PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS (WEEK 7)
They often say that your first impressions of the Premier League should only come after the sixth game mark, well, here we are.
There’s relatively no surprises with the same sides starting well and the bottom three comprising of the three promoted sides.
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?
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Despite a shock defeat in the Europa League, Aston Villa have responded well since their pointless visit to Anfield with back-to-back wins over Crystal Palace and Chelsea. Ollie Watkins is also off the mark, having scored just once in his past 12 league outings. Unai Emery’s side are just two points off the top four, a position they would’ve been cautiously optimistic of prior to the season start. Brighton are three points ahead of Villa and have been in scintillating form. Roberto De Zerbi will rest teenage sensation Evan Ferguson in the EFL Cup this week ahead of their visit to Villa Park. The Seagulls have the sort of attacking options to worry the best of teams, Emery will be all too aware of their potency.
Should Villa play a high line akin to their visit of Anfield, they’ll come undone here. You’d like to think Emery will learn his lesson and contain a Brighton side firing on all cylinders at the moment.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Bournemouth vs Arsenal
Bournemouth may have progressed in the EFL Cup, but their reward is a fourth-round tie against Liverpool. Worryingly they are 17th and are winless in the Premier League, the only other sides still searching for their first victory make up the bottom three below the Cherries. Beyond this fixture, Andoni Iraola’s side will enjoy a slightly easier run of games following a tough start. The Gunners are also progressed in the EFL Cup, a timely lift following their frustrating 2-2 draw against Tottenham last weekend in a game they lost Declan Rice to injury. Losing their influential England midfielder for a spell could disrupt their trademark control in games which was evident against Spurs.
Mikel Arteta won’t be concerned just yet, particularly with a winnable game at the weekend to get his side back on track.
Prediction: Bournemouth 1-3 Arsenal
Everton vs Luton Town
Few expected Everton’s first Premier League win of the season to come on the road against Brentford, yet they were good value for three points in West London and have managed to back that up with another victory against Aston Villa in the EFL Cup. The Toffee’s past two outings will come as a real shot in the arm for Sean Dyche, who can exhale after a poor start to the season. Luton finally have a point on the board, but manager Rob Edwards will be all too aware that the Hatters will need to improve further to survive the drop. Exeter dumped Luton out of the EFL Cup in the week, it could be a disappointing blessing with full focus needed on their league form. Chiedozie Ogbene made his first start last weekend and was an energetic handful, his arrival could prove to be a shrewd piece of business.
Everton will need to ride this recent run of form as far as it will take them, Luton are still growing into the top-flight but may have to wait a little longer for their first victory.
Prediction: Everton 2-1 Luton Town
Manchester United vs Crystal Palace
Despite the off-field distractions and inconsistency, Erik ten Hag managed to put his side back on track last weekend and watched his team cruise into the EFL Cup fourth round. Sofyan Amrabat made his Old Trafford debut in the week and showed the sort of eye-catching flashes that prompted Manchester United to move for the Morocco international, his presence in midfield could help instigate a resurgence. Palace were well beaten at Old Trafford in the week and will have to return again at the weekend with manager Roy Hodgson lamenting his squad depth. A series of injuries have come at the wrong time for the Eagles, only academy striker Ademola Ola-Adebomi was on the bench midweek as a recognised forward, such issues will only crop up again on Saturday bar any miracle recoveries.
Having watched his side comfortably beaten on Tuesday, Hodgson will want more from his players. They’re hamstrung at the moment, a similar result this Saturday is likely.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Crystal Palace
Wolves vs Manchester City
Ten men Wolves were lucky to escape Kenilworth Road with a point last weekend but were eliminated from the EFL Cup by Championship high-flyers Ipswich. Head Coach Gary O’Neil has called for patience, but a disgruntled section of supporters are not in a generous mood with the prospect of a heavy defeat to Manchester City at the weekend likely to irritate them further. An Alexander Isak goal dumped City out of the EFL Cup in the week as Pep Guardiola attempt to blood in a handful of youth players fell flat. Rodri’s red card last weekend will see him miss three games, a major loss given the continuing absence of Kevin De Bruyne to a long-term injury. A plethora of experienced academy players have been sent out on loan, will that hamper Guardiola’s squad depth?
A premature exit from the EFL Cup shouldn’t hinder this City side, especially against a lowly Wolves team under growing pressure.
Prediction: Wolves 1-4 Manchester City
Tottenham vs Liverpool
There was great intrigue around Spurs given their blistering start to the season heading into a North London Derby. In a true litmus test at the Emirates Stadium, Spurs showed great resilience to come back twice from behind to leave with a point. The James Maddison and Son Heung-min partnership has delivered for Ange Postecoglou so far, how long can they maintain this sort of consistency? Jurgen Klopp has said he is building a new Liverpool and that is what is happening. Dominik Szoboszlai has made light work of his Premier League arrival, the Hungary captain keeps getting better exhibiting glimpses of another famous Anfield number eight. Liverpool have leaked goals, but as evidenced from their past four results (all 3-1 victories), they have the firepower to overcome the opposition.
If this fixture doesn’t scream goals, I’m not sure what will? Both sides are in great form, expect fireworks in an evenly contested match.
Prediction: Tottenham 2-2 Liverpool
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