EPL Week 17 Predictions: Premier League Picks, Key Players and Fixtures
The matches come thick and fast in the Premier League around Christmas, and it is a key time of year to make an impact at the top of the standings.
Week 17 throws up a mouth-watering clash between two of the title favourites as Arsenal host inconsistent Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium.
Manchester United face Norwich City at Old Trafford, a must-win clash for the Red Devils if they are to stay in touch with the top of the league, and Tottenham Hotspur have a tricky trip to Southampton.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Read on for full predictions for Week 17's schedule of matches, along with a closer look at which players could make the difference in the key clashes.
| Date | Time (GMT/ET) | Fixture | Prediction |
| Dec. 19 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Chelsea vs. Sunderland | 1-1 |
| Dec. 19 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Everton vs. Leicester City | 2-1 |
| Dec. 19 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Manchester United vs. Norwich City | 2-0 |
| Dec. 19 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Southampton vs. Tottenham Hotspur | 0-1 |
| Dec. 19 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Stoke City vs. Crystal Palace | 1-2 |
| Dec. 19 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | West Bromwich Albion vs. Bournemouth | 1-1 |
| Dec. 19 | 5:30 p.m./12:30 p.m. | Newcastle United vs. Aston Villa | 2-1 |
| Dec. 20 | 1:30 p.m./8:30 a.m. | Watford vs. Liverpool | 2-3 |
| Dec. 20 | 4 p.m./11 a.m. | Swansea City vs. West Ham United | 0-1 |
| Dec. 21 | 8 p.m./3 p.m. | Arsenal vs. Manchester City | 2-1 |
Mesut Ozil vs. Manchester City
Arsenal have had numerous injury troubles of late. They have lost Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin in the long term, while Alexis Sanchez is not expected to return for the City clash, per Henry Winter of the Times.
However, they have been fortunate that Mesut Ozil has not succumbed to fitness worries and his role as the creative director of Arsenal's attacks will be vital against the Sky Blues.
Last time out in a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa, the German midfielder provided his 13th assist of the season, a feat only magnified when compared with previous stars of the English top flight, per Opta:
Ozil's immense form has been vital for Arsenal this season as they have moved themselves into the position of genuine title contenders.
They endured a terrible November in the Premier League, not winning a single match, but they have won their last two to build some momentum going into the crucial Christmas period.
If they can beat City, they will move four points ahead of Manuel Pellegrini's men in the table. This could be vital in the long run as City are arguably the title favourites for 2015-16, per Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe:
Per James Robson in the Manchester Evening News, City's centre-back and captain Vincent Kompany is set to be absent for the visit to Arsenal.
This is a major blow for the Manchester outfit as he is essential to their defensive solidity, per Squawka:
However, it is great news for Arsenal. Without Kompany, City will struggle even more to marshal Ozil and prevent him from picking out key defence-splitting passes.
Given he is the most deadly provider in the league, City could do with their best man at the back to keep the German in check.
But with Kompany missing, Ozil should have greater freedom to control the Arsenal attack and will be a major threat in setting up the likes of Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott for the key goals against City.
Harry Kane vs. Southampton
Spurs' main man in attack needs to find his scoring boots again.
Kane had an amazing run from the end of October into November as he scored seven goals in four Premier League matches while the north London outfit claimed 10 points from a possible 12, per WhoScored.com.
However, he has not found the back of the net in his last three league outings, and Spurs have subsequently claimed just two points from a possible nine.
Most recently they fell to their first defeat since the opening day of the Premier League season as they sacrificed a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 at home to Newcastle United.
As Kane himself said, it was a poor performance from Tottenham, and they need to bounce back with a win against Saints if they are to stay in touch with the top four:
Ronald Koeman's side are in rotten form at the moment having picked up just one point in four league matches, scoring just two goals in the process.
A single strike could be enough for Spurs to claim all three points at St. Mary's, and Kane needs to find form again to make sure he converts any chances that fall to him.
