20th August

So how about some predictions?

Premier League Weekend 

Stoke v Man City (12:30pm)

This should be an interesting game. City have started to click under Pep but it's early days and they have a long way to go. Stoke away has proven a bogey game for them before and might well do again. Stoke will be well organised, hard to break down and dangerous on the counter-attack and this will not be an easy game for City. 

Prediction: 1-1

Burnley v Liverpool (3pm)

There are no dead certain results in the Premier League and Liverpool have had one or two injury niggles in midweek, not least of which Sadio Mane, but nevertheless this is the sort of game that they would be very much expecting to win to make top four. Should be comfortable, emphasis on the should. 

Prediction: 2-0 Liverpool 

Swansea v Hull (3pm)

Hull showed on the opening day that they are not about to roll over against anyone, least of all against Leicester City. As such, Swansea will have another game on their hands, but after they nicked a win on the opening day, I'm backing them to do the same again. 

Prediction: 1-0 Swansea

Spurs v Crystal Palace (3pm)

Spurs usually make a slow start in the Premier League, especially after a hard summer for a lot of their players. But they found top gear in the second half against Everton and without either Bolasie or Benteke, Palace look like a side in freefall. I can't see them stopping the rot today. 

Prediction: 2-1 Spurs

Watford v Chelsea (3pm)

There are some really good 3 o'clock games today, and this one has the makings of a cracker. Watford played really well with eleven men against Swansea and were unlucky to get pegged back, but nevertheless they'll need to step their game up to play a Chelsea side that are looking more like their old selves, but still have work to do. Could be tight. 

Prediction: 1-1

West Brom v Everton (3pm)

This could be another quite close game. West Brom looked very impressive against an abject Palace on the opening day and Everton played very well in the first half against Spurs. But in terms of goals, I see two teams that are lacking firepower, and two defences that I think could well hold out. 

Prediction: 0-0 

Leicester v Arsenal (5:30pm)

Arsenal could well play to Leicester's strengths in a way that Hull did not, and with their vulnerability at the back, this could really blow up in their face. However, Leicester look all over the place defensively and Arsenal will have the firepower to exploit that. I expect a cracker, but Arsenal to edge them out. 

Prediction: 3-2 Arsenal 

Sunderland v Middlesbrough (1:30pm Sunday)

This could be an interesting game. Two teams that will almost certainly be in the bottom half this year, and got off to okay starts last week. Overall, I'm going to back Boro here, because I think they have an all-round better team. 

Prediction: 2-0 Boro

West Ham v Bournemouth (4pm Sunday)

West Ham were pretty turgid against Chelsea on Monday night, but Bournemouth were downright dreadful against Man United. Overall, you'd have to say West Ham have more in the tank and will probably see off Bournemouth. 

Prediction: 3-1 Bournemouth. 

Olympic Watch 

• Bolt completed the triple triple. Madness. 
• The Brownlees are amazing athletes. 
• Jade Jones. That is all. 
• And for me, the stars of the show are our hockey women, who beat red hot favourites the Dutch to claim gold. Magnificent.