What an interesting weekend last weekend was for the English Premier League. Chelsea got their first win of the season, along with their second red card of the season! That moves them up to mid-table before they host Palace this weekend.
Meanwhile Manchester City continued their winning run against a recent bogey team, Everton and Arsenal against Liverpool bored us to tears. I de believe in last weeks predictions I predicted a boring 0-0 draw? Think I said it was ‘boring boring Arsenal taking on Liver-blah’.
At the bottom Sunderland are again struggling with talk the fresh flowered Dick Advocaat thinking of walking away. Southampton and Tottenham are also unexpected sides in the bottom half after three games, both looking for their first wins and pressure growing on both Managers.
SATURDAY:
Newcastle v Arsenal:
The Toon Army did well last weekend to hold United to a tied game while Arsenal, as I said in the intro, bored us for 90 minutes in their game against Liverpool. Another draw for Newcastle wouldn’t be the worst result for the hosts, although it would do nothing to lift them instantly from their current position, it would build momentum of undefeated games and build a much needed confidence from last season.
Arsenal, on the other hand, should be looking for a win here, the three points or risk losing further ground on the race for the title. Already three points away from a top four spot they cannot afford a bigger gap, considering they historically fall away towards the end of the campaign.
Prediction: 1-3.
Aston Villa v Sunderland:
Two managers already feeling the heat. One win between the two sides and a total of four points in a combined six Premier League games doesn’t ignite the imagination. However a decent win, or just a boring win, for either side could start their season.
For me I think the hosts have the advantage, both in terms of home advantage and the fact their visitors have conceded a ton of goals already. The only question is whether Villa’s extra time in the League Cup midweek will have an affect. Sunderland were also in midweek action but managed to wrap up the tie in normal time.
Prediction: 2-0.
Bournemouth v Leicester City:
Above Tottenham and Southampton and only a point away from Chelsea after three games thanks to that hard fought win away to West Ham last weekend. Bournemouth now have a great opportunity to build on that this weekend. It will be tough, with Leicester bolting from the gates early on.
After the Pearson era last season we now see a Leicester City occupying second place in the Premier League, and still undefeated.
I think this game will see Leicester move out of their top four while putting Bournemouth in a two game undefeated run.
Prediction: 2-2.
Chelsea v Crystal Palace:
The hosts finally got their first win of the season last weekend against West Brom, but it certainly wasn’t easy. Two goals up after half an hour Chelsea looked to be cruising. A goal for each side restored that two goal advantage before John Terry was dismissed. From then on it was a case of park the bus for Chelsea. Despite letting in another goal the defending Champions managed to hold on for the win.
This weekend will be different though. Palace have started well, beating Villa last weekend but their extra time performance on Tuesday might have added miles to their legs which might give Chelsea the advantage.
Prediction: 1-0.
Liverpool v West Ham:
Liverpool are still undefeated as they go into this game and currently are in third spot. West Ham have one win, one draw and, after last weekend, one defeat.
I think you have to go for another Liverpool win and, in fact, any other result would raise questions. There is no more Mario Balotelli at the club and so harmony should be restored.
Prediction: 3-0.
Manchester City v Watford:
A win in this game will signal the most consecutive League wins in Manchester City history. The record was equaled last weekend against their bogey side Everton and it would not be like ‘typical City’ of previous years to then struggle with this one.
The good news is that City have shed that tag and Watford come up against a flying City side, who were dominant against Champions Chelsea, conceded no goals so far and are focused on rectifying last seasons performance.
Prediction: 4-0.
Stoke v West Brom:
Neither side have a win so far this season, although the excuse for West Brom is they have already played Manchester City and Chelsea this season. For Stoke, a draw against Norwich last weekend, is simply not good enough.
Stoke struggled midweek to overcome Luton Town, finally defeating them on penalties. Luton Town, a League Two side, shouldn’t have been that tough and that, along with the Premier League form, will worry Potters fans.
Prediction: 1-1.
Tottenham v Everton:
The transfer saga between Everton’s John Stones and Chelsea has not been the best for Roberto Martinez and I do think the transfer window does distract while it is open as the season starts. That said, Everton’s only loss was last weekend against a flying Manchester City side.
Tottenham have stuttered at the start of the season and are still without a win going into this weekend. Another weekend without a win and Chas and Dave might have to go back to the studio to re record their new song ‘Spurs are on their way to reley!’.
Prediction: 2-2.
SUNDAY:
Southampton v Norwich:
Certainly I think anything other than a Southampton win will be a great result for Norwich City. That’s not a dig at Norwich as I think they have a decent side this campaign and don’t expect relegation for the Canaries. My reason for saying this is simply because Southampton are at home, without a win and need to do something in front of their own fans in order to get them moving in the right direction.
Prediction: 3-1.
Swansea v Manchester United:
Wayne Rooney scored a hat trick in the midweek Champions League qualifier and now all is right with the United world. In the Premier League though United fans have been left wanting. The opening two games saw United win 1-0 and, while not dominant wins, were enough to get the points. Last weekend though they struggled against a struggling Newcastle United side.
Last season Swansea beat United in this fixture 2-1 as they did the previous tie at Old Trafford. In fact the last time United won at Swansea was in David Moyes first League game in charge, August 17th 2013.
Prediction: 2-0.
After Saturdays results you will see City remain top while Liverpool move up to second and are joined in the top four by Aston Villa as Leicester slip to fourth. United, Arsenal and Chelsea are just below that top four, with United ready to pounce on Sunday.
Sunderland replace West Brom at the bottom while their rivals, Newcastle, take the final relegation spot.
The Swansea curse continues for United and Southampton get their first win sees the weekend finish with the Swans and not United replacing Leicester in the top four and Southampton goal difference away from a top ten position.
