It's the return of the Premier League! We're back with a bang. HUGE weekend at both ends of the table and here to talk you through it and offer his predictions, Andrew Corns, joined by his friend Dan Suchanek.
TWITTERS: Andrew - @AndrewCorns and Dan - @Such2112
Leicester City v. Crystal Palace
Andrew
The two sides sit 12th and 13th in the table, but there’s a five-point gap between them which could be increased further if Leicester walk away with a victory.
I expect both teams will feel they can have a go at the other which will cause the game to open and lead to a feast of goals.
Leicester have a slight edge in the final third and with the home advantage, they’ll do just enough to eek out the win in a wild one.
Prediction: 3-2 Leicester
Image via Crystal Palace FC
Dan
Even though Leicester haven’t been impressive as of late, they have shown a few of the top teams that they can still run with them.
But at the same time, they have let some of the lesser teams show them what’s what.
So, are Crystal Palace a team that will show them what’s what or do they press hard and look for Jamie Vardy and Demarai Gray to be the difference makers in this one?
Crystal Palace is sitting 13th in league, but with a loss they could almost be sitting in the relegation zone, which if they hit at this time of the year, could be very devastating on their egos.
They have an even tougher opponent mid-week in Man U, so if they want to get points, this is the time to do it.
Prediction: Leicester 2-1
West Ham United v. Fulham
Andrew
The result of this London derby could seal Fulham’s fate in getting relegated.
They sit eight points from safety going into the weekend and any more points dropped at this stage would be catastrophic.
They’ll have their work cut out for them against a talented West Ham team.
The Hammers are building their attack around Brazilian sensation, Felipe Anderson, and are reaping the rewards from it.
His influence in the midfield will be too much for Fulham as they get down early.
Fulham will fight with mad desperation but succumb to a superior team and begin accepting their return to the Championship.
Prediction: 2-1 West Ham
Image via 90Min
Dan
Fulham are looking lost in the Premier League.
It’s one thing to try and work three or four guys into your starting 11, it’s another to replace almost everyone and vastly change your dynamic.
A dynamic that got you to the Premier League in the first place. I fault upper management for this season, and I fear that this trend will continue, and they might not have a chance back to the top league for another five-10 years.
West Ham is one team I just can’t figure out. They win when I think they have no chance and they lose again teams I thought they should have beaten.
The Hammers are rumoured to have Jack Wilshere, Samir Nasri, Manuel Lanzini and Fabian Balbuena all back and available for selection in time for Fulham.
Prediction: West Ham 3-0
Arsenal v. Southampton
Andrew
Arsenal were disappointing in their Europa League trip to Belarus against BATE, losing 1-0, and needing maximum points to return to the top four.
They host Southampton who sit one point from safety and know a positive result here could galvanise their players as they gear up for the grueling relegation battle that will unfold.
Southampton aren’t known for their defensive responsibility and end up leaving much to be desired in attack, so the ingredients are there for a dominant Gunners performance.
Unai Emery gets his team back on track with a flying performance to remind people that this Arsenal side are better equipped to compete for Champions League position than they were last season under Arsene Wenger.
Prediction: 3-1 Arsenal
Image via @PremierLeague
Dan
Arsenal, are you another team that people love to hate? Arsenal sits tied for fifth in table, just a single point out off Manchester United in fourth.
The Gunners will be coming off a short rest to prepare for this game as they have a Europa League game just two days prior.
Not to mention that they will have a mid-week match up against Bournemouth.
I think Emery will use this game to give a few of the regulars a breather, which I think is the right decision, but he better have them available on the bench as Southampton will continue to press all game and make Arsenal work for the three points.
Prediction: Southampton 2-1
Manchester United v. Liverpool
Andrew
All eyes will be focused on England’s most famous rivalry this Sunday as league leaders, Liverpool, travel to Manchester and prepare for one of their sternest tests of the season.
Manchester United enter the match in a rich vein of league form but will face some adversity after last week’s Champions League home defeat at the hands of PSG.
I expect an explosive atmosphere and frenetic pace on the pitch as soon as the first whistle blows.
You’d favour Jurgen Klopp to have the tactical advantage over Ole Gunnar, but Liverpool’s fatigue having played a gruelling game against Bayern Munich on Tuesday will likely play a role.
Liverpool will get out in front on a goal near half-time but fade as the game wears on and concede late to walk away with a result that’ll feel like a loss more than the draw they earn.
Prediction: 1-1 Draw
Image via Getty Images
Dan
After sacking Jose Mourinho, United have gone on to a 10-1-1 record in all their matches. 8-1-0 in the league. Which puts them as the best team during this time.
Liverpool are coming off a few very lacklustre games. Their previous two matches before their Bournemouth game were horrible against West Ham and Leicester, both being a draw at 1-1.
