Man United v Arsenal (12:30pm Saturday)
Okay so starting as we mean to go on, because this is the biggest game of the weekend. Based purely on form, there's only one winner, as Arsenal are unbeaten in ten and sit six points ahead of a United side struggling for any sort of form. United are missing Ibrahimovic, any semblance of a first choice back four, as well as maybe Rooney and Fellaini. But all those midfield/attacking injuries could be a blessing in disguise for United, if it means Rashford up front, and a midfield trio of Pogba, Herrera and Mata. Meanwhile, Arsenal's only main injury concern is Hector Bellerin, as they're hoping Alexis Sanchez will be okay to start. You'd have to say Arsenal go into this game as favourites, but it's been a decade since they beat Man United, and it's Jose Mourinho v Arsene Wenger, so no matter how badly United are playing, or how well Arsenal are set up, you know how that ends. Plus, it's November. Plus, it's Arsenal. Logic would dictate an Arsenal win, but you just know there's a 90% chance that they bottle it. So I'm going to meet in the middle between the two and say a big score draw.
Prediction: 2-2
Crystal Palace v Man City (3pm)
City will be looking to head back to the top of the table with a win away at Crystal Palace, but they'd settle for just for the latter. Palace have crashed to 16th in recent weeks after a really positive start, and in general, once Pardew starts a slide, he finds them very hard to arrest. City more than have the firepower to cause Palace problems, and will be hoping to have their squad fully fit, as everyone is back from international duty relatively unscathed. You'd have to say that this favours the away side.
Prediction: 3-1 City
Everton v Swansea (3pm)
Swansea are going to lose. Hang on who are they playing? Oh right Everton. So a Swansea defence that right now are only not the worst defence in the league because Hull exist playing against one of the Premier League's in form strikers, away from home, with two points from ten games? Everton are going to score quite a few goals. Swansea might give them a run for their money, but at the end of the day, I return back to my original sentence. Swansea are going to lose.
Prediction: 3-1 Everton
Southampton v Liverpool (3pm)
Southampton have hit a slightly sticky patch, being comprehensively outplayed by Chelsea before losing to Hull. Liverpool conversely, are flying, after hitting the Premier League summit for the first time since...well you know. Goalscoring has been a problem in recent weeks for the Saints, whilst for Liverpool, goals have been very easy to come by. However, with both Adam Lallana and Phillipe Coutinho set to miss out, Liverpool will have to rely on one of the league's top strikers in Daniel Sturridge, and the midfield talents of Gini Wijnaldum. This is a game we should probably win.
Prediction: 2-0 Liverpool (I know, we won't keep a clean sheet but still).
Stoke City v Bournemouth (3pm)
If Stoke had a fully fit squad at their disposal, then I would back them to edge this one. But with Xherdan Shaqiri out injured, and Glenn Whelan missing at the heart of their midfield, they will probably play Charlie Adam ahead of midfield powerhouse Imbula, which will not work in their favour. Bournemouth have been very hit and miss, more miss in recent weeks, but I think that they'll take a draw in this one.
Prediction: 1-1
Sunderland v Hull (3pm)
Yikes, this one really could be any scoreline. A drab 0-0? A delightfully ridiculous 4-4? When the two worst attacks and worst defences in the division (Sunderland about level with Swansea for defensive awfulness) collide, really anything is possible. But Hull's away form is a bit pitiful, and I think I just about fancy Sunderland for this one, as they have a player actually capable of scoring goals in Jermain Defoe.
Prediction: 2-1 Sunderland
Watford v Leicester (3pm)
A side as bad away from home as Leicester will not be coming to Vicarage Road and expecting a positive result. Despite their butchering at Anfield, Watford still have relatively impressive home form, especially against teams who are in and around Leicester in the table. Home advantage could end up being very crucial in this game.
Prediction: 1-0 Watford
Spurs v West Ham (5:30pm)
Another game to back the home team. To be honest I'd back Spurs even if they weren't at home, given that they haven't lost a single game this season, West Ham are a pretty abject side, and Harry Kane is back, but the fact that Spurs are at White Hart Lane only bolsters their credentials. A home game against a pretty poor London rival is the perfect tonic for those pesky draws that Spurs cannot seem to get rid of (four league draws in a row now).
Prediction: 2-0 Spurs
Middlesbrough v Chelsea (4pm Sunday)
Typically just the one Sunday game this week, but it's one that will have Chelsea fans licking their lips. Boro have done well to get draws against Arsenal and Man City recently, but Chelsea are flying high and simply put, Boro don't have an answer to the kind of defensive solidity or firepower that Chelsea offer. If Hazard and Costa are both fit then this could get ugly. If not, then you'd still back Chelsea to nick the winning goal.
Prediction: 4-0 Chelsea with Costa and Hazard - 1-0 without.
West Brom v Burnley (8pm Monday)
Burnley, like Leicester, are a team whose away form is positively wretched. With that in mind, I fancy West Brom to pick up a bit of form. The Baggies have had a typically mixed season so far, with some good and some bad results, but last time out they picked up a vital win against champions Leicester. I think it's unlikely Burnley pick up their first away win of the season, but it's certainly possible.
Prediction: 2-1 WBA
The Hard and Fast Section
- England back to collapsing. Good good.
- FIFA open disciplinary proceedings. People shocked. Debacle rages on.
- Southgate interviews for England job on Monday. Okay.
- Vunipola fit. England make changes for Fiji.
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