With Chelsea playing in the European Super Cup on Friday night there will only be nine Premier League fixtures this week, after Chelsea and Aston Villa, who were due to play each other this week have already completed that fixture. So after a disastrous attempt at predicting the forever unpredictable Premier League last week, I will attempt to improve this week,
Week 3:
Manchester City 3-0 Hull City
After their shock defeat away to Cardiff City last Sunday, Manchester City will want to return to winning ways and they should. Up against another newly promoted side in Hull, City should be far too strong, particularly at home. As for Hull, they did well to earn their first three points of the season at home to Norwich last weekend, but I can only see one winner in this one. Home win.
Cardiff 1-1 Everton
Everton have been pretty unimpressive so far with draws away to Norwich and at home to West Brom. I think they are still adjusting to life under Roberto Martinez and his new, more fluid style of play and this may take time. As for Cardiff, this, their second home game, comes on the back of beating Manchester City from a goal down and their home form could be crucial to their success this season. I can quite easily see them earning a point in this one. Draw.
Newcastle 1-0 Fulham
Newcastle have been poor at the start of this season, and with limited transfer dealings and a scrappy Capital One Cup win at League Two Morecambe, it doesn’t bode well for this one either. However I just feel they may edge this one. I’m not predicting the game to be pretty but Newcastle may just edge it. Fulham were run close by Burton Albion midweek and the long trip up north may be a factor in my thinking. Home win.
Norwich City 2-2 Southampton
Both teams look like they can score goals this season, Norwich have strengthened greatly in their attacking department, whilst Southampton look to be a more rounded side this season. I still have doubts over both sides abilities to keep the ball out of the net at the other end however. As a result I think this could be a fairly open game with a few goals. Draw.
West Ham 2-0 Stoke City
West Ham already have four points out of a possible six this season, whilst Stoke struggled past Crystal Palace last weekend. I think West Ham will be a strong side at home this season and Stoke are notoriously poor travellers. I think Stoke are still adapting to life under Mark Hughes and they may well improve but not in time for this one. Home win.
Crystal Palace 1-1 Sunderland
I still worry about where Palace will get their goals from. Maroune Chamakh grabbed their goal last weekend, but I worry about his ability to score on a consistent basis. Sunderland were run close by League One MK Dons in midweek and are slowly showing signs of improvement under Paolo Di Canio. Palace’s home support was impressive against Spurs and they’ll need that again, and throughout the season to help them along. Draw.
Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United
Yes Liverpool have a 100% record this season, and yes they look a much stronger side than last season, but I still have to go with Man Utd in this one. The main reasoning is that whilst Liverpool have been winning theyve been struggling to really put teams away, with two 1-0 wins in the league and struggling past League One Notts County in the cup. As for United, this is a second big game in as many league games but I reckon they’ll come out on top in this one. Maybe David Moyes will finally get a win at Anfield. Away win.
West Brom 1-1 Swansea
Neither of these sides has started this season too well, with West Brom struggling to score and Swansea struggling to defend. Normally I’d go for Swansea in this one, but they have a midweek trip to Romania to get out of their legs and so I reckon this will be a fairly tight affair between two sides who are still trying to kickstart their league campaigns. Draw.
Arsenal 1-2 Tottenham
What a game this will be. With Arsene Wenger criticising Tottenham’s transfer policy, Arsenal not flashing the cash, Spurs flashing the cash, it being a North London derby and the debate about which side is in the strongest position to challenge for a top four spot this season. For my money I think Spurs look the stronger side. They have bought well (Arsenal haven’t) and I have a sneaky suspicion they may just win this Sunday. Either way it should be a cracking affair. Away win.
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