EPL Week 13 Predictions: Premier League Picks, Key Players and Fixtures
Premier League leaders Manchester City will find themselves tested by Jurgen Klopp's new-look Liverpool in the marquee fixture of this season's 13th week.
Second-placed Arsenal will be hoping for a City slip, yet the Gunners themselves may struggle to pick up points away to a West Bromwich Albion side sure to adopt a physical approach under manager Tony Pulis.
Here are the week's fixtures, followed by a look at the key matches and players:
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| Date | Time | Home | Away | Pick |
| Saturday, Nov. 21 | 12.45 p.m. (GMT) / 7.45 a.m. (ET) | Watford | Manchester United | 1-1 |
| Saturday, Nov. 21 | 3 p.m. (GMT) / 10 a.m. (ET) | Chelsea | Norwich City | 2-1 |
| Saturday, Nov. 21 | 3 p.m. (GMT) / 10 a.m. (ET) | Everton | Aston Villa | 2-1 |
| Saturday, Nov. 21 | 3 p.m. (GMT) / 10 a.m. (ET) | Newcastle United | Leicester City | 1-1 |
| Saturday, Nov. 21 | 3 p.m. (GMT) / 10 a.m. (ET) | Southampton | Stoke City | 1-0 |
| Saturday, Nov. 21 | 3 p.m. (GMT) / 10 a.m. (ET) | Swansea City | Bournemouth | 1-0 |
| Saturday, Nov. 21 | 3 p.m. (GMT) / 10 a.m. (ET) | West Bromwich Albion | Arsenal | 1-2 |
| Saturday, Nov. 21 | 5.30 p.m. (GMT) / 12.30 p.m. (ET) | Manchester City | Liverpool | 2-1 |
| Sunday, Nov. 22 | 4 p.m. (GMT) / 11 a.m. (ET) | Tottenham Hotspur | West Ham United | 2-2 |
| Monday, Nov. 23 | 8 p.m. (GMT) / 3 p.m. (ET) | Crystal Palace | Sunderland | 2-0 |
Watford vs. Manchester United: Odion Ighalo and Juan Mata
Keeping Odion Ighalo quiet will be vital for Manchester United when the Red Devils visit Vicarage Road. The Hornets frontman has hit seven goals already in England's top flight, according to WhoScored.com.
Ighalo has showcased the pace and power to stretch any defence to its breaking point. The 26-year-old Nigerian has also formed a useful partnership with tireless runner Troy Deeney.
Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin recently endorsed the latter's qualities, per MailOnline writer Nicholas Gooden: "I played with him during my spell at Watford, and he is a very complete player. He is very strong, very good in the air, but he also has a lot of quality in his feet."
But it's Ighalo who is proving the real danger man in the Premier League. His movement is sharp and intuitive, something sure to test United's currently miserly defence.
Yet, it's goals manager Louis van Gaal's third-placed team will need if they're going to leapfrog Arsenal and neighbours City at the top.
As usual, most of their creativity will come from the mercurial mind and gifted feet of Juan Mata. The pocket-edition Spanish playmaker has the guile to play between the lines and provide chances for an otherwise static forward line.
If Mata has room to work, he'll make a decisive contribution for United.
Manchester City vs. Liverpool: Raheem Sterling
His first game against old club Liverpool is sure to be a tough challenge for Raheem Sterling. But the fact is the 20-year-old, fleet-footed winger has developed his game since swapping Anfield for the Etihad Stadium.
The player himself touched on that in a recent interview explaining his £49 million summer switch, referencing the greater talent he's now surrounded with, as noted by Sky Sports: "There is only one thing you can do and that is improve with players like that, who have been around for many years and achieving stuff."
Sterling's direct pace has given the Citizens an outlet ball they didn't have last season. When games become tight and possession football isn't making a dent, City can now transition steady passing to attack with one ball between the lines or over the top.
Expect Sterling to rub salt in Liverpool's wounds to help break open a close match.
West Bromwich Albion vs. Arsenal: Santi Cazorla
Arsenal wasted a gift when they were held at home by Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby. In the process, the Gunners failed to capitalise on City drawing with Villa and missed the chance to go top.
Part of the reason for Arsenal's stunted display was an unusually quiet performance from Santi Cazorla. The cerebral mini marvel failed to influence the game and was subbed by manager Arsene Wenger at half-time. The Frenchman claimed Cazorla was "dizzy," according to Sky Sports (h/t London Evening Standard's Sam Long).
As Cazorla goes, so go the Gunners—at least in terms of quality forward play. Without their Spanish magician conducting possession in the middle, Arsenal's passing was unimaginative and slow.
That's why Wenger should be happy Cazorla netted in Spain's 2-0 international friendly win over England. His classy, left-footed drive maintained the 30-year-old's prolific run for his country, as detailed by Squawka:
Buoyed by refreshed confidence, a back-on-form Cazorla will pull the strings in a hard-fought win for Wenger's title contenders.
By the end of Week 13, the top of the Premier League table will retain a familiar look. This season's three-way tussle promises to stay close and the results will reflect that.
