epl predictions bleacher
After a weekend of FA Cup matches, the Premier League returns for Week 26 on Saturday with leaders Chelsea in action against Swansea City.Second-placed Manchester City have a weekend off as their clash against Manchester United has been postponed with the Red Devils taking part in the EFL Cup final against Southampton.However, third-placed Tottenham Hotspur face a tricky home clash against Stoke City, and Liverpool visit champions Leicester City looking to claim only their second league win of 2017.Read on for full predictions for the weekend’s matches and a look at the the players who could make a big impact in Week 26.Top PlayersDiego Costa, ChelseaRelegation-battling Swansea have looked a different side since the appointment of Paul Clement as head coach and have recently beaten Liverpool, Southampton and Leicester in the league.Manchester City needed a late goal from Gabriel Jesus to beat the Welsh outfit on Feb. 5, so manager Antonio Conte’s Chelsea cannot afford to be complacent against them.However, an early goal for the Blues at Stamford Bridge could kill off the Swansea challenge, and Conte will look to striker Costa to put Chelsea in the driving seat after he ended his brief goal drought againstWolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, per Opta:Burnley held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw last time out in the league and dealt effectivelywith the Blues’ brilliant attack.Back on their own ground, though, Chelsea should carve out plenty of chances, and it will be up to Costa to put them in the back of the net.Christian Eriksen, Tottenham HotspurSpurs’ title challenge was dealt a huge blow last time out in the league as they lost 2-0 to Liverpool.They now sit in third place but are perilously close to dropping out of the Champions League places as the fifth-placed Reds are just one point back.The north London outfit need to return to winning ways against Stoke on Sunday, and playmaker Eriksen will be crucial, as he has arguably been Spurs’ best player this season.The Denmark international is at the heart of Tottenham’s creativity and is vital at brining striker Harry Kane into play.Manager Mauricio Pochettino’s side have won 4-0 in both of their last two games against the Potters, so they know what it takes to get the better of Mark Hughes’ men.If Eriksen is on form at White Hart Lane there should be little danger of Spurs dropping more points.Sadio Mane, LiverpoolMane’s importance to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side was made apparent as the Reds’ form dipped alarmingly while he was away at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.He inspired Liverpool to a fine win against Tottenham as he netted two goals, and he will likely cause a woefully out-of-form Leicester all kinds of problems with his pace and tenacity.The clash with the Foxes on Feb. 27 is a must-win for Liverpool as they look to return to the top four as quickly as possible.And they could hardly be facing more vulnerable opponents with Leicester having lost their last five games in the league and not scored in the English top flight in 2017.One of the key features of Leicester’s problems has been the lack of form of centre-backs Robert Huth and Wes Morganso excellent last seasonand Mane’s directness and speed will likely have the duo quaking in their boots.
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