EPL Predictions: Picks, Top Players for Week 14 Premier League Fixtures
First take on second in Week 14 of the Premier League as top-of-the-table Leicester City host Manchester United at the King Power Stadium.
Jamie Vardy has the chance to make Premier League history if he can find the back of the net and eclipse Ruud van Nistelrooy by scoring in 11 consecutive matches.
The weekend's headline match is, arguably, Sunday's London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at White Hart Lane, with both teams looking to build on victories last time out.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Read on for a look at the top players for Week 14 and full predictions for all 10 matches.
| Date | Time (GMT/ET) | Fixture | Prediction |
| Nov. 28 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Aston Villa vs. Watford | 1-2 |
| Nov. 28 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Bournemouth vs. Everton | 1-3 |
| Nov. 28 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Crystal Palace vs. Newcastle United | 2-0 |
| Nov. 28 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Manchester City vs. Southampton | 1-1 |
| Nov. 28 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Sunderland vs. Stoke City | 0-1 |
| Nov. 28 | 5:30 p.m./12:30 p.m. | Leicester City vs. Manchester United | 0-1 |
| Nov. 29 | Midday/7 a.m. | Tottenham Hotspur vs. Chelsea | 2-2 |
| Nov. 29 | 2:05 p.m./9:05 a.m. | West Ham United vs. West Bromwich Albion | 3-1 |
| Nov. 29 | 4:15 p.m./11:15 a.m. | Liverpool vs. Swansea City | 1-1 |
| Nov. 29 | 4:15 p.m./11:15 a.m. | Norwich City vs. Arsenal | 0-2 |
Chris Smalling vs. Leicester City
No side in the Premier League this season has scored more goals than the 28 netted by Claudio Ranieri's Leicester. The Red Devils have managed only 19 in their 13 matches.
But, significantly, Louis van Gaal's men have conceded only nine times—the best defensive record in the division.
In Saturday's clash, United face up to Vardy, the Premier League's most lethal striker this season having netted 13 times in as many matches, per WhoScored.com.
But in United centre-back Chris Smalling, Vardy faces, arguably, his toughest test yet.
Smalling has been brilliant in 2015-16, with the Englishman making good on his immense talent to become the bedrock of an incredibly frugal defence, per Squawka:
If the former Fulham defender can shackle Vardy at the King Power Stadium and prevent the striker from breaking Van Nistelrooy's record, United will have an excellent chance of claiming three points and leapfrogging Leicester into top spot.
Smalling will have terrific support as United endeavour to keep out the English top flight's most prolific scorers.
David De Gea has continued to be exceptional this season and was vital as United beat Watford 2-1 last time out.
However, Smalling will be the key man in marshalling Vardy. If he is successful, United should be on for a crucial victory which would reaffirm their standing as genuine title challengers.
Harry Kane vs. Chelsea
Harry Kane is in immense form for Tottenham and could be the key for Mauricio Pochettino's side when they face defending Premier League champions Chelsea in Week 14.
The England international has turned things around significantly after a poor start to the season. Kane netted only once in his opening nine Premier League appearances of 2015-16, but he has scored seven in his last four matches in the English top flight, per WhoScored.
Most recently, the 22-year-old netted twice in an impressive 4-1 win over West Ham last time out, which extended Spurs' unbeaten Premier League run to 12 matches.
He will surely fancy his chances of finding the back of the net again against Chelsea, whose rocky defence have conceded 13 times in six games on the road this term.
Jose Mourinho's side picked up only their fourth win of the season against Norwich in Week 13, but they remain 15th in the Premier League and are in desperate need of another three points in north London.
Kane could well take advantage of Chelsea's current predicament. The Blues need to make history if they are to finish in the Premier League's top four this season, and they cannot settle for anything but victory against Spurs.
This may well leave them more vulnerable at the back, and Kane's movement and finishing could see him in the goals again in Week 14.
