EPL Week 21 Predictions: Premier League Picks, Key Players and Fixtures
A rare full schedule takes place in the Premier League in midweek, as Arsenal travel to Liverpool in one of the standout matches of the season Wednesday.
The Gunners lead the title race by two points from Leicester City, who could go top if they defeat in-form Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane and Arsenal lose on Merseyside.
Manchester City continue their league ambitions Wednesday night, as they welcome north-west neighbours Everton to the Etihad Stadium.
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Manchester United's form continues to falter in the league and cup, and the Red Devils are tasked with a difficult trip to St. James' Park to face Newcastle United on Tuesday evening.
Here is the full set of fixtures for the current week, including picks and predictions for each match and a look at the potential top players:
| Tuesday, Jan. 12 | 7.45 p.m. / 2.45 p.m. | Aston Villa vs. Crystal Palace | 1-1 |
| Tuesday, Jan. 12 | 7.45 p.m. / 2.45 p.m. | Bournemouth vs. West Ham United | 1-1 |
| Tuesday, Jan. 12 | 7.45 p.m. / 2.45 p.m. | Newcastle United vs. Manchester United | 2-1 |
| Wednesday, Jan. 13 | 7.45 p.m. / 2.45 p.m. | Chelsea vs. West Bromwich Albion | 2-1 |
| Wednesday, Jan. 13 | 7.45 p.m. / 2.45 p.m. | Manchester City vs. Everton | 3-2 |
| Wednesday, Jan. 13 | 7.45 p.m. / 2.45 p.m. | Southampton vs. Watford | 2-2 |
| Wednesday, Jan. 13 | 7.45 p.m. / 2.45 p.m. | Stoke City vs. Norwich City | 2-0 |
| Wednesday, Jan. 13 | 7.45 p.m. / 2.45 p.m. | Swansea City vs. Sunderland | 0-0 |
| Wednesday, Jan. 13 | 8 p.m. / 3 p.m. | Liverpool vs. Arsenal | 1-4 |
| Wednesday, Jan. 13 | 8 p.m. / 3 p.m. | Tottenham Hotspur vs. Leicester City | 2-0 |
Christian Benteke and Olivier Giroud
Liverpool welcome Arsenal to Anfield on Wednesday night, as coach Jurgen Klopp assesses the damage to his squad with a football club rammed with multiple injuries—as noted by BBC Sport's Phil McNulty.
The Reds were forced to field a second-string side against Exeter City in the FA Cup and almost fell to defeat, twice coming from behind to earn a 2-2 draw.
Christian Benteke led the line for Klopp in the match and also captained the team, surrounded by a cacophony of reserves and youngsters.
Author Gary Shaw playfully predicted a hat-trick for the No. 9, but his ideas of stifling Exeter—and Liverpool's critics—were wide of the mark:
The signing from Aston Villa was unable to inspire his team-mates, and Benteke looks like a fish out of water under Klopp's leadership.
The striker was purchased by ex-boss Brendan Rodgers, but as quickly as Benteke arrived, the manager was gone—leaving the Belgium international in limbo.
The player's pedigree cannot be denied, regularly scoring for his former club in the Premier League during periods of full fitness, but he was brought to Liverpool to fulfil Rodgers' mandate and struggles with the all-action style of his new German manager.
However, with an injury list swelling to unmanageable proportions, Klopp will have to rely on Benteke against Arsenal, and it could be the chance in the starting XI the player needs.
The 25-year-old's record in the league is not a disaster, scoring six goals in 12 starts this season, according to WhoScored.com. But Benteke's regular spot on the bench suggests Klopp doesn't fancy his skill set.
The player has an unfashionable edge to his game, out of sync with the modern talents of Sergio Aguero and Co.
Benteke's opposite number on Wednesday is likely to be Olivier Giroud, and he has suffered a similar reputation in recent years.
The Frenchman's form has exploded this season, and he has reached heights most Arsenal fans didn't expect to see from him.
Giroud is a jack of all trades and a master of none—but he has positioned himself as an essential cog in the Arsenal machine. The striker has 15 goals in 25 appearances in the league and Europe this term, per WhoScored.com, on his way to becoming a genuine force in English football.
Giroud had a quiet game in the FA Cup against Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium, but he once again managed to get on the scoresheet, despite criticism from journalist and Gunners fan Piers Morgan:
Benteke's and Giroud's seasons have been polar opposites, but in front of a packed, vocal house at Anfield, it might now be time for the Liverpool striker to arrive.
Arsenal have floated along nicely during the Christmas period of matches, suffering one calamity against Southampton in a 4-0 defeat, but they travel to Merseyside expecting to win with confidence at a new high.
Benteke might not be Klopp's perfect pick, but with Daniel Sturridge perpetually injured, he is the best option the Reds currently have.
However, defeating the Gunners will be a tall order for Liverpool, and they looked like a wounded animal in their match with Exeter—as Klopp paced his technical area in the rain.
Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger will be happy with any type of victory to grab three vital points, but if Giroud is in top form once more, there could be a goal-fest in the north-west.
Prediction: Arsenal win 4-1
