EPL Week 15 Predictions: Premier League Picks, Key Players and Fixtures
This season's Premier League title hunt is shaping up to be one of the closest in history, as no fewer than four teams head into Week 15 with the realistic aim of taking the table summit in their next outing.
Leaders Manchester City sit level on points with Leicester City, but Louis van Gaal's Manchester United are just a point behind the pair, while Arsenal lie in fourth spot and are two points off the top.
Read on as we predict the results of the Week 15 slate, along with a look ahead to which key players will have the biggest influence.
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| Saturday, December 5 | 12:45 p.m. GMT/7:45 a.m. ET | Stoke City | 1-2 | Manchester City |
| Saturday, December 5 | 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET | Arsenal | 1-0 | Sunderland |
| Saturday, December 5 | 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET | Manchester United | 3-2 | West Ham United |
| Saturday, December 5 | 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET | Southampton | 2-0 | Aston Villa |
| Saturday, December 5 | 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET | Swansea City | 1-2 | Leicester City |
| Saturday, December 5 | 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET | Watford | 3-1 | Norwich City |
| Saturday, December 5 | 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET | West Bromwich Albion | 0-1 | Tottenham Hotspur |
| Saturday, December 5 | 5:30 p.m. GMT/12:30 p.m. ET | Chelsea | 1-0 | Bournemouth |
| Sunday, December 6 | 4 p.m. GMT/11 a.m. ET | Newcastle United | 1-3 | Liverpool |
| Monday, December 7 | 8 p.m. GMT/3 p.m. ET | Everton | 1-1 | Crystal Palace |
Daley Blind, Manchester United
It's been a welcome surprise for all at Old Trafford to see Chris Smalling emerge as one of this season's best defenders, but Daley Blind's seamless switch to centre-back alongside him has been an even greater shock.
The Red Devils will need their Dutch ace at his best for Saturday's visit of West Ham, who have scored the third-highest number of goals away from home this season (13), beaten only by Leicester and Arsenal.
Injuries meant United had to adopt a three-man defence for the 1-1 draw at Leicester in Week 14, with Blind shifting out to the left slightly, where he could add more value going forward as a result.
The priority against the Hammers will be restraining their attack, but manager Louis van Gaal highlighted Blind's well-rounded skill set following the Leicester result, per the club's official Twitter account:
Smalling has become a reliable fixture in central defence, but Blind has less familiarity in the heart of a back four, even if one wouldn't suggest it based on his performances this season.
The Netherlands international can perhaps be glad Slaven Bilic's side come to Old Trafford in a sour patch, having gone their last four games without a win.
Emre Can, Liverpool
Emre Can's versatility led to him becoming a key staple of the Liverpool XI toward the latter end of last season, and Jurgen Klopp's takeover at the Reds helm appears only to have aided his prominent place.
The German was a stabilising engine-room component in Sunday's 1-0 victory over Swansea, and although Jordan Henderson marked his return to action in that result, Can will remain a leading figure in the team.
The Merseysiders travel to Newcastle on Sunday, where they can hope to expose a team that's lost back-to-back games, and Liverpool are starting to show a vicious streak once again under Klopp.
The Reds will hope to continue their impressive recent defensive record while exploiting the Magpies at the other end, and OptaFranz recently attested to Can being one of the best tackling presences in England right now:
Can will look to boss the midfield, ensuring Liverpool play the game on the front foot, as he managed in their last away outing at Manchester City.
Sunday's tight win over Swansea hardly got Reds fans out of their seats like that 4-1 win at the Etihad, but Klopp and Can alike have their chance to raise the excitement levels once again at St James' Park.
All statistics come courtesy of WhoScored.com.
