Premier League Fixtures: Week 16 Schedule, Score Predictions for EPL Matchday
Chelsea will be looking to make it a perfect 10 wins in succession in the Premier League on Wednesday, as they face bottom club Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
It's one of a number of fascinating games in the midweek schedule, as the festive stint of the season really kicks into gear. The Blues approach it in wonderful form, having beaten West Bromwich Albion 1-0 on Sunday to preserve a three-point lead to second-place Arsenal.
The Gunners can move top of the table temporarily should they beat a struggling Everton team on Tuesday, while there'll also be big pressure on Manchester City to bounce back after their 4-2 loss to Leicester City on Saturday; Pep Guardiola's side host Watford.
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Here is a look at the Week 16 fixtures in full, how things are shaping up in the Premier League and a more detailed examination of two of the key games in midweek.
| Tuesday, Dec. 13 | 7:45 p.m. | Bournemouth vs. Leicester | 2-1 |
| Tuesday, Dec. 13 | 7:45 p.m. | Everton vs. Arsenal | 0-2 |
| Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 7:45 p.m. | Middlesbrough vs. Liverpool | 1-2 |
| Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 7:45 p.m. | West Ham vs. Burnley | 2-1 |
| Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 7:45 p.m. | Sunderland vs. Chelsea | 0-2 |
| Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 8 p.m. | Manchester City vs. Watford | 2-0 |
| Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 8 p.m. | West Brom vs. Swansea | 2-1 |
| Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 8 p.m. | Stoke vs. Southampton | 1-1 |
| Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 8 p.m. | Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United | 1-2 |
| Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 8 p.m. | Tottenham Hotspur vs. Hull City | 2-0 |
Everton vs. Arsenal
With November safely negotiated, Arsenal remain in the race for Premier League glory, and there's a burgeoning sense that this current squad has a better chance than any Gunners team in recent seasons.
Arsene Wenger's side battled back from behind to beat Stoke City 3-1 on Saturday, as Arsenal continue to show the kind of resolve needed to go all the way in a title charge. While the Gunners do have a flyaway reputation, it's a durability that's been building for a long time, especially away from home, per the UEFA Champions League Twitter feed:
It's difficult to see that impressive sequence coming to an end at the hands of an Everton team that has looked rudderless as of late.
After a strong start to the season, the Toffees have regressed terribly in recent weeks, turning in a poor display against Watford in a 3-2 loss on Saturday. That defeat means it's just one win in 11 games in all competitions for the Toffees and for new manager Ronald Koeman; the honeymoon period has ground to an abrupt halt.
Football journalist Chris Smith believes the players, not the manager, need to take most of the blame for Everton's recent rut, though:
The Merseysiders have yet to lose on home soil in the league this season, although they've yet to face a team with as much talent as Arsenal. Wenger's men are in a tremendous groove at the moment; they'll have too much energy, intelligence and incision for the hosts to cope with.
Prediction: Everton 0-2 Arsenal
Sunderland vs. Chelsea
Sunderland will have to turn the tables in dramatic fashion if they're to pick up a win on Wednesday, as they welcome the Chelsea juggernaut to the Stadium of Light.
After a mini revival in recent matches, David Moyes watched his side revert to some of their bad habits in the 3-0 defeat to Swansea City, which saw them drop back to the bottom of the table. This statistic from the Match of the Day Twitter feed shows where their main issue lies:
While Sunderland are still trying to find their feet, Chelsea continue to blaze a blistering trail at the top of the table.
The win over West Brom wasn't the most scintillating of their exceptional recent sequence, but manager Antonio Conte will be delighted with the patience and determination his players showcased to get the three points. They're traits epitomised by Diego Costa, who continues to lead the line with an aggressive distinction for the Blues.
His willingness to make something out of nothing and net the only goal against the Baggies was so important. Bleacher Report UK outlined just how crucial the striker is to the Chelsea cause:
If Sunderland revert to the form they showcased in wins over Hull City and Leicester City, they have the potential to cause some problems for Chelsea and certainly frustrate the visitors. However, in recent weeks the Blues have had the solutions for many different tactical conundrums, and their class will eventually shine through in this one, too.
Prediction: Sunderland 0-2 Chelsea
