Premier League Week 11 Fixtures: EPL Picks and Predictions for Matchday 11
Liverpool’s clash with Chelsea at Anfield was one of the iconic matches of the 2013/14 season, and the two longstanding rivals will lock horns again on Matchday 11. And on the cusp of what’s always an engrossing occasion, there’s been something of a role reversal for the two sides.
The Reds looked to be storming away with the league title late last season, while Chelsea were trailing in their relentless goalscoring wake. But Steven Gerrard’s infamous slip did plenty to change that, and a few months down the line, it’s the Blues who sit perched top of the Premier League with Liverpool in a real rut of form.
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That matchup is the crown jewel of what’s set to be a cracking weekend of action in English football’s top flight. Here’s a look at the fixtures to come, who's likely to come out on top and some focus on the most eye-catching matches in Week 11, including that enticing matchup at Anfield.
| Liverpool v Chelsea | Sat., Nov. 8 | 12.45 p.m. | 2-2 |
| Burnley v Hull | Sat., Nov. 8 | 3 p.m. | 1-1 |
| Manchester United v Crystal Palace | Sat., Nov. 8 | 3 p.m. | 3-1 |
| Southampton v Leicester | Sat., Nov. 8 | 3 p.m. | 1-0 |
| West Ham v Aston Villa | Sat., Nov. 8 | 3 p.m. | 2-0 |
| QPR v Manchester City | Sat., Nov. 8 | 5.30 p.m. | 1-3 |
| Tottenham v Stoke | Sun., Nov. 9 | 1.30 p.m. | 1-0 |
| Sunderland v Everton | Sun., Nov. 9 | 1.30 p.m. | 1-2 |
| West Brom v Newcastle | Sun., Nov. 9 | 1.30 p.m. | 2-2 |
| Swansea v Arsenal | Sun., Nov. 9 | 4 p.m. | 2-3 |
Liverpool vs. Chelsea
The home match against Jose Mourinho’s side last season will stir heartbreaking memories for the Anfield faithful, as a 2-0 win for the visitors handed the title initiative to Manchester City. And in some respects, Liverpool are still reeling from the repercussions of that defeat, having started this campaign with a stutter.
The Reds tackle Chelsea on the back of a trip to Madrid to face the European Champions, but Rodgers will be hoping the big-match occasion can help galvanise his players after what’s been a difficult few weeks for the team; they’ve failed to net in either of their last two league games and have toiled against the likes of Newcastle United, Hull City and QPR in recent weeks.
Gerrard should be fresh for this one, as he looks to put to bed the bad memories of last season, per Tony Barrett of The Times:
On the flip side, while they’ve not been as forensically incisive as they were in the early weeks of the season, the Chelsea machine continues to roll on. They forced their way past QPR in their last Premier League outing thanks in part to a sumptuous assist by Cesc Fabregas and a wonderful finish from Oscar to open the scoring.
The Spaniard’s creativity has been a hallmark of Chelsea’s excellent form this season, as illustrated here, courtesy of OptaJoe:
While all indications point to a Chelsea victory here, Liverpool typically raise their game for the visit of their rivals from the south. The Blues’ win at Anfield back in April was their first in four visits, per WhoScored.com, and with the Reds taking a hammering from the press in the wake of their defeat to Newcastle, expect a big response from Rodgers’ men.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea
QPR vs. Manchester City
The blue half of Manchester breathed a huge sigh of relief as City hauled themselves over the line against United in the derby, and Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping his team carry that momentum into their next clash: a tricky-looking tie against QPR at Loftus Road.
Although they’ve lost two of their last three games, Harry Redknapp’s men look like a side revitalised as of late. They pushed the league leaders exceptionally close at Stamford Bridge in Week 10, and given the industry and intensity with which they’re playing, you suspect the Loftus Road faithful will relish the visit of the champions.
In Charlie Austin, they have a striker in form, too. His teammate Rio Ferdinand paid tribute to the forward’s eye for goal and the team’s display at Chelsea:
City haven’t been overly impressive on the road as of late, either, winning just two of their last six away games in all competitions, per WhoScored.com. But that triumph over United will surely be a catalyst to bigger and better things; it must be if the champions are to have any chance at retaining their crown.
But Ben Fairthorne thinks despite that victory, City have a lot of work to do if they’re to match Mourinho’s table toppers:
With the Londoners away to Liverpool, there could be a major opportunity for City to make up some ground in the race to keep their status as champions intact. And although there have been encouraging signs for QPR as of late, they don’t have enough to nullify the class of Pellegrini’s side.
Prediction: QPR 1-3 Manchester City
Swansea City vs. Arsenal
It’s been a strange campaign for the Welsh outfit. A blistering start to the season was followed by something of a lull, but Garry Monk seems to have turned things around in recent weeks. Indeed, while this team are renowned for their free-flowing, passing football, they showed they can be cohesive and diligent during their 0-0 draw at Everton.
The Swansea boss was delighted with his team’s efforts at Goodison Park:
You suspect this team will have to up their game a notch if they’re to topple Arsenal, though, especially when you consider the form of their summer signing Alexis Sanchez, who is in scintillating form at the moment.
The Chilean has scored four goals in his last two Premier League games, taking him to a total of seven for the season, per WhoScored.com. For a player who’s still adapting to the rigours of English football, that’s a seriously impressive haul, and the prospect of him improving further is a scary one for Premier League defences.
Sanchez’s teammate Mikel Arteta had nothing but praise for the former Barcelona man following another Arsenal victory, per the official Arsenal Twitter account:
If Swansea can keep a lid on the effervescent Chilean, they have a fine chance of taking something from this game. But such is the momentum Sanchez has helped this Arsenal team accrue, the Welsh side look as though they may fall just short in this one. Expect an open game but a narrow victory for the Gunners.
Prediction: Swansea City 2-3 Arsenal
