Premier League holders Leicester City are still searching for their first away win of the season, and, will not face an easy task when they travel to Southampton. The visitors will be boosted by the fact that the Saints are likely to be without want-away centre-back Jose Fonte, however, the Foxes will still be missing ACON trio: Riyad Mahrez, Islam Slimani and Daniel Amartey. It seems like the hosts are finally suffering from losing their main bulk of talent this year as they currently sit in 13th, having suffered four consecutive defeats. Whereas, the holders have found retention of a title to be an impossible challenge, which has been in no small part down to their shocking away form (D3/L8), in comparison to last season when they won 11 times on their travels. The main problem for both these sides this season has been goals, Leicester average just over a goal per game, whereas, their opposition average just under a goal per game and in fact, haven't found the back of the net in their last two games. I wouldn't expect many goals in this fixture at all, with Mahrez and Slimani gone, the pressure is on Vardy to get the goals, but if Van Dijk marks him tightly, he'll be essentially useless. It's the width that's key for Southampton, Bertrand and Redmond being specific threats, however with Austin injured, it's up to Shane Long to step it up and get on the end of crosses, like he did in the FA Cup against Norwich. Claude Puel said that he expects a counterattacking style from their opponents so I expect their back line to drop deep when Leicester win the ball back, in order to stop the ball in behind and shorten the space in and around the box. It's likely to be a scrappy game of few chances and with how nonclinical these two sides are this season, the first goal is more than likely going to be the winner.
Predicted Southampton Starting XI
Forster
Bertrand, Yoshida, Van Dijk, Soares
Romeu, Clasie
Tadic, Ward-Prowse, Redmond
Long
Predicted Leicester City Starting XI
Schmeichel
Fuchs, Huth, Morgan, Simpson
Gray, Mendy, Drinkwater, Albrighton
Vardy, Musa
Score Prediction - Southampton 1:0 Leicester City
Arsenal vs Burnley
The Emirates Stadium plays host to what could be a very tense close game, as, 4th place Arsenal (Nothing new here), host 10th place Burnley. Earlier this season, the Gunners were very fortunate to get the win at Turf Moor, courtesy of a 94th minute winner from Laurent Koscielny. Burnley, just like Leicester City, are chasing their first win away from home this season, and, having brought in Joey Barton, they won't be as easy to run round in the middle of the park. Both sides welcome back a trio of players for this game, for Arsenal; Hector Bellerin, Kieran Gibbs and Francis Coquelin return, whereas, available for Burnley are; Dean Marney, Ashley Barnes and Johann Berg Gudmundsson. Both sides come into this fixture with relatively good form, with the hosts unbeaten in their previous four outings (W3/D1), and the visitors picking up three wins from their last four games. The important thing for the Gunners is to come out with the right mentality, too many times they've started slow recently, and have been very fortunate to not suffer more defeats because of it. They need to play for 90 minutes, how they played for the final half-hour at Bournemouth and if they do, this should be a relatively easy win for them, due to the quality in the team. For Burnley to win, they have to capitalise if Arsenal start slow, it's all about being clinical, they will get some chances, but they have to make them count. Koscielny and Mustafi are going to have to be wary of the runs in behind from Andre Gray, he'll no doubt be their biggest threat, and, will be after every flick on from Vokes, if Dyche opts to start with two up top. With these sides scoring 11 and 8 goals respectively in their last 5 games, there will no doubt be goals. How many there are, will depend on who scores first, if it's the visitors, then I expect this to be a classic, however, if the Gunners make the breakthrough, this will likely be a one-sided affair and will add more disappointment to Burnley's miserable away record. If Barton and Xhaka are both starting, it might be worth a bet on a red card or those two booked and Arsenal to win.
Predicted Arsenal Starting XI
Cech
Gibbs, Mustafi, Koscielny, Bellerin
Coquelin, Ramsey
Sanchez, Ozil, Iwobi
Giroud
Predicted Burnley Starting XI
Heaton
Ward, Mee, Keane, Lowton
Defour, Hendrick, Barton, Boyd
Gray, Vokes
Score Prediction - Arsenal 3:1 Burnley
Chelsea vs Hull City
Premier League leaders Chelsea will no doubt be favourites in Sunday's final game, but with new signings and a new manager, this would be a perfect game for the team to show their fans the progression that is being made. Hull were the first victims of Conte's three at the back system, and the confidence picked up here, inspired their run of 13 consecutive league victories. Everything is stacked against Hull City, based on form; Chelsea have won their last eight at home, whereas, Hull have lost their last eight on the road, Chelsea lost just one in their last ten games, Hull have only managed one win in the same period. With it now looking like Diego Costa will be staying, he is now available for this fixture, and I'm sure if he gets a goal or two, it'll appease the fans questioning his loyalty, club captain John Terry is back after his suspension but will likely be on the bench. For their visitors, top scorer Robert Snodgrass is a slight doubt with a muscle problem, however David Meyler, alongside a trio of new signings, Elabdellaoui, Evandro and Niasse are all available. Chelsea will no doubt dominate this game and when they're playing at their best, then it's just a matter of time before they score. The best chance for the visitors to make this game interesting is surely from set-pieces, players like Huddlestone and Dawson are great in the air and will no doubt cause the hosts' defence problems. As much as set-pieces are their strength, they are also their downfall, conceding 20 of their 45 goals from them. which is the most of any team in Europe's top five leagues. With two wins out of three under Marco Silva, confidence will be much higher in the Hull camp right now and Conte will have to make sure his side doesn't go into this game complacent and that they kill the game off early. The longer the game is level, the more confidence the underdogs will get and eventually they'll just play for the point and the space in the final third will reduce immensely. Ultimately though, I think the league leaders will have too much quality for Hull and will end up winning comfortably at the end.
Predicted Chelsea Starting XI
Courtois
Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill
Alonso, Fabregas, Kante, Moses
Hazard, Pedro
Costa
Predicted Hull City Starting XI
Jakupovic
Davies, Dawson, Maguire,
Robertson, Clucas, Huddlestone, Snodgrass, Elabdellaoui
Diomande, Hernandez
Score Prediction - Chelsea 4:1 Hull City
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