The season still does have a long way to go, and it would be a foolish person who rules Chelsea out of the title chase at this early stage but, it is fair to say, they haven’t had the best of starts, the worst since 1998. That could all change this weekend but it will not be easy, away to West Brom.
They are not the only title hopefuls who have found it tough going early on though, Arsenal, after winning the Community Shield, lost their home opener to West Ham before just scraping a 2-1 win last weekend. Tottenham also find themselves in a similar situation to Chelsea with no wins from the opening two games.
So how will the fixtures play out this weekend? Let me have a go.
SATURDAY:
Manchester United v Newcastle:
A midweek European qualification game will have put extra miles on the legs of the United side, but with the game in Manchester, at least there was no excessive travel for them. The Red Devils won 3-1 against Club Brugge to give them the advantage in the tie, but league results have been bare minimum rather than anything to get overly excited about. That said two wins and two clean sheets, even if they were 1-0's, see’s Van Gaal’s side occupy 3rd spot heading into the weekend.
Newcastle have a new manager but the same old problems at the moment. It was always going to take time for everything to gel but time is not something usually associated with Premier League Managers. I think the Toon Army understand this and as long as they see their side give a good account of themselves that will be enough.
Prediction: 1-1.
Crystal Palace v Aston Villa:
One win and one loss for each of these sides as they go into the third weekend of the Premiership season. Before the season started I had said that I was thinking Tim Sherwood would not last until the end of the season in the Villa Park hot seat. With the loss of Benteke and Delph I think his job to not be in that relegation mix come the end of the season just got that much tougher.
Pardew, at least, has his side scoring. Four goals in the opening two games is a positive and, although they may have conceded almost as many, I don’t think Villa will be the type of side to be giving Palace too much trouble.
Prediction: 2-0.
Leicester v Tottenham:
This one is a really tough one to call. Last seasons form would have said Spurs all the way but things change in this sport, and sometimes overnight. Pearson was moved out and the Tinkerman, Ranieri, came in. Two games and two wins, scoring six in the process is a start not many, even die hard Foxes fans, would have expected or dared dream of.
Tottenham, on the other hand, have just started slow. At some point, Leicester have to slip and Tottenham have to come good and I think this could be the game.
Prediction: 1-3.
Norwich v Stoke:
The Canaries did a job on Sunderland last weekend and that propelled them into the top half of the table. Since then they have tried, and failed, to sign a quality striker. They certainly need to add to their ranks and the window is still open, it’s just a case of who can they attract?
Stoke did make a few additions in the close season but haven’t really found their feet as yet. I expect both these sides to occupy mid table positions at seasons end.
Prediction: 0-0.
Sunderland v Swansea:
Sunderland fans sent Dick Advocaats wife flowers before the start of this season as she was the reason he decided to stay on as Black Cats Manager. Two games in and maybe the flowers lasted longer than their love for him. It’s too soon for all that talk but another defeat this weekend and things may start to turn sour.
It is a tough ask against a Swansea side who held Chelsea, at Stamford Bridge, to a draw and then followed it up with a win last weekend. Momentum is certainly on the visitors side (well on the hosts side too, but the wrong sort) but I can see a swing. I think this is the weekend Advocaat can smile again.
Prediction: 2-0.
West Ham v Bournemouth:
Bournemouth have been unlucky so far this season. Certainly only losing 1-0 at Anfield, although giving them no points, would have given them some sort of belief. Points on the board this weekend will constitute a shift change and you head into games believing you are not just there to make up the numbers.
I think West Ham will struggle this season, despite the change of Manager. The win over Arsenal on the opening weekend may have constituted little more than a false hope and raised expectations.
Prediction: 1-1.
SUNDAY:
West Brom v Chelsea:
What has Tony Pulis learnt from the opening day defeat against City which he can implement in his next game against Chelsea? I would bet that we only see one striker up top this go around and a much tighter, well organized and drilled defensive line with the Portuguese for ‘Parking the bus’ used many times.
For Mourinho this suddenly becomes a massive game and literally a must win. Already five points behind the two Manchester sides before the weekend started he can ill afford to fall further behind.
Prediction: 1-2.
Everton v Manchester City:
Both sides head into this game on a high. Both undefeated and both with something to prove from last season. Everton away has never really been that great fixture for City. Only two wins and two draws in the last decade see’s Everton with the mental advantage.
Joe Hart will be determined to hold onto another clean sheet and Aguero and co will be looking to add more goals to that ‘Goals For’ column. If City are having a good day and Everton are not 100% then for sure it’s another big City win. Martinez I think is too smart for that and will play a smart game and if City win, it will be the hardest one yet this season.
Prediction: 1-1.
Watford v Southampton:
Watford might have been many peoples favorites to go down. New Manager and a ton of new players meant the people looking in at the club from the outside do not see stability. Two games in and you could argue they are yet to lose a game. You could also argue that they are yet to win a game either and lets face it, they’ll need to win at some point because 38 points is still relegation potential.
A game against Southampton couldn’t have come at a worse time though and maybe the wounded animal recovers a little in this game. I think the Saints will come good and blow their hosts out of the water.
Prediction: 0-3.
MONDAY:
Arsenal v Liverpool:
Both of these sides have scored two goals, and both struggle in their own way. Liverpool would have expected more with a home tie against new boys Bournemouth last weekend and likewise Arsene Wenger is probably still wondering how they lost to West Ham, at their own place in the first game.
It’s a case of boring boring Arsenal taking on Liver-blah. This has tied game written all over it, and not a 4-4 either.
Prediction: 0-0.
So after Saturdays games sees Manchester United replace City at the top with Palace moving into third and Liverpool rounding up the top four. At the other end, Bournemouth move off the bottom and out of the bottom three, with West Brom, Southampton and Chelsea now occupying the positions.
Sunday we see the return of City to the top, albeit not as convincing as previous weekends. United, Palace and Liverpool make the top four while at the bottom, Watford and Bournemouth replace Southampton and Chelsea.
The Monday game does little to change anything drastically, Liverpool move to third and Arsenal go above Chelsea, in mid table, on goal difference.
So what do you think? Let me know.
Jason is a Freelance Soccer Writer. You can follow him on Twitter @PACityboy and www.facebook.com/jasonbardwell1979
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