Premier League Week 17 Fixtures: EPL Picks and Predictions

Everton host Liverpool at Goodison Park on Monday in the first Merseyside derby of the 2016-17 Premier League season.

Arsenal face a difficult task as they look to bounce back from their defeat at the hands of the Toffees, when they take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Saturday's early kick-off will see Chelsea attempt to extend their league winning streak to 11 matches when they make the short trip to Crystal Palace.

Elsewhere, Manchester United travel to West Bromwich Albion, Tottenham Hotspur welcome Burnley to White Hart Lane and, towards the bottom of the table, Middlesbrough play Swansea City and Hull City face West Ham United.

Here is the complete schedule for Week 17 of the Premier League season:

Date	Time (GMT/ET)	Fixture	Prediction
Saturday, Dec. 17	12:30 p.m./7:30 a.m.	Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea	1-2
Saturday, Dec. 17	3 p.m./10 a.m.	Middlesbrough vs. Swansea City	0-0
Saturday, Dec. 17	3 p.m./10 a.m.	Stoke City vs. Leicester City	1-1
Saturday, Dec. 17	3 p.m./10 a.m.	Sunderland vs. Watford	1-0
Saturday, Dec. 17	3 p.m./10 a.m.	West Ham United vs. Hull City	2-0
Saturday, Dec. 17	5:30 p.m./12:30 p.m.	West Bromwich Albion vs. Manchester United	2-2
Sunday, Dec. 18	1:30 p.m./8:30 a.m.	Bournemouth vs. Southampton	2-1
Sunday, Dec. 18	4 p.m./11 a.m.	Manchester City vs. Arsenal	2-2
Sunday, Dec. 18	4 p.m./11 a.m.	Tottenham Hotspur vs. Burnley	3-1
Monday, Dec. 19	8 p.m./3 p.m.	Everton vs. Liverpool	1-2

Everton vs. Liverpool

Everton's recent record against Liverpool makes for a depressing read from the Toffees' perspective—they've not beaten the Reds in their last 12 meetings, a run stretching back to 2010. The last time they played each other, Liverpool won 4-0.

There's hope yet for Ronald Koeman's side, though, as six of the last eight Merseyside derbies have ended in draws—including the last four at Goodison—and they come into the match on the back of a shock confidence-boosting win over Arsenal on Tuesday.

Sky Sports' Matt Cheetham called for a repeat performance, as they showed character and fight to come from behind to beat the Gunners—qualities they've often lacked this season:

Against a rampant Reds side, they'll need to put in the same level of commitment if they're to get even a point.

Idrissa Gueye in particular could be key—he put in a commanding display against Arsenal to stifle and break up their attacking play, per Squawka Football:

Everton need to do the same to Liverpool—the Reds are the division's top scorers, with 40 goals, and they netted three against Middlesbrough on Wednesday.

Bleacher Report UK's Jack Lusby praised their efforts:

Adam Lallana is in exceptional form. As is Divock Origi, who has scored in five consecutive games in all competitions—the pair have ensured Philippe Coutinho's absence has been far less damaging than it could have been.

Much will depend on Everton's ability to replicate Tuesday's performance, but with Liverpool scoring so freely—they've netted 10 goals in their last four matches—it's likely they'll have the edge here.

Manchester City vs. Arsenal

After enjoying a 14-game Premier League unbeaten streak, the Gunners looked as though this year might finally see them sustain a serious title challenge.

They may well still do that, but slipping up against an Everton side—even at Goodison Park—that had won just one of their last 10 games is something of a concern, especially when City are their next opponents.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

ESPN FC's Mattias Karen saw old frailties re-emerge, while broadcaster and former Arsenal player Adrian Clarke was less worried:

Fortunately for the Gunners, City don't tend to play with a great deal of physicality, though they did improve in that regard against Watford on Wednesday, per Stuart Brennan of the Manchester Evening News:

Nevertheless, it's unlikely the Sky Blues will set out to intimidate or hassle the Gunners, which could afford Arsene Wenger's men time and space on the ball when they're in possession.

Arsenal's response to their setback at Goodison Park will be important in the context of their season—it will bode well if they're able to regain their momentum, but if the defeat sends them spiralling into despair, it could indicate they're still not ready to maintain a title challenge through to the end of the season.

It's set to be an intriguing encounter at the Etihad Stadium, one that could go either way depending on which Arsenal and City sides turn up—whatever happens, it's likely to be an entertaining affair.