EPL Week 17 Predictions: Premier League Picks, Key Players and Fixtures

Manchester City and Arsenal will meet in a crucial 2016-17 Premier League match in Week 17, with both teams hoping to keep their title bid on track heading into the festive period.

The Gunners lost their first Premier League match in some time on Tuesday, and with City also dropping some results the last few weeks, neither side can afford another loss.

Elsewhere, league leaders Chelsea visit Crystal Palace, and Liverpool and Everton renew their rivalry.

Here's a look at the fixture list, complete with picks:

Date	Home	Away	Pick
Saturday, December 17	Crystal Palace	Chelsea	Chelsea
Saturday, December 17	Stoke City	Leicester City	Draw
Saturday, December 17	Sunderland	Watford	Sunderland
Saturday, December 17	West Ham United	Hull City	West Ham United
Saturday, December 17	Middlesbrough	Swansea City	Draw
Saturday, December 17	West Bromwich Albion	Manchester United	Draw
Sunday, December 18	Bournemouth	Southampton	Southampton
Sunday, December 18	Tottenham Hotspur	Burnley	Tottenham Hotspur
Sunday, December 18	Manchester City	Arsenal	Draw
Monday, December 19	Everton	Liverpool	Liverpool

Here are some key players for the upcoming fixtures.

Granit Xhaka, Arsenal

The Gunners failed to get a grasp on Everton's midfield during Tuesday's action, and the Toffees took full advantage, avoiding major pressure on their own defence.

Led by the in-form Idrissa Gueye, Everton outmuscled Arsenal, freeing up Ross Barkley and the forwards to focus on creating chances. It worked out in the end, with the Toffees grabbing one of their best wins of the season.

Per Bleacher Report UK, Arsenal's week didn't get off to a great start:

The Gunners have been in excellent form of late, however, and as long as they can limit Tuesday's defeat as a one-off performance, manager Arsene Wenger and his troops will be fine.

That means grabbing a result against City, however, another team with plenty of creative forces in midfield to go with enough steel to quickly win the ball back. Possession is key for the Citizens, who have struggled defensively under manager Pep Guardiola and want to keep the ball away from their opponents at all costs.

Chris Brunskill - AMA/Getty Images

City are vulnerable on the back end, but offensively, they're an impressive squad. Players like Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero can take over a match and be decisive with a single flash, so avoiding those flashes will be the key for Arsenal.

If Granit Xhaka or Francis Coquelin can beat City's midfielders with physicality, they'll be able to keep the ball in the centre of the park and away from the likes of De Bruyne. The duo has the potential to do just that, although Wenger noted his side couldn't outmuscle Everton on Tuesday, per the club's official website:

"

A little bit, yes. They made the game very physical, they defended well - you have to give them credit. They played a cup game here, that is a big difference with what I saw recently from them. So they did fight for every single ball. I don’t think they can repeat that in every single game, but they did here.

"

In order to avoid a second straight defeat, they'll have to do better at the Etihad Stadium.

Divock Origi, Liverpool

The Belgium international has now scored in five straight matches, and at this point, one has to believe Divock Origi's incredible run is about more than just form.

The 21-year-old has been regarded as a top talent since the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and it seems the 2016-17 season may just be his breakout campaign. His great run couldn't have come at a better time, either, with Sadio Mane set to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations in a few weeks.

Chris Brunskill - AMA/Getty Images

Origi has the opportunity to further cement his spot in the team, earning the trust of manager Jurgen Klopp ahead of January. That will start in the Merseyside derby, where Liverpool face an Everton side that just ended Arsenal's unbeaten run.

The Toffees beat the Gunners with physicality and determination, rather than technique, and Philip Neville summed up their performance with this photo:

"

Morning - A picture that summed up @Everton last night @seamiecoleman23 pic.twitter.com/eWPxr9abTw

— Philip Neville (@fizzer18) December 14, 2016"

They'll counter Liverpool's high-octane attack in much the same fashion, meaning Origi might find himself more isolated than he usually does. He may not get many looks to work with, and it will be up to the former Lille man to make the most of his opportunities.