Bournemouth vs Sunderland
Saturday 5th November 2016, 15.00
Both sides go into this meeting on the back of defeats in Gameweek 10, Bournemouth losing 2-0 at Middlesbrough and Sunderland suffering a 4-1 defeat at home to Arsenal. Bournemouth's defeat was their first in four matches, whilst Sunderland lost for the third game in succession, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table.
Eddie Howe will be disappointed at his side's result at Boro. The Cherries had the lion's share of possession and had five more attempts than their opponents, but failed to make these statistics count. Gaston Ramirez scored a stunning solo goal which left the Bournemouth defence stood like statues, and Stewart Downing added a second to wrap up the three points. Bournemouth have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 10 Premier League away games, but they are unbeaten at home since the opening day of the season and will be confident about putting the Boro defeat behind them with the league's bottom side visiting the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
Things continue to get worse for David Moyes and Sunderland, defeat to Arsenal meaning the Black Cats have now had the worst ever start to a Premier League campaign of any club. Moyes will be furious at how his side fell apart in the latter stages of the game, after Jermain Defoe had temporarily drawn them level. It remained 1-1 for just 6 minutes, Olivier Giroud netting a quickfire brace and Alexis Sanchez later notching his second of the game to give the Gunners a comfortable victory. Jermain Defoe scored again for Sunderland, his fifth of the season, and he's been the shining light in a terrible couple of months for everybody on Wearside.
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| Moyes has had the worst ever start to a Premier League season (Getty Images) |
Moyes is desperate for a first league win as Sunderland boss, but it would take a remarkable effort to get it at Bournemouth, who have already won three matches at home this season. Eddie Howe's side are a strong outfit at home, and I'm backing them to earn another three points on Saturday.
Prediction: 2-0
Burnley vs Crystal Palace
Saturday 5th November 2016, 15.00
Burnley are unbeaten in two going into this clash at Turf Moor, backing up a brilliant home win over Everton with an equally impressive point in a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford last weekend. Palace have lost three on the bounce following a 4-2 defeat at home to Liverpool a week ago, and will be looking to return to the sort of form that saw them go unbeaten in 5 matches before their losing streak began.
Burnley were well organised and well disciplined at Old Trafford last Saturday, frustrating United so much that both manager Jose Mourinho and midfielder Ander Herrera were sent off for the Red Devils. The Clarets were inspired by goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who made a string of fine saves as well as a save-of-the-season contender to deny Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They never really looked like scoring themselves, but that was never the game plan for Sean Dyche even against ten men, and Burnley happily took their first away point of the season.
Palace played their part in a thrilling match at Selhurst Park against Liverpool, eventually going down 4-2 to Jurgen Klopp's men. Twice behind, James McArthur levelled on both occasions for the Eagles to make it 2-2 after 33 minutes, but goals from Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino made it 4-2 and 3 points for the visitors. Palace struggled to defend against the fluid front three of Liverpool, Firmino, Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho, as many teams have done already this season, but Alan Pardew will be frustrated that both Matip and Dejan Lovren were allowed to head home under minimal pressure from corners. It was too easy for the Liverpool centre-backs, and was a huge factor in the Red men's victory.
Palace's confidence will have taken a bit of a knock after three successive league defeats, whilst Burnley's will be sky high after remaining unbeaten in two really tough fixtures. Sean Dyche's men have already had some impressive victories at home this season against Liverpool, Watford and Everton, and I think that they'll be adding Palace to that list on Saturday.
Prediction: 2-1
Manchester City vs Middlesbrough
Saturday 5th November 2016, 15.00
Man City won for the first time in six matches in all competitions last weekend in an emphatic 4-0 victory at West Brom. Confidence will be sky high for Pep Guardiola's men after that triumph at the Hawthorns was following up by a stunning 3-1 win over Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday. Middlesbrough earned their first win in eight Premier League matches and first this season at the Riverside, and will be looking for a similar performance to the one that earned them a point at Arsenal a fortnight ago.
