PL Predictions: GW 5
Hoorah. Back to PL business. But plenty to ponder since the last set of fixtures. Wayne Rooney is officially the greatest ever Englishman… Gareth Bale is almost the greatest ever Welshman… Jose Mourinho has further stained his reputation as sexist bully, by adding transfer pick-pocket to his crimes… But he didn’t get his hands on Everton’s precious Stones, who he will get a close look at in the lunchtime kick-off on Saturday.
As per tradition, I have dangled my predictions for your careless pleasure. Targeting the match result and most likely MVP.
Brace yourselves…
Saturday fixtures:
12.45 Everton v Chelsea
Chelsea have had a dreadful start to the season. Everton will be quietly satisfied with theirs, but just a point separates the two teams. Much will depend on how the coveted Stones and co handle the so far flat Chelsea forwards. Eden Hazard has gone seven without a goal.
Score Prediction: The international break with have done neither any favours. 1-1
MVP Prediction: I’ll go for Everton’s 2nd most valuable asset, Ross Barkley.
15.00 Arsenal v Stoke
Arsenal haven’t won at home yet, but love a visit from Stoke. They have won the last seven in the PL and if you include cup competitions the winning streak stretches back 13 matches (to 1983!). Stoke are more exotically assembled than any time since then, but seven without a win on the road.
Score Prediction: Arsenal to have too much. 2-0
MVP Prediction: Santo Cazola has created 16 goal scoring chances so far.
15.00 Crystal Palace v Man City
Palace have the chance to live up to their early season Top 2 billing, by following up their win at Chelsea. They are yet to keep a clean sheet, but won’t mind the fact that City have a date with Juventus on the horizon. Might be City’s first wobble.
Score Prediction: Palace to get a big point. 1-1
MVP Prediction: Bakery Sako is flying. So he just pips Joel Ward and Scott Dann.
15.00 Norwich v Bournemouth
A win, a draw and a couple of defeats apiece from their first month in the PL. Norwich unravelled somewhat away at Southampton so will expect at least a point to restore confidence. Likewise, Bournemouth will see this as a ground they can get something.
Score Prediction: A draw it is then. 2-2.
MVP Prediction: Wes Hoolahan started on fire and can be rekindled here.
15.00 Watford v Swansea
Watford have acquitted themselves well, but only mustered 3pts from their three draws and (acceptable) defeat at Man City. Another draw would probably do here v an unbeaten (and Top Four) Swansea, fresh from beating Man United.
Score Prediction: Fancy Swansea to edge it. 0-1
MVP Prediction: Andre Ayew has looked the best attacking midfielder in the PL so far.
15.00 West Brom v Southampton
The fact that keeper Boaz Myhill is West Brom’s top PL.com points scorer says a lot about their season so far. The mind-set of Said Berahino tells the rest. He’s a moody tyke at the best of times, but they need him firing and soon. Southampton look to have thrown off the shackles of the Europa League and we should expect normal service to be resumed…
Score Prediction: Starting here. 0-2
MVP Prediction: Dusan Tadic only attracted a third of the managers that Pelle did. But he’s the man so far.
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17.30 Man United v Liverpool
Almost identical records for these bitter rivals – two 1-0 wins, a 0-0 draw and a sloppy defeat last time out. Likewise, both have looked dour and short of goals. United have won five of the last seven meetings, but it is wise to not just tear up the form book but also throw it out the window.
Score Prediction: United need this more. 3-2
MVP Prediction: Wayne Rooney can surely have never felt better.
Sunday Fixtures
13.30 Sunderland v Tottenham
No wins and five draws already between these two doesn’t bode well. Sunderland have improved, but had to. The return of John O’Shea has made them look more solid (yes, it really was that bad). And Jermains Defoe and Lens have goals in them. Tottenham didn’t get their shopping done and are even more reliant on main man Kane to burst into life.
Score Prediction: Neither look good enough to win this, but Tottenham need to. 1-2
MVP Prediction: Christian Eriksen has the subtlety to be the difference.
16.00 Leicester v Aston Villa
Leicester are not going to give up their Top Four status without a fight and on the face of it this looks a straightforward home win. Jamie Vardy’s England adventure will have him buzzing and along with man of the season so far Mahrez and former Villa man Albrighton should have too much. Villa’s confidence will not have been boosted by the home point with Sunderland.
Score Prediction: Leicester are king of the midlands right now. 2-1
MVP Prediction: Time for Jamie Vardy to shine.
Monday night match:
20.00 West Ham v Newcastle
A mixed bag from West Ham so far. Two unlikely wins (and clean sheets) at Arsenal and Liverpool sitting alongside two home defeats. Newcastle have tightened up and performed well at Man United and perhaps deserved better v Arsenal. But still look short of winning here.
Score Prediction: The Hammers enterprise to outdo Toon’s resistance. 2-1
MVP Prediction: Just 0.2% of managers have taken Manual Lanzini. But I like him.
There you have it. Another three away wins to add to the glut this season. Hope you get on the right end of plenty of points.
Until next time.
Matt Nesbitt’s unspectacular but joyful playing career has given way to a much more successful but miserable one writing about football and providing betting advice. Email: Matt Nesbitt
