Premier League Preview

Average, average, average, basically sums up how we have been getting on so far in the Premier league prediction stakes. Another week and another 6/10 correct results but it could have been so much more. I am the first to moan about the money in the Premier League but there is no getting away from its attraction. As improved as the competitive ‘Nations League’ has been its good to have the action returning. let’s see if we can improve on our score as SPORTSvox takes a look at the fixtures this week in our Premier League preview.

Tottenham v Liverpool

What a cracker to kick things off. Following the defeat to Watford this isn’t the ideal fixture for Tottenham and they will probably be without Dele Ali and Captain Loris. The good news is that the mighty Son will be back after winning in Asia. Tottenham won this fixture 4-1 last season and will have the majority of the same side playing this weekend.

On the flip side Liverpool have replaced the 6 arguable weak links from that game with Van Dijk, Mane, Keita, Alexander-Arnold, Robertson and Alisson. The squad is formidable, scoring for fun and I think its going to be a long lunch for all the wrong reasons for Tottenham on Saturday.

Prediction: 1 – 3

Bournemouth v Leicester

Two sides that have really started the season playing some great football. More importantly also getting the points on the board, which will be all important come the end of the season.

With Fraser pulling the strings and Callum Wilson finding the net again it looks very bright for Bournemouth. A strong side at home, only losing to two sides outside of the Top 6 clubs last season at Dean Court.

Leicester have also found their stride early and some of their talent is starting to get noticed. Obviously Maguire is a stand out, but with the likes of Chillwell also getting recognized by England, the future looks bright for the Foxes.

Tough one to call but I think a scoring draw will please both sides and not dent any momentum.

Prediction: 1 – 1

Chelsea v Cardiff

Not going to dwell too much on this one. Sarri, from what it looks like has managed to keep the dressing room and hold on to his stars. Has has them organised, Can afford to leave a World Cup winner on the bench and with no Champions League to worry about may give City and Liverpool something to think about. I still wouldn’t be surprised to see a defender arrive in January however.

Long season for Cardiff and this trip wouldn’t be one that they would have earmarked to collect points from at the start of the season. A comfortable afternoon for Chelsea in store.

Prediction: 3 – 0

Huddersfield v Crystal Palace

If Wagner is going to steer his team clear of relegation this year he will need to win games like this one. Picking up points at home is crucial and hopefully the International break will have given him time to settle his new signings into the system and shape he wants to play.

After a promising start, the loss of Zaha is proving to be a bigger problem for Palace than expected. Hodgson did so well to keep him that it feels like the whole team collapse without him now. No doubting he is a good player but others need to stand up. He may be back this week but no Benteke it looks like so the pressure once again is firmly on his shoulders.

This is going to be tough for Palace, snuff Zaha you snuff out Palace it seems. Huddersfield will be ready and with the poor form the Eagles are showing I am going to stick my neck out and go for a home win.

Prediction: 1 – 0

Man City v Fulham

Really looking forward to this one. A game that you sense could have a lot of goals, you fancy City to secure three points but I Fulham have nothing to lose.

City have scored 11 goals in four games and with Fulham shipping in 9 already I would expect Aguero and company to have a field day. There may still be a few casualties from Country participation but the strength in depth is there as we know.

Fulham can boast one of the two players that is ahead of Aguero in the goal scoring charts however in Mitrovic. I really hope they try and get at City and give it a real go. Teams have had more success that way rather than sitting back conceding possession, but its obviously a dangerous game.

City to prevail but Fulham to cause the City defense a few problems.

Prediction: 3 – 1

Newcastle v Arsenal

Three defeats in four games to start the season was not what Rafa Benitez was looking for. A visit from a resurgent Arsenal wouldn’t have been top of the list for the next fixture. Newcastle have shown glimpses of getting some cohesion but going forward i am still not sure that Rafa knows his best combination.

For Emery there is no real problem going towards goal. Only City (36) have had more shots on target than Arsenal so far this season who have had 30. Its at the back that every Arsenal fan is crying out for some kind of purchase. For all the good things Emery is installing you still feel Arsenal are butter at the back.

Arsenal should see this one out and give Rafa more headaches to overcome.

Prediction: 1 – 2

Watford v Man Utd

High flying Watford will be relishing the visit of United this weekend. Notoriously Watford get all their points before Christmas, their tails are up and are looking solid if not spectacular under Javi Gracia. With all that said Watford have only beaten United once since 1986, losing the other 14 games.

As predicted in gameweek 4, Mourinho got his merry men playing. It was a solid win away to Burnley and as long as his International contingent return and are not jaded, I think they will be too street wise for the Hornets.

If the United defense can stop Deeney from bossing them, their Midfield should take over and gradually grind down the Watford resistance.

Prediction: 0 – 2

Wolves v Burnley

One of the oldest rivalries in football resumes this weekend but with very different styles on show.

Wolves under Espirito Santo has brought in a lot of foreign talent and has got them playing some great football. The free flowing attacking style on show in the Championship as continued in the Premier League and has already earned them a draw with the reigning Champions City.

In contrast Dyche adopts his own policies on the team, achieving some great results in the process. A tough, solid side that are normally tough to break down but maybe lack a bit of attacking threat. I hope going out of Europe and the short break has given Burnley time to re group and focus their energies back on the Premier League.

I expect Burnley to put up more of a fight than we have seen in their last couple of games but ultimately i cannot see them having enough possession to worry a good Wolves side at home.

Prediction: 2 – 0

Everton v West Ham

Could this be the game where the Hammers secure their first points of the season?

Everton could field a shadow of the side that had started the season in such promising fashion. Marco Silva has some real problems following Richarlison’s suspension and a mounting list of injured players. Half of the defense will be missing and the attacking options are looking very limited with a further injury picked up by Calvert-Lewin whilst playing for the U21’s.

For Pellegrini there will be no better chance to get off the mark. He would have relished the International break, giving him a chance to work with his new arrivals a bit more and I feel this one is for the taking here.

Prediction: 0 – 2

Southampton v Brighton

What a way to finish off the week with a 6 pointer, south coast derby.

Southampton will be buoyed by their first win of the season, albeit against a poor Palace side on the day. For me though they still need to find a goal source and if it continues like this, securing points in tight games will be difficult.

Brighton only won two games away from home in the Premier League last year. Anything can happen in a derby as we know, so they will fancy their chances of getting one over on their rivals here.

Its been very even in recent years in this fixture. A win a piece and a couple of draws all low scoring affairs, with a lot of puff but not a lot else. I expect this match up to be very similar, either side could sneak it but I will settle for a low scoring draw.

Prediction: 1 -1

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