Premier League Preview

I cannot seem to get past 6/10 at the moment. Haven’t been that let down by Manchester since I was a kid, visiting a friend there at University. Only joking, great city and a cracking night out, but certainly didn’t deliver last week. Close on a few correct scores as well and could have easily got a few more in the bank. It looks a little more predictable ahead of the International break and pretty confident of beating my current average. SPORTSvox takes a look at the fixtures this week in our Premier League preview.

Leicester v Liverpool

Unlucky at Utd, beat a good Wolves side and secured victory at Southampton. A good start by all accounts for Leicester, but this will be their biggest test thus far by a long way. They will be without Vardy again following his suspension. I am not sure they will be able to break the Reds defense who are yet to concede a goal this season.

Klopp’s side has done everything expected of them so far and although its a tricky place to go I expect them to come away with all three points. Liverpool have had 56 shots a goal in three games, scoring 7 goals without reply. They mean business and Should be able to tame the foxes.

Prediction: 0 – 2

Brighton v Fulham

As mentioned in week 2 Brighton will have to find a lot of their points at home this season. Although they lost to Liverpool last week they should still be in good spirits and will fancy themselves against a Fulham side slowly coming together.

Fulham my banker last week duly obliged and I really think they will certainly be mid table come May, next year. They have a nice mix of youth and experience and in Mitrovic have a player that can get you 20 goals this season.

This is a tough one to call but I am going for a narrow Fulham victory as Jokanovic will see this as a three point opportunity.

Prediction: 1 – 2

Chelsea v Bournemouth

Sarri will be pleased with his teams start so far without getting carried away. The stats were a bit deceptive against Newcastle last week. Yes there was only one team on the pitch, but a dubious penalty and a late goal aside they didn’t create as much as he would have hoped. I do think he has options in the side however to change things up and I expect another home win here.

Bournemouth who have won twice at Chelsea in the premier league, have had a good start to the season themselves. They will certainly not be indimidated and Eddie Howe may see this as a game to nothing. If so I expect them to give it a real go which should lend to an entertaining affair.

Plenty of goals and some good football on show, Chelsea to shade overall.

Prediction: 3 – 1

Palace v Southampton

Although Palace have lost their last two, the opposition are sitting unbeaten at the top of the table. Watford managed to subdue Zaha and Hodgson will be keen to find other match winners in his side. The likes of Townsend, Benteke and new boy Meyer need to step up if they are to get back to winning ways.

Three games, two goals and only one point tells its own story of why I think Southampton will struggle this season. I just cannot see them scoring enough goals to stay up. They are poor away from St Mary’s and they will do well to keep Palace out with the backdrop of their vociferous home support.

Not going to be a classic but I think palace will have enough to grab all three points.

Prediction: 2 – 0

Everton v Huddersfield

Richarlison just cannot keep himself out of the headlines. Unfortunately for Everton it was for the wrong reasons last week. Without him and the injured Keane, who will hopefully recover fully, Everton will be less of a threat. What they do have this season though is a bit of strength in depth and I expect the likes of Walcott and Sigurdsson to step up and see Everton through to victory.

Huddersfield are poor and I really fear for them this season. Wagner has got a really difficult job on his hands this season, the only consolation is that there are some other sides in the same boat. Having a leaky defense (conceded 9 so far) and having only managed one goal, there is a lot to work on.

Everton to continue their good start despite missing some key players

Prediction: 2 – 0

West Ham v Wolves

Played three, lost three, with a minus 7 goal difference. Not quite panic button time but Pellegrini will be feeling the pressure already. A big spending summer and lots of change in the East end of London. It’s time to rouse the massive home support and give them something to shout about. The big players however, will need to be on their game against a good footballing side like Wolves.

Although Wolves have not won yet their tails will be up after securing a point against the current champions, City. Although like most teams they conceded a lot of possession, they were good value for their point and will go into this game with plenty of optimism. Moutinho seems to have settled in quickly to the Premier League and in the likes of Neves they have some match winners.

Tough one to call but I think Wolves look more cohesive at the moment and will heap more pressure on Pellegrini by taking all three points here.

Prediction: 1 – 2

Man City v Newcastle

Guardiola will see it as two points lost last week and will settle for nothing other than a win here against a poor Newcastle side. I am still not quite sure Pep knows his best side as yet, especially without De Bruyne but will still have more than enough in this one.

Benitez is not favourite as yet to be sacked first but another couple of poor results and he may well walk himself. When your hopes lie with the likes of Kenedy and some Championship quality strikers it doesn’t look promising. They only had 19% possession at home to Chelsea with Jorginho completing more passes than the whole of the Newcastle team put together. Now possession isn’t everything but expect things to be exactly the same this week against City.

How many, is the cry I hear you say?

Prediction: 4 – 0

Cardiff v Arsenal

They have only conceded two goals, have secured two points but are yet to celebrate a goal. For Neil Warnock the issues are clear, where is the goal going to come from? I highlighted this issue previously and I cannot see their fortunes changing here. Can they keep Arsenal out?

For Emery it was a must win against West Ham, but there is still a lot of work to do at the Emirates. It will be a good season for Arsenal if they get a Champions League spot. To do that they need to win games like this.

Cardiff to put up a bold show but Arsenal to come out on top

Prediction: 0 – 2

Burnley v Man Utd

The Europa league may come to an unsatisfactory end for Burnley this week. That will be a real shame for a Burnley side that have fought so hard to get as far as they have. Unfortunately as we have seen time and time again, battling on two fronts normally affects your League form and it is very unlike Burnley to have conceded 7 goals already in just three games.

United are not bottom half material and Mourinho is not a bad manager, so beware as I feel a backlash coming in this week. Regardless of whats going on behind the scenes, the players have a responsibility to have some self respect and step up. Yes they lost 0 -3 to Spurs but United had 23 shots at goal. As poor as Lukaku has been United surely will not squander that number of chances again.

Mourinho to find a stirring response from his side and win comfortably.

Prediction: 0 – 2

Find out what Harry said about Mourinho and United here –

Watford v Tottenham

Tough one to finish with, two unbeaten sides who will not sit back. Notoriously Watford have gained most of their points before Christmas in previous campaigns. I have them comfortably staying up this season but they will want to push on as much as they can. My only concern is that sometimes you do not know what side will turn up at Vicarage Road.

Pochettino has been going about his business with quiet assurance. A stand out performance last week against United obviously but Tottenham have to keep the consistency and this will be a good test. They have match winners all over the park, some really steely leaders and most important a consistent squad. Just how far they will go remains to be seen. I expect the movement of Tottenham to cause Watford problems that they haven’t encountered so far and I think they will sneak a victory.

Competitive match up but I have the Spurs coming out on top.

Prediction: 0 – 2

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