Premier League matchweek 21: Staff picks and predictions
By Staff
The FanSided soccer staff make their predictions for the weekend’s Premier League games, including Liverpool vs. Leicester at Anfield.
The Premier League’s hectic festive schedule continues this weekend for the third matchweek in seven days. The two most intriguing matches are Liverpool’s game against Leicester at Anfield and Manchester City’s trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace.
Liverpool and Leicester’s first game this season was a thrilling contest that ended in a 3-2 win for the Reds. They nearly blew a 2-0 lead and then nearly blew a 3-1 lead, but ultimately held on for an entertaining win.
Those defensive struggles have been a persistent feature of Liverpool’s season — which is why they spent £75 million to bring in Virgil van Dijk — but their defensive record at home is formidable. Jurgen Klopp’s side have conceded only three goals at Anfield in 10 games.
Leicester should still prove difficult opponents. The Foxes have climbed into the top half of the table under Claude Puel and could challenge for seventh place and a Europa League spot. However, they’ve drawn two and lost one of their last three matches.
On Sunday, Manchester City will look to extend their winning run to 19 matches when they face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The Citizens are huge favorites, of course, but had to work very hard to beat Newcastle in their last match.
Palace, meanwhile, are coming off a loss to Arsenal. The Eagles performed well against the Gunners, though, and could easily have gotten a result if not for some sloppy finishing. They could be a threat to City if they play to their best.
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FanSided’s soccer staff will be competing in a weekly picks league all season. The rules are simple: three points for a correct score, one for a correct result and none for an incorrect result. Here are the picks for matchweek 21:
Liverpool are favorites, but three of our writers think the away side could earn a draw (and probably a high-scoring one). As for Palace, it should be no surprise to learn no one thinks they have a chance. Here’s how the predictions table stands heading into the weekend’s matches:
