English Premier League: Man City hosts Newcastle, and more – Round 24 preview
By Larry Henry
The most-intriguing matchup on Saturday comes from Turf Moor as Burnley hosts Manchester United.
The Clarets are comfortably in seventh place, 10 points back from the final European qualification spot. Sean Dyche has done well getting this team into the top-half, and will hope to keep the positives flowing.
With Chris Wood out injured, Ashley Barnes has been the main man up top. The Austrian will hope to add to his three league goals on Saturday. Manchester United have won three in a row across all competitions, keeping clean sheets in all three.
Romelu Lukaku increased his league goal tally to 11 on Monday, as the Red Devils routed Stoke 3-0. For Jose Mourinho’s side to have any chance at the league title, they will have to avoid any more slip-ups.
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Everton vs. West Bromwich Albion – Saturday
Eight points separate Everton and West Brom in the standings, but that tally extends 10 places. The Toffees are begging for three points at Goodison Park, after failing to win in their last five league fixtures.
Wayne Rooney has 10 goals this season, with three coming in the month of December. After acquiring Theo Walcott from Arsenal this week, Big Sam’s side now has another dangerous winger at their disposal.
West Brom posted back-to-back 2-0 wins between the F.A. Cup and EPL, and now look to build on that on Merseyside. 18 goals scored through 23 matches is definitely a problem that will need to be resolved asap.
Leicester City vs. Watford – Saturday
Four years ago, these sides were battling in England’s second-tier, hoping for life at the big time. Fast Forward to 2018, both sides are sitting in the top ten of the Premier League. Claude Puel has Leicester sitting in eighth place, unbeaten in their last four matches.
Four clean sheets in a row, including a scoreless draw at Stamford Bridge last weekend is impressive. The duo of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have 16 goals this season, and should increase this weekend.
Watford are in 10th place, despite a 2-2 home draw vs. Southampton last weekend. French midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, leads the team with seven goals, his most ever in a single professional season.
Stoke City vs. Huddersfield Town – Saturday
Four points and four places separate Stoke and Huddersfield in the table, so points will be at a premium on Saturday at the Bet365.
Since October, the Potters only have two wins in the league which saw Mark Hughes gone at the helm. In steps Paul Clement, the former Norwich and Aston Villa boss. For Clement to be successful at Stoke, he will need to get Xherdan Shaqiri running the show offensively.
Huddersfield are winless in their last five league fixtures, and will need to get something from this match. Laurent Depoitre (five goals) and Steve Mounie (four goals) are two of the Terriers main threats, offensively.