English Premier League: EPL Week 15 Previews and Predictions

Week 14 in the English Premier League once again has produced parody in the top rankings. Tottenham remain on the heels of Manchester United just two points back in third place while Chelsea and Arsenal both jumped up to the fourth and fifth spots.

Newcastle failed to once again take a major victory away as their three game horror fest between Manchester City, Manchester United and then Chelsea saw them only manage one point out of nine and slide all the way to sixth place in England as well as lose Steven Taylor from their back line.

Liverpool also have taken a huge blow in the last week. Their advancement to the Carling Cup Semi-Finals by dumping out Chelsea for their third straight win at Stamford Bridge was overshadowed by the loss of Lucas Leiva for the season. After that, a frustrating 0-1 loss to Fulham at Craven Cottage this past Monday put even more of a limp in their high-flying stride.

Blackburn Rovers got one step closer to getting out of the relegation zone with a 4-2 victory over Swansea City, and Stoke City pushed back up to eighth with their victory over Everton.

Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal all secured victory by three goals or more while once again Manchester United managed yet another 1-0 victory this time over Aston Villa.

This week there will be some interesting showcase matches as Chelsea host Manchester City and Stoke City welcome Tottenham to their hostile Britannia Stadium in two of the best matches on hand in the coming weekend.

Arsenal vs. Everton

Arsenal should continue their great run of form against Everton this weekend at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta faces his old teammates when they come to town, but will likely be on the winning side.

However, despite David Moyes' side going down to Stoke City at home last week, the Toffees are always up for a match and the chance to get the better of an old teammate, and playing against a usually suspect defense should give them at least a glimmer of hope.

Match Prediction: Arsenal 2 - 1 Everton

Predicted Arsenal Starting XI: Wojciech Szczęsny, Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen, Ignasi Miquel, Mikel Arteta, Alex Song, Aaron Ramsey; Gervinho, Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott

Predicted Everton Starting XI: Tim Howard, Tony Hibbert, Sylvain Distin, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines, Seamus Coleman, Royston Drenthe, Jack Rodwell, Tim Cahill, Leon Osman, Louis Saha

Players to Watch: Robin Van Persie and Tim Cahill

Bolton Wanderers vs. Aston Villa

The Bolton Wanderers continue to face an uphill battle to even climb out of the relegation zone, much less look impressive this season. Injuries continue to plague the side that has been utterly disappointing since their run last season, and the suspension of Gary Cahill has only made their issues worse. Luckily his red card was reversed as of Wednesday according to ESPNsoccernet.

Aston Villa should get the three points at the Reebok, and Alex McLeish's side could use them as they have been on a downward spiral since loosing to Manchester City. Darren Bent and Gabriel Agbonlahor should both look at this game as a chance to put wind back in their sails.

Match Prediction: Bolton 0 - 2 Aston Villa

Predicted Bolton Wanderers Starting XI: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Paul Robinson, Gary Cahill, Zat Knight, Dedryck Boyata, Nigel Reo-Coker, Martin Petrov, Fabrice Muamba, Chris Eagles, Kevin Davies, Ivan Klasnic

Predicted Aston Villa Starting XI: Shay Given, Alan Hutton, James Collins, Richard Dunne, Stephen Warnock, Chris Herd, Stiliyan Petrov, Emile Heskey, Charles N'Zogbia, Darren Bent, Gabriel Agbonlahor

Players to Watch: Ivan Klasnic and Darren Bent

Liverpool vs. Queens Park Rangers

Liverpool once again were handed a frustrating result as they lost to Fulham 0-1 at Craven Cottage this past Monday in a game where it truly should have been 3-1 in the favor of the Reds. The controversial dismissal of Jay Spearing is yet to be known as the Reds are believed to be appealing the decision.

However, until it is known what is to come of it, the Reds face a stark midfield crisis. Their only true attacking success has come with Luis Suarez, Craig Bellamy and Maxi Rodriguez all on the pitch, and they should all be in the starting eleven.

The issue could see the Reds start with a 5-3-2 to allow greater cover in front of Reina and give Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique a chance to move forward, which is listed below. On the other hand, Liverpool could opt for the usual back four and include Adam and Henderson in the middle with Maxi and Downing on the wings with Bellamy and Suarez upfront.

The additional defender could also help prevent Heidar Helguson from having another great game in the air as the last thing the Reds need is to give up any unwarranted goals from corners or set pieces.

