Sunderland vs Arsenal
Saturday 29th October 2016, 12.30
It's been another difficult week for David Moyes and Sunderland, and it doesn't get any easier in Saturday's early kick-off. The Black Cats lost 1-0 at West Ham a week ago, and were also knocked out of the EFL Cup by the same scoreline at Southampton on Wednesday. Arsenal were held to a disappointing 0-0 home draw by Middlesbrough last weekend, but progressed in the cup thanks to a 2-0 victory over Reading.
A 94th-minute winner from Winston Reid gave West Ham the three points at the London Stadium last Saturday, condemning Sunderland to their worst ever start to a Premier League season. Moyes felt that the Hammers' goal shouldn't have stood due to offside, but West Ham dominated possession and had double the number of attempts to Sunderland, so the Scot can't have too much to complain about. It's been a highly stressful start to the season for the former Everton and Manchester United manager, made worse after he was sent to the stands in the midweek match at Southampton and later charged by the FA for complaints made after a foul which Moyes felt should have resulted in a penalty for his team.
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| David Moyes is struggling at Sunderland (Getty Images) |
Arsenal could have been top of the table going into this tie, but a surprisingly good performance from Middlesbrough meant the game ended honours even on Arsene Wenger's 67th birthday. The Gunners had their chances, but unusually struggled to find any flow or rhythm in the final third. A draw was a fair result in the end, and leaves Wenger's men in second place in the table, level on points with both Manchester City and Liverpool, behind the men from the Etihad only on goal difference. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored a brace in the 2-0 win over Jaap Stam's Reading on Tuesday, and he'll be hoping he's done enough to earn a place in the starting eleven at the Stadium of Light.
A three-goal defeat on Saturday would see Sunderland claim the worst ever start to a Premier League campaign by any club. This is a stat David Moyes will obviously want to avoid, but other results could see Arsenal top the table going into next week's North London derby, which will be a huge motivation for the visitors. Jermain Defoe hasn't scored against Arsenal since 2004 and he will be eager to buck that trend, but I can only see a routine victory for the away side here.
Prediction: 0-3
Manchester United vs Burnley
Saturday 29th October 2016, 15.00
It was the nightmare return to Stamford Bridge for Jose Mourinho last Sunday, going down 4-0 to Antonio Conte's Chelsea. The Red Devils did gain local bragging rights with a 1-0 win over Manchester City in the EFL Cup on Wednesday at Old Trafford, which should provide a much-needed confidence boost. Burnley enjoyed a 2-1 victory over Everton, and Sean Dyche will look to have his team well organised in order for a tough test in Manchester.
United were brushed aside by a rampant Chelsea side on Sunday, a 4-0 humiliation which left the taunts of 'you're not special anymore' ringing in the ears of Mourinho. On the pitch, United were behind after just 30 seconds, Chris Smalling falling asleep to allow Pedro to nip in and slide the ball past David de Gea. Goals from Gary Cahill, Eden Hazard and N'Golo Kante inflicted further misery upon United, and Mourinho was seen apologising to the fans in Wednesday's 1-0 derby success over City. Juan Mata scored the only goal in a deserved United win, and they'll be confident of making it successive home victories against Burnley.
The visitors enjoyed their third victory of the season over Everton at Turf Moor last Saturday, a game which was largely dominated by Ronald Koeman's team, but a result that lifted the Clarets to 14th in the table. Scott Arfield scored a 90th minute winner after Sam Vokes' opener had been cancelled out by Yannick Bolasie, and Sean Dyche will be hopeful that his team can press and frustrate United as they seek their first away points of the season.
The Manchester Derby was the perfect fixture for Man United after their hiding at Chelsea, and the confidence gained from that result should allow them to dominate and create chances against Burnley. Sean Dyche's team will look to keep it tight and play on the break, but I think ultimately that United will have too much quality for their visitors on Saturday.
Prediction: 2-0
Middlesbrough vs Bournemouth
Saturday 29th October 2016, 15.00
These two sides meet on the back of 0-0 draws in their previous games, both against the two big North London sides. Middlesbrough took an excellent point at the Emirates Stadium, whilst Bournemouth were held at home to Spurs. Both will be looking to build on good results at the Riverside on Saturday.
Middlesbrough thoroughly deserved their point at the Emirates. They defended well against the in-form trio of Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez, but also carried an attacking threat and created the better chances in the game, going close through Gaston Ramirez, Alvaro Negredo and the impressive Adama Traore. Boro now need to start converting these chances in to goals, and will feel optimistic about doing so against Artur Boruc on Saturday, rather than Petr Cech.
Bournemouth were solid at home to Tottenham last weekend, and were also highly deserving of their point. Both sides hit the bar in a fairly quiet encounter, although Polish 'keeper Boruc made a couple of decent saves to deny Dele Alli and Danny Rose. The Cherries now sit 10th in the table after a good start to the season, and will be aiming to pick up their first away win of the season on Teeside.
