Each week, The National Deputy Sports Editor Thomas Woods predicts the outcomes of the English Premier League, but this week Senior Sports Editor Graham Caygill fills in, predicting a win for Chelesa and Arsenal snatching top spot. Here are our results for the season.
Aston Villa 0 Arsenal 1
Now, this should be an absolute hammering for the worst team in the league, but what they lack in quality, they make up for in resilience, just ask Man City, who were held to a goalless draw there last month. Arsenal will create chances, but taking them has always been their issue. Olivier Giroud was superb in the Champions League on Wednesday and he should be the difference maker here.
Leicester City 0 Chelsea 1
The first shoots of recovery from Chelsea are showing signs of sprouting, despite the loss to Bournemouth. This is poised perfectly for them to shock, yes, I can’t believe I’m writing that either, leaders Leicester City. Expect Jose Mourinho to park the bus and bank on Leicester losing patience, allowing Willian, Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas to exploit the spaces as the game goes on to win the match. It won’t be pretty, but Mourinho will not care.
Norwich 1 Everton 3
Everton have been arguably the most fun in the Premier League of late, scoring 15 goals in their past five league games, with Romelu Lukaku scoring five of them. Their problem has been turning their impressive displays into wins, having won only two of those past five games, but they should have too much for Norwich, who have only won one of their last 11 games.
Crystal Palace 2 Southampton 1
A tough one to call between two sides who have been inconsistent, but can be formidable when on form. I fancy Palace, purely because they have more options upfront with Yohan Cabaye, Wilfried Zaha, Jason Puncheon and Yannick Bolasie all capable of winning the match on their own.
Manchester City 3 Swansea City 0
Now, new manager syndrome is always something to fear, but Swansea are unlikely to have a new man at the helm, after dismissing Garry Monk, by Saturday. City, though they are worryingly inconsistent, should have too much for the Swans, with Wilfried Bony and Raheem Sterling both impressing in the Uefa Champions League win over Borussia Monchengladbach in midweek.
Sunderland 1 Watford 1
Sam Allardyce’s side were unfortunate at Arsenal last week, the 3-1 scoreline definitely flattered the London side. Sunderland are beginning to look more like an Allardyce side, tough to breakdown and well organised, but they will find it tough against a Watford side, who have only lost one of their past five away games, and have one of the most potent strikeforces in the league in the shape of Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo, so a point apiece will not be a bad result for them.
West Ham United 0 Stoke City 1
Injuries have hurt West Ham’s momentum and they are winless in their past five games. What will hurt Slaven Bilic’s men here is they are at their most effective when they hit teams on the break, but Stoke will be happy to sit deep and force them to come at them, and with Marko Arnautovic in form, after scoring the goals that downed Manchester City last week, he and Stoke will expect more of the same.
Bournemouth 0 Manchester United 2
United will want to immediately bounce back from their Uefa Champions League exit, and Bournemouth are ideal opponents for this. United have struggled for goals all season, but Bournemouth’s leaky backline, which has kept only two clean sheets in the league so far, should give up chances for Anthony Martial and his teammates to take advantage to re-find their form in front of goal.
Liverpool 1 West Bromwich Albion 0
Jurgen Klopp’s side have shown signs of improvement, but they have struggled when it comes to breaking sides down who look to put men behind the ball. Tony Pulis will set up his West Brom side to do this, but over 90 minutes Liverpool should have the quality, especially with Philippe Coutinho on the pitch, to at least score once, which ought to be enough for the points.
Tottenham Hotspur 3 Newcastle United 1
Just as last season, Tottenham after a slow start are beginning to find their form and are playing some great stuff, with Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen at the core of everything. Newcastle did well to beat Liverpool last week, but Tottenham are a better side than Liverpool and it will show here.
