Not many would have predicted a top of the table clash between Leicester City and Manchester United at this stage of the season but Claudio Ranieri’s side have taken the EPL by storm with their entertaining brand of football.
– FIFA: Confiscated World Cup watches donated to charity
– UDINESE: Time to compete with Serie A’s giants
– SHARE, RATE, WIN: Sport360 ValoraFutbol
– Follow: Live footballs scores around the world
Andy Gray and Richard Keys who front beIN Sports’ Premier League coverage discuss this and the other games.
Leicester v Manchester United
Andy Gray: As soon as the whistle goes Leicester are going to rip into them, there is going to be a pace about them, creativity and Schmeichel in goal – sounds like United of yesteryear doesn’t it.
The one thing United have done reasonably well this year is defend so if they can cope with the energy of Ranieri’s side they might get a point. 1-1.
Richard Keys: Frankly, I think everything I have been saying about Van Gaal is coming home to roost in that he is not the right fit for United.
They have an obligation to entertain, it’s in their DNA, and for them to serve up that terrible performance in Europe in midweek, on the 10th anniversary of George Best’s death, was a slap in the face for everybody who has lived by that mantra. 2-1.
Tottenham v Chelsea
AG: This is going to be a huge test for Chelsea but they have won back to back games and look to be a bit more settled. Spurs are favourites but I can see this ending 2-2.
RK: Tottenham look to be on the rise but my only reservation is that after playing in Europe they’ve not had much time to reorganise for this game. 1-1.
Man City v Southampton
AG: Normally, I would back City all day long but the last three games might have been a shock to their system. They struggled against Villa, got thumped by Liverpool and lost in Turin in the Champions League in midweek and suddenly there are some questions being asked. However, I expect City to answer those questions by winning this 3-1.
RK: City appear to have slipped back into their old habit of being unpredictable and the speculation that Pep Guardiola will be joining the club has resurfaced. However, I can’t believe that they won’t beat Southampton. 2-1.
Liverpool v Swansea
AG: Liverpool will be buoyant after their win at City last week and victory in the Europa League. Swansea are beginning to show some form and have a manager under pressure so they need a result but I don’t think they will get it here. 2-0.
RK: I am still not sure how good Liverpool are. If they win we can say Jurgen Klopp is beginning to get it sorted. However, I think Swansea have enough to come away with a point. 1-1.
Norwich v Arsenal
AG: Arsenal are better than the other big teams at beating the middle to bottom sides. They rarely slip up and I think the loss to West Brom last week will act as a wake up call. 0-1.
RK: Arsenal were brilliant against Dinamo Zagreb in midweek and will come into this game with renewed confidence. 0-2.
Aston Villa v Watford
AG: Villa are coming into a run of games between now and the end of January which will decide whether they survive in the Premier League. Watford have done well so far but I think Villa will win this 2-1.
RK: No, can’t agree. Villa are doomed. This club has been in decline for five years and I can’t see anything but relegation for them this season. 0-1.
Bournemouth v Everton
AG: Everton are on a run of good form and I don’t see that ending here. It might be tight but Everton are the better side. 0-1
RK: There is more of a cut and thrust about Everton at the moment. Ross Barkley is in great form and Romelu Lukaku is looking sharp. 0-2.
Crystal Palace v Newcastle
AG: Newcastle will play deep to start with and look to hit Palace on the break but Alan Pardew’s side is good enough to nick this. 1-0
RK: There are too many ordinary players at Newcastle. 2-1.
Sunderland v Stoke
AG: We saw against Palace last week how Sunderland are going to approach the rest of the season; work hard, defend deep and a draw will do, but they won’t get one here 1-2.
RK: Stoke are hard to score against but Sunderland did well to beat Palace last week and they will have enough for a draw. 1-1.
West Ham v West Brom
AG: The Hammers have lost Dimitri Payet, their best player, and are coming up to some tough games, including this one. West Brom will set their stall out for a draw and they’ll get it, 1-1.
RK: West Ham were awful last week against Tottenham and need to raise their game but Tony Pulis’s team is good enough to come away with a point. 1-1.
