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Premier League Picks: Leicester City March On, The Goodbye John Terry Tour

By Zahir Gilani

MUNICH, GERMANY - MAY 19: John Terry of Chelsea celebrates with the trophy after their victory in the UEFA Champions League Final between FC Bayern Muenchen and Chelsea at the Fussball Arena München on May 19, 2012 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - MAY 19: John Terry of Chelsea celebrates with the trophy after their victory in the UEFA Champions League Final between FC Bayern Muenchen and Chelsea at the Fussball Arena München on May 19, 2012 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images) /
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A midweek special as the Premier League delivers a full slate of games over Tuesday and Wednesday evening.

Rub your eyes as hard as you want, the Foxes still sit top of the table at the end of January, just as they were at Christmas.

Leicester City vs. Liverpool

Liverpool handed the Foxes one of their only two league defeats thus far this season.

Both teams can be feast or famine at times. Leicester have had prolonged goal droughts, followed by the odd game where they find the back of the net multiple times. Their winning formula is well known, Riyad Mahrez to Jamie Vardy, or failing that get some chances to fall Shinji Okazaki’s way, while N’Golo Kante tries to boss the midfield.

Liverpool are still an enigma. Who is in their best eleven? I doubt even Jurgen Klopp knows at this early point in his tenure. And they can go from scoring five last weekend in a thriller at Norwich to not even registering a shot on goal in the midweek cup semifinal versus Stoke.

These teams can cancel each other out and also get in their own way at times.

A point will suit all I feel in what should be an even game. And it will keep the Leicester top. The Foxes march on.

Pick: Draw (+240)

Sunderland vs. Manchester City

May 23, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Manchester City midfielder David Silva (21) attempts to control the ball as Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta (28) defends at Busch Stadium. Manchester City defeated Chelsea 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Manchester City midfielder David Silva (21) attempts to control the ball as Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta (28) defends at Busch Stadium. Manchester City defeated Chelsea 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /

Sunderland have a new manager now but I think the recent history of these teams will hold. Man City have won 5 of the last 6 in this fixture and each game has gone over 3.5 goals.

In his managerial career Big Sam is 1-0-6 against Pellegrini and his teams have been outscored 21-4.

My thoughts are very clear on this one. With KDB injured, David Silva will resume his role at the heart of everything good for the Citizens. We have been waiting for City to heat up all season and I think the time has come.

I see winning margin of two or three goals here.

Pick: Man City -1 (-120)

Manchester United vs. Stoke City

Without Ryan Shawcross in the lineup I don’t see Stoke having much success. The Potters sit ninth in the table and have scored only 24 goals the season, which is 4th worst.

United have had the pressure eased slightly after a much needed 3-1 win in the FA Cup vs Derby.

Stoke thoroughly handled United at the Britannia earlier this season, but they haven’t won a game at Old Trafford since 1976. I think the Red Devils are catching a mediocre team at the right time and they will lay the wood.

Pick: Man United (-140)

Watford vs. Chelsea

The Goodbye John Terry tour is officially underway. First stop: Vicarage Road.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Eden Hazard of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on January 24, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 24: Eden Hazard of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on January 24, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images) /

Headliners will hopefully include the artist formerly known as Eden Hazard, who scored his first goal in 30 games this season from a spot kick during Sunday’s demolition of MK Dons.

He kissed the badge, he blew kisses at the fans and for a moment all us Chelsea fans felt warm and bubbly inside.

Here’s what we know about Guus Hiddink era. Hazard won’t be relied upon to track back and put in quite the defensive shift he was asked to under Jose Mourinho, which one thinks will suit him just fine.

All is forgiven son. Now go on and be the masterpiece that we all know that you are.

Pick: Chelsea (Even)

Next: Chelsea FC Transfer Deadline Roundup Extravaganza

2016 record: 2-2 (even)

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