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Manchester City face Spurs in their latest battle against a top four side so far this season. The blues won 3-1 at Wembley last season, which all but secured the title. So will it be the same again, and how will everyone else get on? And let’s not forget the all important predictions. I think it’s safe to say I did a bit on the poor last week, so hopefully this week will be better.
Brighton v Wolves
Wolves suffered what could be classed as a surprise loss at home to Watford last week, considering their recent form and it remains to be seen how that will affect their confidence. Brighton won 1-0 at Newcastle to pile on the agony for the Toon, but record their third win of the season. The Seagulls have beaten Manchester United and West Ham at home so far and I think they will add Wolves to their win count.
Prediction: Brighton 1-0 Wolves
Fulham v Bournemouth
Fulham were entertaining in the first half of their match at Cardiff last week, but conceded two second half goals to lose the game. The Cottagers have only beaten Burnley at home this season and have lost the last three. Bournemouth are flying high, with five wins out of nine and sit in a lofty sixth place on the league. They drew 0-0 at home to Southampton last week, but I don’t think they will get another draw; I think they’ll take all three points.
Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Bournemouth
Liverpool v Cardiff
It’s fair to say Liverpool rode their luck at times last week at Huddersfield as they clawed away a 1-0 win. They are one of the teams tipped to challenge for the title, but they just seem to be showing signs of slowing down a bit. Either that or teams have worked out how to play against them. Cardiff will be buoyed by their first win of the season last week, but a win at Anfield is a tall order, considering they haven’t won away all season. It would be good if they took something and I think they might if they are organised.
Prediction: Liverpool 0-0 Cardiff
Southampton v Newcastle
This is already a must win game for both these teams. Southampton have just the one win to their name this season, while Newcastle are yet to record three points. Southampton played out a goalless draw at Bournmouth last week, while Newcastle lost 1-0 at home to Brighton. It seems that both teams problems is down to goal scoring, or the lack of it. Between them, they have scored twelve goals and there’s every chance this will end in a goalless stalemate. However, Newcastle have to win sometime and I think it will be Saturday
Prediction: Southampton 0-1 Newcastle
Watford v Huddersfield
Watford scored a great win at Wolves last week to move back into seventh place in the league. It was unexpected but well needed after their last home match ended in a 4-0 beating at the hands of Bournemouth. Huddersfield are in real difficulty. They have scored just four goals in nine matches and the pressure is really on David Wagner to start picking up points soon, or he may find himself out of a job. They were unlucky against Liverpool, but an away match at a high flying side is not what they needed next.
Prediction: Watford 3-0 Huddersfield
Leicester v West Ham
Leicester are really enjoying an indifferent season so far. Wining four but losing five is not what the fans will have expected at the start of the season, and the have lost their last two matches after winning their previous two and they seem to have taken City’s unpredictable nature. West Ham have moved out of the relegation zone after a difficult start, but have also lost their last two matches. They too seem to be a bit unpredictable, but they are capable of springing a surprise or two. Leicester are the favourites but I think Manuel Pellegrini’s men will snatch it.
Prediction: Leicester 0-1 West Ham
Burnley v Chelsea
Burnley were hammered last week and their manager Sean Dyche felt his team were harshly done to when City scored their second goal. Burnley capitulated after that and that is their big weakness; instead of fighting they just gave up. Chelsea were lucky to scrape a draw against United last weekend, scoring an equaliser deep into injury time to rescue a point. This will be a very tricky match for the blues and, although I would like a Burnley win, I think an away win is probable.
Prediction: Burnley 1-3 Chelsea
Palace lost 2-0 at Everton last weekend and have failed to win any of their last four matches, losing the last three in succession. They have dropped to 15th place in the league and things need to pick up quickly for them or they’ll find themselves in a relegation dogfight. Arsenal have seven league games on the bounce since their opening two game defeats, and now sit in fourth place. But Palace have a habit of breaking winning runs and my crazy prediction comes in this match.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-0 Arsenal
Manchester United v Everton
United were very unlucky to draw last week’s match at Stamford Bridge when they were so close to victory, but it was very poor defending that led to both Chelsea’s goals. They lost at home to Juventus in midweek and face an Everton side that has won the last three. The Toffees have steadily climbed the table and sit in eighth place, two places above their opponents, and will be fresher than United, having not played in midweek. That could be the difference between losing and taking something from this match, which I think they will.
Prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Everton
City v Spurs
The blues travelled to Ukraine and scored a brilliant 3-0 win, while Spurs went to Holland and drew with PSV. The league leaders strolled to a 3-1 win here last season, and although it will be closer this time, I still think the blues will win.
Prediction: Spurs 0-2 City
So how did my predictions do last week? Pretty crap as it turns out. Let’s take a look and laugh.
Chelsea v United 2-2 3-0 A bit wrong maybe
Bournemouth v Southampton 0-0 2-0 Got the nil right…
Cardiff v Fulham 1-1 4-2 Going well so far…
City v Burnley 5-0 4-0 Almost, not complaining though
Newcastle v Brighton 1-0 0-1 Right score, wrong way around
West Ham v Spurs 0-1 2-1 Think I’ll give up
Wolves v Watford 3-1 0-2 This is poor
Huddersfield v Liverpool 0-1 1-0 Hmmm…
Everton v Crystal Palace 2-0 2-1 One goal in it again
Arsenal v Leicester 3-1 3-1 Get in
Okay, so one correct score, and a couple of almost bang on’s. Better luck this week eh?