Matchweek 18 Previews
Newcastle United v. Crystal Palace
While Crystal Palace have been strong defensively this season, with 6 clean sheets at this stage, they have struggled to produce goals. Their mark of 15 goals is the 2nd-fewest in the league this term. Still, The Eagles sit in the top half of the table entering the weekend, and are unbeaten in their last 4 Premier League matches. They face Newcastle, a team they have beaten just twice in their last 17 meetings in all competitions. The Magpies enter the contest on a run of 7 home matches without a defeat. They have lost just twice in their last 8 in the PL, but fell to Burnley last time out.
Bournemouth v. Burnley
This matchup pits a pair of teams that have struggled recently against one another. Both entered the last matchweek on a winless run, yet both snapped their respective runs with important victories. Bournemouth bested Chelsea away from home to put a stop to their 5-match losing streak, while Burnley won at home to Newcastle, picking up all 3 points for the first time since November 23. The Clarets have won 4 of their 6 Premier League encounters against Bournemouth, including wins in both meetings last season.
Manchester City v. Leicester City
While they were unable to continue their winning streak, Leicester City did extend their unbeaten run with a draw against Norwich City last weekend. They have now gone 11 matches in all competitions without a defeat, but have lost 4 of their last 5 Premier League meetings against Manchester City. Can Jamie Vardy get back in the goals and continue his incredible season just a few weeks before he turns 33? Meanwhile, Manchester City sit in 3rd place, but can’t help but be disappointed with how things stand. Their haul of 35 points through 17 matches makes this the worst start to a season in Pep Guardiola’s career as a manager. Who will come out on top in this clash of the 2 teams chasing Liverpool?
Watford v. Manchester United
Watford’s woeful season continued last weekend, as they suffered yet another defeat against Liverpool. The tough matches just keep coming for the Hornets, as they now welcome an in-form Manchester United side to Vicarage Road. The Red Devils come into this match on a 6-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, and have won 14 of their last 15 top-flight meetings against Watford. Still, they have no clean sheets in their last 12 Premier League matches, but will feel optimistic about breaking that streak against the worst goalscoring team in Europe’s “big 5” leagues this season.
Tottenham v. Chelsea
Jose Mourinho faces Chelsea for the first time since taking over as Tottenham coach in this highly anticipated matchup. Mourinho has Spurs in good form, and they have won each of their 3 home matches in all competitions since his appointment, scoring 3+ goals in each. Chelsea, on the other hand, have lost 4 of their last 5 Premier League matches and have hit a major rough patch under Jose’s former player, Frank Lampard. Mourinho noted last month that he was “worried” about the Chelsea youngsters – will he exploit those worries to take home all 3 points against his former side?
