Your Guide To Week 23 Of The Barclays Premier League

Other than a few marquee games, this week in the Barclays Premier League is some what of a football limbo. Most of the big clubs are playing games they should win. The fourth round of the FA Cup is close enough to matter but not deep enough in the competition to really be significant. The transfer window is open, but no major deals are going through yet and the Champions League Round of 16 is still about a month away.

So with that in mind, it might be tempting to tune out of this weekend’s matches. Here’s our guide to make sure you don’t miss anything you might regret.

Saturday 1/23

Norwich vs. Liverpool (7:45 EST)

Norwich have done some business worth mentioning, purchasing Swiss defender Timm Klose and former Everton forward Stephen Naismith. They could bolster a Canaries squad that is solid, if unremarkable at home, taking 11 points from their last five matches.

Liverpool will yet again be rotating the squad for their third match in six days. While a good deal of the result will come down what squad Jurgen Klopp puts out, there should be enough quality in his side to see things through; a draw, though, is probably the most likely outcome when push comes to shove.

Leicester vs. Stoke (10 EST)

After several weeks off the top of the table, Leicester have a chance to reclaim the top spot for at least a few hours against Stoke.

Both of these clubs have been surprises this season for similar reasons. Several players (either Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy or Marko Arnautovic and Xherdan Shaqiri) have outperformed expectations, leading to two smaller clubs playing exciting, attractive football. But at the same time, both clubs run the risk of being over-reliant on those stars and can look flat if any of them aren’t firing on a given night. It should be a fun match with Stoke having a slight edge on the defensive side of the ball.

Crystal Palace vs. Tottenham (10 EST)

After a bright start to the season, Crystal Palace are mired in a slump. They’ve lost two games in a row and, perhaps more dangerously, they’re struggling to score. With Dwight Gayle and Yannick Bolasie both sidelined, that might not be changing quickly.

Spurs are on a good run of form and easily dispatched Leicester in the FA Cup during the week. There’s bound to be some rotation but, for the most part, the key players were rested during the week. It’s difficult to earn a win at Selhurst Park, but a fresh Harry Kane and Hugo Lloris should be enough for Tottenham.

West Brom vs. Aston Villa (10 EST)

Even West Brom should be able to handle Aston Villa, who still sit at the bottom of the league. When a club is being linked to transfers for an out-of-form Mathieu Debuchy and an aging Nemanja Vidic, who hasn’t played a competitive match since May, that should tell you something about their quality.

The most excitement around either of these sides is the potential sale of Saido Berahino, who has been desperate to leave West Brom since the summer transfer window. While the club has reportedly placed a high price on him, it will be interesting if they can keep their nerve if a big club with a bigger checkbook comes calling.

Manchester United vs. Southampton (10 EST)

Their win against Liverpool wasn’t pretty, but it’s still a major result for Louis Van Gaal‘s United. If Wayne Rooney keeps finding the back of the net, they should keep getting results, at least against the less threatening sides.

Things could change if Charlie Austin makes his Saints’ debut, however. In his time with QPR, Austin was a prolific striker and it will be interesting to see how his talents transfer to a new team. United have been good defensively, but he can trouble virtually any back line.

Watford vs. Newcastle (10 EST)

This match isn’t much on paper, but it will be massive for Newcastle. For the past few weeks, Steve McClaren‘s men have looked like a different team; they’re still not lighting the league on fire, but they’re playing significantly better and getting results. Facing Watford, a newly promoted club who have played well this season, will be a test of how far they’ve really progressed.

Watford have also been inconstant of late, albeit not at Newcastle’s level. To be blunt, either version of either team could show up for this match; beyond that, there’s no real way to pick a winner.

Sunderland vs. Bournemouth (10 EST)

While it’s still January, this match could be a crucial moment in the race to avoid relegation. A win will take Sunderland out of the drop zone; Bournemouth are confident and playing well, but they’re only safe by six points.

Even on current form, a win should be within Sunderland’s reach. Jan Kirchhoff can strengthen an improved back line and Jermaine Defoe, even at his age, can still trouble any defender he comes across.

West Ham vs. Manchester City (12:15 EST)

New West Ham signing Sam Byran isn’t going to transform the club into title contenders, but Slaven Bilic has built a solid team this season. That could be dealt a blow, however, as Mauro Zarate is reportedly close to a move to Italy.

On the other side of things, Manchester City can look like the best side in the league or one that is incapable of defending, depending on the day. While that lack of consistency is surely maddening for their supporters, the club is sitting just off the top of the table and should be able to handle the Irons.
Sunday 1/24

Everton vs. Swansea City (8:30 EST)

Everton may be stuck in the middle of the table due to the amount of matches they’ve drawn, but the Toffees shouldn’t have a problem against Swansea. There’s enough quality in Romelu Lukaku, Gerard Deulofeu and Ross Barkley to ensure at least another point, if not three.

As for Swansea, they may have a new coach, but they desperately need help on the pitch. Ashley Williams is a rock at the back and Gylfi Sigurdsson can pass with the best creative players, but those two can’t carry a team, especially one with anemic striking options.

Arsenal vs. Chelsea (11 EST)

No matter where they’re sitting in the table (Arsenal is currently on top and Chelsea is still in the bottom half) a meeting between these two sides is one to watch.

Arsenal’s tough stretch of fixtures continues and, after draws at both Liverpool and Stoke, they’ll be hoping to avoid dropping points again. Mesut Ozil should be back in the squad and there’s a chance that Alexis Sanchez returns to the left flank; Arsene Wenger is being cautious with the Chilean, though, because of both his importance to the squad and his willingness to play even if his is less than healthy.

Chelsea have certainly looked better since firing Jose Mourinho, but they’re still a far cry from the side that won last season’s title. They’re reportedly interested in signing Alexandre Pato, but that would be a better signing in 2009 than it is now.

But, with all of that being said, anything can happen when these two sides meet as we saw earlier this season. Based on that and Arsenal’s title hopes, this isn’t one to be missed.

Photo: Petr Cech of Arsenal makes a save during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park on December 13, 2015 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)