By Joe Murphy
With lots at stake up and down the table, teams across the division will be keen to enter the third international break of the season on the back of a victory. In a weekend that features some very tasty fixtures, including a Manchester derby, let’s get straight on with the predictions.
Friday 20:00pm – Southampton 1 v 1 Aston Villa
A game that either team could steal, I feel a draw is the most likely outcome. Villa have looked poor recently but still pose a threat. Whereas the hosts should be riding on a wave of confidence over their recent victory away at Watford. A score draw to kick the weekend off.
Saturday 12:30pm – Manchester United 1 v 4 Manchester City
Yes. It should be another convincing win for an away team at Old Trafford. Ronaldo saved United in midweek and Spurs simply rolled over. Manchester City have so many options at their disposal and should prove too much for United to handle. Yet again without Varane and perhaps Lindelof, Eric Bailly should come into the starting eleven. Even so, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and the in-form Joao Cancelo could cause United huge issues on what could be another long afternoon for the red half of the city.
Saturday 15:00pm games:
Brentford 1 v 2 Norwich City
This could through up a surprise result. Brentford seem to be on a slight downward spiral without their first choice keeper and Norwich will need to find a boost in games like this. In what could be quite an ugly watch in comparison to other games this weekend, the Canaries could steal the points and take all three back from West London. The hosts, if they were to keep solid, should shut the visitors out. I just don’t see it, this Saturday.
Chelsea 3 – 0 Burnley
Another clean sheet, and another comprehensive win for the Blue side of West London. They look unstoppable right now and, despite an encouraging and much needed win from Burnley last week, this test should prove a step too far. I expect Chelsea to coast to victory with a routine win from Stamford Bridge.
Crystal Palace 2 – 2 Wolves
Much like the Friday night fixture, this one could go either way. Palace are struggling to win games and their result from the Etihad was the surprise of the season so far. They have the players to certainly win this game, but then so do the visitors. Wolves went from being relegation threatened to within reach of the top six, all in the matter of a few wins. Selhurst Park should prove a difficult encounter, and a different challenge to hosting Everton on Monday. A score draw that should also be a great game with end-to-end attacking football.
17:30 Saturday – Brighton 1 – 1 Newcastle
Newcastle are in a dire position when you look at the table. And it is all well and good having 300 billion in the bank when you are in the Championship. I do expect them to get out of this predicament by the end of the season, but wins are going to have to come soon. This weekend though, unlikely. Brighton have been the overachievers so far this season and were well worth their point at Anfield last weekend. I will go for the cagey draw though on this occasion, not the worst result for either team.
Sunday 14:00pm – Arsenal 2-1 Watford
Arsenal are on a roll at the moment and are arguably the form team of the division. That being said, this is the kind of game that the Gunners could find difficult. Ranieri will set his Hornets up to frustrate and smash and grab some points. I feel Arsenal will have the cojones to take the win here, with Aubameyang among the goals yet again. It would not surprise me if Watford make it a nervous last fifteen minutes at the Emirates.
Sunday 14:00pm – Everton 2 – 3 Tottenham
Both of these sides would receive F grades for their performances last week, and rightly so. They were both poor and, as a result, there is huge pressure on both these sides ahead of this encounter. Conte on his first game as manager will get Kane back into the goals and although I expect Everton to score, Spurs will oustcore them. It should be a very even and exciting game from Goodison Park, with the visitors snatching the victory.
Sunday 14:00pm – Leeds United 1 v 3 Leicester City
Another away win now as Leicester City take the three points back to the Midlands. Leeds United’s strength is its midfield, but that is going to be outclassed by the players the Foxes have at their disposal. Two home wins across the league may be a bold prediction, but its the one Post2Post is going to make. Vardy will score at Elland Road as its the away side who march on.
Sunday 16:30
West Ham 1 – 3 Liverpool
A weekend of away victories should be needed in the same way as the final fixture of the weekend will see Liverpool take the three points from the capital. I have often discounted West Ham this season, perhaps unfairly. And they continue to prove me wrong as they currently sit in the top four. That being said, Liverpool right now are one of the form teams of Europe and have far too much in their Arsenal for the Hammers to handle. A repeat scoreline from their encounter last year, as Liverpool keep Chelsea honest, in the race for the title.
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