EPL Week 29 Predictions: Premier League Picks, Key Players and Fixtures
Arsenal's lunchtime trip to meet Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby on Saturday could see a definite favourite emerge in the English Premier League title race before the crunch period of the season.
Leicester City will be keeping a close eye on events at White Hart Lane, knowing they can take advantage of whichever team drops points. But the Foxes will find a stubborn Watford side tough to beat at Vicarage Road.
Here are the fixtures for this week, along with picks for each game:
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| Date | Time (GMT / ET) | Match | Pick |
| Saturday, Mar. 5 | 12:45 p.m. / 7:45 a.m. | Tottenham Hotspur vs. Arsenal | Arsenal |
| Saturday, Mar. 5 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. | Chelsea vs. Stoke City | Chelsea |
| Saturday, Mar. 5 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. | Everton vs. West Ham United | Everton |
| Saturday, Mar. 5 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. | Manchester City vs. Aston Villa | City |
| Saturday, Mar. 5 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. | Newcastle United vs. Bournemouth | Draw |
| Saturday, Mar. 5 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. | Southampton vs. Sunderland | Draw |
| Saturday, Mar. 5 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. | Swansea City vs. Norwich City | Swansea |
| Saturday, Mar. 5 | 5:30 p.m. / 12:30 p.m. | Watford vs. Leicester City | Watford |
| Sunday, Mar. 6 | 1:30 p.m. / 8:30 a.m. | Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool | Draw |
| Sunday, Mar. 6 | 4 p.m. / 11 a.m. | West Bromwich Albion vs. Manchester United | United |
Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal
If Arsenal are going to snap what has turned into a potentially season-crippling run of poor form, they'll have to win the midfield battle at White Hart Lane. For that to happen, Aaron Ramsey needs to get back to his best.
The Welshman has been far from that in recent matches, as he's routinely misplaced passes and shown a lack of box-to-box discipline.
James Benge of the London Evening Standard recently cited statistics from Opta that show Ramsey is not pulling his weight defensively: "Stats would suggest that even when Ramsey is back in his own half he remains a far from reliable contributor, having been dribbled past 51 times in 23 games—more than any other player in the top flight."
Just as troubling though, has been the absence of an end product in the final third that defines Ramsey's game when he's flourishing.
Goals and assists are how the former Cardiff City man usually makes his mark for the Gunners. But a mere six goals and four assists in all competitions, per ESPN FC, is a poor return for a player capable of much more.
Ramsey should start his revival by being more efficient with the ball. He was far from that in Arsenal's midweek 2-1 home defeat to Swansea City, according to ESPN's Tom Adams:
"There were moments—a quick turn past his marker, or a neat link-up with Ozil—when Ramsey briefly looked like Cazorla, but a deep playmaker has to use the ball far better and there were groans from the stands when he repeatedly lost possession with sloppy passes. Has struggled of late and this was no different.
"
But Arsenal's No. 16 can't be so wasteful against a Spurs side that loves to press in packs. He must make intelligent use of the ball to exploit high pressing and help the Gunners get at Tottenham's back four.
Ramsey has the key position in the middle all to himself. It's high time he repaid Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's considerable faith, even if Spurs trio Eric Dier, Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli won't make it easy.
Odion Ighalo, Watford
Watford's impressive first season back in the Premier League is in danger of fizzling out due to a chronic lack of goals. If the problems continues, league leaders Leicester have the firepower to make the Hornets pay in front of their own fans.
Watford failed to score again in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday, a game the visitors otherwise dominated, per BBC Sport's Alistair Magowan.
Odion Ighalo's reckless form in front of goal was the main reason the Hornets didn't turn that dominance into a positive result, something noted by Stuart Mathieson of the Manchester Evening News:
Ighalo's tough night meant it was the "sixth time in eight league matches" the Hornets have failed to score, according to Adam Newson of the Watford Observer.
But Watford can't afford to draw yet another blank against a Leicester side with Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez in attack.
Ighalo was on top form earlier in the season and still has 14 league goals to his credit, per WhoScored.com. He needs to keep making runs and trust his natural ability.
If he does, the Nigerian could shake up a title race that still isn't any clearer with just 10 games left.
Events in north London could help clear the picture, especially if Spurs see off Arsenal. Wenger's men are not playing well, but the Frenchman has an excellent record in this rivalry and his players are sure to raise their collective game for the derby.
That may be enough to take advantage of a Spurs side still smarting from defeat at West Ham United last time out.
