All-Sports Fantasy League
Log In

Premier League Week 32 Preview
4:33 PM on May 15th, 2015 by Nathan Susanto

Message Board

Chelsea might have already wrapped up the 2014-2015 English Premier League title and QPR's and Burnley's fate has been settled at the other end of the standings but the season is still alive for a number of clubs.

Hull City, currently occupying the third relegation spot, travels to Tottenham, while Newcastle, just one place above the drop zone, journeys to already relegated QPR. If there's a winner between Sunderland and Leicester, the victor will almost certainly secure their Premier League status.

At the other end of the table, Arsenal clashes with Manchester United in the battle to secure a top 3 finish, which would guarantee entry into next season's Champions League at the group phase.

Remember to make your Premier League Pickem predictions before the deadline of each game. Week 32's schedule begins on Saturday with a 7:45 AM ET kickoff, followed by five 10 AM ET games. The day's final match is at 12:30 PM ET. Sunday has two fixtures, the first at 8:30 AM ET and the second at 11 AM ET. There's a clash on Monday, beginning at 3 PM ET. Finally, the gameweek ends with a Wednesday contest at 2:45 PM ET.

Note that the Yahoo! Fantasy Premier League game's deadline is on Saturday, 6:45 AM ET.

Here we preview the 11 games in the upcoming week of the English Premier League. The title of each game section is a link to pick the result of that game.





Aston Villa (14th) at Southampton (7th) (Sat, 7:45 AM ET)


It looks like Tim Sherwood has steered Aston Villa away from relegation. When he joined the club, they were mired in a woeful losing streak and couldn't score. They've since won five games in the last nine attempts, equaling their total from the previous 27 matches. This weekend they're looking to win three in a row for the first time this season. Southampton, on the other hand, has struggled during their campaign run-in, with a top 5 finish now unlikely. The Saints were sitting as high as third in February, but just three victories in their last 12 contests has seen them slip down the table. Southampton is winless in their last four games, losing to Sunderland and Leicester in their last two.


Head-to-Head Stats

This season:
Southampton 1-1 Aston Villa

Last 6 (all competitions):
Tied 2-2-2.

Last 3 at Southampton (all competitions):
Aston Villa lead 2-1-0.

All-time (all competitions):
Aston Villa lead 28-22-22.


Team News

Aston Villa (from):
Given, Guzan, Steer, Bacuna, Baker, Cissokho, Hutton, Lowton, Okore, Senderos, Vlaar, Cleverley, Cole, Delph, Gil, Grealish, N'Zogbia, Richardson, Sanchez, Westwood, Agbonlahor, Benteke, Burke, Sinclair, Weimann.

Out (reason, expected return date):
Herd (MCL, Jun 1), Kozák (back, no date), Clark (knee, no date).


Southampton (from):
K. Davis, Gazzaniga, Alderweireld, Bertrand, Clyne, Fonte, Gape, Gardos, Targett, Yoshida, S. Davis, Djuricic, Elia, Isgrove, Mane, McQueen, Reed, Wanyama, Ward-Prowse, Gallagher, Long, Pelle, Seager.

Out (reason, expected return date):
Mayuka (groin, Jun 1), Schneiderlin (knee, May 24), Rodriguez (ACL, May 24), Forster (knee, no date), Tadic (groin, no date).





Stoke City (9th) at Burnley (19th) (Sat, 10 AM ET)


Stoke has sat in mid-table for the vast majority of the season, never moving above eighth place and slipping below 12th on only a few occasions. Predictably then, the Potters have shown inconsistency for much of this campaign, including over the last two months. Stoke has lost just once in their last five, though, beating Spurs last time out. Burnley's return to the English Premier League has lasted just one season, despite defeating relegation-threatened Hull last weekend. That victory was just their sixth of the campaign and the winner was their 27th goal of the term, the lowest total in the top flight. The win over Hull ended a four-game losing streak and a six-match winless stretch.


Head-to-Head Stats

This season:
Burnley 2-1 Stoke

Last 6 (all competitions):
Stoke lead 2-1-3.

Last 3 at Burnley (all competitions):
Stoke lead 1-0-2.

All-time (all competitions):
Stoke lead 45-37-23.


Team News

Stoke (from):
Begovic, Butland, Sorensen, Bardsley, Cameron, Muniesa, Pieters, Shawcross, Teixeira, Wilkinson, Wilson, Wollscheid, Adam, Ireland, N'Zonzi, Palacios, Sidwell, Whelan, Arnautovic, Crouch, Diouf, Moses, Odemwingie, Walters.

