EPL Week 23 Predictions: Premier League Picks, Key Players and Fixtures
Rivals Arsenal and Chelsea will meet in Week 23 of the 2015-16 Premier League season, a vital clash that could have a huge impact on the rest of the campaign.
The Gunners are in the midst of the title race and need all the momentum they can get, while the Blues need to start winning fast to have any chance of grabbing a Europa League ticket.
Elsewhere, Manchester City face a difficult trip to east London to face West Ham United, while Norwich City host Liverpool and Manchester United take on Southampton.
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Here's a look at the schedule for Week 23, complete with picks, followed by some key players for the upcoming matches:
| Saturday, Jan. 23 | Norwich | Liverpool | Draw |
| Saturday, Jan. 23 | Sunderland | Bournemouth | Sunderland |
| Saturday, Jan. 23 | Watford | Newcastle | Watford |
| Saturday, Jan. 23 | WBA | Aston Villa | WBA |
| Saturday, Jan. 23 | Crystal Palace | Tottenham | Tottenham |
| Saturday, Jan. 23 | Leicester | Stoke | Draw |
| Saturday, Jan. 23 | Manchester United | Southampton | Manchester United |
| Saturday, Jan. 23 | West Ham | Manchester City | Draw |
| Sunday, Jan. 24 | Everton | Swansea | Everton |
| Sunday, Jan. 24 | Arsenal | Chelsea | Arsenal |
Kurt Zouma, Chelsea
It was tempting to pick Mesut Ozil―or Aaron Ramsey, if Ozil isn't fit in time―for Week 23's most anticipated clash, but Kurt Zouma should hold the key to success for Chelsea. The youngster put together a fine performance against Everton last week, and it was sorely needed.
Veteran centre-back John Terry had a nightmare performance at Stamford Bridge, which was largely overshadowed by his dramatic and controversial equaliser. Terry was caught out of position numerous times and struggled with Everton's quicker players all afternoon.
Manager Guus Hiddink should shoulder some of the responsibility for that performance, as he gave the defensive duo a nightmare assignment by pairing Nemanja Matic and John Obi Mikel in midfield. Combined, they were largely ineffective, and it wasn't until the former left the pitch when the Blues started playing better.
Per Eliot Rothwell of Goal, Chelsea have looked far from impressive under Hiddink:
"Talk of the Blues turning a corner since Jose Mourinho’s departure relies on ignoring a few uncomfortable truths. Chelsea are undefeated under Hiddink but the defence is shambolic, their midfield lacks bite and their attack is incapable of putting together a coherent performance over the course of 90 minutes.
"
There are flashes of quality, illustrated by Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa, who benefited from a charitable Everton defence, but Hiddink’s tenure so far is providing further questions, rather than answers.
No one will bat an eye if the Blues lose to an in-form Arsenal squad. Stoke City may have held the Gunners to a scoreless draw in Week 22, but the Potters have been sensational against England's elite at home all season long.
Chelsea need to start winning, and a big result against rivals Arsenal could kick-start their campaign. Unfortunately, players like Ozil and Ramsey have the ability to make the ball fly across the pitch in the passing game, exactly the thing Chelsea struggled with against the Toffees.
Terry will likely to bounce back from his poor showing, but, tactically, the same issues remain. Right now, Zouma is Chelsea's main bright spot in defence, and the Blues will need a big performance from the Frenchman to have any chance of beating the Gunners.
Pablo Zabaleta, Manchester City
Veteran full-back Pablo Zabaleta looked his old self in the 4-0 win over Norwich City, a good sign for Manchester City, who will need the Argentina international in their bid to win this year's title.
Back to full health, Zabaleta will face his first major challenge of the new year in Week 23, in the form of West Ham's Dimitri Payet.
The 28-year-old has been one of the best signings of the 2015-16 season, and he's by far West Ham's top attacking threat. Manager Slaven Bilic loves the Frenchman, per the Press Association (via the Daily Mail):
"What I admire most is his character, because that is what all true champions have got. When he makes a mistake - and I am talking about training here - he is crazy and angry at himself and that is what is makes him a leader.
[...]But it is not only about his quality. He is deciding games, he is keeping the ball and he is doing the things which are very hard in football.
He is taking the whole team 20 yards up the pitch without kicking the ball and that is important. He is also making all the players around him better.
"
Payet is a huge threat in space, which means it's not a good idea to let him handle the ball in midfield. As Payet loves to come in from the left, Zabaleta should be the one who handles him throughout the match.
If he can keep Payet out of the match, City should grab a win at West Ham, which would be a big result in light of the 2-1 loss earlier this season. City just don't match up well with the Hammers, and a win at the Boleyn Ground could prove vital in the title race.
