The Premier League continued last week with the first of many Friday night games and all three newly promoted sides victorious. This week features Hull aiming to continue their winning run against Manchester United.
Last week, I drew 120-120 to Arjun, to make the score 180-150 to Powell’s Perspective. I look to cut the deficit against reader Matt Hopping this week.
Tottenham v
Liverpool
Both sides in the Saturday lunchtime clash have faced a mixed start to the season, Liverpool would have been full of optimism after beating Arsenal 4-3 on the opening weekend but this was shattered by a shock defeat to Burnley. Spurs meanwhile were held in their first game at Everton which they followed by a narrow win at home to Crystal Palace. Only three goals have been scored so far in Tottenham matches and this trend will probably continue at White Hart Lane as avoiding defeat is a priority.
Both sides in the Saturday lunchtime clash have faced a mixed start to the season, Liverpool would have been full of optimism after beating Arsenal 4-3 on the opening weekend but this was shattered by a shock defeat to Burnley. Spurs meanwhile were held in their first game at Everton which they followed by a narrow win at home to Crystal Palace. Only three goals have been scored so far in Tottenham matches and this trend will probably continue at White Hart Lane as avoiding defeat is a priority.
Prediction: Tottenham 1-1 Liverpool
Matt’s Prediction: Tottenham 2-2 Liverpool
Result: Tottenham 1-1 Liverpool
Result: Tottenham 1-1 Liverpool
Chelsea v
Burnley
An unconvincing start for Antonio Conte’s Chelsea has still resulted in two wins with the Blues showing a determination to grind out results which was lacking last season. It is often said that a good team wins when playing badly which would mean that Chelsea fans would be right to feel optimistic about the current season. Burnley will also be satisfied with the start they’ve made to the season. A disappointing loss to Swansea was followed by a magnificent victory against Liverpool. The clarets aren’t easy to score against but in their first away game of the season, Chelsea should have too much for them.
An unconvincing start for Antonio Conte’s Chelsea has still resulted in two wins with the Blues showing a determination to grind out results which was lacking last season. It is often said that a good team wins when playing badly which would mean that Chelsea fans would be right to feel optimistic about the current season. Burnley will also be satisfied with the start they’ve made to the season. A disappointing loss to Swansea was followed by a magnificent victory against Liverpool. The clarets aren’t easy to score against but in their first away game of the season, Chelsea should have too much for them.
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| Burnley celebrate beating Liverpool |
Matt’s Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Burnley
Result: Chelsea 3-0 Burnley
Result: Chelsea 3-0 Burnley
Crystal
Palace v Bournemouth
Both Palace and Bournemouth would have come into this season with their priority being to avoid a relegation battle, but after both lost their first two games they find themselves needing a win sooner rather than later. Palace’s opening day loss to West Brom was especially disappointing and they will be keen to ensure that their home form is good this season and build from there. Bournemouth’s opening games were both quite tough and whilst Selhurst Park isn’t an easy place to go, it is the type of game that the Cherries will have to get something out of if they are to comfortably avoid relegation. That being said, Palace will consider themselves a mid-table kind of side and should be able to see of Bournemouth.
Both Palace and Bournemouth would have come into this season with their priority being to avoid a relegation battle, but after both lost their first two games they find themselves needing a win sooner rather than later. Palace’s opening day loss to West Brom was especially disappointing and they will be keen to ensure that their home form is good this season and build from there. Bournemouth’s opening games were both quite tough and whilst Selhurst Park isn’t an easy place to go, it is the type of game that the Cherries will have to get something out of if they are to comfortably avoid relegation. That being said, Palace will consider themselves a mid-table kind of side and should be able to see of Bournemouth.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Bournemouth
Matt’s Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-0
Bournemouth
Result: Crystal Palace 1-1 Bournemouth
Result: Crystal Palace 1-1 Bournemouth
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| Can Eddie Howe turn it around? |
Ronald Koeman’s Everton side have adapted well to their new manager and are unbeaten in their first two league games. They will be keen to continue this streak and must do so against a Stoke side who have recorded just a single point in a concerning start to the season for Potters fans. Against Tottenham, the Toffees demonstrated to ability to withstand large periods in the second half to keep hold of a point. Their away win against West Brom was also very encouraging. On Saturday, I am confident that all three points will go to Merseyside as Stoke’s poor start looks set to continue.
Prediction: Everton 1-0 Stoke
Matt’s Prediction: Everton 2-0 Stoke
Result: Everton 1-0 Stoke
Result: Everton 1-0 Stoke
Leicester v
Swansea
Reigning champions Leicester are yet to record their first win of the season, but their 0-0 draw to Arsenal was a lot more encouraging than their loss to Hull, as they looked the better team for much of the second half. If the Foxes are to get anywhere near last season’s exploits this is the type of match that they should win comfortably. Swansea’s start looks like they won’t be able to stop this from happening as they played two newly promoted sides and despite scraping past Burnley they, like Leicester, lost to Hull. With Danny Drinkwater signing a new contract, Leicester can be optimistic once again and should record their first win of the season.
Reigning champions Leicester are yet to record their first win of the season, but their 0-0 draw to Arsenal was a lot more encouraging than their loss to Hull, as they looked the better team for much of the second half. If the Foxes are to get anywhere near last season’s exploits this is the type of match that they should win comfortably. Swansea’s start looks like they won’t be able to stop this from happening as they played two newly promoted sides and despite scraping past Burnley they, like Leicester, lost to Hull. With Danny Drinkwater signing a new contract, Leicester can be optimistic once again and should record their first win of the season.
