Not to fear Premier League fans. After a brief hiatus, thanks to everybody’s favourite; the international break, I’m back with some more completely brilliant tips ahead of this weekend’s top-flight action.
Liverpool vs Newcastle United
It’s difficult to be sarcastic about this one. Newcastle may have turned up and got an impressive win at Spurs, but the fact is, they’re still pretty bad. Liverpool are the only team with a 100% record so far, and it’s tough to see it ending against the Magpies at Anfield in Saturday’s early game. Mohammed Salah to score a few, because frankly, I need the fantasy points.
Liverpool 5-0 Newcastle
Brighton vs Burnley
Not usually a game that attracts the neutrals, but this should be a good battle between two teams who have started pretty strongly this season. Graham Potter has settled in well since his summer move and seems to have finally escaped the Seagulls reliance on Glenn Murray. Meanwhile, Sean Dyche continues to overachieve at Burnley and is even picking up points away from Turf Moor thus far. The not so Austrian-sounding Austrian Ashley Barnes is in line for a player of the month award, and I expect him to continue his stellar early season form in this fixture.
Brighton 1-1 Burnley
Manchester United vs Leicester
I don’t think I’ve ever been so confident of a team outside the traditional top-six going to Old Trafford and winning. United have been pretty awful in their opening games and managed a 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace in their last home game. Leicester are a better side than Palace, and these days, they’re probably a better side than United too. Solskjaer out?
Manchester United 1-3 Leicester
Sheffield United vs Southampton
Southampton slipped to a disappointing home draw with early strugglers Manchester United in their last game, but I think they’ll demonstrate their Premier League nous in this one. I like Sheffield United, but I think it’s only a matter of time until teams figure out how to exploit their impressive attacking tactic. Che Adams to hit his first Southampton goals against his old club.
Sheffield United 0-2 Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur vs Crystal Palace
As bang average as Palace are, there’s no denying that they are away day specialists. This game probably comes at the perfect time for Hodgson’s men as well, with Spurs looking out of sorts ever since the Champions League final. Harry Kane, fresh from his 4-goal haul against the mighty Bulgarians and Kosovans, will be lucky to grab a consolation against superior opposition in Palace.
Spurs 2-4 Crystal Palace
Wolves vs Chelsea
This game screams goals to me. Chelsea will be more than happy with a top 4 challenge this season considering their transfer embargo, and I see theirs and Wolves squads as very similar in quality. Frank Lampard’s Chelsea have looked dangerous at times, with Mount and Abraham both impressing despite coming from Chelsea’s academy, but I think it might be Nuno Espirito Santo’s men who edge this goal fest.
Wolves 4-3 Chelsea
Norwich vs Manchester City
Norwich play lovely football. The problem is, Man City play much better football. If Norwich stick with their attacking philosophy against the Champions, I expect City to completely outclass them. Pukki will hopefully grab a late consolation, but I don’t see anything other than an emphatic Citizens win unless we see a tactical overhaul from Norwich boss Daniel Farke.
Norwich 1-6 Manchester City
Bournemouth vs Everton
I don’t know whose idea it was to suggest this one for Super Sunday. As a neutral, it’s not one that I’ll be sad to miss. I suppose this one looks like it promises goals when you consider the relative strengths of the two sides attacks compared to their defences, but you can equally see both sides settling for a point. Normally I’d suggest a 0-0, but since I will definitely not be watching this one, be sure to expect a Premier League classic.
Bournemouth 5-5 Everton
Watford vs Everton
I have a bet with my friend that if Craig Dawson starts more than half of this season’s Premier League games for Watford, he will name his first child after me. It’s been a good start for me, but not for the Hornets, who opted to sack their manager during the international break. Quique Sanchez Flores, who has presumably been just been waiting outside the chairman’s house along with all the other prematurely sacked Watford managers from recent years re-takes the reigns. If Flores opts to start Dawson in this one, then Arsenal will most likely come away with all 3 points.
Watford 0-4 Arsenal
Aston Villa vs West Ham United
Monday night lights at Villa Park as Villa take on the Hammers in the final Premier League game of the weekend. Villa will probably still be complaining about how Kevin Friend robbed them of all 3 points in their last game, and I’m sure they will be quick to reference that when West Ham turn them over. Villa have made some decent signings, but West Ham recruited well, and their new boys have started to settle in. Haller looks like a quality target man for any Prem side, and I expect him to impress in this one.
Aston Villa 0-3 West Ham
