Did the international break make you miss the Prem? No better way to resume than an action-packed weekend. Chelsea’s leadership will receive an acid test at Leicester, whereas their chasers, Man City, take on Everton. Lastly, the scene will be stolen on Saturday night by Liverpool-Arsenal, get ready!
Leicester City FC vs. Chelsea FC
Saturday, November 20, 2021 – 07:30 AM EST at King Power Stadium
If Chelsea were to choose an opponent for their post-international resume, we’re sure it wouldn’t be Jamie Vardy and the other 10 Foxes. The Midlands club has been one of the toughest nuts to crack for the Tüchel boys in the past seasons.
Exception made for the May 2021 Prem clash (2-1 at Stamford Bridge for Blues) and the successful FA Cup fixture in June 2020 but, going up to December 2018, the Blues have collected a mere three draws and three losses in the previous eight fixtures against Leicester.
With a full squad returning from international service and the cornerstone of the London-based team, Jorginho, overwhelmed by the Italy fiasco at the qualifiers (which he was a part of), the risk for Tüchel to spend a bitter weekend ahead of the Champions League showdown with Juventus is more than real.
Add in the mix the fact that Brendan Rodgers from Carnlough, Nothern Ireland, represents the endangered species of ‘British Managers’ who strive to show they are still better than foreign ones. Taking all that into account and we have all the ingredients for an upset to the defending champions and current leaders at the hands of a team sitting 11th on the table.
Soccer Pick: Draw (+285) at SBK
Liverpool FC vs. Arsenal FC
Saturday, November 20, 2021 – 12:30 AM EST at Anfield Road Stadium
If we think back to the start of the season, it seems quite unreal that Arsenal could be just two points away from Klopp’s Liverpool on the eve of their first seasonal clash. Arteta’s team had a shocking start to the season that placed them in the underachiever’s list.
However, later on, the Gunners managed to defy even the gloomiest of predictions about their future and now travel to Anfield Road with the sole purpose of beating the Scousers and overtaking them on the table. That would mean kicking Salah&Co. out of the Champions League zone: who could have predicted that?
However, we must agree that Liverpool contributed to this situation with a set of draws in key games, either against direct opponents (Chelsea and Man City) or not-so-minnow minnows (Brentford and Brighton).
Last but not least, the upsetting loss at West Ham produced the first seasonal defeat in all competitions and undermined Merseyside’s self-confidence. Arsenal is on a roll of four wins in a row, confidence is high and they want to show it on a legendary ground.
Soccer Pick: Both Teams to Score (-163) at Bet365
Manchester City FC vs. Everton FC
Sunday, November 21 2021 – 09:00 AM EST at Etihad Stadium
With just two games to be played on Sunday, the one pitting Guardiola’s Blues against Benitez’ Toffees is the most interesting fixture to pick for this derby of Spanish managers. A derby that popular English magazine FourFourTwo named as an ‘old-fashioned ideological clash’.
Long story short: Guardiola is the one that basically buried Benitez’s style under tons of tiki-taka, ball possession and ‘false 9’ ideologies making the Madrid-born skipper look aging.
However, with their own style, both have won (and lost) the Champions Leagues. But titles and ideologies never play. Players do play, and Guardiola might be without Grealish and Foden, which would be too big of a blow. Everton and Benitez are the clear underdogs though, no doubt about that.
Soccer Pick: Total Under 2.5 (+163) at Bet365