Match Prediction: Liverpool 2 - 1 QPR

Predicted Liverpool Starting XI: Pepe Reina, Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, Jose Enrique,  Charlie Adam, Maxi Rodriguez, Stewart Downing, Craig Bellamy, Luis Suarez

Predicted Queens Park Rangers Starting XI: Patrick Kenny, Luke Young, Anton Ferdinand, Clint Hill, Armand Traore, Shaun Derry, Joey Barton, Alejandro Damian Faurlin, Jay Bothroyd, Heidar Helguson, Shaun Wright-Phillips

Players to Watch: Charlie Adam and Heidar Helguson

Manchester United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers

Manchester United have slumped to another frustrating point this season as they crashed out of the UEFA Champions League without even reaching the knockout round for the first time since I can remember, and will be left with only the UEFA Europa League to contend for.

It is hard to believe that the second place team can seem so rocked, but between their dip in form since Wayne Rooney was sanctioned by UEFA and now this, it is worrisome to United fans to think they could suffer another form drop due to this embarrassment. On top of it all, Nemanja Vidic looks set for another long injury spell on the sidelines.

Wolverhampton meanwhile looked reinvigorated last week against Sunderland as Steven Fletcher returned to the lineup and was the brace scoring game winner for them after the Black Cats had taken the lead earlier on.

Match Prediction: Manchester United 2 - 1 Wolves

Predicted Manchester United Starting XI: David De Gea, Phil Jones, Rio Ferdinand, Jonathan Evans, Patrice Evra, Ji-Sung Park, Darren Fletcher, Anderson, Nani, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck

Predicted Wolverhampton Wanderers Starting XI: Wayne Hennessey, Stephen Ward, Christophe Berra, Roger Johnson, Richard Stearman, Stephen Hunt, Jamie O'Hara, Karl Henry, Matt Jarvis, Kevin Doyle, Steven Fletcher

Players to Watch: Javier Hernandez and Steven Fletcher

Norwich City vs. Newcastle United

Norwich City have had a rough go of games, but will have a chance to kick a top club while they are down when Newcastle United come to town on the back of a two loss and one draw series between Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea that has seen them get a little knocked about.

The Canaries have had great moments this season and knocking off the traveling Toon could put them back on track to land a top 14 finish. Newcastle defender, Steven Taylor, looks sidelined for a spell and his injury could weaken the back line enough for Norwich to take advantage.

Match Prediction: Norwich City 2 - 2 Newcastle United

Predicted Norwich City Starting XI: John Ruddy, Leon Barnett, Kyle Naughton, Marc Tierney, Russell Martin, Bradley Johnson, David Fox, Wesley Hoolahan, Anthony Pilkington, Grant Holt, Steve Morison

Predicted Newcastle United Starting XI: Tim Krul, Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini, Ryan Taylor, Gabriel Obertan, Yohan Cabaye, Ismael Cheik Tioté, Hatem Ben Arfa, Leon Best, Demba Ba

Players to Watch: Anthony Pilkington and Demba Ba

Swansea City vs. Fulham

Swansea City have had as frustrating a run as any team fighting to remain up as they have only managed to take two of their most recent 12 points available. A loss to Manchester United and a 4-2 thumping from Blackburn Rovers have them steaming for a chance to get some points back in the right direction.

Fulham come to Swansea on the back of a morale-boosting victory over Liverpool that may possibly have been the spark they needed to push up the table a few places. A win over Swansea would be a good place to start.

Match Prediction: Swansea City 1 - 1 Fulham

Predicted Swansea City Starting XI: Michel Vorm, Neil Taylor, Steven Caulker, Ashley Williams, Angel Rangel, Nathan Dyer, Leon Britton, Kemy Agustien, Joe Allen, Danny Graham, Scott Sinclair

Predicted Fulham Starting XI: Mark Schwarzer, Stephen Kelly, Brede Hangeland, Chris Baird, John Arne Riise, Moussa Dembele, Danny Murphy, Dickson Etuhu, Clint Dempsey, Bryan Ruiz, Bobby Zamora

Players to Watch: Scott Sinclair and Clint Dempsey

West Bromwich Albion vs. Wigan Athletic

Shane Long came to the rescue of his club with a late equalizer against Queens Park Rangers last weekend as they managed to earn a point from a match that QPR will not believe they lost. This week Long and company will have to be on top of it again as they look to keep Wigan at the bottom of the table.

