The weekend’s Premier League fixtures will be massively influenced by the brilliant midweek results of the English sides. Liverpool’s trip to West Ham is going to prove tricky, Spurs can take nothing for granted in their home battle against struggling Crystal Palace and the Gunners might just surprise the pacesetters at Manchester City. It should also be a weekend to enjoy for Manchester United but not a great one for Chelsea.
Stoke v Leicester
The early kick off-on Saturday sees a Leicester side that is rejuvenated after a superb three points away at Everton take on a Stoke team that is struggling to find its form, despite a narrow win over Watford.
Unfortunately for Mark Hughes, Stoke’s luck is unlikely to be changing any time soon as the Foxes will be fired up to continue their good performances.
Prediction: 0-2
Huddersf’d v W. Brom
Huddersfield relies on its decent home form and West Brom has been poor on the road in the last few seasons against newly promoted teams.
It will be intriguing to see two defensive teams forced to attack each other but David Wagner’s men will have the Yorkshire crowd rooting for them and that should get them over the line.
Prediction: 2-1
Newcastle v B’mouth
As each week goes by I am beginning to feel more sorry for Bournemouth and last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea was again harsh on Eddie Howe’s team.
In contrast Newcastle took part in arguably the worst game of the season so far against Burnley and left with zero points. It will be a game of very small margins but the visitors are desperately in need of a win and luck will surely be on their side, at last.
Prediction: 0-1
South’ton v Burnley
The Saints sit right in the middle of the Premier League in 10th place and that just about sums up their season so far; poor at times and on odd occasions pretty good.
The visitors are 7th and look like a proper team in terms of their unity on the pitch. Last week’s narrow home win over the Magpies proved Sean Dyche’s men know how to get points from tough games and the trip to St Mary’s will be no different.
Prediction: 0-1
Swansea v Brighton
Two very contrasting styles of play go up against each other, as Brighton make the long trip over to Wales. Swansea hasn’t quite found its mojo yet this season with several key men missing big games.
Brighton’s first taste of the top division in the 25 years since the Premier League was launched has been pretty average.
Unlike the other two promoted sides the Seagulls have had no players or performances that have really stood out. I’m expecting an average game with a lot of half-moments as both teams search for a bit of quality to give them the win at the Liberty Stadium.
Prediction: 0-0
West Ham v Liverpool
This will be the game of the day, as the Hammers will look to perform to the level they did against Crystal Palace in the first half of their last game.
Liverpool has finally climbed up to 6th place but has not yet shaken off the stubborn Burnley and Watford and will be desperate to register back-to-back league wins to start making a real push for the top four places.
The problem for Liverpool is that Slaven Bilic’s team will be even hungrier for the three points as they are hovering just one point above the relegation zone.
Prediction: 3-1
Spurs v Palace
On paper this is probably one of the most one-sided games of the weekend as the hosts are in superb form while Palace has lost eight of its opening 10 games.
Spurs’ heroic efforts against Real Madrid in the Champions League could play a big part in the result as I expect them to feel the affects of such a tough mid-week challenge.
Palace probably doesn’t have enough quality to fully capitalise but a point at Wembley will be more than satisfactory for Roy Hodgson & Co.
Prediction: 1-1
Man City v Arsenal
The Premier League leaders are in the best form that most fans have ever seen from any team this early in a season.
That means the Gunners will travel to Manchester hoping that Pep Guardiola’s side has an off day.
Depending on Arsene Wenger’s team selection, the latest round of mid-week football could help the Gunners because City had a tougher test travelling to Italy for the Champions League than Arsenal faced playing at home in the Europa League. If Arsenal is to steal something at the Etihad it needs to hope City has not had a smooth journey back from Naples but I think the Gunners might just surprise everyone.
Prediction: 2-2
Chelsea v Man United
This is a story of two managers who appear to be upset for different reasons.
Antonio Conte hasn’t been anywhere near as animated as he was last year and his apparently dwindling interest could be down to a bad summer but a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Roma won’t have helped.
Jose Mourinho, on the other hand, simply looks to have had enough of the Premier League pundits and fans ripping into his team and he will be desperate to hush the critics as he did when his side beat Spurs 1-0.
Prediction: 1-2
Everton v Watford
Everton needs to gain points and quickly otherwise a relegation dogfight may be on the cards despite all the money it spent in the summer.
Watford was shocked by the home loss to Stoke last weekend but I expect it to take advantage of a wounded Everton, as the home side just can’t stop conceding poor goals.
Prediction: 0-1
By Nubaid Haroon
YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCtMg-fWm7awR41vM1GhVOkA Twitter: twitter.com/rambofyi
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