EPL Predictions: Picks, Top Players for Week 10 Premier League Fixtures

There is no question that the highlight fixture in Week 10 of the Premier League is table-topping Manchester City's visit to Old Trafford to face local rivals, Manchester United.

Third-placed United will leapfrog the Sky Blues if they claim victory, but a defeat for Louis van Gaal's side would see them drop further behind City in the race for the title.

Arsenal, currently sitting in second place, face a tough challenge as they host Everton, while Jurgen Klopp will hope to claim his first Premier League win as Liverpool manager against in-form Southampton.

Read on for full predictions for the 10 matches in the English top flight this weekend—which also includes a Wear-Tyne derby—as well as an examination of some of the key players in the big clashes.

Date	Time	Fixture	Prediction
Oct. 24	3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET	Aston Villa vs. Swansea City	1-2
Oct. 24	3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET	Leicester City vs. Crystal Palace	2-2
Oct. 24	3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET	Norwich City vs. West Bromwich Albion	2-1
Oct. 24	3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET	Stoke City vs. Watford	1-0
Oct. 24	3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET	West Ham United vs. Chelsea	1-1
Oct. 24	5:30 p.m. BST/12:30 p.m. ET	Arsenal vs. Everton	2-1
Oct. 25	Noon GMT/8 a.m. ET	Sunderland vs. Newcastle United	1-3
Oct. 25	2:05 p.m. GMT/10:05 a.m.ET	Bournemouth vs. Tottenham Hotspur	0-1
Oct. 25	2:05 p.m. GMT/10:05 a.m.ET	Manchester United vs. Manchester City	2-2
Oct. 25	4:15 p.m. GMT/12:15 p.m. ET	Liverpool vs. Southampton	1-2

Ander Herrera vs. Manchester City

Spaniard Herrera has been oddly under-used by Van Gaal since his arrival at United in 2014 despite putting in a string of fine performances when given his chance.

He made only his third Premier League start of the season on Saturday as United thrashed Everton 3-0, and he was excellent playing behind Wayne Rooney in the No. 10 role, per WhoScored:

The 26-year-old has surely played himself into a starting role for Sunday's crucial derby and rightly so, as he could be United's key player against City.

Not only is he a goalscoring threat—only Juan Mata has netted more times for United in the Premier League in 2015 per Squawka—but he allows those around him to play better.

Herrera is a hard worker and his constant movement drags opposition defenders out of position, creating space for the likes of Rooney, Mata and Anthony Martial to work in.

He is also excellent at tracking back and providing defensive cover in the middle of the park. With two of Michael Carrick, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin playing behind him against City, United should be able to dominate the midfield battle which should hold the key to the match.

It is essential that United control possession against the Sky Blues if they are to pick up a vital win and overtake City in the league standings.

Herrera is the type of player who makes possession count, and his contribution will be essential at Old Trafford.

Alexis Sanchez vs. Everton

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Depending on the outcome of the Manchester derby on Sunday, Arsenal could be top of the league come the end of Week 10's action if they beat Everton at the Emirates.

The Toffees will be hurting following their defeat to the Red Devils, and Roberto Martinez will, undoubtedly, set up his side to frustrate the hosts going forward.

However, Sanchez, 26, can run any defence ragged when he is in form, and the Chilean has hardly ever looked sharper in front of goal, per Opta:

His pace and movement make him almost impossible to marshal from a defensive perspective, while his ability to create something from nothing is unnerving for any opposition back line.

Along with Mesut Ozil, Sanchez dismantled United's defence in Arsenal's last home game in the Premier League—a 3-0 defeat of Van Gaal's side—and a similarly impressive performance would likely produce a similar result against Everton.

Sanchez is, unquestionably, Arsenal's most important performer, and when he produces, the Gunners invariably win.