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Premier League matchweek 27: Staff picks and predictions

By Staff

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image numbers (L) 635481924 and 664948828) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Mauricio Pochettino,Manager of Tottenham Hotspur (L) and Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal. Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal meet in a Premier League match at White Hart Lane on April 30, 2017 in London,England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** GENT, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 15: Tottenham Hotspur Head Coach / Manager, Mauricio Pochettino looks on during the Tottenham Hotspur Training Session held at the Ghelamco Arena stadium on February 15, 2017 in Gent, Belgium. KAA Gent will play Tottenham Hotspur in their Europa League match on the February 16, 2017. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 05: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium on April 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images,)
FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image numbers (L) 635481924 and 664948828) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Mauricio Pochettino,Manager of Tottenham Hotspur (L) and Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal. Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal meet in a Premier League match at White Hart Lane on April 30, 2017 in London,England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** GENT, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 15: Tottenham Hotspur Head Coach / Manager, Mauricio Pochettino looks on during the Tottenham Hotspur Training Session held at the Ghelamco Arena stadium on February 15, 2017 in Gent, Belgium. KAA Gent will play Tottenham Hotspur in their Europa League match on the February 16, 2017. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 05: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium on April 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images,) /
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The FanSided soccer staff make their predictions for the weekend’s Premier League games, including Tottenham vs. Arsenal at Wembley.

The Premier League weekend kicks off at Wembley on Saturday, when Tottenham host Arsenal for the second north London derby of the season. Spurs are seeking revenge after losing to their city rivals 2-0 earlier in the season.

However, given the changes at Arsenal since that game, it’s unlikely to tell us much. The Gunners had a busy January, bringing in Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to replace the outgoing Alexis Sanchez.

The two got off to an excellent start at their new club in a 5-1 thrashing of Everton last weekend. Aubameyang scored one and Mkhitaryan chipped in with three assists. Tottenham’s back line should prove a much tougher nut to crack, but the early signs are promising.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side drew 2-2 with Liverpool in their last league match, coming from behind twice, with the help of a controversial decision by referee Jon Moss to award a penalty for Virgil van Dijk’s foul on Erik Lamela in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Controversy aside, Tottenham played well and deserved a point given the way they dominated the second half. They come into the derby at a slight disadvantage, however, having played Newport County in an FA Cup replay on Wednesday.

The other standout fixtures of the weekend see Everton host Crystal Palace hoping to redeem themselves after that shocking loss to Arsenal; Manchester United travel to St. James’ Park to face Newcastle; and Chelsea play West Brom on Monday with Antonio Conte on the hot seat.

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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 27:

There’s no clear favorite in the north London derby among our writers. Two are backing an away win, three a home win and two think it will end in a draw. Here’s how the predictions table stands heading into the weekend’s matches:

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