Weekly Picks: PL Predictions GW 4
The first highlight of the season – and for some the biggest – falls into our lap this week. Transfer Deadline day! It’s almost become the new Cup Final day, but with ALL teams involved. Of course, some clubs would prefer not to be – Everton for one. West Brom for another. But it seems that John Stones and Saido Berahino could be playing their final games this weekend.
There is an annoying international break next weekend, so no more PL action until September 12th. Giving us a chance to assess how the season is shaping up. Over double the amount of Away Wins than at Home so far (13 to just six) tells its own curious story. And two more on the cards this weekend, I reckon…
My weekly predictions have a PL.com slant and include a stab at the man most likely to rack up the best points total. Or ‘do a Mahrez’ as it is fast coming to be known…
To business…
Another lunchtime engagement for Newcastle kicks off the weekend program. This time their lunch guests are Arsenal…
Saturday fixtures:
12.45 Newcastle United v Arsenal
Both drew 0-0 last time out. Newcastle’s point (and clean sheet) at Man United will be considered as a huge step forward. Arsenal’s probably a step sideways – like much of their play so far this season. But defeat for either will feel like a step backwards. PL history favours the visitors – Newcastle have won just three of their 28 meetings. And recent history concurs. Arsenal have taken 19 of the last 21 available points on the road.
Score Prediction: Arsenal a little cleverer around the box than Man United methinks. 0-1
MVP Prediction: Olivier Giroud has scored eight in his last six v Newcastle. Including five headers.
15.00 Aston Villa v Sunderland
If you could bet on both teams to lose, you would. Both laboured past lower division opposition midweek, conceding three apiece. Villa’s PL performances haven’t been too bad, but they look woefully short of goals – despite the five midweek. Sunderland are similarly lacking upfront (despite six midweek) but will need to match their level of performance v Swansea last time out to get anything here.
Score Prediction: It screams draw but I fancy Villa to edge it. 2-1
MVP Prediction: If Rudy Gestede hasn’t got a match-winning performance in him here, he hasn’t got one.
15.00 Bournemouth v Leicester City
Pre-season this might’ve looked like a six-pointer. But right now Leicester look well capable of putting some manners on the PL new boys. Bournemouth – and Callum Wilson – will be feeling much better about things after this week’s pair of four goal displays. But Leicester’s flying wingers Mahrez and Albrighton (58 PL.com points betwix them) will stretch their defence and belief once again.
Score Prediction: Can see nothing but goals. 2-2
MVP Prediction: If it ain’t broke… Riyad Mahrez
15.00 Chelsea v Crystal Palace
Chelsea looked ‘back’ in patches securing their first win at West Brom. But this week there is likely to be some transfer business before a return to business as usual. Defensively they look fragile and seven conceded in three matches tells me that Palace can score. Can they keep a clean sheet? Probably not, but this will be more competitive than Chelsea could do with right now. Palace still look a centre forward short of making a real impact here – and on the PL.
Score Prediction: 2-1. But expect more drama at the heart of Chelsea’s defence.
MVP Prediction: Pedro has already been Chelsea’s best player this season.
15.00 Liverpool v West Ham
From the all-out attacking goal machine of a couple of seasons ago, Liverpool are hardly recognisable. Three clean sheets from three is not to be sniffed at though – and this has the look of four. West Ham look like a team of strangers at the moment. Talented ones, but you suspect their season will be the opposite of last – and they will get better the longer it goes. Miserable record at Anfield though – 31 defeats and no wins in 42. Ouch.
Score Prediction: I’m tempted to go for another 1-0.
MVP Prediction: Joseph Gomez has been the pleasant surprise of Liverpool’s season. With a chunky 16.7% of PL.com managers grinning from ear to ear.
15.00 Man City v Watford
This would be the old City’s first chance to drop silly points at home. But on the evidence so far, the new City have the eye of the tiger – so you have to think ‘to Nil’. Again. Watford haven’t conceded in 180 PL minutes but the next 90 will be as testing as it gets. Be interesting to see if Watford approach it gung-ho, or as a containment mission. Either way…to Nil
Score Prediction: But only one I fancy, 1-0
MVP Prediction: Sergio Aguero looked a little flat v Everton, I thought. A blip surely.
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15.00 Stoke v West Brom
Plenty of draws for these two already this season. Three in a row for Stoke, barring the penalty shootout midweek. They’ve started slow but look to have added significant craft to their famous graft. Mame Biram Diouf has shown plenty of both so far and could be the difference here. West Brom aren’t far away performance wise but with just a point on the board, they need at least another one (and the Saido Berahino issue dealt with) asap.
Score Prediction: Stoke look too strong. 2-0
MVP Prediction: My man Mame Biram Diouf didn’t let me down last week.
17.30 Tottenham v Everton
A big week for these two – with new faces probably coming (Tottenham) and going (Everton). Neither Tottenham, nor last season’s saviour Harry Kane have really got out of the blocks yet. But they enjoy a visit from Everton, winning four of the last six. John Stones has dominated Everton headlines all summer, but they need messrs Barkley and Lukaku to step up here.
Score Prediction: Neither good enough to win this. 1-1
MVP Prediction: Ross Barkley to show who is the real jewel in Everton’s crown.
Sunday Fixtures
13.30 Southampton v Norwich City
Norwich’s prowess on the road is well documented – oh, go on then… Unbeaten in 13 since January. And will relish the chance to extend it against a Southampton side making a bit of a Danish pastry of the season so far. With Sadio Mane’s mind possibly on other things this week – or at least, other places – the Saints need Graziano Pelle to show his form last the same period last season.
Score Prediction: Southampton look there for the taking. 1-2
MVP Prediction: Nathan Redmond has scored five and assisted five in his last eight matches.
16.00 Swansea v Man United
Swansea won both meetings last season 2-1 – and three of the last four by the same margin. So this might be a match to measure United’s progress. At the moment they look like they could use a player like Chelsea’s Pedro. But Rooney’s midweek revival will be welcome. They haven’t conceded yet, so the managers that opted for United defenders look the smart ones right now. Bafetimbi Gomis will give them a stern examination this weekend though. A draw will not be a bad result for either here.
Score Prediction: If this is level after an hour, both managers will take it. 1-1
MVP Prediction: Bafetimbi Gomis could be the first Swan to score in their first four PL matches. Sergio Romero could be the first PL keeper to keep four clean sheets in his.
That’s yer lot. I hope that this week’s Transfer Deadline day is kinder to you than it will be to Roberto Martinez.
Until next time.
Matt Nesbitt’s unspectacular but joyful playing career has given way to a much more successful but miserable one writing about football and providing betting advice. Email: Matt Nesbitt
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