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
Meanwhile Manchester City continued their winning run against a recent bogey team, Everton and Arsenal against Liverpool bored us to tears. I de believe in last weeks predictions I predicted a boring 0-0 draw? Think I said it was ‘boring boring Arsenal taking on Liver-blah’.
At the bottom Sunderland are again struggling with talk the fresh flowered Dick Advocaat thinking of walking away. Southampton and Tottenham are also unexpected sides in the bottom half after three games, both looking for their first wins and pressure growing on both Managers.
SATURDAY:
Newcastle v Arsenal:
The Toon Army did well last weekend to hold United to a tied game while Arsenal, as I said in the intro, bored us for 90 minutes in their game against Liverpool. Another draw for Newcastle wouldn’t be the worst result for the hosts, although it would do nothing to lift them instantly from their current position, it would build momentum of undefeated games and build a much needed confidence from last season.
Arsenal, on the other hand, should be looking for a win here, the three points or risk losing further ground on the race for the title. Already three points away from a top four spot they cannot afford a bigger gap, considering they historically fall away towards the end of the campaign.
Prediction: 1-3.
Aston Villa v Sunderland:
Two managers already feeling the heat. One win between the two sides and a total of four points in a combined six Premier League games doesn’t ignite the imagination. However a decent win, or just a boring win, for either side could start their season.
For me I think the hosts have the advantage, both in terms of home advantage and the fact their visitors have conceded a ton of goals already. The only question is whether Villa’s extra time in the League Cup midweek will have an affect. Sunderland were also in midweek action but managed to wrap up the tie in normal time.
Prediction: 2-0.
Bournemouth v Leicester City:
Above Tottenham and Southampton and only a point away from Chelsea after three games thanks to that hard fought win away to West Ham last weekend. Bournemouth now have a great opportunity to build on that this weekend. It will be tough, with Leicester bolting from the gates early on.
After the Pearson era last season we now see a Leicester City occupying second place in the Premier League, and still undefeated.
I think this game will see Leicester move out of their top four while putting Bournemouth in a two game undefeated run.
Prediction: 2-2.
Chelsea v Crystal Palace:
The hosts finally got their first win of the season last weekend against West Brom, but it certainly wasn’t easy. Two goals up after half an hour Chelsea looked to be cruising. A goal for each side restored that two goal advantage before John Terry was dismissed. From then on it was a case of park the bus for Chelsea. Despite letting in another goal the defending Champions managed to hold on for the win.
This weekend will be different though. Palace have started well, beating Villa last weekend but their extra time performance on Tuesday might have added miles to their legs which might give Chelsea the advantage.
Prediction: 1-0.
Liverpool v West Ham:
Liverpool are still undefeated as they go into this game and currently are in third spot. West Ham have one win, one draw and, after last weekend, one defeat.
I think you have to go for another Liverpool win and, in fact, any other result would raise questions. There is no more Mario Balotelli at the club and so harmony should be restored.
Prediction: 3-0.
Manchester City v Watford:
A win in this game will signal the most consecutive League wins in Manchester City history. The record was equaled last weekend against their bogey side Everton and it would not be like ‘typical City’ of previous years to then struggle with this one.
The good news is that City have shed that tag and Watford come up against a flying City side, who were dominant against Champions Chelsea, conceded no goals so far and are focused on rectifying last seasons performance.
Prediction: 4-0.
Stoke v West Brom:
Neither side have a win so far this season, although the excuse for West Brom is they have already played Manchester City and Chelsea this season. For Stoke, a draw against Norwich last weekend, is simply not good enough.
Stoke struggled midweek to overcome Luton Town, finally defeating them on penalties. Luton Town, a League Two side, shouldn’t have been that tough and that, along with the Premier League form, will worry Potters fans.
Prediction: 1-1.
Tottenham v Everton:
The transfer saga between Everton’s John Stones and Chelsea has not been the best for Roberto Martinez and I do think the transfer window does distract while it is open as the season starts. That said, Everton’s only loss was last weekend against a flying Manchester City side.
Tottenham have stuttered at the start of the season and are still without a win going into this weekend. Another weekend without a win and Chas and Dave might have to go back to the studio to re record their new song ‘Spurs are on their way to reley!’.
Prediction: 2-2.
SUNDAY:
Southampton v Norwich:
Certainly I think anything other than a Southampton win will be a great result for Norwich City. That’s not a dig at Norwich as I think they have a decent side this campaign and don’t expect relegation for the Canaries. My reason for saying this is simply because Southampton are at home, without a win and need to do something in front of their own fans in order to get them moving in the right direction.
Prediction: 3-1.
Swansea v Manchester United:
Wayne Rooney scored a hat trick in the midweek Champions League qualifier and now all is right with the United world. In the Premier League though United fans have been left wanting. The opening two games saw United win 1-0 and, while not dominant wins, were enough to get the points. Last weekend though they struggled against a struggling Newcastle United side.
Last season Swansea beat United in this fixture 2-1 as they did the previous tie at Old Trafford. In fact the last time United won at Swansea was in David Moyes first League game in charge, August 17th 2013.
Prediction: 2-0.
After Saturdays results you will see City remain top while Liverpool move up to second and are joined in the top four by Aston Villa as Leicester slip to fourth. United, Arsenal and Chelsea are just below that top four, with United ready to pounce on Sunday.
Sunderland replace West Brom at the bottom while their rivals, Newcastle, take the final relegation spot.
The Swansea curse continues for United and Southampton get their first win sees the weekend finish with the Swans and not United replacing Leicester in the top four and Southampton goal difference away from a top ten position.
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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