SATURDAY:
MAN CITY V ARSENAL
Man City got off the mark last weekend with their big win over Norwich where they were more like themselves. The result was never in doubt due to the quality they have and both that and their performance will give them plenty of confidence going into this game.
Their search for a striker was given a big blow during the week with Harry Kane deciding to remain at Spurs meaning that City will need to look elsewhere if they're to sign someone in that position before the window closes. They'll still be up there challenging but if they're to retain their title, they must get that centre forward in.
Where do I start with Arsenal? They're having their worse ever start to a season and things are not getting any better for them. The manager is under pressure to get results and that pressure is likely to increase if they fail to win this game. They do have a couple of key players back from either injury or COVID, but that still won't change anything for them going into this game.
They did get a much needed win against West Brom in the Carabao Cup in midweek, but that won't really change anything for them going into this one as they'll be up against a much stronger opposition.
I've got to go with a City win in this one because they look a much stronger team than Arsenal. They may be without Kevin De Bruyne, but they'll still have more than enough to win this game considering the strength of their squad compared to Arsenal's.
PREDICTION: 2-0
ASTON VILLA V BRENTFORD
Aston Villa looked more like themselves in their win over Newcastle last weekend with Danny Ings continuing his fine start with another goal. Defensively they were much better than they were in their opening day defeat to Watford and overall they were the much better side on the day.
Brentford have made a decent start to life in the Premier League with a win and a draw from their opening two games. They've looked really solid at the back with clean sheets from both games plus they have a clear identity on the pitch which every newly promoted team needs. They'll be hoping for another good result in this one because of the good start they've made so far.
Both managers will know how to set their teams up going into this one as they both know each other pretty well. Thomas Frank was Dean Smith's assistant manager at Brentford for nearly two seasons until Smith when to Villa and Frank got the managers job full time. Their knowledge of each other and how their teams work should make it this a very close game.
I'm going for a draw here because of both managers knowing each other and how their teams like to play having worked together in the past. As they're also both good teams to watch, I expect there to be goals in this very close encounter.
PREDICITON: 2-2
BRIGHTON V EVERTON
It's been a very good start to the season from Brighton with two wins from two games and it appears that they've addressed their goal scoring problems. It could still catch up with them later in the season but for now the signs are looking good for them in that area. They've taken their chances when they've had them and their improvement in that department along with their good start will give them confidence going into this game and the rest of the season.
Everton are yet to win at the AMEX since Brighton got promoted back in 2017 with their record being two draws and two defeats over the last four seasons. They'll want to put that record right in this one with a win so they can avoid this ground becoming a hoodoo.
The Toffees felt that they could've won their game at Leeds last weekend with the amount of chances they had. But they didn't take them as Leeds fought back to grab an entertaining draw. They won't expect the same kind of game they had against Leeds in this one but they will be up against a side who will got for it.
I can see both sides go for it in this one but I don't think they'll be a winner. They're both quite solid defensively and with Everton's poor record at the AMEX thrown in there as well, I think this one will be a draw.
PREDICTION: 1-1
NEWCASTLE V SOUTHAMPTON
It's not been the best start from Newcastle having lost both of their opening two games to West Ham and Aston Villa. They were never in the game against Villa last weekend where they were not helped by the officials with a few decisions going against them. They had a penalty go against them because of a handball and they were later denied a penalty themselves because Callum Wilson was offside.
The Magpies have won this fixture for the last four seasons which should give them the belief that they can win this one to get their season up and running. With their two best players available to them, they have a chance of getting their first points on the board.
Southampton put in a good display in their draw with Man United last weekend and Ralph Hasenhuttl will be hoping that his players carry that performance into this game. I was worried about them going into that game and they went on to put in a decent performance that they'll be proud of despite not winning the game with the chances they had.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has never won at St James' Park since he's been in charge at Southampton with all three of his meeting there ending in defeats. With his side yet to win this season, he would more than love to end that run with a first win on Tyneside in this one. If they can hold on to leads which they haven't been able to do so far this season.
I'm backing Newcastle to off the mark in this one because they've done well in this fixture over the last few seasons and I can see them get another win in this one. With Wilson and Saint Maximin available and the Saints not being exactly solid at the back, the Magpies should have enough to win this game.
PREDICTION: 2-1
NORWICH V LEICESTER
I'm beginning to worry about Norwich this season especially after losing their opening two games in the way they did. Yes they were against two top sides in Liverpool and Man City but they really should've set themselves better. It's been a difficult start to the season for them and it has been made even more difficult with this one against Leicester.
The Canaries had the second best defence in the Championship last season and I'm yet to see that come to fore in the Premier League. If they're to stay up they need to learn from the mistakes in their opening two games and quickly. If not, they'll be heading down.
Leicester didn't beat Norwich in both fixtures two seasons ago which is surprising considering the amount of games Norwich lost that season. With the Foxes looking a lot stronger this season, they should definitely beat them this time round because of the quality of players they have compared to their opponents.
The Foxes had a day to forget on Monday night in their 4-1 defeat to West Ham where they were really not themselves. They did have a player sent off which had a part to play but overall they were not at their best. They won't let that result bother them as it's still early days plus they know that they can play better than they did on the night. They'll put this result behind without a shadow of a doubt.
