 double-winning season. They have had some great players and very good teams in the mean time, but the title has always remained illusive - and they haven’t even bettered fourth place in the Premier League era. Now, however, a combination of Mauricio Pochettino’s astute management, some stand-out performances from Harry Kane and Dele Alli and the open nature of the league leaves Spurs with a good chance of ending their drought. But they will be under pressure to beat Watford at home on Saturday, so it will be interesting to see how they react. Prediction: Spurs 3 Watford 1.
Need a win
If Tottenham fans have reasons to be cheerful at the moment, followers of arch-rivals Arsenal must be suffering familiar feelings of dread after seeing their side go badly off the boil just as championship-quality sides begin to show their class. The Gunners are without a win in four league games despite having the majority of their star players back from injury, so Sunday’s game at impressive Bournemouth is far from an away banker. Prediction: Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 2.
Get involved
Think I’m way off the mark? Tweet me your English Premier League predictions via @MartinDownerUK.
- The writer is a freelance journalist based in the UK
