Chelsea v Liverpool (8pm)
This is the biggest game of the weekend, and one which both teams you sense need a performance from. Chelsea have secured three wins and a draw against mediocrity, and need to prove that they're capable of winning a game against a big side, to cement their excellent start to the season. Liverpool on the other hand, cannot afford to be five points off the top four at this early stage, and defeat could well see them six points behind Chelsea and Everton, five behind United and eight behind Man City. Nevertheless, the Reds have made a good start, beating Arsenal and Leicester and outplaying Spurs. I fancy Liverpool's visceral attacking play to expose Chelsea here, as Mane, Firmino and Coutinho have looked unstoppable at times this season, but the Blues will definitely score, as Liverpool's defence is error-prone and Diego Costa is a serious threat.
Prediction: 3-1 Liverpool
Hull v Arsenal (3pm Saturday)
On paper, you'd have to say that this is an away banker. But Hull have done well so far this season, their only defeat coming in the dying seconds to Man United and they will prove a tough nut to crack. Nevertheless, tough nut or not, I expect Arsenal to crack them, as they definitely have the firepower to do so.
Prediction: 2-0 Arsenal
Leicester v Burnley (3pm)
Leicester have made a bad start to the season, with both these teams part of the plethora on four points off four games. You'd imagine that it would be quite a close game, and although I'd say Leicester are obviously favourites to shade it, I think I'm predicting a draw.
Prediction: 1-1
Man City v Bournemouth (3pm)
For me this is a no-brainer. Yes City have to slip up at some point but they have two tricky away games to come and this is not going to be a hard game for them. They turn up and they play well and they win easily, it's as simple as that. If they don't...I could still see them nicking the game because Bournemouth really don't fill me with confidence at all and they have a history of collapsing against good teams.
Prediction: 4-0 City
West Brom v West Ham (3pm)
This should be an interesting game. West Ham have been terrible so far this season and it's been a pretty mixed bag for West Brom too. West Brom are always a tough nut to crack at the Hawthorns but West Ham have scored in every game this season, so I think a score draw, maybe decided by the odd goal.
Prediction: 1-1
Everton v Middlesbrough (5:30pm)
Everton have made a terrific start to the season, and are looking to make it four wins in a row against a Boro side who are looking reasonably solid defensively but struggling to score lots of goals. I think this will be a tough game for Everton but Boro are yet to face a team of their calibre. Everton to take it.
Prediction: 1-0 Everton
Watford v Man United (12pm Sunday)
It's been a bad week for United, losing the derby and then throwing their Europa League fixture, and some of their high profile players have come under a lot of flack. Nevertheless, Watford haven't offered enough this season to suggest that they can make it three defeats in a week for United, and I think United will take it after a battle.
Prediction: 2-1 United
Crystal Palace v Stoke (2:15pm)
Two teams who have started the season badly. Palace were able to notch their first win of the season away at Boro but Man City and Spurs have piled the pain onto Stoke. I do however think that Stoke still have a better team than Palace and if Stoke had played more teams like Palace, rather than the top teams, they'd be in a much better position. Even so, I don't think they'll quite have enough for this one at the moment.
Prediction: 0-0
Southampton v Swansea (2:15pm)
This should be a really interesting game that could well go either way. Southampton have got off to a wretched start, but I fancy them to lock up their first win of the season today, after being robbed of a point at the Emirates. This is the sort of game they need to start winning. Swansea meanwhile, have been nothing more than okay so far, and could well also nick this game. Should be a fascinating one.
Prediction: 2-1 Saints
Spurs v Sunderland (4:30pm)
To be blunt, this one could be a cricket scoreline. Spurs will be in good nick after their decimation of Stoke last weekend, buoyed on by defeat in midweek and bolstered by the return of talisman Dembele. Sunderland have been awful so far this season and were humiliated last time out by Romelu Lukaku. But let's say Jermain Defoe still scores because football.
Prediction: 5-1 Spurs
The Hard and Fast Section
- So United lost to Feyenoord. Refraining from comment.
- Batty, Ansari, Duckett and Hameed all called up.
- 49 golds, 108 Paralympic medals total. Wow.
- Singapore GP this weekend. Hotting up.
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