This should be a close game, with both sides bolstered after draws against two of last season's top three, and both will fancy their chances of earning three points. Middlesbrough are yet to win at home and Bournemouth are yet to win away, so I wouldn't be surprised if this was another draw for Aitor Karanka and Eddie Howe's teams.
Prediction: 1-1
Tottenham vs Leicester
Saturday 29th October 2016, 15.00
Spurs entertain Leicester on the back of successive draws, last week's 0-0 at Bournemouth following a 1-1 at West Brom a fortnight ago. Leicester won for the first time since mid-September last week, a 3-1 home success over Crystal Palace, and they meet Tottenham for the first time since beating them to the title last season.
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| It's a big game between Pochettino and Ranieri's teams (Getty Images) |
Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham are unbeaten in 9 league games this season, their 0-0 draw at Bournemouth leaving them sat in fifth but just a point off the top three and level on points with Chelsea. A draw at the Vitality Stadium last week was a fair result, and was followed by a midweek cup exit at Anfield, but Pochettino heavily rotated his side and won't be too concerned about that result, Saturday's fixture being of much greater significance.
Leicester looked more like themselves last Saturday as they overpowered Crystal Palace. Ahmed Musa scored his first for the club, as did left-back Christian Fuchs, with a strike from Shinji Okazaki sandwiched in-between. Last season's hero Jamie Vardy was rested after a run of eight games without a goal, and Claudio Ranieri's men didn't miss him as they outclassed Alan Pardew's side to make it 20 matches unbeaten at the King Power Stadium.
The main concern for Ranieri is that his side have lost all four of their away league matches this season, with White Hart Lane a tough place to try and end that run. Spurs will be glad to return home following successive away league draws, and I fancy them to edge a close encounter here.
Prediction: 2-1
Watford vs Hull
Saturday 29th October 2016, 15.00
Watford are unbeaten in three league matches ahead of this clash against Mike Phelan's Hull following a 0-0 draw at Swansea last time out, whilst the Tigers are on a run of five successive Premier League defeats following a 2-0 defeat at home to Stoke. They did, however, manage to knock-out Championship side Bristol City 2-1 in the EFL Cup at Ashton Gate on Tuesday.
Watford's draw at Swansea was nothing to shout about, but any away point in the Premier League is a decent one for Walter Mazzarri's men and they are sitting comfortably in 9th ahead of the weekend's action. They will fancy their chances of further climbing the table against a struggling Hull side at Vicarage Road.
Hull were second best against Stoke last weekend, a fine brace from Xherdan Shaqiri earning the Potters' victory. Hull have now conceded 19 goals in their past five league matches, and dropped into the bottom three after defeat at the KCOM Stadium. They have managed just three goals in the same period, but will have their tails up after stopping the rot in the EFL Cup, and will be looking to transfer their cup form into the Premier League.
I've been impressed with Watford this season. They are a side with good options capable of scoring goals, and if they can tighten up their defence they could be in for a very decent season. I think they'll trouble Hull's backline, who have already conceded 22 goals campaign, and earn their fourth league victory of the season.
Prediction: 3-1
West Brom vs Manchester City
Saturday 29th October 2016, 15.00
West Brom's four-match unbeaten run came to an end in a 2-1 defeat at Anfield last weekend. The Baggies were outplayed at times, but kept themselves in it and set Liverpool up for a nervy final 10 minutes when Gareth McAuley scored. Manchester City are without a win in six matches under Pep Guardiola, his worst spell as a manager, and face a tricky test at the Hawthorns on Saturday.
Tony Pulis extended his contract this week until 2018, and his team continues to impress me. They are so organised defensively, and despite being 2-0 down at Liverpool you always felt they had a chance on the break. They did manage to pull one back but didn't have enough on this occasion, but there's a great spirit in the Baggies' camp, particularly when facing one of the big boys.
Pep Guardiola has endured a frustrating couple of weeks, his side held 1-1 at home to Southampton on league duty last Sunday before crashing out of the EFL Cup to rivals Manchester United. City deserved no more than a point against Southampton, a lack of understanding at the back allowing Nathan Redmond to latch on to John Stones' back pass and score, before half-time substitute Kelechi Iheanacho pulled the Citizens back onto level terms. Guardiola's team were second best at Old Trafford in midweek, too, failing to register a shot on target in the 90 minutes.
I don't see this being an easy fixture for Man City, but Liverpool proved that there are ways of breaking down West Brom's resolute defence, and City certainly have enough quality in their squad to win at the Hawthorns. I was tempted to go for a draw, but I think Pep's men will end their winless run.
Prediction: 1-2
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool
Saturday 29th October 2016, 17.30
Alan Pardew's Palace are without a victory in three and have lost their last two ahead of Saturday's late kick-off, whilst visitors Liverpool are unbeaten in ten games in all competitions.