Sergio Aguero and Ilkay Gundogan both netted braces as City overcame the Baggies last Saturday, and both were in sumptuous form on European duty as Guardiola's team stunned his former side. Gundogan scored twice again, the second somewhat fortuitously knocked down to him by Aguero, as City came from a goal behind to earn a deserved 3-1 win. Lionel Messi opened the scoring, and the Catalan side looked in control until Aguero intercepted a Sergi Roberto pass to find Raheem Sterling, who squared for Gundogan for equalise. Kevin de Bruyne scored a wonderful free kick to give City the lead and the win was confirmed when Gundogan smashed home after the ball deflected into his path off of Aguero.
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| Ilkay Gundogan has had a brilliant week (Getty Images) |
Middlesbrough won their first home game of the campaign last weekend, beating Bournemouth 2-0. It was an impressive performance from Aitor Karanka's Boro, Gaston Ramirez scoring a magnificent solo effort before Stewart Downing doubled the lead with his first Premier League goal since May 2015. The Teesiders face a much tougher test on Saturday, but they will be bolstered by their attacking display over Bournemouth and will be aiming to defend as well as they did in a 0-0 draw at the Emirates a week before.
I feel that this is the worst time for Boro to have to travel to the Etihad, which will be rocking after Tuesday's victory. With this in mind, I can only see a rampant victory for the Citizens.
Prediction: 3-0
West Ham vs Stoke
Saturday 5th November 2016, 15.00
West Ham lost 2-0 at Goodison Park last Sunday to end a run of three matches unbeaten. Saturday's opponents Stoke beat Swansea 3-1 on Monday night to record their third straight league victory and climb to 12th in the table, pushing the Hammers down to 17th.
West Ham were once again haunted by the figure of Romelu Lukaku, who has now scored in each of his last seven meetings with Slaven Bilic's side. West Ham were second best in a scrappy encounter, and were once again made to pay for missing good opportunities. Angelo Ogbonna and Michail Antonio both failed to convert good chances, and Lukaku made them pay at the other end, scoring one and creating another.
Stoke won an entertaining clash at the Bet365 Stadium against Swansea, with two of the Swans' former players proving to be the difference. Joe Allen ran the game from start to finish and is looking like the signing of the season; I wonder if Jurgen Klopp will be regretting his decision to allow the Welshman to leave Anfield in the summer. Allen created both of Wilfried Bony's goals, his first goals for the Potters, with an Alfie Mawson goal enough to mean that Wayne Routledge's header would prove to be a mere consolation for Swansea. Mark Hughes' men hit the woodwork three times in the first half alone, proving that Stoke really have turned a corner after a tough start to the season and are starting to play some very nice football.
West Ham had looked good before their defeat to Everton, but there is no shame at losing at Goodison Park and they'll be looking to give their fans something to cheer about before the international break. Stoke are in excellent form themselves, and although Marko Arnautovic will be missing through suspension, I think that their form will see them through to a point at the London Stadium.
Prediction: 1-1
Chelsea vs Everton
Saturday 5th November 2016, 17.30
Chelsea are in excellent form ahead of Everton's visit to Stamford Bridge in Saturday's late kick-off, a 2-0 win at Southampton last Sunday their fourth league victory in a row. Everton returned to winning ways after four matches without a victory, also winning 2-0 on Sunday at home to West Ham.
Chelsea comfortably overcame what looked like a tough fixture on paper as they moved into the top four with victory at St Mary's. Eden Hazard scored a fine individual effort to give the Blues the lead after just six minutes, and Diego Costa added a second with a stunning curling shot from the edge of the box. That goal moved Costa to the top of the goal-scoring charts, his 8th in ten games this season.
Romelu Lukaku is just one goal behind Diego Costa after his strike against West Ham, and he'll be looking to level the scores against his old side on Saturday. Everton comfortably beat West Ham, Lukaku grabbing the opener before turning provider for man-of-the-match Ross Barkley. The victory will have come as a welcome relief to Ronald Koeman, whose side had last won on the 17th September, and he will hoping they can cause an upset against Antonio Conte's in-form Blues.
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| It's a battle between two in-form forwards on Saturday (Getty Images) |
This promises to be a really entertaining game, with both teams capable of scoring goals and both playing some really good football so far this season. I think that Everton will score at the Bridge, but Chelsea's last game there was a 4-0 demolition of Manchester United, and I see the home side having just a bit too much for the Toffees.