Doubts:
Moses (hamstring).

Out (reason, expected return date):
Krkic (ACL, Sep).


Burnley (from):
Cisak, Gilks, Heaton, Duff, Keane, Lafferty, Mee, O'Neill, Reid, Shackell, Trippier, Ward, Arfield, Boyd, Jones, Kightly, Taylor, Ulvestad, Wallace, Barnes, Ings, Jutkiewicz, Sordell, Vokes.

Out (reason, expected return date):
Marney (ACL, Nov), Long (ACL, Oct).





Newcastle United (17th) at Queens Park Rangers (20th) (Sat, 10 AM ET)


When John Carver took over the reins, Newcastle appeared to be in the relative security of mid-table. However, a total of just ten points from 17 games has seen them plummet down the standings. The Magpies are just two points above the relegation, though last weekend they tied 1-1 with West Brom to end a streak of eight successive defeats. Coincidentally, two seasons ago Newcastle traveled to QPR on the penultimate weekend and won 2-1 to secure their safety and help condemn Rangers. This time around, though, QPR after compiling one of the worst away records in EPL history and seeing their home form deteriorate over time. QR is on a nine-match winless stretch at Loftus Road.


Head-to-Head Stats

This season:
QPR 0-1 Newcastle

Last 6 (all competitions):
Newcastle lead 5-0-1.

Last 3 at QPR (all competitions):
Newcastle lead 2-0-1.

All-time (all competitions):
Newcastle lead 23-16-8.


Team News

Newcastle (from):
Krul, Coloccini, Dummett, Good, Janmaat, R. Taylor, Aarons, Abeid, Anita, Cabella, Colback, Gutierrez, Obertan, Sissoko, Ameobi, Cisse, Ferreyra, Gouffran, Perez, Riviere.

Out (reason, expected return date):
S. Taylor (calf, Oct), Tioté (knee, Jun 1), Haidara (knee, Jun 1), Alnwick (thumb, Jun 1), De Jong (thigh, May 24), Armstrong (thigh, May 24), Eliott (thigh, no date).

Suspended:
Williamson (final game of two-match ban).


QPR (from):
Green, McCarthy, Murphy, Caulker, Dunne, Furlong, Hill, Onuoha, Traore, Yun, Barton, Fer, Henry, Hoilett, Kranjcar, Phillips, Wright-Phillips, Austin, Taarabt, Zamora.

Doubts:
Zamora (knock).

Out (reason, expected return date):
Faurlin (ACL, Jul), Vargas (MCL, Jul 1), Doughty (ankle, no date).

Unavailble:
Sandro (work permit).





Leicester City (15th) at Sunderland (16th) (Sat, 10 AM ET)


When Leicester lost to Tottenham in March, it looked as if the then league's bottom club would be sent back to the Championship. However, since then the Foxes have strung together one of the best streaks in the division. Leicester has won six of their last seven league fixtures, more victories than they had managed in their previous 29 matches. Sunderland escaped relegation last season with a fine run at the end of the campaign and they might edge to safety this time around in similar fashion. The start of Dick Advocaat's tenure wasn't smooth but the Black Cats have been beaten just once in their last five. They head into this week having won successive games for the first time this term.


Head-to-Head Stats

This season:
Sunderland 0-0 Leicester

Last 6 (all competitions):
Sunderland lead 4-0-2.

Last 3 at Sunderland (all competitions):
Sunderland lead 2-0-1.

All-time (all competitions):
Leicester lead 32-30-21.


Team News

Leicester (from):
Hamer, Schmeichel, Schwarzer, De Laet, Huth, Konchesky, Moore, Morgan, Simpson, Upson, Wasilewski, Albrighton, Cambiasso, Drinkwater, Hammond, King, Knockaert, Mahrez, Schlupp, Kramaric, Lawrence, Nugent, Ulloa, Vardy, Wood.

Out (reason, expected return date):
James (ACL, Feb).


Sunderland (from):
Mannone, Pantilimon, Brown, Coates, Jones, O'Shea, Reveillere, Van Aanholt, Vergini, Bridcutt, Buckley, Cattermole, Gomez, Johnson, Larsson, Rodwell, Defoe, Fletcher, Graham, Wickham.

