EPL Week 21 Predictions: Premier League Picks, Key Players and Fixtures

Leaders Manchester City head to Crystal Palace in Week 21 of the 2017/18 Premier League season, while rivals United welcome struggling Southampton to Old Trafford.

Elsewhere Chelsea take on Stoke City, Liverpool host Leicester City and Arsenal travel to the Hawthorns to face West Bromwich Albion.

Here's a look at the full fixture list as well as predictions for each game. 

Premier League Week 21 Schedule

Saturday, December 30

Bournemouth vs. Everton (0-2)

Chelsea vs. Stoke City (3-0)

Huddersfield vs. Burnley (0-1)

Liverpool vs. Leicester City (3-1)

Newcastle United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion (1-0)

Watford vs. Swansea City (1-1)

Manchester United vs. Southampton (3-1)

Sunday, December 31

Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City (1-1)

West Bromwich Albion vs. Arsenal (1-3)

Nicolas Otamendi, Manchester City

Manchester City will equal Bayern Munich's European record of 19 consecutive wins with victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday:

Yet Pep Guardiola's side have injury problems in defence as Vincent Kompany limped out of Wednesday's win over Newcastle United and looks set to miss the game.

The match may also come too soon for John Stones, although he has returned to training, as the club showed via their official Twitter account:

City will therefore look to Otamendi to once again command the defence and continue the superb form he has shown this season.

Football writer Jordan-Luke McDonald said the Argentinian has been the best centre-back in the top flight this season:

Goal also showed how dominant he was against Newcastle:

If there is a weakness to Guardiola's City side it is in defence, and the club may be disappointed at having missed out on signing Virgil van Dijk, who will join Liverpool for £75 million in January.

However, in Otamendi they have a player who looks much improved this season and will be needed to counter the threat posed by Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke.

Jesse Lingard, Manchester United

Manchester United have been poor in recent games, but one man who has found his form is Jesse Lingard.

The 25-year-old came on at half-time against Burnley on Boxing Day and rescued a point for the Red Devils with both goals in a 2-2 draw.

Football analyst Statman Dave showed how he compares to some of the other big names in the Premier League:

Lingard will hope he has played his way into Jose Mourinho's starting lineup for the visit of Southampton and will aim to continue his goalscoring run against a team that have not won since November.

The loss of defender Van Dijk will also weaken the Saints, and United will hope to take advantage and regain momentum.

Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal

Alexis Sanchez's future remains the subject of speculation, and he could join Manchester City next month, according to TransferMarketWeb (h/t David Wright at the Daily Star).

The Chilean has been far from his best so far this season, although he has been on target in his last two outings against Liverpool and Crystal Palace.

ESPN FC's Mattias Karen says Sanchez is crucial even when he is not at his best:

James Benge at the Evening Standard said he looked more like his old self in the win over Palace:

It remains to be seen if he will leave in January, but Arsenal need him to recapture his best form while he is at the club as they battle for a top-four place.