Liverpool to edge Merseyside derby
Captain Wayne Rooney (C) was furious with his Manchester United defence as they capitulated at Leicester last Sunday. Photo by AFP
What you need to know:
Their 5-3 victory over Man Utd had been preceded by respectable performances against Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea. I am therefore tipping them to get something.
Liverpool 2 Everton 1
Two managers struggling to come to terms with the exacting demands of European football collide in this weekend’s early kick off. Brendan Rodgers is at his wits end as far as two games per week are concerned. Thankfully for Rodgers, talismanic forward Daniel Sturridge returns for the derby just in time to inflict much needed damage.
C. Palace 2 Leicester 2
Leicester City is the team that has impressed me most this season. Nigel Pearson’s Championship winners are the fittest, most determined and most mobile outfit. Their 5-3 victory over Man Utd had been preceded by respectable performances against Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea. I am therefore tipping them to get something.
Southampton 2 QPR 0
Ronald Koeman is a legit contender for manager of the month. His new-look Saints have conjured up three victories to make light work of doomsday predictions of a swift return to the Championship. They can win a fourth game.
Hull City 1 Man City 2
Frank Lampard may have hogged the headlines following his dramatic late equaliser against his former club Chelsea, but it was Eliaquim Mangala, who will have given Manuel Pellegrini most satisfaction. The record signing for a defender did not set a foot wrong. He is big, strong, fast and uncompromising. Mangala should help Manchester City record victory over Steve Bruce’s stylish Hull City.
Chelsea 2 Aston Villa 0
Chelsea’s ability to vary their style came in handy when they needed to dig deep for a result at Manchester City. We should witness them return to their exuberant selves when Paul Lambert’s plucky Aston Villa side visit Stamford Bridge. A quality squad came in the Capital One Cup and we should see more rotation today as ‘witty’ manager Jose Mourinho keeps his players fresh.
Arsenal 3 Spurs 1
Have searched social media to look for some magnitude from Arsenal fans towards besieged striker Danny Welbeck and Mesut Ozil but I have come across none. The pair were unstoppable as the Gunners pummeled Aston Villa and they should once again make the difference. Mauricio Pochettino is another manager struggling to balance the demands of a Europa League campaign with the Premiership.
Man Utd 2 West Ham 1
No, no, no no! Louis van Gaal should look straight into the cameras and accept he bungled when he failed to change his team formation with his team 3-1 up against Leicester City. United are a joy to behold when Angel Di Maria is masterminding attacks from deep positions, but they must defend better. That will only come with proper ball winners in the centre.
Sunderland 1 Swansea 1
Sunderland have retrogressed a bit from their barnstorming end to last season. Gustavo Poyet’s Black Cats are finding goals hard to come by. They face a stern examination from Gary Monk’s full-pitch pressing game. I can foresee shared spoils.
West Brom 1 Burnley 0
Alan Irvine pulled a rabbit out of the hat when he masterminded the Brummies victory over Spurs at White Hart Lane. Goal-shy Burnley are the perfect fodder for the midlands club as they seek back to back victories for the first time in months. Pricey Nigerian forward Ideye Brown should get off the mark.
Stoke 2 Newcastle 1
Alan Pardew is on borrowed time as Newcastle manager. One victory in 13 Premier League games going to the back end of last season makes them relegation candidates. Senegalese front runners Papisse Demba Cisse and Mame Diouf are the players to watch.
