Game week 16 Match Pack: Will the World Cup affect team Selection?

What they say is true, time really flies when you're having fun and it has certainly been the case with this FPL season, as we approach the mid-season World cup break. After 15 exciting weeks of fixtures, @deniskj sits top of the league, establishing a 2-point lead on his closest competitor.

The league itself has offered up quite the spectacle, as we have an unexpected leader in Arsenal, heading into the 16th game week. I think I speak for everyone when I say that I did not expect Arteta's charges to be sitting top of the league by this stage but there are also other surprise packages on offer.

Newcastle has been turning heads, as they sit in the third spot, having the best defensive record in the league, while the addition of Darwin Nunez to a Liverpool team that boasts Salah hasn't stopped them from falling behind the pack.

There is still a lot of football to come this season but the early signs show that there have been only three consistent teams at the top of the log, with Spurs constantly struggling against solid opposition. Anyway, let's take a quick look at the matches for this game week.

Manchester City vs Brentford

Despite sitting in the second spot, Manchester City still remains the team to beat in the league. The Citizens are two points behind unexpected leaders Arsenal but have the best goal difference and the best attack in the league so far, notching 39 goals in 13 matches, averaging 3 goals a game.

Despite being left out of the squad last week, Erling Haaland had a goal-scoring return, scoring the all-important penalty to give the ten-men citizens the victory in that tightly contested picture against Fulham. KDB has also been in imperious form recently, and after a much-needed rest in the Carabao cup victory against Chelsea, the Belgian will be back in his favourite stomping ground.

Brentford will most likely be put to the sword today and not get a whiff of City's goal. However, any hope for goals will definitely come from Ivan Toney who will be gutted about being left out of England's 26-man squad for the World cup.

Bournemouth vs Everton

It is still early in the season but talks about relegation places have been intensifying. Both teams will be looking over their shoulders as they both sit uncomfortably close to the relegation spots.

I expect a tightly contested tie with both teams going for the jugular. There's really no benefit in playing it safe and either side will be looking at the fixture as an opportunity to grab some points.

Bournemouth, in particular, will be licking their lips after their recent 4-1 drubbing of a second string EVerton side in the Carabao cup. Meanwhile, Everton will be looking to avoid a repeat of that match, so we can expect fireworks.

Bournemouth has been unlucky in their last two premier league fixtures. One thing for certain is, goals haven't been hard to come by, the problem is keeping it tight at the back. This defensive frailty is something that Everton will be looking to capitalise on but with just 3 goals scored against Palace and blanks in 4 other league fixtures, goals aren't easy to come by.

Bounremouth's last three goals came from Tavernier, Billing and former Liverpool boy, Solanke. Meanwhile, Everton will be able to call upon the resurgent Alex Iwobi to be create opportunities and recently returned Clavert-Lewin.

Liverpool vs Southampton

The Reds face a Southampton side that is fresh of sacking their manager and currently reside in the 18th position of the league. The saints are staring down the barrel of relegation and Liverpool will be looking to add more salt to their injury after last gameweek's impressive showing against Spurs.

Liverpool, has also struggled for form this season, with TAA's defensive weaknesses constantly being exposed and a lack of creativity in attack that has largely limited Salah, and *Nunez. On top of that, there has also been a glut of injuries in the Reds camp that has effectively ruled out Diaz and Jota to long spells on the sidelines.

In any case, Liverpool should still have enough to dispatch a Saints side that has struggled all season. Expect goals galore in this fixture and everyone that captains Salah will be eating good today.

Nottingham Forrest vs Crystal Palace

Buoyed by their EFL triumph over a strong Spurs side, Nottingham Forrest will be looking to put another London team to the sword. Howewer it will certainly not be easy with Palace also looking to put some demons to bed.

Gibbs-White has been in impressive form this season and I suspect that any worthwhile attacking play will come through the young midfielder. Palace, on the hand, will once again call upon the services of Zaha, Eze and Olise to dazzle their opponent's backline.

Late goal by Olise was enough to give The Eagles a victory against London rivals, West Ham and with the chance of climbing up to 6th position before the World cup on offer, I expect Palace to be the hungirer of the two teams.

Spurs vs Leeds

After two disappointments domestically, Spurs will be looking to bounce back but it will certainly not be easy against this Leeds side. In any case, it is the kind of xture where Conte's tactical nous often shines through, as his charges will look to pick the Leeds side apart.

Naturally, Harry Kane will e amongst the goals but with Son still absent, perhaps we will see Richarlison or Kulusevsy return to the starting lineup. I doubt Spurs will keep a clean sheet in this fixture but with Perisic taking on more attacking responsibility in recent times, it might be worthwhile to add the Croatian to your team.

