Thanks to the winter world cup Match day 5 is midweek and will be played on Tuesday and Wednesday. Such a quick turnaround favors bigger teams with bigger squads particularly with 5 subs allowed. We expect the big teams to win these games as smaller squads are harder to rotate and players are more prone to injuries due to excessive workload.
Game of the week
Liverpool v Bournemouth (9-0, prediction 4-0)
Liverpool completely decimated an inept and low quality side at Anfield. It seemed that every time Liverpool were on the attack they would score. Somehow Salah did not manage a single goal or assist or it could have been an even bigger margin. Diaz is becoming very important for this Liverpool side though there are still problems in the midfield which are less likely to be exploited in such home games. Big win for Liverpool and seems their season has finally kick started. Bournemouth on the other hand are a very solid candidate for relegation and psychologically might take a very long time to recover from this. Liverpool will now host Newcastle which is a tougher test but I expect a narrow 3-1 win. Bournemouth host Wolves and it has a 1-1 draw written all over it
Man City v Crystal Palace (4-2, prediction 3-1)
And with this fixture Haaland has well and truly arrived in Premier league. Palace raced to a two goal lead with suspect defending from Stones and Ake but the trio of KDB Silva and Haaland turned the game around in second half and the newly acquired striker manager to bag his first premier league hat trick in the process. City midfielders and creative players are still learning to interact with a true number 9 and for the rest of the league this looks ominous. As for Palace in Zaha’s absence it was a really good performance and they are improving a lot under Vieira. Next up City hosts Forrest and I expect City to have a smooth and convincing 5-0 win. Palace will welcome Brentford and should win 3-1.
Southampton v Man United (0-1, prediction 1-1)
It’s a lot harder to play on a rusty diseased Southampton pitch on an early kick off Saturday morning as opposed to playing Liverpool in front of Old Trafford crowd. United had to grind a result and they managed that which is a very good sign for the new manager and will give the whole team a lift. Bruno is looking much like his older self and Martinez is a feisty tenacious defender. Southampton had multiple chances but failed to avail any and had a very good penalty shout turned down. Manchester United have a very tricky game away to Leicester next who are bottom of the league but played well against Chelsea. I have a feeling Leicester crowd will manage to push their team to gain a point against this resurgent United team. Likely score line 1-1. For Southampton its Chelsea next who seem to be wobbling on the road. Another 1-1 in offering if Che Adams takes his chances.
Arsenal v Fulham (2-1, prediction 3-1)
Another cracker at the Emirates. Arsenal dominated in the first half but failed to convert any of the numerous chances created. Second half gave Mitrovic a sniff at goal thanks to a defensive error and he buried it making Arsenal come from behind to win and they did exactly that. Odegaard was extremely impressive and Arsenal will take a lot more confidence after a win like this. They are looking very good thus far and maintained their 100% record after 4 games sitting pretty top of the table. Next up Arsenal host Villa who are conceding a lot and struggling to score. Arsenal is likely to win 3-0. For Fulham it’s a home game against high flying Brighton and I expect Fulham to manage a 2-1 win here.
Chelsea V Leicester (2-1, prediction 3-1)
What a game for Raheem Sterling. Down to 10 men in first half and Chelsea showed the class and discipline of a champion team and managed to win this game. Having said that if Vardy had arrived with his shooting boots on Leicester themselves could have scored three goals at least. All in all a good game of football to watch and Chelsea look good at home. Away form is a problem and I can see them dropping two points at St Mary’s next. Leicester's problems are growing and they need a win but with United clicking as team a draw for the foxes will be a good result.
Forrest v Tottenham (0-2, prediction 1-0)
Harry Kane bagged a brace and spurs cruised through this away fixture. Under Conte this season Spurs are the team to watch. Unbeaten in the league and flowing smoothly going forward. Forrest put up a good show in front of their noisy fans but the gulf in class is way too big. Forrest is another favorite for relegation along with Bournemouth. Next up Spurs are in a London derby against a West Ham team who managed their first win on match day 4. I expect a 2-2 draw in that game. Forrest visit City and a hammering awaits them.
Aston Villa V West Ham (0-1. Prediction 1-1)
Finally West Ham managed to join the points table. A boring slow game but a precious goal for the hammers which will start infusing some form of confidence before the London derby against Spurs. Villa look direction less and Gerrard’s job seems under threat. Hammers should manage a draw at home against Spurs next and it's hard to see Villa getting anything at Emirates.
Wolves v Newcastle (1-1, prediction 0-0)
Wolves scored and that is news in itself, and a cracker of a goal only to be beaten by an even finer goal from Newcastle. Newcastle showcased their attacking talent away from home and Wolves displayed their defensive quality. Wolves are off to Bournemouth next and should get another draw. Hard to see Newcastle getting anything at Anfield though.
