EPL Week 11 Predictions: Premier League Picks, Key Players and Fixtures
Manchester City's scoring streak was brought to a grinding halt on Sunday as local rivals Manchester United prevented Manuel Pellegrini's Premier League leaders from scoring in a match for the first time this season.
That top-of-the-table 0-0 stalemate didn't entertain quite as hoped, but the desperate duel between Chelsea and Liverpool on Saturday is set to produce fireworks as Jurgen Klopp searches for his first league win as Reds manager against the under-fire Jose Mourinho.
United, meanwhile, face a tough trip to Crystal Palace in the hopes they can apply more pressure to City and Arsenal at the top of the table.
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Below we provide predictions for this week's slate along with a look at the players to watch out for.
| Saturday, October 31 | 12:45 p.m. GMT/8:45 a.m. ET | Chelsea | 1-1 | Liverpool |
| Saturday, October 31 | 3 p.m. GMT/11 a.m. ET | Crystal Palace | 1-2 | Manchester United |
| Saturday, October 31 | 3 p.m. GMT/11 a.m. ET | Manchester City | 5-1 | Norwich City |
| Saturday, October 31 | 3 p.m. GMT/11 a.m. ET | Newcastle United | 1-1 | Stoke City |
| Saturday, October 31 | 3 p.m. GMT/11 a.m. ET | Swansea City | 1-3 | Arsenal |
| Saturday, October 31 | 3 p.m. GMT/11 a.m. ET | Watford | 1-3 | West Ham United |
| Saturday, October 31 | 3 p.m. GMT/11 a.m. ET | West Bromwich Albion | 0-1 | Leicester City |
| Sunday, November 1 | 1:30 p.m. GMT/8:30 a.m. ET | Everton | 2-1 | Sunderland |
| Sunday, November 1 | 4 p.m. GMT/11 a.m. ET | Southampton | 2-0 | Bournemouth |
| Monday, November 2 | 8 p.m. GMT/3 a.m. ET | Tottenham Hotspur | 3-0 | Aston Villa |
James Milner vs. Chelsea
A lot has been asked of James Milner since he moved to Anfield over the summer months, and the pressure on him to lead has only been increased by the injury woes of captain Jordan Henderson.
Klopp will be leaning on the former Manchester City man to be a mentor-like influence to the less experienced players among the squad, particularly in high-stakes clashes such as the upcoming trip to Chelsea.
The Reds travel to west London in Saturday's early kick-off, and Milner will be expected to control matters after being confirmed by Sky Sports Statto as the Premier League's most energetic runner this term:
It was the Englishman's delightfully whipped cross that set Christian Benteke up for the opener in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Southampton, and seldom has a match at Stamford Bridge looked as winnable as it does in Week 11.
The Blues lost 2-1 at West Ham United on Saturday and saw Nemanja Matic sent off in that defeat, but they will have the Serbian back for the Liverpool clash as he will sit out the League Cup tie against Stoke City on Tuesday.
Anthony Martial vs. Crystal Palace
Between captain Wayne Rooney's failure to perform at his best and Anthony Martial's ongoing surge through the English top flight, calls for the latter to start up front for United are growing louder and louder.
Among the Rooney critics sits ESPN FC's Alex Shaw, although he's also been quick to point out Martial can be a threat wherever he lines up in attack, whether it be central or on the wing, his regular position so far:
The Red Devils make their way to Selhurst Park on Saturday with Crystal Palace on a two-match losing streak. Squawka Dave spoke to Full Time Devils after Sunday's stalemate with City and stated Martial is "wasted out wide."
Fans will be baying for manager Louis van Gaal to give Martial more of an extended run through the middle, and while the Dutchman may be stubborn, even he will be forced to give into that pressure eventually.
Saturday's trip to face the Eagles may finally see the France international offered that chance, with Palace on the ropes after succumbing to a 3-1 defeat to West Ham in their last home outing.
Steve Cook vs. Southampton
The Premier League will enjoy a watershed moment on the forthcoming Super Sunday, when Southampton and Bournemouth will have their first south coast derby in the Premier League.
And after seeing his side concede 10 goals in their last two games, Cherries centre-back Steve Cook has a burden to ensure things improve soon. The defender recently told the Bournemouth Echo's Andy Mitchell how strange it is to be playing against the world's elite:
"If you look at fees, Kevin De Bruyne is probably worth a similar amount to our whole starting XI but it doesn’t really come into your mind when you’re building up to a game. It certainly hasn’t come into mine but it is massive to be playing against top-class players. ...
This is what we have worked hard for, the right to go toe-to-toe with some of the world’s best but at the same time it will be a strange feeling, knowing they have been bought for £40-50 million when I was playing in the Conference for Mansfield five years ago.
"
Ronald Koeman's Saints may not have many of those mega-money stars Cook is referring to, but there will be a special pride at stake at St Mary's as Eddie Howe's main aim to turn their form around.
Cook is one of only four Bournemouth players to have featured in every minute of the club's Premier League tenure thus far, but his performance level must improve if the likes of Graziano Pelle and Sadio Mane are to be held at bay.
