Man United v Man City (12:30pm Saturday)
Okay so first of all, yes this is easily the biggest game of the weekend. Some will already be seeing this as the first huge clue as to where we will see the Premier League title go. The suspension of Sergio Aguero is a huge blow for Man City, and in a game of this magnitude, it could well be the factor that ultimately decides the match. But I think City have more going for them than United. If Aguero was playing, I'd be backing City hands down, but now it's tricky. City have arguably superior fire power, but United have a better defence, although John Stones and Claudio Bravo have certainly helped City close the gap in that area of the pitch and City only conceded six more goals than United anyway last season. But that said, without Aguero, I'm going to say this one ends a draw. Sorry for fence-sitting.
Prediction: 1-1
Arsenal v Southampton (3pm)
Two teams yet to get properly going in this Premier League season. However, Arsenal were seriously impressive against Watford last weekend and are starting to get close to their best team back to full fitness. On paper, especially at the Emirates, you have to say that this is an Arsenal win, and Southampton have not indicated this season anything to suggest they'll topple the Gunners, especially with the pressure off Arsenal for the time being.
Prediction: 2-0 Arsenal
Bournemouth v West Brom (3pm)
Bournemouth picked up their first point of the season away at a lacklustre Crystal Palace last weekend, whilst West Brom played out a dull goalless draw with Boro. At the moment, you would say Bournemouth probably won't have enough in the tank to threaten West Brom, but I could see the Baggies nicking a winner. Either way, expect this to be a tight, low-scoring game.
Prediction: 1-0 WBA
Burnley v Hull (3pm)
This is a fascinating match up between two newly promoted clubs. Burnley won this corresponding fixture last season 1-0 and despite an impressive start from Hull, you'd have to say that this sort of game could go either way. Personally, I think Burnley will have more to come off the bench, and home advantage.
Prediction: 2-1 Burnley
Middlesbrough v Palace (3pm)
I can't see this being anything other than a home win, although perhaps Palace can nick a point. Boro have made an impressive start to the season, but two draws in their opening three games would suggest that this one could go a similar way. Nevertheless, Palace are a side in free-fall, and this Boro side have been very impressive so far, so I'm going to back the home team.
Prediction: 2-0 Boro
Stoke v Spurs (3pm)
Normally you'd say that Spurs would walk over Stoke, but this is a Spurs side that are severely limited by injuries and suspensions. Dembele, Rose, Lamela and Kane could all miss the game, which would leave Spurs' resources depleted, and simply put Spurs don't look like a top four team without Dembele. So I'm going to say that Stoke will pick up a point, as Spurs are still tough to beat.
Prediction: 1-1
West Ham v Watford (3pm)
West Ham will be thankful to have picked up three points from their opening three games, because they've been woeful so far this season. But with Dimitri Payet back, that could change against a Watford side that themselves have been on the end of some tough early season results. It's a tough game to call, but once again I feel a draw is the most likely outcome.
Prediction: 1-1
Liverpool v Leicester (5:30pm)
The game that I'll be paying closest attention to is of course Liverpool v Leicester, a game that for Liverpool in particular is a must-win after a mixed start. It's also Liverpool's first game at Anfield since the Main Stand has been redone and it looks absolutely fantastic. You'd imagine it'll be a packed out crowd and an incredible atmopshere. As such, as well as their superior quality on the pitch, I'm backing LFC. If Mane, Coutinho and Firmino get firing, not to mention Daniel Sturridge, then this could get ugly for Leicester, who have been miles off the pace so far this season.
Prediction: 3-1 Liverpool
Swansea v Chelsea (4pm Sunday)
You'd have to say that this will be a simple away win, and a really good opportunity for Chelsea to move top of the league, with the two Manchester clubs facing off. Swansea are an okay side, but they won't be able to threaten a Chelsea side near their best, and Chelsea are starting to look like a force, albeit with a lot of luck against mediocrity thus far.
Prediction: 3-1 Chelsea
Sunderland v Everton (8pm Monday)
Sunderland are a shambles of a side, the kind of team that you look at and wonder how they'll stay in the Premier League. Despite not being terrible up until this point in the season, you'd have to imagine that an Everton side that have looked decent so far will walk over them.
Prediction: 2-0 Everton
The Hard and Fast Section
- Serena crashed out of the US Open.
- Notts relegated from Division 1 of the County Championship.
- GB second in the Paralympics table with six golds.
- 7% of LFC fans happy with LB position. Amazing.
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