THE VERY BLUNT PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS (WEEK 11)
Every Premier League side has played ten games, there’s very little surprise other than Spurs entering god mode. Man Utd’s demise isn’t surprising before you ask, let’s be honest here.
Every week we’ll be giving you our blunt takes and predicting each Premier League match featured in our Pick 10 league along with any other big fixtures - will you take our advice?
Fulham vs Manchester United
Fulham are lucky there are at least three sides inferior than them, there we said it. Their only three victories have been against Everton, Luton & Sheffield United respectively. Marco Silva has signed a new contract, but Raúl Jiménez leading the line following the departure of Aleksandar Mitrović is like replacing Sir Alex Ferguson with David Moyes.
You can blame the Glazer family all you want Mr. Neville, Erik ten Hag has been backed and what happens on the pitch is his remit. That said, do we have to start questioning the Dutchman? Injuries have hampered the squad, but largely most players have regressed since making the move to Old Trafford. Humiliated at home by your rivals? That’s what happens when you’re devoid of a playing identity.
Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Manchester United
Brentford vs West Ham
Beating Chelsea isn’t exactly the feat it once was, but Brentford did it with relative ease and have now tasted victory in all three of their visits to Stamford Bridge as a Premier League club. The Bees are tactically astute under Thomas Frank, they’ll pick off the pretenders and ultimately breeze to another strong mid-table finish. What more could you ask for?
Congratulations West Ham, you actually lost to Everton at home. We wouldn’t normally dig you out but you started the season well, what happened? The reality is that David Moyes isn’t getting the best out of a talented squad that have faded in recent weeks, also why wasn’t a striker top of the shopping list last summer? Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
Prediction: Brentford 2-1 West Ham
Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
On a serious note it showed great character to respond to the passing of Everton’s late Chairman Bill Kenwright by winning away in London. Is it too much to ask for a fit and firing Dominic Calvert-Lewin? Probably. A points deduction could send the Toffees packing to the Championship if that comes to fruition, if not, Everton should have their heads above water come April/May time.
Weren’t you meant to be good, Brighton? Two defeats and two draws in the last four outings doesn’t represent that even if two of those fixtures were against Liverpool and Manchester City. Trying to remain competitive across four competitions isn’t as easy as it seems? Fixtures against Everton, Sheffield United & Nottingham Forest over the next few weeks will determine if you can replicate last season.
Prediction: Everton 1-3 Brighton & Hove Albion
Manchester City vs Bournemouth
No one batted an eyelid that you put United to the sword, that was expected. Erling Haaland deserved to win the Ballon d'Or, but Lionel Messi is still playing football and won the World Cup, which apparently earns you the award. Beyond this weekend City face Chelsea and Liverpool in back-to-back league matches, a two-game stretch that could assert them as title favourites.
Congratulations Bournemouth, you won your first Premier League game of the season - your reward? An away trip to Manchester City. It was nice to exit the relegation places, but that might be brief with games against the champions and Newcastle to come. A gap is beginning to grow between the bottom four clubs and 16th place Forest. That needs to be addressed, or a long nervy season awaits.
Prediction: Manchester City 5-0 Bournemouth
Newcastle vs Arsenal
Newcastle were on a roll until this time last week. Eddie Howe is becoming overly reliant upon his trusted starters, and now the injury bug has begun to bite. Alexander Isak and Sven Botman have picked up knocks, the latter could be long term, while Sandro Tonali’s ban is now in effect. The Magpies had done well to move within arms reach of the top four, but their November fixture list will not be kind.
Hello Eddie Nketiah, where have you been? A statement hat-trick is all well and good, but that was against Sheffield United. Showing your ability to impact games on a more consistent basis is the next step, can you take it? Beyond the trip to St. James’ Park, Arsenal have a kind run of games on paper - can they capitalise and cement themselves as title challengers for a second straight season? They have the opportunity.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
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