Last weekend was fun for predictions as almost all picks went as planned sake of Spurs’ loss at the King Power Stadium, speaking of that fixture, Everyone at Tottenham felt hard done by the VAR but someone has to remind them of the telling effect of the same VAR on their champions league story last season and of course in their 2-2 draw at the Etihad, incidentally same stadium with same opponents.
Spurs lost 2-1 to Leicester, once again showing frailties and uncertainties by falling ten points behind leaders Liverpool; they do have a chance to restart the engine with the visit of Southampton to their side of North London, not a fixture they should dread to be honest, but with their form and the fact that Saints are also unpredictable, they will concentrate.
Spurs do have a fixture in Europe in midweek, it’s a home game and no travel worries but they have to rotate to avoid fatigue pile up, the likes of Harry Kane and the returning Hugo Lloris will definitely start the two games as Gazzaniga didn’t do much justice between the sticks when called upon to deputize, especially with the shocking exit in the Carabao Cup at league two side Colchester.
Southampton lost at home to Bournemouth last weekend, they will have to respond from that although it’s no news as the squad continue to struggle and will most likely be involved again when the relegation roll call is released.
Early on Saturday, Sheffield United will continue their swansong against the leaders Liverpool and all eyes will be on this one with the Blades proving too much to handle these days, Sheffield made headlines last weekend when they traveled to Goodison Park and made away with the entire three points on offer, leaving Everton licking wounds of back to back losses.
Liverpool had some form of joy in different places in midweek, Jurgen Klopp was voted manager of the year at the FIFA best awards and Van Dijk was among the best of the best, quite a surprise he didn’t go home with the top awards with questions surrounding the credibility of the votes after federations came out to challenge the final results that produced Lionel Messi as the best again; Liverpool went to MK Dons and booked a place in the next round of the league cup against Arsenal, a debate for another day.
Liverpool unleashed some bright prospects against the League 1 side and felt their future in safe hands with their commanding displays, the first team will be expected to tear Sheffield apart but they will have to do it the hard way as the new boys aren’t afraid of anyone, a certain center back, Lundstram has been the leading lights as well as former Bournemouth forward, Mousset, it would be nice to see how that plays out.
Everton are in trouble and they know it, back to back defeats to Bournemouth and Sheffield will be followed loosely by the visit of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, they don’t need anyone to remind them of what City did at home to Watford, they rammed eight goals past the Hornets with six different players getting on the score sheet, give it time and City will score ten according to Watford goalkeeper, Ben Foster who heard the ball hit his net eight horrific times.
Raheem Sterling was rested last weekend and he came fresh in midweek to help City past their lower opponents in the league cup, he would be called upon this weekend and City with an eye on the champions league will be expected to rotate but Guardiola will not risk anything with Everton being a bit of a stubborn side to them of recent and with the form of Kevin De Bruyne, Everton will have a long afternoon on Saturday.
The big talking point of the weekend is at Old Trafford with Arsenal traveling to Manchester United, it’s the final game of the weekend and by then they’d have realized the implication of whatever result they come up with.
Manchester United are very poor at the moment, they needed penalties to oust league one side Rochdale in midweek and with Marcus Rashford out, joining Luke Shaw on the sidelines, Manchester United will have to call on young striker Mason Greenwood.
Arsenal came from behind twice to beat Aston Villa at the Emirates on Sunday, not a result they will be proud of looking at the quality of opposition but they did it with ten men for the majority of the contest after Maitland Niles was sent off for two bookable offenses towards the end of the first half.
Arsenal are three points ahead of Manchester United on the table after the Red Devils lost at Westham, the only positive pointer for the host here is the fact that Arsenal hasn’t won at Old Trafford in the league since Emmanuel Adebayor’s tap in off a Cesc Fabregas layoff in 2006, of the twelve meetings since then, Arsenal only picked four draws with the last of those coming last season after some dreadful defending allowed Jesse Lingard to slip behind the Arsenal defence having just taken the lead.
Chelsea lost at home to Liverpool last weekend but showed lots of positive signs of what is to come, they fought hard in the second half and will look forward with great hopes, they rammed seven past Grimsby in midweek and also have a date in Europe on Wednesday, but first, they will host Brighton at Stamford Bridge.
The seagulls aren’t the team to be afraid of as their early season form has disappeared but they did keep a clean sheet away at Newcastle last weekend; top scorer Tammy Abraham will be expected to lead the line again as Brighton visit the Blues but will Frank Lampard rotate for their away game in Europe?
Chelsea’s identity is very obvious, they play through the middle with lots resting on Mount, the kid prodigy and ending at the feet of Abraham, Brighton will have to be very attentive all evening.
Lots are happening with Leicester hosting Newcastle on Sunday, the Magpies aren’t exactly what you want your team to look like at the moment and not sure Steve Bruce is the one to lead them on but they just might pull off an upset of note here with Leicester not really consistent with results.
Bournemouth will look to continue their very rich form as Westham visit the Vitality Stadium and everyone would love to see the response of Watford as they travel to Wolves, conceding eight and then visiting a fierce side that seems to be struggling with a busy calendar, would be fun to watch.
Ultimately, it will be a weekend to savor, and for the fans of Teemu Pukki and Norwich, keep an eye on them as they visit Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Premier League prediction is next with tricky ties as always, the big guns with more engagements in midweek and the thoughts of rotations, and of course the banana peels here and there… remember to gamble responsibly.
| Fixture | Verdict | Player to watch |
| Sheffield vs Liverpool | Liverpool to win | Sadio Mane |
| Palace vs Norwich | Over 2.5 cards | Teemu Pukki |
| Wolves vs Watford | Wolves to win or draw | Ruben Neves |
| Bournemouth vs Westham | Seb Haller | |
| Chelsea vs Brighton | Chelsea to win | Tammy Abraham |
| Everton vs Man City | City to win | Raheem Sterling |
| Villa vs Burnley | Burnley to win or draw | Ashley Barnes |
| Spurs vs Southampton | Spurs to win | Harry Kane |
| Leicester vs Newcastle | Over 8.5 corners | Ayoze Perez |
| Man United vs Arsenal | Over 2.5 goals | Nicolas pepe |
Strictly the writer's opinion.
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