Godsmark's Premier League Predictions - Week 5

By Mikey Godsmark 

After another barnstorming weekend of Premier League action last time out which featured a derby win for Man City, Week Five brings another Friday night game and a raft of games on the Sunday. After an 100-80 defeat to Theo Granstrom-Livesey, which leaves the score at 400-330 against the guests, this week I take on Powell’s Perspective reader Ned McGarrity.

Chelsea v Liverpool

Friday night football returns this weekend and after the cringe-worthy coverage last time out, let’s hope the football outweighs the presenting this time. It’s an exciting game in store as Liverpool, fresh from their mauling of Leicester, look to move into the top four. Chelsea’s winning start came to an end in South Wales last Sunday as they drew 2-2 to Swansea, but David Luiz will almost certainly make his first start since returning to the club after John Terry’s injury last week. Luiz will certainly be a useful addition to the Blues’ line-up but Liverpool are used to the tough fixtures and should be able to force a draw.

Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool

Ned: Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
Result: Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool

Klopp's men will be considered serious contenders if they can beat the blues

Hull v Arsenal

Hull are increasingly looking like a side that have to bottle to stay up, despite being only four games into the season. Robert Snodgrass’ late free-kick meant that Hull have only lost once so far this season. Arsenal  though played poorly against PSG and were lucky to draw. Whilst a trip to Hull isn’t quite the same as playing the French Champions in their own back yard. Relying on late goals this season, Arsenal have been far from convincing and I actually think that they will struggle to break down this well drilled Hull side.

Prediction: Hull 0-0 Arsenal

Ned: Hull 1-4 Arsenal 
Result: Hull 1-4 Arsenal

Leicester v Burnley

The Premier League Champions were able to blow away the issues that had bothered them in the league so far this season as they took apart Brugge in their opening Champions League game. Jamie Vardy looked back something like his best and there was a return of the type of football that was so successful last year. Burnley meanwhile will still be reeling after being pegged back late on by Hull, their win against Liverpool is still their only victory. At home Leicester have been good this season and this will continue.

Prediction: Leicester 3-0 Burnley

Ned: Leicester 1-0 Burnley
Result: Leicester 3-0 Burnley

Man City v Bournemouth

A Wednesday-Saturday turnaround is not ideal for Man City and their preparation for this weekend’s visit of Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth will have been affected. That being said they did not look like a disrupted team in their 3-0 victory and at least they don’t have any travelling to do. Aguero will continue to serve his three match ban so goals may not be as free flowing as usual, especially as the Cherries have conceded just two in their last three. City always score at home though, with Sterling and Co. not completely unable to find the net.

Prediction: Man City 2-0 Bournemouth

Ned: Man City 4-0 Bournemouth
Result: Man City 4-0 Bournemouth

Sterling has started the season brightly 

West Brom v West Ham

West Brom and West Ham are two sides who have both had mediocre start to their seasons. West Brom will probably be the happier of the sides with their four points accumulated so far, whereas West Ham, whose season promised so much suffered a humiliating defeat to Watford after being 2-0 up, leaving them with just three points. Goals are a concern for the Baggies though, having scored just two goals all season, although they’ve only conceded three. West Ham have goals, West Brom lack them, I think the Hammers will just about scrape this one.

Prediction: West Brom 0-1 West Ham

Ned: West Brom 1-2 West Ham 
Result: West Brom 4-2 West Ham

Everton v Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough’s unbeaten start to the season came to an end against Crystal Palace at the weekend as they lost 2-1 at home, but they will still be happy with their start so far. Everton fans will be similarly happy with the way that they have commenced this season campaign as the only game they have failed to win was a draw against Tottenham, meaning they sit 3^rd in the table as things stand. Romelu Lukaku bagged a hat-trick on Monday against a poor Sunderland side, but it is good news for Toffees fans to see him score. Ronald Koeman has certainly been a good influence on his side and their good form will probably continue.

Prediction: Everton 2-1 Middlesbrough

Ned: Everton 1-1 Middlesbrough
Result: Everton 3-1 Middlesbrough

Palace v Stoke

Last weekend Crystal Palace recorded their first win of their campaign away to Middlesbrough. They will now look to start to put some kind of run together against a Stoke side who look as if they may be dragged into a relegation scrap. Meanwhile Stoke’s season has been anything but promising. Their fixture list hasn’t been particularly kind but they do sit rock bottom with one point and have shipped 10 goals. Due to the nature of the fixtures they are losing it isn’t necessarily a sign of relegation, but wins do need to come from somewhere. It won’t be from Selhurst Park though, but they will probably draw.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Stoke

Ned: Crystal Palace 2-2 Stoke 
Result: Crystal Palace 4-1 Stoke

Watford v Man United

Watford and Man United experienced vastly contrasting results last week which should lead to an exciting clash. Watford turned around a 2-0 deficit against West Ham to win 4-2 in what was a brilliant performance on determination and a bit of luck. Man United however had a bit of a mare. After suffering their first loss of the season in the Manchester derby their history of woes in the Europa League continued with a humiliating loss to Feyenoord. All of that being said, Guardiola’s men had previously looked very good; last week was probably just a blip.

Prediction: Watford 1-3 Man United

Ned: Watford 0-2 Man United 
Result: Watford 3-1 Man United

Southampton v Swansea

Southampton’s Europa League debut went very well for them as they beat Czech side Sparta Prague 3-0 at home. On Sunday they are at home again and will look to start picking things up in the league as soon as possible as they are currently winless and in the relegation zone. Their start hasn’t been the easiest, but to replicate last season’s successes it is the type of game that they really should be winning. Swansea played well against Chelsea and could have easily done better than draw. However, early season points mean that a relegation battle is avoided and that is why all games are so important: draw for me.

Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Swansea

Ned: Southampton 2-1 Swansea
Result: Southampton 1-0 Swansea 

Tottenham v Sunderland

Wembley didn’t go well for Spurs as their Champions League return ended in severe disappointment as they lost 2-1 to a Monaco side who in all honesty are nothing special. This result contrasted with a solid start featuring two wins, two draws and plenty of promise for the coming season. Sunderland though, have been far from promising. David Moyes has not been able to install his usual philosophy of being solid at the back, and the Black Cats have so far shipped a concerning eight goals so far this season. Tottenham should win big.

Prediction: Tottenham 4-0 Sunderland

Ned: Tottenham 3-0 Sunderland
Result: Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland