The Premier League is finally back! The international break is behind us and it's time for another round of Premier League fixtures. Andrew Corns is back with his weekly predictions...
Tottenham v. Liverpool
The Premier League returns from the international break with the most important game of the early season kicking things off.
Tottenham will look to erase their disappointing display against Watford while Liverpool battle to keep their place at the top of the table.
This match was originally scheduled to be the first game at Spurs’ new stadium, but due to safety issues they’ll still be at Wembley for the foreseeable future.
I’d have given Tottenham the advantage if this was the new stadium’s opener, but I think Liverpool will consider themselves fortunate to avoid that.
With memories of Harry Kane leaving Dejan Lovren in the dust last year in this fixture, expect Klopp to use Gomez, van Dijk and potentially Fabinho in the holding midfield role on his Liverpool debut to shore things up defensively.
These two teams are so evenly matched and coached so look for a stalemate in this one.
Prediction: 2-2 Draw
Huddersfield v. Crystal Palace
A battle of two sides who’ll operate near the bottom of the table much of the season. Huddersfield continue to look unimpressive in their second season in the Premier League and don’t seem to have the necessary squad to survive again.
Crystal Palace’s season has declined with each passing match after winning the opener and then losing three times in succession to increasingly weaker opposition.
Crystal Palace should have enough to win here, but their display at home against Southampton was uninspired and I see this one ending level.
Prediction: 1-1 Draw
Manchester City v. Fulham
Something tells me that Manchester City is showing signs of vulnerability early and with Champions League action around the corner along with De Bruyne’s injury still looming large, opposition might see their opportunity to grab a few points over the next four to six weeks.
Fulham are a side starting to gel after the influx of new talent and I think they’re equipped to give City a tougher game than expected.
Fulham will get up, maybe even by a couple before City’s talent superiority and overall squad depth allow them to survive and ultimately grab a winner.
Prediction: 3-2 Manchester City
Bournemouth v. Leicester City
Look out for an entertaining match between two of the league’s best sides outside the top six.
Both are capable of scoring with ease, but also have defensive frailties that’ll cause this to be wide open from the start.
It’ll go back and forth a few times, but each time will ultimately have to settle for a point in the end.
Prediction: 2-2 Draw
Newcastle v. Arsenal
Unai Emery is starting to settle into life in London and doing his best to carve out a new identity for the Gunners in the post-Wenger era.
They’ve looked better as the season’s progressed and finally starting Aubameyang and Lacazette together will help the offense really click into gear.
Newcastle are in shambles at every level aside from their steady manager, but even Rafa doesn’t have what’s needed to prevent the whole thing from falling apart.
As is usually the case with a Benitez side, they’ll be tactically strong even if they don’t have the offensive firepower to keep up.
Arsenal will work hard but should create enough chances to win.
Prediction: 2-1 Arsenal
Chelsea v. Cardiff City
Chelsea are in a good place currently with a maximum twelve points and coming together under Sarri faster than most thought.
They’re also in a fortunate position of flying under the radar with all eyes focused on Manchester City and Liverpool.
This will work to their benefit as they cruise past Neil Warnock’s Cardiff side. Cardiff are woefully underprepared for the rigors of the Premier League and Warnock gets dangerously closer to becoming the first manager sacked this season.
Prediction: 3-0 Chelsea
Watford v. Manchester United
Without question, this was the hardest game to predict this week. Watford come in perfect through four matches and already have people romanticizing about them replicating what the likes of Leicester and Burnley have done recently.
United have a constant cloud of negativity whirling around them and the power struggles between Woodward/Mourinho and Mourinho/Pogba rage on.
One thing this energy could do is work to galvanize the side if properly motivated and this could be the ideal opponent to show their unity.
I expect Pogba & Lukaku to come out large, ending Watford’s unbeaten run and easing some of the weight firmly resting on Jose’s shoulders.
Prediction: 2-1 Manchester United
Wolves v. Burnley
Wouldn’t it be something (and incredibly cruel) if Burnley were to get relegated after having such a successful previous season due to the additional demands of European football?
It’s far too early to predict that’ll happen, but they could end up in a mad scramble for safety if they don’t reinforce appropriately in the January window.
Wolves haven’t looked out of place yet after being promoted to the Premier League with their midfield looking especially strong, balanced and creative.
Wolves’ quality in the final third is going to give Burnley fits and with their defence looking less imposing than previous years, Burnley will have trouble keeping the game within reach.
Prediction: 2-0 Wolves
Everton v. West Ham
Everton are right where most thought they’d be, hovering just outside the top six while West Ham have gotten off to an atrocious start and are still the only side without a point.
You must believe Pellegrini can extract something from a squad as talented as the Hammers have, but the schedule over the next month is only going to get more challenging.
They’ll need to get maximum points here to avoid falling well behind the pack while Everton look to continue putting pressure on the sides above them.
Richarlison may still be banned due to suspension, but Everton have enough weapons up front to pluck a goal and get the victory.
Prediction: 1-0 Everton
Southampton v. Brighton
This should be an enjoyable game between two sides that’ve had up and down performances so far this year.
Brighton have lost to two sides at the top of the table, beaten Manchester United and only managed to grab a lone point up against Fulham.
Southampton managed to take down Palace at Selhurst Park (not easy) but have also lost at home to Leicester and couldn’t muster a goal in the opener against Burnley.
The addition of Danny Ings has brought new life into Southampton’s attack, but something tells me Brighton will up their game and provide a performance like their win over United.
Prediction: 2-0 Brighton
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