EPL Week 21 Predictions: Projecting Top Performers and Biggest Surprises
The second half of the 2013-14 Premier League season is in full swing as clubs continue to jockey for position atop the league table.
Heading into Matchday 21, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea are separated by just two points. However, defending champions Manchester United are 11 points off the pace and three spots back of a Champions League berth next season.
But with another week comes another opportunity to right the ship at Old Trafford and across the league landscape.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Here I'll stir the pot with some predictions for this weekend's action.
Top Performers
| 1 | Luis Suarez | Liverpool | 8.7 |
| 2 | David Silva | Manchester City | 7.8 |
| 3 | Eden Hazard | Chelsea | 7.6 |
| 4 | Olivier Giroud | Arsenal | 7.6 |
| 5 | Danny Welbeck | Manchester United | 7.0 |
Luis Suarez, Liverpool
Liverpool sniper Luis Suarez has cooled off following a sizzling December that saw him score 10 goals and record four assists in a four-match span.
Still, the Uruguayan star is sure to turn in another jaw-dropping performance against Stoke City on Sunday. After all, no striker has been more productive or efficient as Suarez to this point and the Potters have proven awfully vulnerable from a defensive standpoint of late.
Mark Hughes' squad have conceded 30 goals in league play thus far (tied for fourth-worst) and let in eight combined in recent losses to Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle.
It all points to another big day for the Reds' No. 7.
David Silva, Manchester City
Manchester City midfielder David Silva doesn't always show up on the scoreboard, but his ability to attack a defence and open up scoring chances for the Citizens can't be overlooked.
The Spaniard has been one of the Premier League's most consistent players in 2013-14, scoring four goals and handing out five assists while completing more than 88 percent of his passes, per WhoScored.com.
Watch for Silva to be at his best against Newcastle at St. James' Park on Sunday. The Magpies have suffered back-to-back 1-0 losses to West Brom and Arsenal and surrendered four goals the last time the two clubs met back in August.
Keep in mind that Silva netted the opening goal in City's rout of the Magpies earlier this season.
| Sat, Jan. 11 | Hull City | 0-2 | Chelsea |
| Sat, Jan. 11 | Cardiff City | 2-1 | West Ham United |
| Sat, Jan. 11 | Everton | 1-0 | Norwich City |
| Sat, Jan. 11 | Fulham | 1-1 | Sunderland |
| Sat, Jan. 11 | Southampton | 2-1 | West Bromwich Albion |
| Sat, Jan. 11 | Tottenham Hotspur | 2-0 | Crystal Palace |
| Sat, Jan. 11 | Manchester United | 3-1 | Swansea City |
| Sun, Jan. 12 | Newcastle United | 2-4 | Manchester City |
| Sun, Jan. 12 | Stoke City | 1-3 | Liverpool |
| Mon, Jan. 13 | Aston Villa | 1-2 | Arsenal |
Biggest Surprises
Manchester United Will Bounce Back
The Red Devils are reeling ahead of Saturday's showdown with Swansea City at Old Trafford. But despite having dropped three in a row to start the New Year, David Moyes' squad are poised to rebound against the Swans in what's obviously a pivotal game for United.
Although the defending champions are coming off a stunning 2-1 loss to Swansea in the FA Cup on Jan. 5 and will be without Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, expect Week 21's clash to resemble the Red Devils' 4-1 season-opening win back on Aug. 17.
United jumped out to a 3-0 lead in that match and got timely contributions from Danny Welbeck, who has scored seven times this season.
Given what's transpired of late, Moyes must have the full attention of his players by now. With Premier League points on the line this time around, you can expect a desperate team to take to the pitch on Saturday.
Prediction: Manchester United 3, Swansea City 1
Manchester City Will Roll Over Newcastle
Manchester City's most explosive performances have come at Etihad Stadium this season, but with the Citizens set to take on a struggling Newcastle squad in Week 21, expect another high-scoring performance from Manuel Pellegrini's crew.
The Chilean boss has made it clear that City will be focused on the task at hand and nothing more this weekend, per MCFC.com: "But after West Ham, we will only be thinking about Newcastle. So I repeat, we are not thinking about the trophies, we are only thinking about the present."
So long as the Citizens aren't lacking focus on Sunday, they have the firepower to overwhelm Newcastle for a second time. City retained possession for 64 percent of the previous matchup and scored twice in each half.
You can anticipate a stronger offensive effort from Loic Remy and company in their home venue, but nothing capable of matching City's 57-goal juggernaut.
Prediction: Newcastle United 2, Manchester City 4
Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