Wigan Athletic earned four points in two matches before they had to play against Arsenal last week and suffered a 4-0 crushing defeat. Despite being at the bottom of the table, a victory could possibly get clear and be back on the hunt to rise out and avoid relegation.

Match Prediction: West Bromwich 2 - 1 Wigan Athletic

Predicted West Bromwich Albion Starting XI: Ben Foster, Billy Jones, Jonas Olsson, Gareth McAuley, Steven Reid, Paul Scharner, Graham Dorrans, Chris Brunt, Somen Tchoyi, Shane Long, Peter Odemwingie

Predicted Wigan Athletic Starting XI: Ali Al Habsi, Gary Caldwell, Anton Alvarez, Maynor Figueroa, Emmerson Boyce, Albert Crusat, David Jones, Ben Watson, Mohamed Diame, Victor Moses, Hugo Rodallega

Players to Watch: Shane Long and Hugo Rodallega

Sunderland vs. Blackburn Rovers

Sunderland unveiled their newest boss to wear the Red and White-striped tie on the touchline as Martin O'Neal assumed the lead role on Wearside this week. He inherits a club that is in desperate need of direction and some faith in both their manager and players, and with such a newly reconstructed side he will have his work cut out for him.

Steve Kean meanwhile manages to hold onto a job that he should have lost months ago, but once again an out-of-nowhere performance by Yakubu no less sees the once frustrated striker go to nine goals on the season while Keane stays in power.

Match Prediction: Sunderland 1 - 2 Blackburn Rovers

Predicted Sunderland Starting XI: Simon Mignolet, John O'Shea, Wes Brown, Titus Bramble, Kieran Richardson, Sebastian Larsson, David Vaughn, Jack Colback, Ahmed Elmohamady, Stephane Sessegnon, Nicklas Bendtner

Predicted Blackburn Rovers Starting XI: Paul Robinson, Michel Salgado, Scott Dann, Chris Samba, Gael Givet, Steven Nzonzi, David Dunn, Mauro Formica, Ruben Rochina, Yakubu, David Hoilett

Players to Watch: Nicklas Bendtner and Yakubu

Stoke City vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur have been on fire and are perhaps the hottest team in the EPL as they continue to roll through the opposition week in and week out. With a game still in hand, they could very well be in second place and not third in the league.

If any team can make a stand at home against tougher opposition, it is Tony Pulis' Stoke City. The Potters have beaten Liverpool and held Manchester United earlier in the season when they were on top form to just a draw at the Britannia.

Match Prediction: Stoke City 1 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur

Predicted Stoke City Starting XI: Asmir Begovic, Marc Wilson, Jonathan Woodgate, Ryan Shawcross, Andy Wilkinson, Jermaine Pennant, Rory Delap, Wilson Palacios, Matthew Etherington, Peter Crouch, Jonathan Walters

Predicted Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI: Brad Friedel, Kyle Walker, Younes Kaboul, Ledley King, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Luka Modric, Scott Parker, Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon, Jermaine Defoe, Emmanuel Adebayor

Players to Watch: Peter Crouch and Jermaine Defoe

Game of the Week: Chelsea vs. Manchester City

Chelsea progressed to the knockout round of the Champions League this week while Manchester City followed their cross town rivals, Manchester United, down into the Europa League after poor group stage showings.

The Blues need a home win in the League to keep their momentum going back up as the two home defeats to Liverpool in the course of eight days is still on the minds of fans, and if the Reds can beat the Blues, the Citizens certainly have the motivation to do it as well.

Match Prediction: Chelsea 2 - 3 Manchester City

Predicted Chelsea Starting XI: Petr Cech, Branislav Ivanovic, John Terry, Alex, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Juan Mata, Ramires, Flourent Malouda, Didier Drogba, Daniel Sturridge

Predicted Manchester City Starting XI: Joe Hart, Micah Richards, Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott, Gaël Clichy, Gareth Barry, Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri, David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko

Players to Watch: Juan Mata and David Silva

Conclusion

It is a week where many top clubs test their fortitude. Manchester City faces Chelsea at Stamford Bridge while Tottenham travels to one of the toughest places in the league at the Britannia.

Liverpool, Newcastle United and Manchester United all face lower half clubs that can pull off shockers if given the chance, and all their clubs have seen a host of injuries or officiating decisions that may make their next months or weeks a pain.

As kickoffs start Saturday morning, we are certainly in for another great weekend of action.

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