Gameweek 6 Predictions
Southampton 3-2 Bournemouth
Leicester 2-1 Tottenham
Burnley 2-1 Norwich
Everton 3-1 Sheffield United
Manchester City 4-1 Watford
Newcastle 2-0 Brighton
Crystal Palace 2-1 Wolves
West Ham 1-1 Manchester United
Arsenal 3-1 Aston Villa
Chelsea 1-3 Liverpool
Summary
Whilst last week, “Game of the Week” options were limited, this week we have loads of great options. Leicester vs Spurs and West Ham vs Manchester United- two games that could spring significant upsets- certainly could’ve been that game on a less packed Matchday. However, the clear front-runner has to be Chelsea vs Liverpool, despite the fact that Chelsea are clearly going through a transitional season. Liverpool will need a win to stay 5 points clear of Manchester City, as City are certain to breeze past Watford, a team they destroyed 6-0 in last season’s FA Cup Final.
Arsenal and Everton pick up home wins against Aston Villa and Sheffield United, respectively. These wins should get their supporters off their back for a least a week, as both have made under-par starts to their campaigns. Burnley away looks like a good letdown spot for Norwich, who are coming off the euphoria of their 3-2 win over the Champions last weekend. They now travel to Turf Moor to face a Burnley team who have don’t look to be in the relegation conversion this season.
Several games seem guaranteed to deliver goals, starting with the Friday game between Southampton and Bournemouth, which is likely to an attacking yet fiercely contested derby. Leicester and West Ham have both made impressive starts to the season and will provide stiff tests for Spurs and Manchester United, who both looked mediocre in midweek. Spurs blew a 2-0 lead against Olympiakos- the second away game in a row where they’ve squandered a 2 goal lead- while Manchester United laboured to a 1-0 win against lowly Astana. However, out of the two, United are likely to be in better shape, given that they changed 9 players on Thursday- resting the likes of DeGea, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Pogba, James, McTominay and Lingard.
Game of the Week: Manchester United vs Leicester
This weekend’s game of the week looks at the Sunday clash between Chelsea vs Liverpool. Previously, these two teams would be considered equals, however, Chelsea are clearly having a transitional season, where the usual expectations have been significantly tempered. While Frank Lampard should be applauded for going with an attacking coupled with the implementation of several youth players, there are major concerns over their defensive stability. His team have already conceded 11 goals in just 5 Premier League games, and on Sunday they come up against a devastating Liverpool attacking trio.
Klopp’s men have already found the net 15 times in the league this season, winning all 5 games and sitting 5 points clear of reigning champions Manchester City at the top of the table. I Chelsea to be competitive in this gene, just like they were in the Supercup encounter, however, expect them to pick off Chelsea at opportune moments and demonstrate the clear gulf in class in experience between the two teams at this juncture. This is clearly evident by looking at the combined XI.
Prediction-
The visitors have scored at least 2 goals in each of their last 14 Premier League games and are currently on a 22 match unbeaten streak, while Chelsea have conceded at least 2 goals in 4 of their 5 league games. However, their own defence isn’t too great at the moment and have conceded in 4 of their 5 league games, so backing a 3-1 correct score prediction looks a solid choice as well.