Prediction: 3-1
Arsenal vs Tottenham
Sunday 6th November 2016, 12.00
It's been another good week for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal, winning 4-1 at Sunderland last Saturday and confirming progression into the Champions League knockout phase with a 3-2 at Ludogorets. Spurs will be disappointed with their form going into this massive derby game; a 1-1 draw at home to Leiceser was their third successive stalemate in the Premier League, and they lost 1-0 at home (Wembley) to Bayer Leverkusen on Champions League duty.
Arsenal responded very well to getting pegged back at the Stadium of Light last Saturday. The Gunners dominated the 90 minutes and took the lead through Alexis Sanchez, but a defensive mistake from Shkodran Mustafi led to Petr Cech bringing down Duncan Watmore for a Sunderland penalty, Jermain Defoe temporarily equalising for the Black Cats. Oliver Giroud was introduced by Wenger four minutes after Defoe's strike, and he had an immediate impact, restoring Arsenal's lead two minutes later and adding a third after a further five minutes. Alexis Sanchez then to secure his brace, a win which keeps Arsenal joint top of the Premier League as we enter Gameweek 11. Wenger's men also bounced back in the Champions League on Tuesday, Ludogorets taking a shock 2-0 lead before before goals from Granit Xhaka, Giroud and a wonderful individual winner from Mesut Ozil kept the Gunner's unbeaten run intact (15 matches).
Tottenham are still the league's only unbeaten side, but both performances and results from Mauricio Pochettino's team have dropped, a point at home to Leicester following draws at Bournemouth and West Brom in previous weeks. A draw was the fair result at White Hart Lane, with Vincent Janssen's penalty being cancelled out by Ahmed Musa. Spurs were lacklustre on European duty on Wednesday, losing 1-0 at their temporary European venue to German outfit Bayer Leverkusen. That result leaves Tottenham in serious danger of crashing out of the Champions League, a real dent in confidence ahead of the North London Derby.
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| Who will come out on top in the North London derby? (Getty Images) |
This could either be a really cagey game, or a really open and entertaining one. I expect there to be goals at the Emirates as these derby games rarely ever disappoint the neutrals. Arsenal are in great form and I can see them inflicting Spurs' first league defeat of 2016/17 and earning the bragging rights.
Prediction: 2-1
Hull vs Southampton
Sunday 6th November 2016, 14.15
Hull conceded a late own-goal at Watford as they suffered their sixth straight league defeat at Vicarage Road. That result means that they're without a Premier League win since Gameweek 2, after which they had already accrued 6 points. Eight games late they have gained just a solitary point more and remain inside the bottom three. Southampton lost for the first time in five league games, 2-0 at home to Chelsea, but bounced back on Thursday night with a brilliant 2-1 win over Inter Milan in the Europa League.
Michael Dawson was the unlucky man for Hull last weekend, putting through his own net on 82 minutes from Daryl Janmaat's cross to gift Watford the three points and let what would have been a precious point for Mike Phelan's side slip away. Watford were dominant in the game but failed to muster a shot on target, a stat which will leave Phelan even more depressed at the 1-0 defeat. They must now look to stop the rot against a Southampton side that currently lie 9th in the table.
Southampton were second best in their clash with Chelsea, but were unlucky to find Eden Hazard and Diego Costa in such inspired form. Both scored with fine efforts to see Saints lose for the first time since September, but coming from a goal behind to win 2-1 at St Mary's on Thursday night against a stronger Inter side will be the perfect medicine. Virgil van Dijk continued his impressive form by scoring the equaliser before an own goal left Europa League progression in the hands of Claude Puel's charges.
Playing at the KCOM Stadium is Hull's best chance of ending their winless run, but Southampton are good travellers and will be on a high following their European exploits. I can see this being a fairly tight game, but I think the away side have a bit more in their locker.
Prediction: 0-1
Liverpool vs Watford
Sunday 6th November 2016, 14.15
Liverpool's 4-2 victory at Palace last Saturday means they are joint-top after 10 league matches, behind both Manchester City and Arsenal on goal difference only. The Reds are unbeaten in 8 Premier League matches and 11 in all competitions, and host a Watford side on Sunday that are unbeaten in four league matches themselves following a 1-0 home victory over Hull that leaves them in 7th above the likes of Manchester United and last season's champions, Leicester.