The Eagles struggled badly at Leicester last weekend, Yohan Cabaye's 85th minute goal a mere consolation as Palace went down 3-1 to the champions. That followed a 1-0 home defeat to West Ham United, and Palace are without a victory in a month since winning 3-2 at Sunderland. Christian Benteke comes up against his former side since leaving Anfield over the summer, and he'll be keen to show Jurgen Klopp that it was a mistake to let him go.
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| Benteke will be looking to net against his former side (Getty Images) |
Liverpool were excellent in the first half of their 2-1 victory against West Brom, playing the sort of fluid, attacking football that we are becoming so used to under Klopp. They are level on points at the top of the table, and made it 10 games without defeat on Tuesday night in the league cup, a Daniel Sturridge brace helping them on their way to another 2-1 victory at Anfield, over Tottenham. Klopp now has to decide whether to start the impressive Sturridge, or persist with Roberto Firmino as a false nine, who does a great job of pressing and winning the ball high up the park, a trait that Klopp loves in a front-man.
This fixture was marred with controversy last season, ten-man Liverpool coming from a goal behind to win 2-1 at Selhurst Park thanks to a 96th minute penalty winner from Christian Benteke, who is now the main man in Pardew's team. He should cause Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip some problems in the air, but I expect Liverpool to dominate the ball and create enough chances to win the game.
Prediction: 2-3
Everton vs West Ham
Sunday 30th October 2016, 13.30
Everton will have been disappointed by their result at Burnley, after dominating the game and having enough chances to win. They weren't ruthless enough and Scott Arfield made them pay right at the death to secure a 2-1 win for Burnley. West Ham have enjoyed a change in fortunes, winning successive Premier League matches after last weekend's 1-0 win over Sunderland, and progressing in the EFL Cup after a 2-1 victory over Chelsea.
Ronald Koeman's team haven't won in four in the league, but are still sixth and have enjoyed a good start to the season. They are unbeaten at home, and in Romelu Lukaku have a man who loves playing against the Hammers; the Belgian has scored 8 goals in his last 10 matches against them in all competitions, more than he has managed against any other Premier League rival.
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| Lukaku will be aiming to score against West Ham yet again (Getty Images) |
Winston Reid scored a 94th minute winner for the Hammers against Sunderland, a goal which gave Slaven Bilic's side a deserved victory. They were fantastic in their EFL Cup win over Chelsea, Cheikhou Kouyate and Edimilson Fernandes goals enough to see them through to the last eight. West Ham are now looking to make it three league victories on the bounce for the first time since March last season, the third of which came against Everton at Goodison Park in a 3-2 success.
This should be a really close game between two good sides. West Ham's current form is brilliant, whilst Everton have tailed off a little bit after a fine start to the season. However, Goodison Park is never an easy place to play, and I reckon the hosts will return to winning ways on Sunday.
Prediction: 2-1
Southampton vs Chelsea
Sunday 30th October 2016, 16.00
It was another good week for Southampton, who put Europa League defeat to Inter behind them with a brilliant 1-1 draw at the Etihad a week ago before a 1-0 success over Sunderland at St Mary's in midweek to progress to the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup. Chelsea will have been disappointed to exit the league cup to West Ham, but had the result of Gameweek 9 and trouncing Manchester United 4-0 last weekend.
Southampton are such a solid side and already look settled under Claude Puel. The Saints have lost good managers in Mauricio Pochettino and Ronald Koeman in recent seasons, but always hire well and are in a good patch of form under their new French manager, unbeaten in five league games following last week's 1-1 draw at Manchester City.
Chelsea destroyed Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, embarrassing former manager Jose Mourinho to make it three league wins on the spin. Eden Hazard was unplayable against United, scoring one and creating another; the Belgian really does seem to be getting back to his best under Antonio Conte.
Both sides are in excellent form going into this clash at St Mary's, and both are capable of scoring. I can see Sunday's match being an entertaining draw, with some really good goals.
Prediction: 2-2
Stoke vs Swansea
Monday 31st October 2016, 20.00
Stoke have won two on the bounce heading into Gameweek 10's final fixture, enjoying a comfortable 2-0 win at Hull. Xherdan Shaqiri was unplayable on the day, and it's good to see players starting to help out Joe Allen in the goals department, Shaqiri scoring two brilliant goals. Swansea are without a league victory in 8 matches, but picked up their first point under Bob Bradley in a 0-0 draw at home to Watford.
Stoke have put their early season struggles behind them to move out of the bottom three. They're playing better football and look more like the side that finished 9th last season, with Mark Hughes' job looking a little more safe than in the opening couple of months.
Swansea created the better chances against Watford but lack a clinical goalscorer, and that will be a worry for their new American manager. The performance will please him, as will the clean sheet, but it's goals that matter in this game and he needs to find a way to get his team scoring as quickly as possible.
The Potters are in good spirits going into Monday's clash and will be optimistic of beating a struggling Swansea side. I expect them to make it three wins on the spin at the Bet365 Stadium.
Prediction: 2-0
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