EPL Matchweek 8: Insights and Predictions
I’ll be honest with you, I’m not that big of a fan of the international break. However, I will admit that this one was quite the roller coaster ride, complete with magic from Lionel Messi, joy for the Irish as well as a horror show in Trinidad that left me craving some club football to soothe my emotions. So yeah I’m kinda happy that the EPL is back, and The Great Zamboni rolls back into the United Kingdom to give you yet another EPL preview:
Liverpool vs. Manchester United
Ahh morning matches… How I really have not missed you:
Liverpool and Manchester United host one of the largest derbies in Europe twice a year yet somehow, I feel that this particular derby is missing something. Liverpool don’t exactly come into this match in any sort of positive form, picking up just seven out of a possible eighteen points through league and European play last month. On the other hand, Manchester United are on a tear, grabbing 16 out of 18 from six September matches. The Red Devils boast the league’s top scorer, Romelu Lukaku and have the joint best defence in the league thus far this season. This is a historic derby and will certainly be hotly contested by both sides, but I expect Manchester United to beat the Mané-less Reds, 3–1.
Burnley vs. West Ham
6th placed Burnley (they’re not bad, ya know) host 15th placed West Ham in what actually might be Slaven Bilić’s last crack to save his job as manager of the Hammers. West Ham are coming off a solid 1–0 win against fellow relegation-dwellers Swansea while their opponents, Burnley, are coming off a bore 0–0 draw to new boys Huddersfield in which… nothing of note happened. Sean Dyche’s men as a whole however have been on song all season and expect them to give their all against a West Ham side who have simply looked scared in defense and attack all season. Robbie Brady and Sam Vokes cancel out an early Chicharito as the Clarets get a solid home win, 2–1.
Manchester City vs. Stoke City
Manchester City are quite a good team and have the results to back it up this season. They boast the league’s top defense and offense this season, the latter of which will surely be fine in Sergio Aguero’s absence, as Jesus and Sterling have a combined nine goals this season, which is two more than Stoke have amassed all season.
Stoke don’t have much to shout about as they sit in 13th place with a -4 goal difference. Simply stated, Manchester City’ll have this one easily through a Jesus brace while de Bruyne adds another as the citizens roll on, 3–0.
Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea
Oh Crystal Palace… what have you done to be so bad? The league’s laughingstock have accrued a whopping zero points from seven games while scoring a monumental zero goals in the process. *Insert applause emoji here* Great stuff, gents, truly scintillating play. They boast zero fit strikers heading into a match against defending champions Chelsea who have a 100% Eden Hazard to call upon in their ranks. Palace are desperate for a win (and a goal) but won’t get either as Hazard and Morata strike twice to give the Blues a 4–0 away win at Selhurst Park.
Tottenham vs. Bournemouth
Tottenham come into this match in fine form. They are joint top of their Champions League group and are currently sitting pretty in third place with newly crowned September Player of the Month Harry Kane to call upon at striker. Spurs are coming off a 4–0 win at Huddersfield and are looking to grab their first league win at Wembley against Eddie Howe’s struggling Bournemouth. The Cherries have scored just four goals this season despite boasting a more than capable strike partnership of ex-spur Jermain Defoe and Josh King. Spurs will be anxious to shake off their league Wembley hodoo and they’ll do so, with a 2–0 win courtesy of Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min.
Swansea City vs. Huddersfield
The Swans aren’t having an enviable start to the season. The Welsh club are sitting in 18th despite the return of once prolific striker Wilfried Bony to the club. They’ve made adjustments in midfield, bringing in Sam Clucas from Hull and Roque Mesa from Las Palmas, yet neither of which have brought in any modicum of form in from their previous clubs. However, things could be looking up for The Swans as they were truly unlucky to have lost 1–0 to West Ham courtesy of a Diafra Sakho 90th minute winner.
Huddersfield were unimpressive, however, as David Wagner’s men were downed 4–0 in fairly dominant fashion by Tottenham Hotspur. Surprisingly enough, The Terriers have conceded just 7 goals this season while their opponents have let just 8 past into their net. This defensive resilience from both teams combined with offensive impotency has 0–0 written all over it, sorry.
Watford vs. Arsenal
Watford have impressed thus far. The Hornets are sitting in eighth as offensive firepower from winger Richarlison have propelled Marco Silva’s men to late results, a point against West Brom last time out as well as three points against Swansea. Silva himself told ESPN FC this about his new signing, “[Richarlison] is in a good moment, but all the team help him as well. He’s a fantastic boy, huge talent, very good player and he’s adapted really fast to this competition.”
However, all has not been tidy at the back for Watford, as they have conceded 12 goals as of now in the league and will have their hands full trying to contain fleet-footed Chilean Alexis Sanchez as well as Alexandre Lacazette in attack for the Gunners. Arsenal are coming off a 2–0 home win vs. Brighton featuring a Lacazette brace and expect the Watford defenders to lose a little sleep prior to Saturday’s matchup. This will be interesting, as Watford have a solid attack and I think they’ll pull it off, 1–0 courtesy of Richarlison.
Brighton vs. Everton
Chris Hughton’s men lost 2–0 last time out against Arsenal and only have five goals so far but all is not lost for the Seagulls. German midfielder Pascal Groß has been involved in four of those five goals and his performances were rewarded with a nomination for September Player of the Month, which is always nice.
As for their opposition, Everton lost 1–0 to Burnley in what is a rather dreadful run of form for the Merseyside Blues. Losses to the aforementioned Burnley, Atalanta, Manchester United and a draw to Limassol don’t help with anything as Hughton’s side could smell blood in the air prior to Everton’s arrival. Everton have conceded 12 and scored just for so far in the league while Brighton have 5 for and 9 against. This isn’t good from Everton and I think Brighton could steal it, 1–0, through Pascal Groß.
Southampton vs. Newcastle
Southampton have underachieved this season compared to seasons prior. I initially had them down as a contender for a European spot but poor performances and a lack of offensive firepower see the Saints sitting not so pretty in 12th. They lost 2–1 to Stoke last time out as Peter Crouch delivered the final blow at the death to hand the Saints their third loss of the season. As for Newcastle, they showed some solid defense as they held a high energy Liverpool side to a 1–1 draw. Something could be brewing up in the north of England as The Toon are sitting in 9th!
Newcastle are riding on a wave of confidence heading into Saturday’s crucial midtable battle while Mauricio Pellegrino’s men will be eager to show the world that they’re better than measly 12th in the table. Striker Manolo Gabbiadini has struggled to find his form from last season but I say he grabs one in a 2–1 away victory for Southampton.
Leicester City vs. West Brom
Our Monday matchup sees 2015/16 EPL Champions Leicester City (lol) go up against Tony Pulis’ hard defending West Brom team at the King Power Stadium, which I have on good record as being the loudest place in Leicester in May of 2016. It’s safe to say they’re not winning 2 in three years as they sit in 17, just off the relegation zone on goal difference. Last time out the Foxes drew 0–0 to an equally unimpressive Bournemouth side and manager Craig Shakespeare will do his best to shake things up in order to get a result in this one. As for West Brom, they were denied three points courtesy of Richarlison in a thrilling 2–2 home draw to Watford and I think they’ll draw a stalemate again here. Leicester’s Jamie Vardy has one fewer goal than this entire West Brom team and I think the two teams will cancel each other out, 1–1. Vardy gets one for Leicester while “new signing” Krychowiak equalizes for the Baggies.
