PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS (WEEK 5)
The international break is over and the Premier League is back (rejoice)…
…until next month. But that doesn’t matter for now with a full slate of top-flight fixtures this weekend!
Every week we’ll be previewing and predicting every match featured in our Pick 10 league along with any other big fixtures - will you take our advice?
Wolves vs Liverpool
The international break probably came at the right time for Gary O'Neil, particularly having to manage the incomings and departures at the end of the transfer window. A victory over Everton has afforded them a breather with three points on the board, though the signs are still ominous for a club that has lost a plethora of star players over the summer.
Liverpool are cautiously a team in the ascendancy having won 10 of the 12 points available prior to the international break. The signing of Ryan Gravenberch on deadline day has completed their midfield rebuild, but may well have left themselves a defender short particularly in light of Virgil Van Dijk’s suspension and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s knock. If September proves to be a successful month for Jurgen Klopp’s side, title challenge talk could ramp up.
Prediction: Wolves 0-2 Liverpool
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
Six points accumulated thus far for Unai Emery and his Aston Villa side. Preseason expectations have been slightly dampened by the hefty defeats at Newcastle and Liverpool - this is a team still getting to grips with the Spaniard’s insistence on playing a high line. The loss of Tyrone Mings to a long term injury has impacted Villa, an ambitious top-four challenge looks slightly out of reach for now.
Call the appointment of Roy Hodgson uninspiring, but so far it has yielded moderate success on the pitch. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Odsonne Edouard have yet to convince up front for Crystal Palace and that would typically be cause for concern, but Hodgson has previous in organising his players and frustrating opponents.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-0 Crystal Palace
Fulham vs Luton Town
After last season’s impressive return to the top-flight, Fulham suddenly look in danger of suffering second season syndrome. The departure of Aleksandar Mitrovic could have a catastrophic consequences further up the pitch, but Joao Palhinha stayed put at Craven Cottage despite nearly joining Bayern Munich on deadline day - that could be pivotal.
It has been a harsh reality check for Premier League new boys Luton who have yet to pick up a point after three games. There have been some positive and encouraging signs but many of the summer recruits are still bedding in to the squad. Fulham, Wolves and Everton are next up for The Hatters who will have to pick up points in those games to avoid being cut adrift at the foot of the table so early on in the season.
Prediction: Fulham 0-0 Luton Town
Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Dark clouds are circling around Old Trafford. Neighbours City are already six points ahead of United, Jadon Sancho has spoken out against Manager Erik ten Hag and Antony is away from the squad until further notice. The club has spent a record £1.19bn more on transfers over the past decade than they have recouped through player sales, yet they look no closer to a Premier League or Champions League title.
A surprising home defeat to West Ham aside, Brighton continue to impress under Roberto De Zerbi. Evan Ferguson is on a fast track to reaching superstar status having netted a hattrick just before the international break against Newcastle, at just 18 his potential is frightening. The Seagulls will soon have to contend with Europa League football, how will they fare with another competition on their fixture list?
Prediction: Manchester United 2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Tottenham Hotspur vs Sheffield United
Ange-ball is taking the Premier League by storm, the feel good factor is back for Spurs fans who have been searching for a style of football to get behind since Mauricio Pochettino left the club. James Maddison has flourished following his switch from Leicester while the likes of Yves Bissouma and Cristian Romero have been rejuvenated under Postecoglou. It has been a great start but tougher challenges in Arsenal and Liverpool lay ahead to provide a true measuring stick.
A first point of the season came courtesy of a home draw against Everton prior to the international break, but Paul Heckingbottom will be aware that his Sheffield United side need to improve if they are to stay up this season. The signing of Cameron Archer should give The Blades cutting edge, critical given they had the lowest average number of shots per game in the top flight before his arrival.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Sheffield United
Manchester City vs West Ham United
Manchester City have began their Premier League defence emphatically having won all four top-flight games before the international break. The arrivals of Matheus Nunes and Jérémy Doku late in the summer transfer window have only strengthened City’s cause as Pep Guardiola looks set to mastermind yet another silverware-laden campaign.
West Ham have built on their Europa Conference League triumph with an unbeaten start to the season. David Moyes’ side have taken 10 of 12 points available and have seen their relegation concerns of last season fade into the rear view mirror. The Declan Rice warchest has been spent on James Ward-Prowse, Edson Álvarez and Mohammed Kudus. On early evidence, it has the potential to reinvigorate The Hammers.
Prediction: Manchester City 1-1 West Ham United
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