Finally, the international break is over and we can back to some proper football as the Premier League returns. City face Fulham at the Etihad Stadium, but who do our rivals face and how do we think they’ll do?
This season, and just for a bit of fun, I’ve decided to try my hand at predicting the scores. I’ve been known to get the odd one right, maybe two, so let’s see how I do this season.
Man City v Fulham
Biased prediction I know, but I’m going for a 4-0 win. Check out our Match Preview here
Spurs v Liverpool
This is a big one as far as City are concerned. Spurs sit one point behind the bleus in the league table, while Liverpool are two ahead. The reds have started the season by winning all four matches, while the Londoner’s have won three and lost one. Spurs recorded an emphatic 3-0 win at Old Trafford last time out, while Liverpool, who have only conceded one goal so far this season, won 2-1 at Leicester.
Liverpool lost this fixture 4-1 last season, and while I don’t expect a repeat of that scoreline, I can see Spurs winning.
Prediction: Spurs 2-1 Liverpool
Chelsea v Cardiff
Chelsea also have a 100% record going into this match against the new boys, who are yet to record a win in the Premier League this season. It’s another tough match for the Bluebirds, who lost 3-2 at home to Arsenal last time out, while Chelsea recorded a 2-0 home win over Bournemouth. Chelsea are the second highest scorers in the league behind City and I don’t see them dropping points in this game.
Prediction: Chelsea 4-0 Cardiff
Watford v Man Utd
You could say Watford are a bit of a surprise package, given they sit above the blues in third place and also have a 100% record. However they have been here before and were in a similar position until the blues went to Vicarage Road and hit six past them. United have won two and drawn two, but there still seems to be some measure of discord within the team.
I would go for a draw with these two, but I’m a blue so I’m going for a Watford win, more in hope than anything.
Prediction: Watford 1-0 Man Utd
Bournemouth v Leicester
Another team in a surprising position, Bournemouth find themselves in sixth place in the league and take in the team two places below them. The Cherries have won two and drawn one of their opening games and must fancy their chances against Leicester.
The visitors have lost two matches so far and have struggled to recreate the kind of football that took them to the Premier League title two years ago. Both teams lost their last games, so both will be eager for victory. Both have scored six and conceded five and I’m going for a high scoring draw.
Prediction: Bournemouth 3-3 Leicester
Newcastle v Arsenal
Newcastle put up a decent display last time out against City, and it took a special goal from Kyle Walker to beat them. The Toon have lost three and drawn one of their opening four matches and are already struggling.
After two opening defeats, Arsenal are steadily moving back up the table, winning their last two matches and their new manager may be starting to come to grips with life in the Premier League, which is not good news for Newcastle. Even so, I’m going for a draw here.
Predictions: Newcastle 1-1 Arsenal
Wolves v Burnley
New boys Wolves have not done badly in their first season back in the Premier League so far, and the hard earned point against City justified the effort their team put in. Burnley on the other hand were a bit of a surprise last season, but participation in the Europa League may well have disrupted the team.
Now they are out, they will no doubt look to regain some of the form that took them into Europe in the first place, but it will be a tough game at Wolves, one I don’t see Burnley getting anything from.
Prediction: Wolves 2-0 Burnley
Huddersfield v Brighton
Huddersfield did well last season, but are most people’s favourite for the drop. The Terriers have drawn two and lost two, which included a 6-0 thrashing at City in their first away outing. Palace haven’t fared much better, winning their opening day match against Fulham then losing the following three.
Between them they scored just five goals and it’s difficult to see where the goals would come from.
Prediction: Huddersfield 0-0 Crystal Palace.
Everton v West Ham
Despite only winning one game, Everton find themselves in seventh place in the league, by virtue of drawing their other three matches and are the only team outside the top four to remain unbeaten. They face a West Ham side managed by Manuel Pellegrini, but rooted to the bottom of the league having lost all four of their opening games.
The Hammers have scored just two goals and conceded ten already and it looks like a long, hard season for them, and sadly I can’t see them getting any joy at Goodison Park.
Prediction: Everton 3-0 West Ham
Southampton v Brighton
Monday’s match sees a south coast derby at St Mary’s as Southampton take on Brighton. Both teams have virtually identical records, having won one, drawn one and lost two. The only difference is the goals; Southampton have scored and conceded four, while Brighton have scored five and conceded seven.
Last time out, Southampton recorded their first win of the season at Crystal Palace, while Brighton had to come from 2-0 down to draw at home to Fulham, and I’m going for a draw here.
Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Brighton
What are your Premier League predictions for the weekend? Let us know and see how you get on, and don’t forget to check back here to see how pathetically poor my predictions have been.