EPL Week 15 Predictions: Premier League Picks, Key Players and Fixtures
Chelsea opened up a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League table in Week 14 of the 2016-17 season as they beat Manchester City while Liverpool slipped up against Bournemouth.
Next up for manager Antonio Conte's Blues is in-form West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. If Chelsea win, they will extend their victorious run in the league to nine games on the bounce.
Meanwhile, Liverpool face West Ham United, City travel to struggling defending champions Leicester City and, in arguably the highlight game of the weekend, Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.
Read on for full predictions for the weekend's fixtures, along with a closer look at some of the players who could stand out in Week 15.
| Date | Time (GMT/ET) | Fixture | Prediction |
| Dec. 10 | 12:30 p.m./7:30 a.m. | Watford vs. Everton | 1-1 |
| Dec. 10 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Arsenal vs. Stoke City | 2-0 |
| Dec. 10 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Burnley vs. Bournemouth | 1-2 |
| Dec. 10 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Hull City vs. Crystal Palace | 2-2 |
| Dec. 10 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Swansea City vs. Sunderland | 1-1 |
| Dec. 10 | 5:30 p.m/12:30 p.m | Leicester City vs. Manchester City | 1-3 |
| Dec. 11 | midday/7 a.m. | Chelsea vs. West Bromwich Albion | 3-0 |
| Dec. 11 | 2:15 p.m./9:15 a.m. | Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur | 1-1 |
| Dec. 11 | 2:15 p.m./9:15 a.m. | Southampton vs. Middlesbrough | 2-0 |
| Dec. 11 | 4:30 p.m./12:30 p.m. | Liverpool vs. West Ham United | 2-1 |
Anthony Martial, Manchester United
United have shown flashes of late that they could become a Premier League-winning force once again, but their recent results have been frustratingly poor.
In their last eight outings in the English top flight they have won just one game, drawn six and lost the other.
One of their key problems has been a failure to put games to bed despite carving out numerous chances—see the draws against Stoke City, Burnley, Arsenal, West Ham and, most recently, Everton.
However, there have been some positives from recent matches, not least the return to form of Anthony Martial, who followed an excellent showing in the EFL Cup with another decent performance against Everton on Sunday, per football analyst David O'Brien:
One of the key features of Martial's performance on the left flank against the Toffees is that he contributed both in attack and defence.
He tracked back excellently to help out Matteo Darmian, while also providing an excellent ball for Zlatan Ibrahimovic's goal and setting up numerous other chances.
Similar excellence from Martial will be vital against Spurs as the north London outfit can be devastating in attack, as they showed last time out in beating Swansea City 5-0.
However, they can also be difficult to break down, so Martial will need to be on top form again in an attacking sense if United are to get back to winning ways in an important clash.
Joel Matip, Liverpool
In Liverpool's match against Bournemouth on Sunday, the Reds were cruising at 3-1 ahead with less than half an hour remaining but ended up losing 4-3.
Their defence was a shambles late on against the Cherries, and the absence of summer signing Joel Matip was picked out by many as being crucial, per Empire of the Kop:
Per the Liverpool Echo's James Pearce, the reason for the Cameroonian's absence against Bournemouth was a "minor ankle problem," so the Reds will hope he can return for their home clash with West Ham on Sunday.
The Hammers have been struggling this season—they have just 12 points from 14 matches and lost 5-1 at home to Arsenal last time out.
With Matip in the side, Liverpool can be confident of keeping West Ham out at Anfield and returning to winning ways.
Despite only arriving in the summer Matip, 25, is already one of manager Jurgen Klopp's most important players.
The strength in depth in the Liverpool back line is currently not good enough, as was proved by the defensive performance against Bournemouth without Matip.
But with the former Schalke 04 player back in the side and their home fans behind them, Liverpool should have more than enough to pick up all three points as they continue their pursuit of the Premier League title.
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