The Premier League is set to conclude the November chapter of what’s shaping up to be one of its strangest-ever seasons.
All 20 teams will play Saturday and Sunday, looking to enhance their prospects as the onset of winter looms large. But large trends and surprise twists are turning predictions into a thankless art and useless science.
Three teams are positioned to overtake league-leading Leicester City (more on the Foxes later) with a win. Fifth-placed Tottenham can climb as high as second with a victory and a little help elsewhere. Five other teams can climb within three points of fourth-placed Arsenal if results swing their way.
In short, the old saying remains true as ever: Every game matters in the Premier League … especially the big ones.
Marquee game: Leicester City vs. Manchester United
Leicester City’s relegation from the 2013-14 Premier League looked like a foregone conclusion 26 games ago, but something we can’t explain has happened at The King Power Stadium. The Foxes stepped off the trap door with a 13-game revival to end last season. They then burst to the top of the Premier League standings after 13 games in the 2015-16 season.
Two managers — first Nigel Pearson, then Claudio Ranieri — have overseen Leicester’s surge, and one player, Jamie Vardy, 28, deservedly is hogging the spotlight through sheer force of will and goals.
Vardy’s rise from non-league afterthought to Golden Boot front-runner in the Premier League is the stuff of fairy tales. It’s arguably more impressive than his team’s ascent. Vary is carrying a record, 10-game goal-scoring streak. How fitting is it he can make the record he shares with Ruud van Nistelrooy his own, and shoot down the Dutch hitman’s former team, in 90 minutes of play Saturday?
Manchester United’s slow growth under manager Louis van Gaal spurted after a 5-3 road loss to Leicester City on Sept. 21, 2014. Van Gaal since has tightened his team’s defense and returned the Red Devils to their Champions League status. The goal it conceded against Watford in Round 13 was its first defensive blemish in ages.
But Manchester United has higher aims and ambitions. It sits second in the standings — one point behind Leicester City — and can assume first place with a revenge win.
We can’t wait to see how Vardy and the Foxes handle the heat of the Premier League’s spotlight.
Prediction: 1-1. Vardy scores, and the Premier League will have a new leader after Sunday’s games
Liverpool vs. Swansea City
That Brendan Rodgers left Swansea City to manage Liverpool added extra significance to meetings between the teams for three seasons, but the dynamic has changed now that Jurgen Klopp is in charge at Anfield.
Klopp’s Reds continue to set down building blocks for the future on a game-by-game basis, while checking off boxes of progress at the same time. A victory over Swansea on Sunday at Anfield will serve both purposes, helping Liverpool climb up from ninth place in the standings and mount a home winning streak; both signs of movement in the right direction.
Swansea City boss Gary Monk is desperate for a win over Liverpool, having lost all four meetings with the Reds. Speedy winger Jefferson Montero and capable striker Bafetimbi Gomis will pose danger to Liverpool in spots, while attacking midfielder Andre Ayew will be a constant menace.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s Joe Allen, who arrived from Swansea City in 2012, link the clubs together on the field.
Premier League Round 14 schedule (home teams listed first; all kickoff times ET):
Saturday, Nov. 28
Bournemouth vs. Everton, 10 a.m.
Crystal Palace vs. Newcastle, 10 a.m.
Manchester City vs. Southampton, 10 a.m.
Sunderland vs. Stoke City, 10 a.m.
Aston Villa vs. Watford, 10 a.m.
Leicester City vs. Manchester United, 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 29
Tottenham vs. Chelsea, 7 a.m.
West Ham vs. West Brom, 9:05 a.m.
Norwich City vs. Arsenal, 11:15 a.m.
Liverpool vs. Swansea City, 11:15 a.m.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@talkSPORT
