EPL Predictions: Picks, Top Players for Week 20 Premier League Fixtures
Tottenham Hotspur will try to end Chelsea's impressive 13-match winning streak in the Premier League in Week 20, as they host their rivals from west London on Wednesday.
Both sides have been in excellent form of late, with Spurs scoring freely and winning their last four and the Blues conceding only four during their win sequence.
Elsewhere, Manchester City host Burnley, Liverpool visit Sunderland, and Manchester United take on West Ham United. Here's a look at the schedule for Week 20, complete with picks:
| Monday, Jan. 2 | 12:30 p.m. | Middlesbrough | Leicester City | 1-1 |
| Monday, Jan. 2 | 3 p.m. | Everton | Southampton | 2-1 |
| Monday, Jan. 2 | 3 p.m. | Manchester City | Burnley | 2-0 |
| Monday, Jan. 2 | 3 p.m. | West Bromwich Albion | Hull City | 1-0 |
| Monday, Jan. 2 | 3 p.m. | Sunderland | Liverpool | 0-2 |
| Monday, Jan. 2 | 5:15 p.m. | West Ham United | Manchester United | 1-2 |
| Tuesday, Jan. 3 | 7:45 p.m. | Bournemouth | Arsenal | 0-2 |
| Tuesday, Jan. 3 | 8 p.m. | Crystal Palace | Swansea City | 3-1 |
| Tuesday, Jan. 3 | 8 p.m. | Stoke City | Watford | 0-0 |
| Wednesday, Jan. 4 | 8 p.m. | Tottenham Hotspur | Chelsea | 1-1 |
Here are some top players to keep an eye on in Week 20.
Harry Kane, Spurs
Spurs have been on a roll of late, and star forward Harry Kane has played a big role in their strong run, scoring three goals in his last two outings.
We've got used to slow starts to the season from the England international by now, and his cold stretch is definitely over.
With 10 Premier League goals already, Kane is joint-fourth in the league and will again challenge for the top scorer's title this year (his 25 goals were top). Per Bleacher Report UK, his track record is impressive:
Kane and Dele Alli remain Spurs' top attacking options, especially now that Heung-Min Son's strong form has cooled. Against the Blues, the two young studs will have to be at their best to match Chelsea's fantastic output.
The Blues sport the league's best defence and field two of the division's top scorers in Eden Hazard and Diego Costa. They also have plenty of secondary scorers, with the likes of Willian and Victor Moses finding the back of the net rather easily this season.
Per the club's official Twitter account, manager Antonio Conte praised his squad for their continued focus, and that likely won't change against Spurs:
Scoring against the Blues is usually difficult enough as it is, and given the strong form of Hazard, Costa and company, one goal likely won't be enough to secure the win. Kane has a tendency of showing up in the big matches, and he will have to do so again in Week 20.
Phil Jones, Manchester United
Phil Jones didn't feature in the win against Middlesbrough on Saturday, but Eric Bailly's absence due to the Africa Cup of Nations and Chris Smalling's poor form mean he is likely to return in Week 20.
Per WhoScored.com, the 24-year-old leads all United defenders in aerial battles won per match, well ahead of Marcos Rojo and Smalling. Against the Hammers, that quality will be of vital importance.
Creativity has been a major issue for West Ham, but the team does plenty of damage on set pieces and crosses. As shared by Unilad Football, Michail Antonio, in particular, is a major threat inside the box:
And he's not the only major aerial threat. Andy Carroll is one of the Premier League's best when it comes to winning battles and attacking crosses, and it doesn't hurt that Dimitri Payet is often the one providing service.
The Hammers are expected to cede possession to the Red Devils and aim for counters and set pieces, and set-piece defending has been an issue at times for United. If Jones can deal with a handful of early crosses, it may force the hosts to rethink their approach.
The crosses won't stop, though, and United's defenders can't afford to lose their focus―a single mistake could prove costly.
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