Out (reason, expected return date):
Alvarez (knee, Jun 1), Giaccherini (ankle, no date).





Hull City (18th) at Tottenham Hotspur (6th) (Sat, 10 AM ET)


Despite some poor results during the second half of the season, it looked like Hull was finding some good form at the right time when they defeated Crystal Palace and Liverpool in consecutive outings. The Tigers, however, have slipped back into the bottom three having been beaten 3-1 by Arsenal and 1-0 to relegated Burnley in their last two games. When Tottenham beat Arsenal in February, it seemed they would be genuine contenders for a top 4 finish. It's been an inconsistent run for Spurs since then, though, and they need a strong finish to guarantee a final position in the top 7. They're winless in their last three, however, including defeats to Manchester City and Stoke in their last two.


Head-to-Head Stats

This season:
Tottenham 2-1 Hull

Last 6 (all competitions):
Tottenham lead 4-0-2 (includes 1 League Cup game).

Last 3 at Tottenham (all competitions):
Tottenham lead 2-0-1 (includes 1 League Cup game).

All-time (all competitions):
Tottenham lead 12-6-10.


Team News

Hull (from):
Harper, Jakupovic, McGregor, Bruce, Chester, Dawson, Dudgeon, Figueroa , Lenihan, Maguire, McShane, Robertson, Rosenior, Brady, Elmohamady, Huddlestone, Meyler, Quinn, Aluko, Hernandez, Jelavic, N'Doye, Sagbo.

Out (reason, expected return date):
Snodgrass (knee, no date), Davies (thigh, no date), Diame (knee, no date), Ramirez (hamstring, no date).

Suspended:
Livermore (suspended indefinitely by the club).


Tottenham (from):
Friedel, Lloris, Vorm, Dier, Fazio, Kaboul, Rose, Vertonghen, Yedlin, Bentaleb, Capoue, Ceballos, Chadli, Dembele, Eriksen, Lamela, Mason, Paulinho, Stambouli, Townsend, Adebayor, Kane, Soldado.

Out (reason, expected return date):
Walker (ankle, May 24), Davies (dislocated shoulder, no date).

Suspended:
Chiriches (one-match ban).





Everton (11th) at West Ham United (10th) (Sat, 10 AM ET)


After a good run of results, Everton had moved back up into the top half of the standings for the first time since the first half of the season. However, they've slipped behind their week 32 hosts after a poor couple of weeks. A stretch of five matches without a victory was followed by five wins in six. Everton, though, has lost on their last two outings. West Ham's first half of their campaign was good enough for some to speculate if they could qualify for Europe. Since the turn of the year, though, the Hammers have struggled and at this point a top half finish would be a success. A lack of goals has been a big problem, with only four scored in nine. West Ham has notched one win in their last six.


Head-to-Head Stats

This season:
West Ham 1-2 Everton
West Ham 1-1 Everton (FA Cup)
Everton 2-2 West Ham (FA Cup; West Ham won on penalties)

Last 6 (all competitions):
Everton lead 4-1-1 (includes 2 FA Cup games).

Last 3 at West Ham (all competitions):
Everton lead 2-1-0 (includes 1 FA Cup game).

All-time (all competitions):
Everton lead 66-36-29.


Team News

Everton (from):
Griffiths, Howard, Joel, Stanek, Alcaraz, Browning, Coleman, Distin, Garbutt, Jagielka, Stones, Atsu, Barkley, Barry, Besic, Lennon, McCarthy, McGeady, Osman, Kone, Long, Lukaku, Mirallas, Naismith.

Out (reason, expected return date):
Oviedo (Metatarsel, Aug), Gibson (Metatarsel, Jun 1), Hibbert (knee, Jun 1), Baines (ankle, no date), Pienaar (muscular, no date).


West Ham (from):
Adrian, Jaaskelainen, Spiegel, Burke, Collins, Cresswell, Jenkinson, O'Brien, Oxford, Potts, Reid, Amalfitano, Downing, Jarvis, Kouyate, Lletget, Noble, Nolan, Poyet, Song, Cole, Nene, Valencia.

Out (reason, expected return date):
Tomkins (dislocated shoulder, May 24), Demel (calf, no date), Sakho (thigh, no date).