Luckily, they were able to turn it around against Bournemouth. Man United have the home field advantage and will come in as the better team, but Klopp will be prepared for them. I’m seeing someone off the bench as the factor in this one.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1
Cardiff City v. Watford
Andrew
Cardiff looked destined for certain relegation as 2018 closed but have seen hard work and determination pay off over the last month and now have belief that they can pick up the necessary points remaining to survive another year.
Their work will be cut out for them though as they welcome one of the strongest clubs in England outside the money-rich top six.
Watford have been expertly run over the last 12 months, making intelligent signings, promoting the right mix of youth and installing a manager that has made the loss of Marco Silva to Everton more than manageable.
Cardiff will put up a hell of a fight, backed by a raucous home crowd however these two teams are on different levels and that gulf in talent sees Watford break the deadlock and earn all three points.
Prediction: 2-1 Watford
Image via WalesOnline
Dan
These aren’t the two of the top teams battling it out for the title, and Cardiff are fighting with Newcastle and Southampton to just stay in the league, but they are doing it with style, class and smiles on their faces.
Watford are sitting in eighth spot, two points off of seventh-place, but 13 points off of sixth, so they are sitting pretty to finish in the top 10, but they are still missing Roberto Pereyra who is still sidelined.
I don't think this will be a high scoring match, but should be an entertaining one nonetheless.
Prediction: Watford 2-1
Bournemouth v. Wolverhampton
Andrew
This match has all the potential to steal headlines from the more anticipated United v. Liverpool match and be the most enjoyable game this weekend.
Wolverhampton continue exceeding all expectations media and fans alike put on them entering the season and have set the bar that all other promoted teams will be held to.
They travel to Bournemouth, a past upstart club who positioned themselves equally as overachievers until firmly growing into one the league’s most consistent mid-table sides.
Both managers believe in playing their style regardless of opponent and will each look to impose their will on the other.
The game will be played at the highest level for the entirety of the 90 minutes and with little to separate them, I’m going with a thrilling draw here.
Prediction: 2-2 Draw
Image via Wolves FC
Dan
Bournemouth are coming into this weekend after losing to Liverpool and Cardiff City.
The full week of rest should have helped them prepare for this week’s guest Wolves. The addition of Nathaniel Clyne on the backline seemed to spark them for a few games, but they really need Dominic Solanke to find his form and put some in the net.
Wolves are coming into this game higher in the standings and clearly a better team right now unbeaten in their last four league outings.
The question here is if Matt Doherty is healthy enough to play given he limped off at the 81st minute of their FA Cup game. I think he’ll be ready to play with the rest of his pack. I like them to keep their spot in the standings.
Prediction: Wolves 3-1
Burnley v. Tottenham
Andrew
Burnley have done admirably to get themselves in position to try and comfortably survive another season in the Premier League after what looked like they were assured of going down following their early struggles getting points.
They returned the sense of intimidation Turf Moor presents and will look to have the house rocking as they welcome Tottenham.
Spurs fans are still in a high after their convincing win at Wembley over Dortmund last week in the first leg of the Champions League knockout tie and will expect nothing less than three points here.
Everything on paper points to a Tottenham victory, but this is a club that’s had a recent history of slipping up when things look to be going so well.
They find tough work creating chances against a resolute defence and struggle to get anything from the game.
Prediction: 1-1 Draw
Image via Evening Standard
Dan
Burnley came up big last week with a win against Brighton when they needed the points.
They would probably look to continue their form against their next opponent but it’s Tottenham… yeah, sorry Burnley, Son has Spurs looking good and even though they might now be a title contender this year, they have shown they deserve the spot they already have.
Son came back from his country break and has everyone singing his praises.
Spurs are just too much to handle for Burnley.
Prediction: Tottenham 3-1
Newcastle United v. Huddersfield Town
Andrew
It’s challenging coming up with much to say about any game Huddersfield are involved in at this point in the season.
They’re a full six points behind Fulham and 19th place and an insurmountable 14 points from getting out of the relegation zone.
At this point, the best they can do is play spoiler on occasion and even that seems too much for a club that’s lost their entire identity following the departure of David Wagner.
Newcastle will be licking their chops and expect three points to be served up on a silver platter at St. James' Park.
While the expectation to win could work against them, I don’t think it will happen thanks to manager, Rafa Benitez, finding the right motivation for his players.
Newcastle control the game and pick up the victory.
Prediction: 1-0 Newcastle
Image via Sky Sports
Dan
In a weekend of big games, Huddersfield will take their 11 points into St. James' Park and are looking forward to stunning the home crowd.
Maybe if they put on their bright yellows, the Terriers might be able to distract Newcastle long enough to put some shots into the net.
Newcastle need points to stay out of the relegation zone and Rafa Benitez sees the upcoming schedule is a little softer than normal, so I’m seeing him field his strongest 11 and put constant pressure on Huddersfield.
Prediction: Newcastle 3-1