For Leeds, goals haven't been difficult, its defending that has been the major problem. Any chance of a goal coming for Leeds will most likely pass through Rodrigo, and Summerville. Gnonto has had some cameos as he slowly learns about the EPL but I seriously doubt he will have any impact against a Spurs team that's often stacked in midfield.

West Ham vs Leicester

West Ham and Leicester are two teams that are only separated by goal difference on the log. Both of them are agonisingly close to the relegation spots, so a win today will do either a world of good.

The foxes have actually struck a rich vein of form in recent times, with the only blip being that match against City where they honestly deserved more for their valiant effort.

Anyway, the Foxes away form has been rather impressive in recent times and they will be looking to extend their winning run away from home against the Hammers who got hammered at homeby a late heartbreaker from Olise in the last week's fixture against Crystal Palace.

All eyes will be on James Maddison and Barnes for the foxes. For the Hammers, Benrahma looks like the most likely point provider in attack.

Newcastle vs Chelsea

It is still early days of the season but I get the feeling that the result of this fixture will have serious repercussions on how the top 4 shapes out. Newcastle has looked quite impressive this season and will give every team a run for their money.

Chelsea, on the other hand, has looked a shadow of themselves since Porter took over and were completely outplayed by a much hungrier and drilled Arsenal side.

Miguel Almiron looks hungrier than he has ever been in what is his already his best Premier league campaign. The absence of ASM hasn't fazed the Toons army as they march up the ladder and currently sit in 3rd spot.

Chelsea struggled to break down Arsenal's defence and will be up for an even bigger challenge against the best defence in the league. Goals have been hard to come by for Chelsea as Sterling, Aubameyang and Havertz haven't produced the goods since Porter took over.

One thing for sure is that it is going to be a tough outing for the blues and while I don't expect a drubbing, I think Newcastle will be too strong for this Chelsea team. A clean shit and even a goal contribution by Kieran Trippier should absolutely not be ruled out for this match.

Wolves vs Arsenal

This is probably the most polarising fixture of the game week, with top spot going up against one of the two bottom teams of the season. Alas, this takes nothing away from the threat that is in this Wolves side possessing some impressive players that includes Neves and Guedes.

One wrong move and the Gunners could be facing a chastening experience at the Molineux. Arsenal will need the in form Saka, Martinelli, Jesus and Odegard to be at their best to get any positive result and stay top of the league.

With City scheduled to play the early kick off and most likely win, there will be more pressure on the Gunners to continue their fine form that has seen them top the league at this stage. Despite emphasis placed on the front four, Thomas Partey and Xhaka have been the ticking heart of the North London outfit.

Wolves haven't exactly had a good time at home this season, however, their only two wins of the season came at home. So, Arsenal must still be wary of the latent threat that resides in the struggling team.

Brighton vs Aston Villa

Brighton sit in 6th position, thanks to impressive showing from players like Mitoma, Gross and the Trossard. Another strong performance will most likely be enough to grab three points against Unai EMery's charges on Sunday after.

Villa, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from their 4-2 loss to Manchester United in the Carabao cup. It is just two games into the Emery's reign but if his time at Arsenal is a metric to gauge, his team tends to struggle away from home.

A win for Brighton will temporarily take the Sea gulls into 5th position, climbing over Manchester United who play later that day. With teams like Chelsea and Liverpool in the chasing pack, Brighton will be looking to squeeze out points with every opportunity.

Standing in the way of another three points is Aston Villa and the tricky feet of Bailey, and Danny Ings. Will they be enough to stop the in form Seagulls or will they be scooped up? Time will tell.

Fulham vs Manchester United

The final fixture of the EPL before the World cup takes over will see Manchester United travel to Craven cottage for another fixture that could have repercussions on the European spots.

Fulham will be looking at some of Manchester United's away performance as encouragement to take the game to the visitors.. A win for Fulham also brings them to just one point of their visitors, despite playing one game more.

Perreira has been in fine form for the Cottagers as his creativity and attacking input has been integral to Fulham's position in the top half of the table. Any chance of goals for the Cottagers will most likely go through the former Manchester United midfielder.

Mitrovic is unlikely to feature for Fulham after nurturing an Ankle injury. If there's any chance of him returning to fitness, he will certainly start for Fulham, else he will be rested for the World cup.

For Manchester United, things haven't exactly been going according to plan for Ronaldo and with Martial* fit again, and already among the goals, the Portugal National team captain might spend some time on the bench.

Garnacho is an interesting option in midfield as the young Argentinian seems to have broken into the team. Finally, Marcus Rashford looks like a player reborn and quite hungry for goals and the World cup squad snub will only fuel his passion for the rest of the season.