Liverpool v Everton
It’s time for the Merseyside derby yet again! Here’s a question. How old was Steven Gerrard the last time Everton won at Anfield? 19. He is 34 today. That’s how long it has been since Everton have won at Anfield, leading to Liverpool supporters always having the upper hand in local rivalries with the Everton faithful. Things are known to get out of hand in the Merseyside derby, and there have been a plenty of hard fought draws in the past. Form literally goes out of the window when the two bitter rivals meet, and that would be a good thing, because neither side is in anything close to a good form. Both Liverpool and Everton have underperformed this year after glorious performances last season, which saw Liverpool finishing second and their local rivals, fifth. For Liverpool – no Daniel Sturridge, but Mario Balotelli is more than a suitable replacement. Everton will be led up front by Romelu Lukaku who is certainly due some goals. Exciting match in prospect, most likely to be a draw.
Our Prediction: Liverpool 1 Everton 1
Chelsea v Aston Villa
Aston Villa had won 10 points from their first 4 fixtures, but they were aware that the 5th and the 6th matches of the season would be difficult. Villa lost the 5th match against Arsenal quite easily and the prospects of Aston Villa beating Chelsea at the Stanford Bridge look pretty much Mission Impossible. Chelsea have been bolstered by news that their superstar striker Diego Costa is fit and raring to go. Costa has already set a blistering pace in this season, his first, scoring 7 goals from just 5 matches. He has never failed to score at the Stanford Bridge and his phenomenal should in all likelihood continue. Aston Villa would be hoping that their coaching duo of Paul Lambert and Roy Keane can work miracles, but beating Chelsea at home is, literally, a Bridge too far for them, pun very much intended!
Our Prediction: Chelsea 3 Aston Villa 0
Crystal Palace v Leicester
This is a match between two sides who’re most likely to be involved in a tense relegation fight along with half a dozen other clubs by the close of the season. The only reason one can find to suggest that they may not yet go down is because there are actually sides in the EPL who are equally bad, if not worse. Leicester City of course had the greatest moment ever in their history last week, sensationally beating fancies manager Louis Van Gaal’s Manchester United 5-3. But beating Crystal Palace could actually be more difficult as it would be difficult for the manager to have his players as motivated against lowly Crystal Palace as they were against Manchester United. Crystal Palace have no such complaints, as they do their best against clubs of similar quality, so it should be an interesting match -up, with a slight advantage to Crystal Palace
Our Prediction: Crystal Palace 1 Leicester City 0
Hull City v Manchester City
Hull City have one of the most experienced managers in the English Premier League in Steve Bruce, but somehow have failed to click this season. There have been odd wins, but when presented with an excellent opportunity last week against an embattled Newcastle United, Hull failed to take advantage and surrendered a 2 goal advantage. Hull look good while attacking, but have been undone by a defensive vulnerability. Manchester City, of course, have been bolstered by the Frank Lampard equalizer against Chelsea and would want to boss around poor little Hull City a bit in this match. Easy win expected for Manuel Pellegrini’s boys.
Our Prediction: Hull 1 Manchester City 4
Manchester United v West Ham
Louis Van Gaal has had a most horrendous start to his managerial career in England, with almost everything that could have gone wrong, going wrong. On his appointment, Manchester United were already being talked about as potential winners of the league, but the comically inept defensive displays by the world’s most popular club has definitely put all talks of winning anything on the back burner. They would now be happy enough to finish the season with a modicum of respectability. Unfortunately, even little clubs like Leicester City don’t seem to be showing Manchester United any respect. There is no longer a fear associated with playing them. West Ham coach Sam Allardyce would want to take advantage of the tense atmosphere at Manchester United, who know very clearly that another loss is simply not an option, even unthinkable. This is exactly the sort of situation the highly experienced Allardyce loves and he would get another win in his decades long managerial career against one of the Big Boys.
Our Prediction: Manchester United 3 West Ham United 2
Southampton v QPR
Southampton have had a dream start to their season, getting 10 points from 5 matches, enough to propel them to the second position on the league table. Ronald Koeman’s men have had a dream month, winning four successive matches, 3 of them in the Premiership. They would dearly love to continue the winning stream, stretch it for as long as possible, and have been given a golden opportunity to do so as they take on QPR at home. For Southampton, new players like Graziano Pelle, Dusan Tadic and Fraser Forster have been brilliant and settled in perfectly while Nathaniel Clyne, Steven Davis and Jack Cork have improved considerably. Harry Redknapp is a canny manager and he returns to one of his former clubs, but one would be surprised to see his new side do anything at all against the English Premier League’s high flyers.
Our Prediction: Southampton 2 QPR 0
Sunderland v Swansea City
Sunderland’s season, without being too bad, has been quite a frustrating one for manager Gus Poyet. Sure, compared to their great North-East rivals, the beleaguered Newcastle United, Sunderland supporters may be said to be in the seventh heaven. But Poyet is an ambitious young manager, and he would desperately want to achieve more with the resources that he has at his disposal. Staying in the Premiership won’t be an issue for Sunderland though, as they look good enough to be a mid-table side and could conceivably finish in the top 10 if Poyet gets a few important things right – such as the defensive frailty at the back, which has seen Sunderland give up winning positions. Swansea City on the other hand, have flagged a bit after a rousing start to the season. They have lost their last two matches now. While the loss against Chelsea was inevitable, the loss at home against Souhampton hard to explain for young manager Garry Monk. So this promises to be an exciting clash between two very decent sides who have a point or two to prove.
Our Prediction: Sunderland 1 Swansea 1
Arsenal v Tottenham
Tottenham have had a horrible start to the new season and have not really been themselves, despite having signed a very capable new manager in Mauricio Pochettino. The last defeat against West Bromwich Albion was particularly hard for the Spurs manager to take, who called it ‘a big hit in the face’. Arsenal have rarely ever lost to bitter local rivals Tottenham at home, and considered the great form that most Arsenal players are in, it is likely that manager Arsene Wenger would add another Derby win to his illustrious career. Arsenal would be happy that under fire German superstar, Mesut Ozil finally found form in last week’s win at Villa Park. Ozil is a crucial part of Wenger’s plans and it is critical for him to do well on a consistent basis for Arsenal.
Our Prediction: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 0
West Bromwich Albion v Burnley
Here’s a stat. 435 minutes. That’s how long it has been since Burnley scored their last goal. Burnley have been the scoreless wonders of this season’s English Premier League. Their limitations up front have been all too obvious. They do have a good enough defense, but if they fail to score any goals, that’s unlikely to do them much good. West Brom have been cheered up after last week’s big win against Tottenham at the White Hart Lane. For West Brom, Saido Berahino is the most important player, who ran the Spurs defense ragged last weekend and did equally well against Hull City in the Capital One Cup competition held midweek, getting another winner.
Our Prediction: WBA 1 Burnley 0
Stoke City v Newcastle United
The only thing that still surprises people about Newcastle United is that, in spite of everything, Alan Pardew is still their manager. It is a very strange situation at Newcastle, where the fans actually desperately want their team to lose, so that the manager could be forced out. They came so close to getting their wish granted against Hull City last week, but miraculously, striker Papiss Cisse scored a brace to come from behind, save the match, and hence save Pardew’s career, at least for a few days more. But Pardew is unlikely to last must longer anyway, as Stoke City look good enough to get a couple of goals past Newcastle’s leaky defense and another defeat would in all probability make Pardew’s position at the club untenable. Newcastle are the bookies’ favorites to be relegated this season, and it would take a major miracle for this much supported club with so many passionate fans to stay up.
Our Prediction: Stoke City 3 Newcastle 1
