After a midweek full of Carabao Cup action, focus now returns to the Premier League, with Manchester City and Manchester United currently leading the way. There is plenty to look forward to, with the first game kicking off on Saturday afternoon with a London derby between West Ham United and Tottenham.
West Ham VS Tottenham
West Ham will be looking for their third consecutive home win against Spurs after two 1-0 wins in the last two seasons. Tottenham will be looking for revenge against the team that ended their title chances last season but will need to improve on last weekends frustrating 0-0 draw against Swansea if they want to do this. West Ham have struggled so far this season and find themselves in 17th position, so they could do with a win here to move them away from the bottom three.
Prediction: This will be a tough game for both teams, but I can see Spurs just having enough strength in their side to grind out a result. West Ham 0 – 1 Tottenham
Burnley VS Huddersfield
Both Burnley and Huddersfield have started the season very well, with Huddersfield being the surprise of the season so far. The hosts have had a very tough start to this season, but they have come out of that with two wins, including an impressive opening day victory over Chelsea. While Huddersfield, who has been predicted by many to be relegated this season are enjoying life in the top flight at the moment. With two wins, two draws and one loss, they find themselves in a solid 6th position. Both teams lost in the cup in midweek, but they will have to put that to the back of their minds so they can focus on this fixture.
Prediction: Both teams have an identical win-loss record this season and have been predicted by many to struggle come the end of the season. I don’t see much between the two sides so I think this will end in a draw. Burnley 2-2 Huddersfield.
Everton VS BournemouthÂ
Both teams have struggled so far this season and find themselves in the bottom three. Everton have found it hard to find goals this season, with their last goal coming in a 1-1 draw against Manchester City on August 21st. Bournemouth got a much needed win over Brighton last Friday, with striker, Jermaine Defoe getting off the mark in a Bournemouth shirt. Manager Eddie Howe, will be hoping his side follow up on their win last week with a good performance against Everton on Saturday.
Prediction: Everton will be seen as slight favourites for the game and even though they have struggled this season, they have had one of the hardest starts, already playing Manchester City, Tottenham and Manchester United after only 5 games. I expect Everton to come out on top in this fixture, but I think Bournemouth will score. Everton 2-1 Bournemouth.Â
Manchester City VS Crystal Palace
Roy Hodgson took over from Frank De Boer at winless Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace have yet to score in the first five league games this season, setting a new Premier League record in the process, and have already parted ways with one manager. Things continue to look bleak for the Eagles as they travel to Manchester to play a City side that have been banging in goals left right and centre with 19 goals in their last five games in all competitions. This is only the start of a bad run of games for Palace, who have to play Manchester United and Chelsea after this, so things may look a lot worse for new boss, Roy Hodgson after these games.
Prediction: City have been scoring goals for fun at the moment and I don’t see this changing much. Crystal Palace have yet to score this season, and I fell like that will still be the case come 5PM on Saturday. Manchester City 4-0 Crystal PalaceÂ
Southampton VS Manchester United
Southampton had a break in midweek due to their early knockout in the cup, while Manchester United were 4-1 winners over Burton Albion with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial standing out. United have been one of the teams to beat this season and now look a completely different team to the squad they’ve had for the past few years. Southampton’s performances this season haven’t been spectacular and they have struggled to score at home this season, only scoring in one of their four home games in all competitions this season.
Prediction: Apart from a 1-1 draw with Stoke, Manchester United have looked unstoppable and I can’t see past a United win here. Southampton 0-2 Manchester United
Stoke City VS Chelsea
Stoke have impressed in tough fixtures against Arsenal and Manchester United, but not turned up against the apparent easier teams. Last weekend they were defeated by newly promoted Newcastle and on Tuesday night they were knocked out of the cup against Championship side, Bristol City. Everyone knows how hard it is for teams to come to Stoke and get a result, but Chelsea will try and do what Arsenal and United couldn’t do and get the three points.
Prediction: Stoke are a very solid team at home but Chelsea will come to the Bet365 stadium confident they can get the three points. Stoke 1-2 ChelseaÂ
Swansea VS Watford
Swansea did well to hold Spurs to a 0-0 draw at Wembley last weekend, but they will be hoping to do more than just defend in this game. With Wilfried Bony back in the Swansea squad they should be confident in getting a good result at home to Watford. Watford look very composed so far this season and with new man Marco Silva in charge, they have had a solid start with two wins in their first five games.
Prediction: I predict that this will be a evenly matched game between two teams who are expected to be mid table thoughout this season. Swansea 1 – 1 WatfordÂ
Leicester City VS Liverpool
Leicester will be looking to use their midweek win over Liverpool as a boost to defeat them once again in the Saturday evening game. Liverpool could do with a victory to end their four game winless streak,which has seen them not win a game since the 4-0 demolition job of Arsenal at the end of August. This will be a different game than the one we saw on Tuesday night, with many players on each team being rested.
Prediction: Leicester like a goal at the King Power Stadium, having scored in their last nine games at home. I certainly wouldn’t have Liverpool as favourites for this match and I think this one could be an entertaining draw. Leicester City 2 – 2 LiverpoolÂ
Brighton VS Newcastle
The only game on Sunday sees two newly promoted teams battling it out. Newcastle did the double over Brighton in the Championship last season and they will be looking for another result like that on Sunday. The Magpies are currently in 4th place and after a bad start to the season, they have started to get impressive wins. They were very good last time out against stoke and could have scored more than the two they ended up with. In comparison, Brighton have struggled since reaching the top flight. Sitting in 16th place with only one win so far this season, Brighton are in need of a win to kick start their season and with a trip to the Emirates coming next Sunday, a result against Newcastle is essential.
Prediction: After a bad start to the season, Newcastle have won their last three games and look full of confidence. Brighton 1 – 3 NewcastleÂ
Arsenal VS West Brom
The final game of the weekend takes place on Monday night when Arsenal entertain West Brom at the Emirates Stadium. Since their defeat to liverpool they have played four times and only conceded one goal. They were brilliant against Chelsea last weekend, with some people arguing that they had enough chances to win the game. West Brom have had a good start to the season and find themselves in 10th position, but they have yet to face a team on the same level as Arsenal this season.
Prediction: Arsenal have been abit up and down so far this season, but I think the home field advantage will see them through for a narrow win. Arsenal 1 – 0 West Brom