Premier League Matchweek 4 - Match Predictions
My predictions for all 10 fixtures in the Premier League - win/draw/win only
As it’s the first weekend back after the international break, I thought I would try something different this weekend.
It’s also a round of fixtures prior to midweek Champions League matches, so the big four teams in the Premier League may choose to rotate squads.
With this in mind, I thought I would give my thoughts and bring you my match predictions for all 10 Premier League matches.
The threatened ban on the Premier League players has been lifted, so the likes of Ederson, Jesus, Alisson Fabinho and Thiago Silva have all been cleared to play.
And most importantly, we won’t have to listed to Jurgen Klopp bleating on about it if Liverpool fail to win on Sunday!
Saturday 11th September EPL Fixtures
In total there is 8 matches taking place, starting with current league leaders Spurs, visiting Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace in the opening match.
Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur - 12.30pm
Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace team have started the season in disappointing fashion. So far this season they have just 2 points from their three matches.
The Eagles were easily dismantled on the opening weekend by Chelsea, and have since drawn 0-0 with Brentford, and did produce an impressive 2-2 draw away to West Ham last time out.
For me, Spurs should be too strong for Palace. They’ve won three from three, Harry Kane is staying, he’s just scored three in three for England, and all of a sudden things look rosy for Spurs again.
I also think that Harry Kane is due a goal today!
Tottenham Win
Arsenal v Norwich - 3pm
Well, what can I say about this match. Both sides have lost three from three. Between them they’ve scored one (Norwich), and conceded 19.
At least on the flip side, someone - if not both - will pick up their first points of the season today.
I expect Arsenal to finally score today, and if they can’t win this one, I expect a change might be on the cards at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal Win
Brentford v Brighton & Hove Albion - 3pm
Both these teams have had impressive starts to the season. Brentford (nicknamed the Bees, for those not familiar with the team) have 5 points from three matches.
While the impressive Graham Potter’s Brighton team have 6 points from three matches.
I’m sure both managers would have taken those respective starts at the beginning of the season!
This is an extremely tricky match to call. The Bees are at home, and that is an advantage. But Brighton are the more polished side, and have the Premier League experience now.
I’m torn between the draw and Brighton (would be a good double chance betting call), but on this occasion, with a prediction required, I’m going for a win for the visitors.
Brighton Win
Leicester v Man City - 3pm
The clash of the day, on paper at least, anyway. As alluded too above, with Champions League action coming next week, don’t be surprised to see Pep rotate his squad.
Pep has been boosted by the news that Ederson and Jesus are available, so that gives him more options if he does rotate.
Leicester haven’t really fired yet this season, but still have 6 points from three games. They made hard work of the two wins, a 1-0 home win over Wolves, and 2-1 win over Norwich.
Sandwiched in between those two wins is a 4-1 defeat to West Ham, in which the Foxes had a man sent off. So their form is tricky to gauge.
Either way, I expect Manchester to be the stronger of the City’s on the day, and take some revenge for the Community Shield defeat to Leicester.
Manchester City Win
Man Utd v Newcastle Utd - 3pm
Not much to say about this one really. I expect the already under pressure Steve Bruce to be under a lot more pressure at 5pm today.
Newcastle are winless this season with just 1 point. I don’t see that changing.
Manchester United are welcoming back Ronaldo today, and Newcastle have no Callum Wilson, as he is out injured. Can only see one outcome.
Manchester United Win
Southampton v West Ham - 3pm
A more tricky match to call. Saints have had all doom and gloom so far this season. They’ve lost Danny Ings, and it’s fair to say that will hurt as the season progresses.
They’ve picked up 2 points from three matches, including an impressive 1-1 draw at home to Man Utd, and a decent 2-2 away at Newcastle.
They started the season with a disappointing 3-1 defeat away at Everton.
West Ham sit second in the table, and have been scoring for fun - 10 goals in three matches.
In that run has been a 4-2 win away to Newcastle, a 4-1 home win over Leicester, and a disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Crystal Palace.
Hard call this, but if Saints can hold Man Utd, then why not West Ham? I’m sitting on the fence.
Draw
Watford v Wolves - 3pm
More splinters here? Not so sure. My first thoughts were draw, but I’m now edging towards the visitors.
Wolves arguably had the better of their 1-0 loss to Manchester United last time out, and they have had a tough start to the season. So far they have lost to Leicester, Tottenham and Man Utd.
Watford started the season with a 3-2 win over a half asleep Aston Villa. Since then they have lost 2-0 to Brighton, and 1-0 to Spurs. Not disastrous results.
I do expect Wolves to finally come out on top in this match though.
Wolves Win
Chelsea v Aston Villa - 5.30pm
Thomas Tuchel’s Blues have looked impressive this season. Their 1-1 draw away at Liverpool with 10 men for the whole of the second half had the look of a performance that champions produce.
With the arrival of Romelu Lukaku adding to an already strong squad, rotation shouldn’t prove too much of an issue, although we may be treated to the sight of Timo Werner missing a few extra open goals today.
Villa are a side trying to find their way again. They have made signings to try and make up for the loss of Jack Grealish, but they are still settling in to the side.
They have the added problem of losing Emiliano Buendia and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, as the pair have to quarantine after visiting a red list country with Argentina during the international break.
Can only see a comfortable home win here.
Chelsea Win
Sunday 12th September EPL Fixtures
Only the one match on Sunday, and it’s Leeds United hosting Liverpool.
Leeds v Liverpool - 4.30pm
Praise the Lord that Klopp has got Alisson and Fabinho, imagine the moaning if he hadn’t. And guess what, he’ll probably still moan!
For Leeds’ part, they’ve also got Raphinha available to play, so both sides are strengthened for this match.
Leeds are winless so far this season. They have 2 points from draws with Everton (2-2) and Burnley (1-1). They got thrashed 5-1 on the opening day of the weekend at Old Trafford.
Liverpool have had a comfortable start to the season. They beat Norwich 3-0 on the opening weekend, followed that up with a 2-0 home win over Burnley, before not being able to break down 10 men Chelsea at Anfield just prior to the international break.
I think Liverpool will be too strong for Leeds in this one. I have a feeling that Bielsa’s ego might want to go toe-to-toe with Klopp, and in that event, I only see one winner.
Liverpool Win
Monday 13th September EPL Fixtures
One for the purists on Monday, as Rafa Benitez and Sean Dyche entertain the nation.
Everton v Burnley - 8pm
One thing I will say about Everton under Benitez is that I don’t expect to see the Toffees bullied by anybody now - not even Burnley.
I expect this to be a toughly fought encounter, you would get nothing else from teams managed by these two managers.
In the past, Everton would be the sort of side Burnley would fancy their chances against. I don’t see that being the case under Rafa.
Everton have had a decent start to the season, winning two and drawing one. Burnley sits on 1 point from three matches.
Best Burnely will do here is a draw, but I can’t even see that. I expect Everton’s impressive start under Rafa to continue.
But for any Burnley fans still reading, I think you will be fine under Dyche this season. I just don’t expect the revival to start on Monday. Although if any side can upset the odds, it’s Burnley.
Everton Win
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