I've got to go with a Leicester win here because I think they'll be too strong for Norwich. The Canaries have tried to play their way in their first two games and it hasn't worked for them. I can see that being the same here against a Leicester side who have more in quality.
PREDICTION: 0-3
WEST HAM V CRYSTAL PALACE
It's been a strong start to the season from West Ham and it's been the start they needed to get off to with the club being in the Europa League this season. The Thursday-Sunday schedule will test their squad physically and mentally when it comes around and their strong start will give them confidence going into it.
The Hammers were ruthless in their Monday night win over Leicester with the extra man advantage having a part to play. They were already a goal up when the sending off happened and once it did they upped their game as they had the extra man on the field.
Crystal Palace got their first point of the season against Brentford last week in a game they really should've won. They got into some good goal scoring positions during the game but didn't take the chances they had. Scoring goals has been a problem for Palace for the last few seasons despite them comfortably staying up and it's something that Patrick Vieira will need to fix for his Palace experiment to work.
I'm going for a West Ham win here because they've made a strong start to the season and I can see them keeping that up with another win here. With The Hammers flying and Palace in transition, they should win this game rather comfortably.
PREDICTION: 3-0
LIVERPOOL V CHELSEA
It's been a solid start from Liverpool with two wins from their opening two games where they've kept clean sheets in both. The return of Van Dijk has been massive because of the influence he has on the players around him plus they've got players back in their usual positions with Jordan Henderson making his return to the midfield in their win over Burnley last weekend.
If the reds are to play any part in this seasons title race this is the kind of game they need to win because you're more likely to be judged in these kind of games. This one will be their biggest test of the season so far and one they'll need to pass if they're to be involved in the title discussion at the end of the season.
This game will be Chelsea's first big test of the season and won they'll want to win if they're to be serious title contenders. They looked like contenders in their win at Arsenal last Sunday and they'll need to look like contenders in this one as it's a bigger game against a more challenging opponent.
This game will definitely be a test for Romelu Lukaku as he'll be up against arguably the best centre back in the world in Virgil Van Dijk. It will be a close battle between two strong and physical players and whoever comes out on top will probably be on the winning team.
This one will definitely be a close watch as they both look very strong on paper. With both sides starting the season well and having quality in all areas of the field, I'm going for a draw because I think it will be very close.
PREDICTION: 1-1
SUNDAY:
BURNLEY V LEEDS
It hasn't been a brilliant start from Burnley having lost both of their opening two games. It was the same for them at this stage last season and they went on to stay up so they shouldn't be too worried going into the rest of the season. With Sean Dyche still around, they'll be ok.
They finally made a major signing this week in Aaron Lennon who is back at the club after a season away in Turkey. Sean Dyche will still want more though as he looks to strengthen his squad further before the window slams shut on Tuesday.
Leeds felt that they could've won their game against Everton last weekend with the chances they had and especially towards the end where they rallied and eventually got their equaliser. They showed in that game that they're a team not to be written off having come from behind twice to get their point.
They were the most entertaining team to watch last season in their first season back and it looks like they're not going to disappoint once again this season.
I'm going for a Leeds win in this one because I think they'll have more than enough to win the game. Burnley will try and make it difficult for them but Leeds' quality in attack should still be enough for them.
PREDICTION: 0-2
TOTTENHAM V WATFORD
Spurs have made a really good start under Nuno Espirito Santo with wins from both of their opening two games against Man City and Wolves. They've looked tight and much improved defensively plus they look like a team who know what they're doing.
Harry Kane staying is a massive boost for them and he showed his loyalty to them by scoring twice in their Europa Conference League play off win over Pacos De Ferreira. They've had to deal with that transfer saga all summer and the news of him staying will have brought a lot of smiles to the faces of the fans.
Watford weren't really in the game in their defeat to Brighton last weekend with Brighton seeing more of the ball along with having the most and better chances on the day. Their performance overall was nowhere near the one they put in against Aston Villa on the opening day of the season because they rarely threatened the Brighton defence.
Xisco Munoz will want a better showing from his players in this one but it won't be easy as they're facing a good side in Spurs who are feeling confident after a strong start to the season. This will be their biggest test since their promotion.
I've got to go with a Spurs win here because they're full of confidence after a good start to the season plus they've got Harry Kane back which is a massive boost for them. I can see him get one or two in this one after getting off the mark in midweek.
PREDICTION: 2-0
WOLVES V MAN UNITED
Goals have been a struggle for Wolves so far this season as they're yet to find the net in the league under new boss Bruno Lage. They got into many good positions in their defeat to Spurs last weekend but didn't take the chances they had. After putting four past Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup in midweek, maybe their luck in front of goal will change.
Man United's performance at Southampton last weekend could well be a reason why they won't challenge for the title this season. They were flat for the majority of the game with Anthony Martial failing to convince up front and they'll need to be better in this one if they're to consider themselves as title challengers.
Paul Pogba has started this season in fine form having already registered 5 assists and we're only two games in. We still need to see deliver on a regular basis but his start to the season will give him the confidence to carry it on if he's up to it. He has the talent. We just need him to show it consistently.
I'm going for a United win here because I think they'll have enough quality to beat Wolves. With Wolves struggling to score and United having quality players in their attack, they should win this game without too many problems.
PREDICTION: 0-2
Comments