Matt’s Prediction: Leicester 3-1 Swansea
Result: Leicester 2-0 Swansea
Result: Leicester 2-0 Swansea
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| Leicester battle it out against Arsenal |
Southampton v Sunderland
Southampton and Sunderland are another two teams who will be frustrated at the manner in which the season has started for the. The Saints were held to a 1-1 draw at home against Watford and never looked like getting anything out of their match against Manchester United. Sunderland meanwhile are one of three teams who are yet to record their first point of the season after their first two games. Both sides are struggling to adapt to new manager and the new styles of play that comes with it. Away from home Sunderland will sit back and look for a draw.
Prediction: Southampton 0-0 Sunderland
Matt’s Prediction: Southampton 1-2
Sunderland
Result: Southampton 1-1 Sunderland
Result: Southampton 1-1 Sunderland
Watford v
Arsenal
Liverpool and Leicester was always going to be a tough start for Arsenal and this showed as their defence was destroyed by Liverpool before they were very lucky to get a point out of a trip to Leicester. The classic lack of investment questions have been asked by Gunners fans, along with a vocal group calling for the end of Arsene Wenger’s tenure. If Arsenal fail to win at Vicarage Road things will become very difficult indeed for the owners to stick with the current manager. All of that being said, they should beat Watford who are showing how not to handle your managers by having a new one every season as they got off to an indifferent start against Chelsea and Southampton.
Liverpool and Leicester was always going to be a tough start for Arsenal and this showed as their defence was destroyed by Liverpool before they were very lucky to get a point out of a trip to Leicester. The classic lack of investment questions have been asked by Gunners fans, along with a vocal group calling for the end of Arsene Wenger’s tenure. If Arsenal fail to win at Vicarage Road things will become very difficult indeed for the owners to stick with the current manager. All of that being said, they should beat Watford who are showing how not to handle your managers by having a new one every season as they got off to an indifferent start against Chelsea and Southampton.
Prediction: Watford 1-2 Arsenal
Matt’s Prediction: Watford 0-2 Arsenal
Result: Watford 1-3 Arsenal
Result: Watford 1-3 Arsenal
Hull v
Manchester United
Before the season started everyone, including myself, was writing Hull off as relegation certainties that’d do well to get more points than Derby ten years ago. Two games later they are third in the league after seeing off Leicester and Swansea and will now have real optimism that they can beat the drop despite their problems off the pitch. However, their opponents in the Saturday evening game have arguably got off to an even more impressive start, beating Southampton and Bournemouth with ease, Zlatan Ibrahimovic adapting to Premier League football straight away. This run should continue against Hull as Man United look to launch a serious title challenge for the first time since Ferguson left.
Before the season started everyone, including myself, was writing Hull off as relegation certainties that’d do well to get more points than Derby ten years ago. Two games later they are third in the league after seeing off Leicester and Swansea and will now have real optimism that they can beat the drop despite their problems off the pitch. However, their opponents in the Saturday evening game have arguably got off to an even more impressive start, beating Southampton and Bournemouth with ease, Zlatan Ibrahimovic adapting to Premier League football straight away. This run should continue against Hull as Man United look to launch a serious title challenge for the first time since Ferguson left.
Result: Hull 0-1 Man United
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| Zlatan has found his feet quickly |
West Brom and Middlesbrough are two sides who will be reasonably happy with their start to the season in the league with both in the top half of the table after two games. Boro recorded an encouraging 2-1 win away at Sunderland to go with their opening weekend draw and will now hope to get as much distance between themselves and the relegation zone as possible. A win against Crystal Palace on the opening day would have lessened the pressure on Tony Pulis but it all piled on again after a shock loss on penalties to Northampton Town in the EFL Cup. The Baggies need to turn things around for Pulis and the visit of Boro is a good opputunity for three points.
Prediction: West Brom 1-0 Middlesbrough
Matt’s Prediction: West Brom 0-2
Middlesbrough
Result: West Brom 0-0 Middlesbrough
Result: West Brom 0-0 Middlesbrough
Man City v
West Ham
It’s always embarrassing to lose to a small side who don’t belong in Europe, but fortunately for FC Astra they were able to see off West Ham on Thursday. Joking aside the failure to qualify for the Europa League group stage was a huge embarrassment for the Hammers and they need to pick themselves up as soon as possible to try and get European football for next season. Despite a slight scare against Sunderland on the opening day, City have looked very good so far this season and have looked especially potent coming forward, something that is expected for City sides these days. With a Champions League group featuring Barcelona, Guardiola’s sights will be on European football. Matches like these should be a formality.
It’s always embarrassing to lose to a small side who don’t belong in Europe, but fortunately for FC Astra they were able to see off West Ham on Thursday. Joking aside the failure to qualify for the Europa League group stage was a huge embarrassment for the Hammers and they need to pick themselves up as soon as possible to try and get European football for next season. Despite a slight scare against Sunderland on the opening day, City have looked very good so far this season and have looked especially potent coming forward, something that is expected for City sides these days. With a Champions League group featuring Barcelona, Guardiola’s sights will be on European football. Matches like these should be a formality.
Prediction: Man City 3-1 West Ham
Matt’s Prediction: Man City 4-0 West Ham
Result: Man City 3-1 West Ham
Result: Man City 3-1 West Ham
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