EPL Week 22 Predictions: Premier League Picks, Key Players and Fixture Info
After a dramatic weekend of action saw both Manchester clubs drop points in the top four, Chelsea took a step toward the Premier League title with a comfortable 2-0 win against Newcastle United.
The Blues now have a two-point cushion at the top after Manchester City could only draw away at Everton.
Jose Mourinho's side were desperate for a win after recently shipping five goals against a buoyant Tottenham Hotspur team in their last league outing. And in the next set of fixtures, they will hope City concede more ground as the Sky Blues entertain an improving Arsenal side at the Etihad.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Here is the fixture information for Week 22's matches, along with predictions for each game:
| Saturday, Jan. 17 | 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET | Aston Villa vs. Liverpool | 0-1 |
| Saturday, Jan. 17 | 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET | Burnley vs. Crystal Palace | 1-1 |
| Saturday, Jan. 17 | 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET | Leicester City vs. Stoke City | 2-1 |
| Saturday, Jan. 17 | 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET | QPR vs. Manchester United | 1-1 |
| Saturday, Jan. 17 | 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET | Tottenham Hotspur vs. Sunderland | 3-1 |
| Saturday, Jan. 17 | 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET | Swansea City vs. Chelsea | 0-2 |
| Saturday, Jan. 17 | 5:30 p.m. GMT/12:30 p.m. ET | Newcastle United vs. Southampton | 0-2 |
| Sunday, Jan. 18 | 1:30 p.m. GMT/8:30 a.m. ET | West Ham United vs. Hull City | 2-1 |
| Sunday, Jan. 18 | 4 p.m. GMT/11 a.m. ET | Manchester City vs. Arsenal | 3-1 |
| Monday, Jan. 19 | 8 p.m. GMT/3 p.m. ET | Everton vs. West Brom | 0-0 |
Key Players
Sergio Aguero and Alexis Sanchez
Many fans of European football will tell you that skilful players find it difficult to thrive in the physical pantheon that is the Premier League—but Sergio Aguero and Alexis Sanchez defy this viewpoint.
Both players have proved if you are good enough, you can prosper against battle-hardened English defences, even if you do not have height and stature on your side.
Aguero has been a revelation since arriving at Manchester City in 2011. The former Independiente and Atletico Madrid striker grows in character and ruthlessness with every passing campaign and is now arguably the best No. 9 in Europe.
City's title charge this season has centred around the Argentinian talent, with Aguero hitting 19 goals in just 21 appearances in the Premier League and Europe this season, per WhoScored.com.
Manuel Pellegrini has been without the diminutive forward in recent weeks after he suffered yet another minor injury.
But City have proved many of their doubters wrong in Aguero's absence, narrowing the gap between themselves and Chelsea in the title race without the power of their best player.
The Sky Blues now top the Premier League form guide with four wins and two draws in their last six domestic league matches, and Aguero is set to return to the starting line-up against Arsenal in Week 22's key match.
Even though Pellegrini maintained City's rise in Aguero's absence, there is no doubt his team will be more dangerous with the player's reintroduction.
David Lynch of The Manchester Evening News recently highlighted how Chelsea would not have been able to emulate the reigning champions if they had lost key striker Diego Costa, so Aguero's return should now see City push hard to reclaim their crown:
"If Diego Costa had spent as much time on the sidelines as Sergio Aguero has this season, I doubt Chelsea would be even close to City.
— David Lynch (@DavidLynchMEN) January 10, 2015"
However, with City set to entertain an Arsenal team that are looking like winners once again, they could be about to face their biggest challenge in the form of Alexis Sanchez.
The Chile superstar has been in tremendous form since joining the Gunners from Barcelona in the summer, and he has single-handedly kept Arsene Wenger's side in the hunt for a top-four finish.
The versatile attacker has provided the goals and assists needed while question marks remain over the Emirates Stadium team in the striker position.
The 26-year-old has led by example, scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists in the Premier League this term, per WhoScored.com, and he has certainly been the best import of the summer transfer window.
Sanchez's work ethic has seen him succeed quickly in England, and there is certainly a feeling his best is yet to come.
City will be wary of his movement and talent when they meet on Sunday. The champions have conceded goals in each of their last four Premier League games—and with Sanchez in imperious form, they will concede again if they do not pay him special attention.
The eyes of the world will be fixed on both Sanchez and Aguero in what promises to be a classic encounter.
Both players have the potential to be future Ballon d'Or winners and further establish the English league as the most exciting in the world.
City cannot afford to drop further points in the title race—and with the return of Aguero and his goals, Pellegrini's team can pull the rug out from under Jose Mourinho's feet.
