Thanks to the international break, there was no Premier
League action last week but we return on Saturday with Chelsea v Leicester and
Liverpool v Man United, the pick of the games.
Leicester v
Chelsea
Both Chelsea and Leicester have undergone slightly
disappointing starts to their league campaigns with Chelsea losing to both Arsenal
and Liverpool, whilst Leicester have only won two of their seven games. The two
sides also played each other in the League Cup last month with Chelsea coming
back from 2-0 down to win 4-2. An international break saw most players from
both sides away on duty for their country and there will be some tired legs out
there with many with Tuesday games getting back to their clubs very recently.
Chelsea’s squad has more depth and they have been better so far this season,
they should win.
Prediction:
Leicester 0-2 Chelsea
 |
| Leicester have struggled so far |
Arsenal v Swansea
Fourth from bottom Swansea travel to the Emirates on Saturday to
face Arsenal and they’ll do so with a new manager. American Bob Bradley
replaces Francesco Guidolin, whose side hadn’t won a Premier League match since
the opening day of the season. Arsenal also has had managerial whisperings with
Arsene Wegner being constantly linked with the England job. His team have won
their last five Premier League games and with an international break that saw
their stars return mostly unscathed, they will be big favourites.
Prediction:
Arsenal 3-0 Swansea
Bournemouth v Hull
Mike Phelan’s Hull side will travel to Bournemouth this Saturday and
they will do so with a permanent manager, with Phelan given a contract until
the end of the season after his twelve weeks in charge. Hull will be facing a
Bournemouth side who have lost a number of players through injury over the
international break but the visitors have not been unscathed with Dieumarci
Mbokani out with a hamstring injury. Hull have got just one point in their last
five games whilst Bournemouth have been in good form at home.
Prediction:
Bournemouth 2-1 Hull
Man City v Everton
Two sides who have enjoyed good starts to the season will clash at
the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, in a game that will strangely not be televised.
Man City had it proved to them that they are far from invincible before the
international break as they drew to Celtic and then lost to second place
Tottenham. They will look to bounce back against an Everton side who have
slipped slightly in their last two league games, losing to Bournemouth and
drawing to Palace, after what had been an excellent start. City remain unbeaten
at home so far and should win.
Prediction:
Man City 2-0 Hull
Stoke v Sunderland
It’s just seven games into this Premier League season but already
this clash has the look of a definite relegation battle. The two sides have a
combined goal difference of -18 and just five points between them and things
need to change fast for both sides if they are to have any chance of avoiding
relegation. Stoke midfielder Joe Allen is a doubt after injury for Wales and
his loss in midfield will be felt. However Stoke got a great point at Man
United before the international break and have looked to have stopped the rot.
They should scrape a win.
Prediction:
Stoke 1-0 Sunderland
West Brom v Tottenham
For Tottenham the international break came just as they reached
their peak in form, beating leaders Man City at home. This week they travel to
West Brom, who followed up a good few games by drawing to the league’s bottom
two sides. Tottenham were unscathed for the most part by international injuries
whilst Harry Kane remains out. West Brom may be without Rondon who only returned
from international duty on Thursday. Tottenham are clear favourites.
Prediction:
West Brom 0-3 Tottenham
Crystal Palace v West Ham
Some call this a London derby and I’ll go with them for now. If
Palace avoid defeat they will have had their best Premier League run for 33
years whilst West Ham have seen their worst start to a Premier League campaign
since the late 80s, despite the riches of their new stadium and need a win from
somewhere, their last coming on the opening day. The international break may
have allowed the Hammers to rebuild to an extent but Palace showed their class
in drawing to Everton with Benteke looking back to his best. I think they’ll
draw.
Prediction:
Crystal Palace 1-1 West Ham
Middlesbrough v Watford
In what should be a fiercely contested and reasonably even game,
Watford travel to the Riverside Stadium to take on Middlesbrough. Watford drew
2-2 with Bournemouth last time out which was a match which demonstrated how
their prowess in attack this season has clashed with their vulnerability at the
back, whilst Boro will want to start converting their draws, of which there
have been three, into wins, which will allow them to move away from the relegation
zone. Neither side has been hit too badly by injuries in the last week. I think
this will end in a draw.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-1 Watford
Southampton v Burnley
Tenth placed Southampton face 14th placed Burnley in
this middle table clash at St Mary’s. Mid table medicraty will suit Burnley
just fine at this stage, with them being newly promoted. They have won two, but
have lost too many games with only one match seeing the points split. A point
would be a good result for Sean Dyche’s men, especially with Andre Gray still
suspended. Southampton meanwhile will be content with their start to the season
and will hope to win games like this to mount a Europa League challenge if they
can.
Prediction:
Southampton 2-0 Burnley
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| Gray still suspended |
Man United v Liverpool
Monday night sees arguably the league’s biggest rivals going head
to head in a game that is hugely important even at this early stage. After
dropping points to Stoke before the international break, United will need a win
if they are to look like serious title rivals. Liverpool though have thrived in
this type of game so far this season and are now starting to win the easier
ones which has put them into the top four, two places above the Red Devils.
Liverpool’s style of play works best when their opponents are expected to win
and I think that it will work in their favour again on Monday.
Prediction:
Man United 1-2 Liverpool
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