It promises to be a highly eventful and dramatic weekends round of Premier League fixtures…here, we look at every game and attempt to predict the result….see if you agree with us!
STOKE CITY v LEICESTER CITY
Both teams are inconsistent and have patchy form – but we feel Leicester have the edge and have a bit of momentum on their side after their win over Everton last week. Indeed they are unbeaten in four games and whilst Stoke also enjoyed success last time out, we feel boss Mark Hughes is still under pressure and the Foxes can add to it here.
Prediction : Stoke 1-2 Leicester
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN v WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Its been a big slide for the Baggies – without a win in 8 games and although they pushed Man City close last week, it was still another loss to endure and boss Tony Pulis is another manager feeling the heat from expectant fans. The polar opposite for David Wagner and Co, who despite a loss at Anfield last time out are still riding the Premier League wave happily and loving life. This game could be anything – but we feel a point each sounds about right.
Prediction : Huddersfield 1-1 West Brom
NEWCASTLE UNITED v BOURNEMOUTH
Tough to quantify Newcastle at the moment – its been a decent enough start for them but you get the feeling they are a result or two away from an implosion. Bournemouth have had a torrid run of fixtures but conversely we feel they are a result or two away from exploding. It could just start at St James Park, and we like the Cherries enough to side with them.
Prediction : Newcastle 0-2 Bournemouth
SOUTHAMPTON v BURNLEY
Two teams sat comfortably enough, but we do worry about the current rumours linking Sean Dyche to the Everton position – and though the right noises are coming out of Turf Moor, you do wonder if heads are being turned. The Saints will see this as a great opportunity to collect three points against a difficult team to beat – but one that may just be distracted enough this weekend to raise even more questions about whether Dyche will remain in charge.
Prediction : Southampton 2-0 Burnley
SWANSEA CITY v BRIGHTON
4 losses in 5 games for the Swans and they will feel a victory here crucial against a Brighton side quietly going about their business and picking up points to give them confidence going into a tough run of games. Tammy Abraham will look to celebrate his England call up with a goal and we can see him doing it….although we can also see Brighton nicking one themselves. This has all the makings of a score draw banker in our eyes.
Prediction : Swansea 1-1 Brighton
WEST HAM UNITED v LIVERPOOL
Both teams have injury issues and both teams will feel a win is needed here – but for vastly different reasons. The Hammers need to pick up points to quickly move themselves away from the drop zone, whilst Liverpool know anything less than a win will see them lose more ground on the teams above them and decrease their chances of a top four placing. We see goals aplenty here, but feel the Reds outscore the Hammers to pile the pressure on Slaven Bilic.
Prediction : West Ham 2-4 Liverpool
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v CRYSTAL PALACE
As already stated, we feel this is a much bigger game for Spurs than their game against Real Madrid on Wednesday. They simply cannot afford to drop any points here, considering the other fixtures and their opponents who, whilst we still believe are not as bad as their current league position suggests, are still bottom and carrying the other Premier League clubs. We think Spurs may get a scare but ultimately prevail here.
Prediction : Spurs 3-1 Palace
MANCHESTER CITY v ARSENAL
Can the Gunners stop the City juggernaut from rolling on relentlessly, it seems, towards the Premier League crown? We don’t think so….Arsenal just don’t seem to possess the pace, pressure and physicality that is likely needed across the whole game to keep City out – and it could turn ugly for the Gunners if an early goal goes in and they chase the game. We could be made to eat a slice of humble pie by an inspired Arsenal – but an Anfield like slaughter is much more likely.
Prediction : City 4-1 Arsenal
CHELSEA v MANCHESTER UNITED
The game of the weekend in our eyes…will Jose look to park up his bus again and be happy to come away from his old stamping ground with a point? Or will he look to go for the Chelsea jugular and look to make a break on them and keep the pressure on his local rivals? Can Chelsea overcome a Champions League nightmare and make it three league wins on the spin? Its a fascinating game in what will be a crackling Bonfire Night atmosphere, where fireworks are bound to fly. We just hold a candle for the Red Devils here…just.
Prediction : Chelsea 0-1 United
EVERTON v WATFORD
You struggle to see how it can get any worse for Everton….just a couple of days after being bounced out of the Europa League, likely still without a manager and now facing a real banana skin game against high flying and free scoring Watford who will see this as a huge chance to grasp at the coat tails of the top 6. We truly fear things could yet get worse before they start to get better for the Toffees, although it should be a very entertaining game to watch.
Prediction : Everton 2-3 Watford