Crystal Palace (12th) at Liverpool (5th) (Sat, 12:30 PM ET)


Crystal Palace has made huge strides since they were relegation candidates during the first half of the season, but since they secured their safety they've hit a bad patch. The Eagles ensured they'll be playing in the EPL next season by recording four consecutive wins, but they go into this week 32 fixture looking to snap a four-match losing streak. Liverpool's ambitions of finishing in the top 4 have all but evaporated but a victory this week will secure fifth place in the league. Since stringing together a 13-game unbeaten run, including a five-match winning streak, the Reds have been very inconsistent. In their last seven outings, Liverpool has just two wins and just one victory in their last four.


Head-to-Head Stats

This season:
Liverpool 1-3 Crystal Palace
Liverpool 2-1 Crystal Palace (FA Cup)

Last 6 (all competitions):
Liverpool lead 3-2-1 (includes 1 FA Cup game and 1 League Cup game).

Last 3 at Liverpool (all competitions):
Liverpool lead 2-1-0 (includes 1 FA Cup game).

All-time (all competitions):
Liverpool lead 22-11-11.


Team News

Crystal Palace (from):
Hennessey, Kettings, Speroni, Dann, Delaney, Hangeland, Kelly, Mariappa, Souare, Ward, Bolasie, Guedioura, Jedinak, Ledley, Lee, McArthur, Mutch, Puncheon, Thomas, Ameobi, Anderson, Campbell, Chamakh, Gayle, Sanogo, Zaha.


Liverpool (from):
Jones, Mignolet, Johnson, Jose Enrique, Lovren, Manquillo, Moreno, Sakho, Skrtel, Toure, Allen, Brannagan, Can, Coutinho, Gerrard, Henderson, Lallana, Lucas, Markovic, Balotelli, Borini, Ibe, Lambert, Sterling.

Doubts:
Sakho (hamstring).

Out (reason, expected return date):
Flanagan (knee, Jan), Sturridge (thigh, Oct).





Manchester City (2nd) at Swansea City (8th) (Sun, 8:30 AM ET)


Manchester City's faltering title defense might have a positive ending to the campaign, with the disposed champions picking up their form in the last month. City has been too inconsistent since the turn of the year, with five defeats coming in 11 games. They've since improved, however, and they're seeking to extend a four-match winning streak. Swansea struggled to juggle domestic and European duties last season but they still have an opportunity to qualify for Europe this term. The Swans opened this campaign perfectly with three wins out of three but they rarely strung together victories thereafter. However, they go into this fixture on the back of another three-match winning streak.


Head-to-Head Stats

This season:
Swansea 1-2 Manchester City

Last 6 (all competitions):
Manchester City lead 4-1-1.

Last 3 at Swansea (all competitions):
Tied 1-1-1.

All-time (all competitions):
Manchester City lead 17-7-3.


Team News

Manchester City (from):
Caballero, Hart, Wright, Boyata, Clichy, Demichelis, Kolarov, Kompany, Mangala, Sagna, Zabaleta, Fernandinho, Fernando, Lampard, Milner, Nasri, Navas, Silva, Toure, Aguero, Bony, Dzeko, Jovetic.

Swansea (from):
Cornell, Fabianski, Tremmel, Amat, Bartley, Fernandez, Taylor, Tiendalli, Williams, Britton, Cork, Dyer, Fulton, Grimes, Ki, Montero, Richards, Shelvey, Sigurdsson, Barrow, Emnes, Gomis, Oliveira.

Doubts:
Rangel (knock), Carroll (ankle).

Out (reason, expected return date):
Naughton (ankle, Jun 1), Routledge (ankle, no date).





Arsenal (3rd) at Manchester United (4th) (Sun, 11 AM ET)


Arsenal became favorites to secure the runners-up spot in the league after they accumulated a ten-game unbeaten stretch, but a surprise home defeat last time out has put them on the back foot. The Gunners' only slip up during that ten-match run was a 0-0 tie with Chelsea, but the streak was snapped with a 1-0 defeat at home to Swansea. Manchester United is the only other team to inflict a home defeat upon Arsenal in the league this term and so they have the opportunity to do the double over the London club this week. United has slipped up in recent weeks and they suffered three defeats in a row for the first time this term. However, they beat Crystal Palace 2-1 last time out.


Head-to-Head Stats

This season:
Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal
Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United (FA Cup)

Last 6 (all competitions):
Manchester United lead 3-1-2 (includes 1 FA Cup game).

Last 3 at Manchester United (all competitions):
Manchester United lead 2-1-0 (includes 1 FA Cup game).