Brighton v Leeds (1-0, prediction 2-1)
Leeds are looking good this season and should be safe but beating Brighton on the road probably is a step too far. Brighton on the other hand are an example of how a fine manager can achieve success with limited resources. Potter is magic and we will see him managing a big champion’s league club or even England national team in future. Another 3 points in the bag and Brighton march on. They go away to Fulham next and I can only see a home win. Leeds are hosting Everton and I haven’t seen anything to believe that Everton can get a point away from home at Leeds. Leeds to win 2-1
Brentford v Everton (1-1, prediction 2-0)
Just like his close friend Gerrard Everton manager Lampard is also under the microscope. Recruitment is not working and Toffees are dismayed and concerned. Struggling to hold on to leads and conceding a lot more than they should be. Brentford are gathering enough points in the beginning of the season to ensure safety come next May. Everton are now off to Leeds who are a force at Eland Road and a Leeds win is the probable result. Brentford go to Crystal Palace and will lose that game
Match Predictions:
Game of the week
Liverpool v Bournemouth (9-0, prediction 4-0)
Liverpool completely decimated an inept and low quality side at Anfield. It seemed that every time Liverpool were on the attack they would score. Somehow Salah did not manage a single goal or assist or it could have been an even bigger margin. Diaz is becoming very important for this Liverpool side though there are still problems in the midfield which are less likely to be exploited in such home games. Big win for Liverpool and seems their season has finally kick started. Bournemouth on the other hand are a very solid candidate for relegation and psychologically might take a very long time to recover from this. Liverpool will now host Newcastle which is a tougher test but I expect a narrow 3-1 win. Bournemouth host Wolves and it has a 1-1 draw written all over it
Man City v Crystal Palace (4-2, prediction 3-1)
And with this fixture Haaland has well and truly arrived in Premier league. Palace raced to a two goal lead with suspect defending from Stones and Ake but the trio of KDB Silva and Haaland turned the game around in second half and the newly acquired striker manager to bag his first premier league hat trick in the process. City midfielders and creative players are still learning to interact with a true number 9 and for the rest of the league this looks ominous. As for Palace in Zaha’s absence it was a really good performance and they are improving a lot under Vieira. Next up City hosts Forrest and I expect City to have a smooth and convincing 5-0 win. Palace will welcome Brentford and should win 3-1.
Southampton v Man United (0-1, prediction 1-1)
It’s a lot harder to play on a rusty diseased Southampton pitch on an early kick off Saturday morning as opposed to playing Liverpool in front of Old Trafford crowd. United had to grind a result and they managed that which is a very good sign for the new manager and will give the whole team a lift. Bruno is looking much like his older self and Martinez is a feisty tenacious defender. Southampton had multiple chances but failed to avail any and had a very good penalty shout turned down. Manchester United have a very tricky game away to Leicester next who are bottom of the league but played well against Chelsea. I have a feeling Leicester crowd will manage to push their team to gain a point against this resurgent United team. Likely score line 1-1. For Southampton its Chelsea next who seem to be wobbling on the road. Another 1-1 in offering if Che Adams takes his chances.
Arsenal v Fulham (2-1, prediction 3-1)
Another cracker at the Emirates. Arsenal dominated in the first half but failed to convert any of the numerous chances created. Second half gave Mitrovic a sniff at goal thanks to a defensive error and he buried it making Arsenal come from behind to win and they did exactly that. Odegaard was extremely impressive and Arsenal will take a lot more confidence after a win like this. They are looking very good thus far and maintained their 100% record after 4 games sitting pretty top of the table. Next up Arsenal host Villa who are conceding a lot and struggling to score. Arsenal is likely to win 3-0. For Fulham it’s a home game against high flying Brighton and I expect Fulham to manage a 2-1 win here.
Chelsea V Leicester (2-1, prediction 3-1)
What a game for Raheem Sterling. Down to 10 men in first half and Chelsea showed the class and discipline of a champion team and managed to win this game. Having said that if Vardy had arrived with his shooting boots on Leicester themselves could have scored three goals at least. All in all a good game of football to watch and Chelsea look good at home. Away form is a problem and I can see them dropping two points at St Mary’s next. Leicester's problems are growing and they need a win but with United clicking as team a draw for the foxes will be a good result.
Forrest v Tottenham (0-2, prediction 1-0)
Harry Kane bagged a brace and spurs cruised through this away fixture. Under Conte this season Spurs are the team to watch. Unbeaten in the league and flowing smoothly going forward. Forrest put up a good show in front of their noisy fans but the gulf in class is way too big. Forrest is another favorite for relegation along with Bournemouth. Next up Spurs are in a London derby against a West Ham team who managed their first win on match day 4. I expect a 2-2 draw in that game. Forrest visit City and a hammering awaits them.
Aston Villa V West Ham (0-1. Prediction 1-1)
Finally West Ham managed to join the points table. A boring slow game but a precious goal for the hammers which will start infusing some form of confidence before the London derby against Spurs. Villa look direction less and Gerrard’s job seems under threat. Hammers should manage a draw at home against Spurs next and it's hard to see Villa getting anything at Emirates.
Wolves v Newcastle (1-1, prediction 0-0)
Wolves scored and that is news in itself, and a cracker of a goal only to be beaten by an even finer goal from Newcastle. Newcastle showcased their attacking talent away from home and Wolves displayed their defensive quality. Wolves are off to Bournemouth next and should get another draw. Hard to see Newcastle getting anything at Anfield though.
Brighton v Leeds (1-0, prediction 2-1)
Leeds are looking good this season and should be safe but beating Brighton on the road probably is a step too far. Brighton on the other hand are an example of how a fine manager can achieve success with limited resources. Potter is magic and we will see him managing a big champion’s league club or even England national team in future. Another 3 points in the bag and Brighton march on. They go away to Fulham next and I can only see a home win. Leeds are hosting Everton and I haven’t seen anything to believe that Everton can get a point away from home at Leeds. Leeds to win 2-1
Brentford v Everton (1-1, prediction 2-0)
Just like his close friend Gerrard Everton manager Lampard is also under the microscope. Recruitment is not working and Toffees are dismayed and concerned. Struggling to hold on to leads and conceding a lot more than they should be. Brentford are gathering enough points in the beginning of the season to ensure safety come next May. Everton are now off to Leeds who are a force at Eland Road and a Leeds win is the probable result. Brentford go to Crystal Palace and will lose that game
Match Predictions: