Premier League Predictions
Hull v Leicester (12:30pm KO)
So this one has away win written all over it. Even if Leicester's demise is forecast, they've still got more than enough power in their team, including Vardy and Mahrez, to see off a truly wretched Hull side that will struggle to put out a starting eleven, let alone a bench, with only one fit CB.
Prediction: 3-0 Leicester
Burnley v Swansea (3pm)
This should be an interesting match up, and certainly not the worst side for newly promoted Burnley to start against, as Swansea have been stripped of multiple good players. However, this Swansea side are still a dangerous team and won't roll over against the new boys. I expect this to be a close game.
Prediction: 1-1
Crystal Palace v West Brom (3pm)
If ever a game had 0-0 written all over it, it would probably be this one. Two pretty average teams, but both of whom will want to get off to a flier. Nevertheless, as Palace have the home advantage, I'll back them to edge it.
Prediction: Palace 1-0
Everton v Spurs (3pm)
Definitely the pick of the 3 o'clock games. Spurs have all the fire power, and will be wanting to start strongly to assert their top four credentials, and this is an Everton side that are in the middle of a transitional period, and still have work to do in this window. Spurs are the better team.
Prediction: 3-1 Spurs
Boro v Stoke (3pm)
Another one where a newly promoted side faces an interesting test at home. And another game I expect to be reasonably close. Stoke have a lot of potential, but this Boro side could also be a serious force in the lower echelons of the Premier League this season, so I'm going for a draw.
Prediction: 1-1
Southampton v Watford (3pm)
We'll get the first look at Puel's Southampton, and Mazzarri's Watford. Two sides with very different aspirations this season. You sense 17th would be enough for Watford, but 7th is very much the target for the Saints. Southampton have a rock solid defence and enough fire power to see off this Watford side so I'm going for a home win.
Prediction: 2-0 Saints
Man City v Sunderland (5:30pm)
If ever a game had: glorious start to Pep's revolution, it would be this one. If there's one thing that this Man City side have proved adept at in previous seasons, it's putting a large number of goals past poor sides early on in the season, and I've seen nothing from Sunderland to suggest they won't get a roasting here.
Prediction: 4-0 City
Bournemouth v Man United (1;30pm Sunday)
This game is another one where Man United will be expected to get off to a flying start and run riot under Jose. But I don't think it'll be that straightforward, partly because United don't have the same firepower as City, but mostly because Bournemouth will prove a sterner test than Sunderland. That said, United should have more than enough to see them off, although I think they'll get a scare.
Prediction: 2-1 United
Arsenal v Liverpool (4pm Sunday)
As hard as I try, I can't rationalise why Liverpool won't win this game. Yes, Arsenal are a fantastic side, but with Ozil, Giroud and Koscielny not quite ready, Mertesacker and Gabriel seriously injured and Sanchez, Cazorla and Ramsey not quite 100%, this is a seriously weakened Arsenal side that will come in significantly less prepared and have almost no central defensive options. On a normal day I'd say this is a draw, but Arsenal just aren't at that level right now.
Prediction: 3-1 LFC
Chelsea v West Ham (8pm Monday)
This should be a cracker. West Ham are a very good side now, and this will be a stern test for a Chelsea side that a lot of people are tipping to make top four. Both of these teams have goals in them, and I can't see there being much between them at all.
Prediction: 2-2
Olympic Watch
- There's only one place to start: what a race by Burke, Clancy, Doull and Wiggins to pull off the gold in the team pursuit and a world record at that. Wiggo deserves his fifth Olympic gold, that puts him in esteemed company. And his interview and podium were absolutely hilarious too, what a man.
- But there was also two pieces of joy out on the water, as Glover and Stanning secured their gold, and the men's fours did what they needed to do as well, after a brilliant race.
- There were also three silvers to be had, as Jazz Carlin secured her second Olympic silver of the games and the team dressage were unable to topple the dominant Germans.
- But my star of the day is Bryony Page, who made the final of the trampolining qualifying 7th and overturned the odds to pull off the routine of her life and secure a stunning silver. Impossible not to fall in love with her.
- And in the heptathlon, a real battle between Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Jessica Ennis-Hill is going on, with the 2012 champion putting herself in the gold position with three events to go, and KJT very much still in the medal hunt. Could we see a 1-2?
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