All-time (all competitions):
Manchester United lead 93-80-48.


Team News

Arsenal (from):
Ospina, Szczesny, Bellerin, Chambers,Gabriel, Gibbs, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Arteta, Cazorla, Coquelin, Diaby, Flamini, Gnabry, Ozil, Ramsey, Rosicky, Wilshere, Giroud, Sanchez, Walcott.

Out (reason, expected return date):
Debuchy (hamstring, May 30), Oxlade-Chamberlain (ankle, May 24), Welbeck (knee, May 20).


Manchester United (from):
De Gea, Valdes, Lindegaard, Blackett, Evans, Jones, McNair, Rojo, Smalling, Blind, Di Maria, Fellaini, Herrera, Januzaj, Mata, Pereira, Powell, Valencia, Young, Falcao, Van Persie, Wilson.

Out (reason, expected return date):
Rafael (rib, Jun 1) Rooney (thigh, May 24), Shaw (facial injury, May 24), Carrick (calf, no date).





Chelsea (1st) at West Bromwich Albion (13th) (Mon, 3 PM ET)


The champions will try to remain motivated during the final couple of weeks despite having little to play for with the title already wrapped up. They dealt with it quite well last week, tying 1-1 with Liverpool. That tie extended their current unbeaten stretch to 16 fixtures in the league, a run of games where they've secured victory on 11 occasions. West Brom had stuttered towards safety, with three successive defeats putting their Premier League status in some doubt, but they've rebounded by going unbeaten over the last four games. The Baggies' form looked worrying when they lost to struggling Aston Villa, QPR and Leicester, but they've steadied the ship with two victories and two ties.


Head-to-Head Stats

This season:
West Brom 0-2 Chelsea

Last 6 (all competitions):
Tied 2-2-2.

Last 3 at West Brom (all competitions):
West Brom lead 2-0-1.

All-time (all competitions):
Chelsea lead 55-42-35.


Team News

Chelsea (from):
Courtois, Cech, Ivanovic, Luis, Fabregas, Ake, Hazard, Drogba, Mikel, Remy, Costa, Matic, Willian, Cuadrado, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Blackman, Loftus-Cheek, Brown.

Doubts:
Cech (calf).

Out (reason, expected return date):
Oscar (thigh, Jun), Ramires (illness, Jun 1), Zouma (knee, no date).


West Brom (from):
Myhill, Rose, Gamboa, Wisdom, Dawson, McAuley, Lescott, Olsson, Brunt, Pocognoli, Gardner, Baird, Morrison, Fletcher, Mulumbu, McManaman, Yacob, Sessegnon, Berahino, Ideye, Anichebe.

Out (reason, expected return date):
Foster (ACL, Oct).




Sunderland (16th) at Arsenal (3rd) (Wed, 2:45 PM ET)


While Sunderland's home form is the third-worst in the division, their away form is ranked 12th in the league. The Back Cats have become more difficult to beat on their travels, with two away defeats coming in their last six. They're unbeaten in their last two away matches, including a 2-0 win at Everton last week. Arsenal's home form has been exemplary recently but they were beaten 1-0 by Swansea in their last game at the Emirates. That was the Gunners' first home loss since Manchester United defeated them 2-1 in week 12, which was followed by nine wins and a tie.


Head-to-Head Stats

Last season:
Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal

Last 6 (all competitions):
Arsenal lead 4-1-1 (includes 1 FA Cup game).

Last 3 at Arsenal (all competitions):
Arsenal lead 2-0-1.

All-time (all competitions):
Arsenal lead 58-50-39.


Team News

Sunderland (week 31):
(4-3-3)
Pantilimon; Jones, Coates, Brown, Van Aanholt; Larsson, Cattermole, Gómez; Defoe, Graham, Wickham
(Subs): Bridcutt, Fletcher, Johnson

Out (reason, expected return date):
Alvarez (knee, Jun 1).


Arsenal (week 31):
(4-2-3-1)
Ospina; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Cazorla, Coquelin; Ramsey, Özil, Sánchez; Giroud
(Subs): Wilshere, Walcott

Sections: Main, Fantasy Games
Tags: Premier_League_Talk, Soccer_Talk, Fantasy_Premier_League, ASFL2_Fantasy_Games, Premier_League_Pickem, Unofficial_Games, Bonus_Points

ASFL2 Home | ASFL2 News Home