![By Ronnie Macdonald from Chelmsford and Largs, United Kingdom (Mahrez free kick 1) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/67ba4956df4ee2d6d9fdfdc9214aebc29d53efd7edef70698507c0aad63fc6ad.jpg "By Ronnie Macdonald from Chelmsford and Largs, United Kingdom (Mahrez free kick 1) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons")
Gameweek 16 in the 2015/16 Premier League is nearly upon us, and here Kevin Kelly looks ahead to the weekend’s action and all the talking points ahead. While last weekend ‘s prediction was that all the ‘big boys’ would win couldn’t have been further from the truth, as Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool all lost, while Manchester United and Spurs were held to draws.
Klopp Needs Quick Response
Liverpool fans – perhaps rightly – were expecting to score a fair few goals last weekend at St. James’s Park, in light of their 6-1 victory away to a full-strength Southampton at St. Mary’s. What transpired however, was as bad as bad a performance Liverpool fans had witnessed all season.
With West Brom at home on Sunday for the Reds Liverpool have been presented with a similar problem to have has plagued them since the start of last season – beating teams at home who sit back. The Reds though will be buoyed by the return of Philippe Coutinho, who has missed recent games with a hamstring strain.
On the back of by far the lowest moment under the Jurgen Klopp regime, the enigmatic German manager will be hoping his side can bounce back quickly this weekend. It is the next step for Liverpool’s revival – and one which must be tackled head on, should Liverpool harbour genuine hopes of returning to the Champions League.
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Leicester Provided Perfect Opportunity
Leicester City’s clash with Chelsea on Monday night is the perfect match with which to end gameweek 16. The match will feature the surprise current table toppers and the current (but flailing) Premier League winners.
It is hard to imagine how Chelsea will react to their latest defeat in the Premier League – and how they’ll play against such an exciting attacking force as Leicester City.
"Last weekend’s 3-0 defeat of Swansea at the Liberty Stadium saw Jamie Vardy’s goal-scoring streak end but Riyad Mahrez stepped up the plate, scoring a fine hat-trick."
More often than not Chelsea have simply not been good enough this season, regardless of them putting in extra effort or not.
This match seems like a clear victory for Leicester City, which is astonishing in itself. With a full week to train for the match, unlike their visitors, the Foxes won’t be given a better chance to negotiate their way through a difficult upcoming series of fixtures as this.
Slender Victory Ahead for Spurs
Spurs’ match with Newcastle this Sunday has gone under the radar somewhat, which is a surprise given the Toon Army’s shock 2-0 victory at home to Liverpool last Sunday.
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"No one gave Newcastle a chance last weekend, but through studious defending and hard-work they kept the Reds’ star-studded attack quiet throughout."
The victory proved hope that all is not lost for Steve McLaren’s men, who now sit 18th in the table, with only goal difference keeping them below 16th placed Norwich City.
"Yet if Sunday’s performance indicates anything, it is that this Newcastle side have the ability to raise their game against the bigger teams."
Spurs meanwhile sit 5th in the table and look well equipped to sustain an assault on the top four for the remainder of the season. Last weekend Spurs were held to their second successive draw, 1-1 away to West Brom.
"Despite Spurs’ propensity to be held to a draw (eight all season), they remain unbeaten since matchday one, when Manchester United were lucky to leave White Hart Lane with a 1-0 victory."
Easy Street for the Gunners
Aston Villa remain bottom of the table and without a win since the opening day of the season. New manager Remi Gaarde has tried to tighten things up defensively – which in particular was on show in their 0-0 draw at home to Man City recently, but the team remain erratic and low on confidence. Understandably so.
Having not one in any of their nine previous home Premier League games, Villa look perilously inevitable in facing another loss this weekend.
Arsenal meanwhile have put in a slightly more mixed bag form-wise recently, accruing just 11 points from the past 18 available, and can count themselves lucky to remain just two points from the top of the table. The recent loss of Alexis Sanchez hurt Arsenal fans dearly.
Aston Villa are likely to try and emulate their performance that kept Manchester City goalless last month. That is a dangerous and often regressive tactic, but perhaps their best shot of being on the end of a positive result this Sunday. However, given Arsenal’s firepower in attack it is unthinkable Arsenal don’t have enough to beat Villa on the day.