Premier League Gameweek 16 Preview

Chelsea have emerged as unlikely title contenders in recent weeks, and Enzo Maresca’s side is now the nearest challenger to Premier League leader Liverpool.
However, the Blues must negotiate a tricky west London derby this weekend when Brentford visit Stamford Bridge.
Pacesetters Liverpool received a rare weekend off last week after Saturday’s Merseyside derby with Everton was called off due to Storm Darragh. The Reds resume league action against Fulham at Anfield on Saturday while the Toffees head to Arsenal.
The game of the weekend is undoubtedly the Manchester derby on Sunday, when crisis-hit City welcome United to the Etihad.

Wolves vs Ipswich

There is a proverbial relegation six-pointer at Molineux on Saturday as Wolves welcome Ipswich to the West Midlands.
Only Southampton are below the pair in the top-flight standings and, with a four-point gap already in place to Crystal Palace in 17th, rival bosses Gary O’Neil and Kieran McKenna know that their sides are in danger of getting cut adrift if they don’t begin to pick up points soon.
The pair have collected just three wins between them this season, although they have played better than results have suggested at times.
Wolves’ 15 games have produced a whopping 61 goals (23 for and 38 against), making them hugely entertaining to watch for neutrals but deeply frustrating to follow for their fans – they have the worst defensive record but only seven clubs have scored more.
Only Southampton (11) have scored fewer goals than Ipswich, meanwhile, and Wanderers’ sharper attacking instincts may help them claim a vital three points this weekend.
Tip: Wolves to win and Over 2.5 Goals @ 17/10

Brighton vs Crystal Palace

The rivalry between Brighton and Crystal Palace is one of the Premier League’s more quirkier feuds.
Dating back to the late 1970s and an FA Cup trilogy that ended with Palace winning and Brighton boss Alan Mullery losing his cool, a mutual dislike lingers to this day.
Palace have managed one win in seven on the road this term and might actually have been disappointed with last weekend’s 2-2 draw at home to Manchester City given they led twice at Selhurst Park and the champions finished with 10 men.
Brighton remain unbeaten at home but four draws in seven outings at the Amex have halted their progress slightly.
The Seagulls are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Palace, winning the last two on the south coast, and they have a fine chance to claim the spoils this weekend.
Tip: Brighton to win @ 17/20

Man City vs Man United

All eyes will be on the Etihad on Sunday and the first Manchester derby of the season has a strange feeling to it.
City, English football’s dominant force under Pep Guardiola, have won just one of their last 10 games while United have enjoyed an okay start to life under Ruben Amorim but no better.
For all City’s troubles, successive Premier League losses to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest have laid bare the scale of the task facing Amorim at Old Trafford.
There hasn’t been a Premier League draw between the Manchester pair since December 2020 with City winning five of the last six league meetings.
If the white-hot atmosphere of a derby cannot raise the champions to reach something like their usual levels then nothing will and the champions should be too strong for a disjointed Red Devils outfit.
Tip: Man City to win @ 4/7