Once again, Liverpool played with such freedom and creativity at Selhurst Park. The Reds have so many different options, but it was Philippe Coutinho who stole the show, creating two goals and running the game in midfield alongside Jordan Henderson. Jurgen Klopp's team are really enjoying their football at the moment, and you have to fear for anybody that has to try and keep them out.
That is Watford's task on Sunday, but the Hornets arrive at Anfield in good form, Michael Dawson's 82nd minute own-goal giving Walter Mazzarri's side a hard-earned victory. Watford dominated the game and had the better chances, Younes Kaboul and Roberto Pereyra both hitting the woodwork, and they will certainly carry an aerial threat on Merseyside.
Liverpool's biggest concern is their defensive frailties, and Watford will be sure to target those on Sunday. Liverpool will dominate the ball, and with the way that their forwards are playing recently they should create enough chances to win comfortably at Anfield.
Prediction: 3-0
Swansea vs Manchester United
Sunday 6th November 2016, 15.00
Bob Bradley is still awaiting his first win as Swansea gaffer after Monday's 3-1 defeat at Stoke. The Swans' former striker, Wilfried Bony, proved to be the difference, the Ivorian scoring twice to condemn Bradley to his second defeat in three games in charge. Nothing seems to be going right for Jose Mourinho at the moment, a frustrating 0-0 draw at home to Burnley leaving United winless in four league games, and they lost in Turkey to Fenerbahce on Europa League duty.
American Bradley has found it tough since arriving at the Liberty Stadium, losing at both Arsenal and Stoke with a dull 0-0 draw with Watford sandwiched in between. There are definitely some signs of improvement in the way that Swansea are moving the ball and running at teams, but defensive frailties still exist and it's clear to see that they're really missing the leadership of Ashley Williams since his summer move to Everton.
In a week that Jose Mourinho was charged twice by the FA for his conduct, things haven't been getting any better on the pitch. They were unable to beat a resilient Burnley side, inspired by goalkeeper Tom Heaton, at Old Trafford before losing 2-1 at Fenerbahce on Thursday evening. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is desperately struggling at the moment; the Big Swede has had 42 attempts since his last league goal, and he was denied by a stunning Heaton save last Saturday. Wayne Rooney will have been pleased to score in Europe, but it's a result that left Mourinho questioning his team's commitment, saying that they let him down.
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| Zlatan Ibrahimovic is struggling in the goals department (Getty Images) |
Manchester United are struggling for goals, and if they fail to get one early on at the Liberty I can see it becoming another frustrating afternoon for the Red Devils. I think that the Swans would happily take a draw in this fixture and I wouldn't be at all surprised if that was the outcome.
Prediction: 0-0
Leicester vs West Brom
Sunday 6th October 2016, 16.30
Leicester collected their first away point of the season at White Hart Lane last weekend, and also earned a decent draw at FC Copenhagen on Wednesday in the Champions League. West Brom were hammered 4-0 at home by Manchester City last time out, and are winless in five league matches.
Claudio Ranieri will be happy with the Foxes' week, draws at Tottenham and Copenhagen both respectable. He will be happy that Ahmed Musa has now scored in back-to-back league matches in the Premier League following his goal in the 1-1 draw, and thrilled at the fact that Leicester became the first team in Champions League history to keep a clean sheet in their first four games in the competition in their European 0-0.
Tony Pulis will be a concerned at how badly his side defended against City, making it all too easy for Pep Guardiola's side at the Hawthorns. Having said that, there aren't many tougher teams to defend against than City, and in particular no tougher striker than Sergio Aguero, who in my opinion his by far and away the best player in the top flight. It was no surprise, then, to see the Argentine hit a brace against a surprisingly frail Baggies' defence, with Ilkay Gundogan also scoring twice. Pulis must now look to set things right at the home of the champions.
This is the last game before the international break, and there's no doubt in my mind that West Brom will be better than they were against Man City. Having said that, Leicester are playing some decent stuff at the moment and I think they'll have enough to break down an organised Tony Pulis defence.
Prediction: 2-0
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