Match forecast: Man Utd to shift from sixth place
Liverpool 1 Tottenham 1
The quicker Jürgen Klopp finds an alternative way of getting results, the better. A nightmarish run of one win in 10 reached a nadir with defeat at Hull City. I expect Spurs to play the 3-6-1 formation to match Liverpool’s gengenpress. Don’t miss this Anfield thriller in which spoils are to be shared.
Man Utd 3 Watford 1
Marcos Rojo is the player that has most surprised me with his defensive discipline in Man Utd’s extended unbeaten run. Whether playing at left back or in central defence, the Argentine has been a rock of stability. Utd are primed to avenge their first round loss.
Burnley 0 Chelsea 1
Burnley have made the most of their home ties to create distance from the relegation scrap. Leaders Chelsea will be a completely different proposition to anything they have faced thus far. After a brief barren spell, Diego Costa is due a goal. A narrow Chelsea victory.
Bournemouth 1 Man City 2
Eddie Howe should have seen last weekend’s 6-3 whacking at the hands of Everton coming. The Cherries have forgotten how to defend. Man City striker Sergio Aguero is, for me, still the English Premier League’s most dangerous striker. He will share goal-scoring burden with Brazilian sensation Gabriel Jesus.
West Ham 1 West Brom 1
Playmaker Dmitri Payet’s rebellion and subsequent departure to Marseille has galvanised Slaven Bilic’s Hammers. The 0-4 and 0-5 capitulations to Manchester City have been West Ham’s only truly aberrant results this year. All the same, I feel West Brom will match them in this English Premier League duel.
Boro 1 Everton 1
Ronald Koeman’s £75m valuation of Romelu Lukaku may not be too far off the mark. The English Premier League’s leading scorer is right to want to measure himself against Europe’s best in the Champions League. Boro’s chance to get a result from this game is dependent on keeping the big Belgian quiet.
Arsenal 2 Hull City 0
Most pundits forget that Marco Silva’s Olympiakos side won 28 out of 30 matches on their way to the Greek title last season. That he has made Hull competitive should thus be a scant surprise. I am however backing the Gunners to emerge tops.
Sunderland 2 Southampton 1
News indicating Saints skipper Virgil van Dirk is out for three months is a monumental blow for Claude Puel. His leadership was sorely missed. Although the visitors should be good for a goal, I can see Jermaine Defoe causing devious damage to the Saints. Difficult home win is the verdict.
Stoke City 3 C. Palace 2
Palace’s comical defending was truly appalling in their 0-4 home loss to Sunderland. A great opportunity to put points on board was thus lost. Stoke will be an even more uncompromising mood for the Eagles’ visit. Home win.
Swansea 2 Leicester 1
Candid talk always come in handy. This is why keeper Kasper Schmeichel’s warning that the champions could be relegated resonates well for all who wish the Foxes well. There is method to Swansea’s approach to games since Paul Clement took over. I am therefore backing the Swans to continue their revival.
Last week, Ssekamatte got six right with one pefect score out of 10 English Premier League matches.
