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It seems like an eternity since City’s draw at Liverpool left them top of the league, but how will the bleus get on today? What about or rivals and more importantly, how will my predictions stand up this week?
For the blues, this game is a horrible one. We want United to lose as per usual, but we really don’t want Chelsea to win. The home side are on a good run and level on points with City and Liverpool, but rely heavily on the performance of Eden Hazard. If he is silenced, the opposition may have a chance. But United don’t look like a team that could silence the bleus star man. Everyone raved when they come back from 2-0 down to beat Newcastle, but they shouldn’t have had to do that against a winless team. There’s still discord in the team and one win doesn’t rectify the problems.
Prediction: My heart says a draw, but my head says a Chelsea win.
Chelsea 3-0 Manchester United
Bournemouth v Southampton
Bournemouth are doing brilliantly at the moment, and recorded a stunning 4-0 win at Watford last time out. Five wins out of eight matches has seen the Cherries rise to sixth in the league and should make them favourites to win this match against an out of sorts Southampton.
Saints have lost five out of eight and languish just two points above the relegation zone and lost 3-0 at home to Chelsea last time out. I can’t see anything other than a Bournemouth win.
Prediction: Bournemouth 2-0 Southampton
Cardiff v Fulham
Bottom club Cardiff welcome fourth bottom Fulham in a clash of the new boys in South Wales. Cardiff are still looking for their first win and have lost their last three at home, although two of those games were against City and Arsenal. Fulham were hammered 5-1 at home to Arsenal in their last match and await their first away win of the season.
It looks like being a long, hard season for both of them, and I don’t think any team will victor here.
Prediction: Cardiff 1-1 Fulham
Manchester City v Burnley
Burnley may be climbing away from the relegation zone, but I think City will have too much for the Clarets. With City being practically at full strength, it may be the worst time for Burnley to visit. I’m going for a big City win. Read our match preview here.
Prediction: City 4-0 Burnley
Newcastle v Brighton
Newcastle were unfortunate to lose last time out after being 2-0 up at half time at Old Trafford. A win for the Toon will come sooner rather than later; it has to otherwise they face a relegation scrap and Newcastle fans really don’t want anything like that again. Brighton beat West ham last time out, but are another team still waiting for their first away win of the season. I think today will be the day for Newcastle.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-0 Brighton
West Ham v Tottenham Hotspur
Manuel Pellegrini’s Hammers are still struggling, but their two wins so far this season have come in the last five matches. But face a Spurs side who have won their last three. But West Ham are more than capable of springing a surprise, as they showed when they beat United 3-1. They raise their game against bigger teams and it may well happen again on Saturday.
Prediction West Ham 2-1 Spurs
Wolves v Watford
Wolves just seem to be going from strength to strength. One defeat in eight matches and, other than the unbeaten top three, have lost the least matches in the league. In addition, top three apart, they also have the best defensive record in the league. Watford were hammered 4-0 at home to Bournemouth and have begun to descend the league. I see that descent continuing today.
Prediction: Wolves 3-1 Watford
Huddersfield v Liverpool
Huddersfield are the third team in the league still looking to get their first win of the season and face another tough match. Their biggest problem is scoring, with just four goals in eight games, meaning on average they draw a blank every second game. Liverpool meanwhile, have drawn their last two, after winning their opening six. They would have lost last time out but were let off the hook when City missed a penalty. I would love to see Town get a win and this is my crazy prediction of the week.
Prediction: Huddersfield 1-0 Liverpool
Everton have won the last two and sit in mid table. They are scoring goals, but also leaving themselves open at the back, with a goal difference of just one. Palace have lost five out of eight, including losing the last two, but both their wins this season have been away from home, but I don’t think they will make it three.
Prediction: Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace
Arsenal v Leicester
Arsenal have raced up the league with six straight wins, leaving them fourth in the league and the fans forgiving new manager Unai Emery for the opening two defeats. With Leicester, it seems to be all or nothing, winning or losing their matches and have won and lost four matches, and I think The Gunners will make it five, while securing their seventh straight win.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Leicester
So how did my predictions hold up last time? Let’s take a look
Brighton v West Ham 1-0 1-0 Okay, I did cheat on this one
Burnley v Huddersfield 1-1 3-0 Not my finest attempt
Crystal Palace v Wolves 0-1 0-1 Thank you Wolves
Leicester v Everton 1-1 1-2 Greedy Everton
Spurs v Cardiff 1-0 4-0 Maybe not…
Watford v Bournemouth 0-4 2-1 As wrong as it could get really
Manchester United v Newcastle 0-1 3-2 Could have been…
Fulham v Arsenal 1-5 0-2 Hmmm
Southampton v Chelsea 0-3 0-3 Another one, getting better at this
Liverpool v Manchester City 0-0 0-1 Got the nil right at least...
Join me next week to see how my latest predictions fail.