'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What a week of football it has been. A fascinating comeback by Manchester United and a well-fought equaliser in the 95th minute by Chelsea at the other end. Everton’s goal at the 86th minute that made the whole crowd in Goodison Park screaming and a scintillating 2nd half football from Arsenal that have blown Leicester away. These matches remind us why the English Premier League is still the best league in the world.
We made some very good predictions last week. Our decision to stick with a one-goal victory to United paid off until the 95th-minute equaliser. With the same amount of excitement and passion, let’s start the predictions for this week.
Brighton & Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Brighton have produced a fantastic defensive performance away at Newcastle after getting that crucial early lead. When they meet Wolves, they will expect to produce a same kind of performance.
But their 8.2 shots per game, which is the lowest in the league, remind us that they may struggle to break down the opponent’s defence.
Wolves were not at their best against Watford last week. A single shot on target in 90 minutes suggests that they will need to improve in that area when they face the Seagulls this Saturday.
Match Prediction: Wolves wins.
Score Prediction: 0-1.
Fulham v AFC Bournemouth
Scoring goals have never been a problem for this Fulham side. But, the issue is at the other end of the pitch. Fulham have shipped in a whopping 25 goals in just 9 matches and they are the only team that are yet to keep a clean sheet. Unless they find a way to fix this leaky defence defeat seems inevitable.
Bournemouth are the most unpredictable side in Premier League this season. Under Howe, so far in this season, they have taken 63% of their shots inside the 18 yard box. The stats prove that they will have very less problem in breaking Fulham’s unstable defence.
Match Prediction: Bournemouth Wins.
Score Prediction: 1-2.
Liverpool v Cardiff City
Look at the last 7 matches Liverpool have played. They have won 4 of them with just a single goal difference. They are now winning matches that they would have drawn or lost in last season.
Liverpool have kept 6 clean sheets, the joint highest, and have allowed just 8.7 shots/match the number bettered only by Man City. Against Cardiff, they have a great chance of winning with a higher margin.
Cardiff somehow brought an end to their five-match losing streak with a spirited victory against Fulham in a high scoring encounter. They will not enjoy the same attacking freedom against the Reds when they visit Anfield.
Match Prediction: Liverpool Wins.
Score Prediction: 3-0.
Southampton v Newcastle United
When we look at Southampton’s league position we may wonder why they are just above the relegation zone. Creating goal scoring opportunities has never been a problem for the Saints but they are let down by their finishing. They must get their shooting boots on when they host Newcastle.
When Rafa took over Newcastle in 2016 everyone had expected that Newcastle were heading towards greatness. We are in 2018, Newcastle United’s progress has been in a downward spiral so far.
Maybe that’s down to their fixture so far this season where they already have faced the big 6 except Liverpool. It’s time for them to turn around the season and start doing what they are capable of.
Match Prediction: Draw.
Score Prediction: 1-1.
Watford v Huddersfield Town
Watford brought their winless streak to an end in style with a much-deserved victory over a well-drilled Wolves side. They have a good run of fixtures before they welcome Liverpool at the end of November. If Watford can keep up their form, they can stamp their place in the top half of the table.
The question, however, is whether Huddersfield can find a way to resolve their goal scoring issue and score some goals. If they don’t they are never going to win a match.
Match Prediction: Watford Wins.
Score Prediction: 3-0.
Leicester City v West Ham United
West Ham top the injury list with 7 players currently sidelined. Still, they are playing well under Manuel Pellegrini. Two narrow defeats in their last two is a massive blow to their confidence after losing Yarmolenko to injury last week.
They will find it difficult at the King Power Stadium against an organised Leicester City side. Leicester are one of the two teams to score goals in every match so far in this campaign with the other team being Tottenham. They were very good during the first half against the Gunners. If they can maintain that intensity throughout the match and protect their lead they can see off West Ham.
Match Prediction: Leicester Wins.
Score Prediction: 2-1.
Burnley v Chelsea
Burnley were on the rise until the last match where they got a drubbing at the hands of Manchester City. Unexpectedly, Mourinho and Manchester United have shown us, Chelsea are not unbeatable.
However, can Burnley stop Chelsea from getting all three points?
On the other side, Chelsea were lucky to avoid their first defeat of the season with a stoppage-time equaliser against Manchester United. Under Sarri they have failed to score only once in this season. But they won't be stopped when they visit Turf Moor.
Match Prediction: Chelsea to win.
Score Prediction: 0 - 2.
Crystal Palace v Arsenal
43% of Palace attack has come from the left side of the pitch so far which shows their over-reliance on Zaha to carry the team. In Benteke’s absence, they don’t have a target man to lead the attack.
With just five goals so far in this campaign, they have been scoring just over half a goal per match which is something that should be addressed.
A scintillating second-half performance was on show once again from Arsenal against Leicester last week. Their level may decrease when they face much better sides but against a struggling Crystal Palace, Arsenal would expect to get their eighth consecutive win.
Match Prediction: Arsenal to win.
Score Prediction: 0 – 4.
Manchester United v Everton
Manchester United were the better side when they started to attack against both Chelsea and Newcastle. Is that part of Mourinho tactics to start attacking only in the second half? If that’s plan then just 1 win in last 6 matches in all competition reminds United should play more attacking football than waiting to take the backseat first.
After three wins in a row for the Toffees the team is starting to tick under Silva. Can they keep the momentum going and pull one against Manchester United? Maybe they should wait until United visit Goodison Park.
Prediction: Manchester United to win.
Score Prediction: 2-0.
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City
It's the right time for Tottenham to face the league leaders with their most creative player Christian Eriksen back from injury. But stats show that they will be reliant on their set-piece prowess to pull one off against City at home.
They are currently leading the league in set-piece goals. They will look to avoid a 4th straight defeat at home against the Citizens.
As we said last week, Manchester City are still the team to beat. At the moment, it seems they are running away with the trophy though there will be more competition compared to last season.
Under Guardiola, City have won 3 of the 5 meetings against the Spurs and they had the upper hand in last 3 encounters. There is a chance they will be 4th in the league table when they meet the Spurs if Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal win their respective game.
Match Prediction: Tottenham Wins.
Score Prediction: 2-1.
