Steamy North London derby in store
Man Utd 2 Newcastle 0
Man United welcome back record signing Paul Pogba, and boy, haven’t they missed him. Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle should give United a good game as goals have been hard to come by for the Red Devils. Pogba’s influence in the creative engine room is key to propelling United past the Magpies.
Watford 2 West Ham 2
I cannot stop waxing lyrical about how much the Hornets are punching above their weight, courtesy of an intense, high octane, no-holds barred approach to the game. I expect new West Ham boss David Moyes to jump-start a sleeping giant. West Ham have the players to match anything Watford can throw at them. A potential humdinger.
Liverpool 2 Southampton 1
Mauricio Pellegrini returns to the club at which he cut his coaching teeth as assistant to then manager Rafa Benitez. The Argentine will set out to frustrate Liverpool’s Gengenpress. However, Sadio Mane’s early return from Senegal where he helped the Lions of Terranga to World Cup qualification and Mo Salah’s two weeks off, have the Reds recharged. Home win.
Arsenal 1 Tottenham 1
Arsenal’s last chance to send a message to title rivals presents itself when North London rivals Spurs make the short trip to Emirates Stadium. Yet to win a tie against the ‘Top Six’, Arsene Wenger is keenly aware dropped points will see his Gunners drift further away from the title. I am calling a draw because Spurs are very good away from Wembley and talismanic pair Harry Kane and Delle Ali are well rested.
West Brom 0 Chelsea 1
Curious that I should commence my prediction by calling out the Chelsea hierarchy for not giving youth enough opportunities. This is the kind of physical game in which Chelsea youngsters Ruben Loftus Cheek - so outstanding for the Three Lions, and Tammy Abraham could help. A win tally of two out of 20 doesn’t bode well for the Brummies. I am tipping Chelsea to nick this Premiership clash.
Leicester 2 Man City 3
There is an added oomph to the Foxes bunch since Frenchman Claude Puel took over the reigns at King Power Stadium. I expect a strong British bull dog spirit from the Foxes as Puel deploys six Englishmen to counter City’s attacking zest. This game could eclipse the North London derby for sheer thrills and spills. But in the end I expect the City juggernaut to roll on because they score for fun.
B’mouth 1 Huddersfield 0
Eddie Howe’s beleaguered troops upset the applecart in ambushing Newcastle at St James Park last time out. I thought the Cherries were good value for their win as Howe deployed an ultra attacking formation. A repeat display from Callum Wilson, Joshua King and Junior Stanislas will propel the south coast side to back to back victories.
Brighton 1 Stoke City 1
The sooner we start giving Brighton boss Chris Hughton credit for turning an essentially Championship outfit into Premiership slay kings, the better. Brighton are organised, competitive and hungry. Nevertheless, I don’t think they have enough to outlast a Stoke City side desperate for points. Watch out for lanky super sub Peter Crouch.
C. Palace 2 Everton 1
Discount Everton’s last gasp 3-2 victory over Watford. It was too scattergun and a tad lucky. Watford should have converted their late penalty. That’s not how well coached teams win ball games. Crystal Palace have been losing one too many games in which they aren’t the inferior team.
Burnley 1 Swansea 0
Digest this. Burnley are currently sixth, level on points with heavyweights Liverpool and Arsenal. They’ve also returned unscathed from trips to Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool and Everton. By all accounts, this points to a well-coached team. Swansea will make it difficult because Burnley thrive best on the counter, but there can only be one winner for Premier League encounter.
IF ALLAN HAD IT HIS WAY
* Man City would have gone top on Match Day 10 after Man Utd’s 1-1 draw with Spurs.
* Man United would have lost its first game on Match Day 11 after losing 1-0 to Chelsea. Ssekamatte got that prediction right by the way.
* Stoke and Newcastle would record their first wins on Match Day Nine.
* Man United would lose their first points on Match Day Eight in a 1-1 draw with Liverpool.
* West Brom would record their first win on Match Day Seven after beating Watford 2-1.
* Arsenal would have won their first game on Match Day Four in a 2-1 win over Bournemouth.
* Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham would all still be unbeaten.
* Man City would have scored the most goals (22) while Man Utd would have the best defence that has conceded just five.
* Huddersfield would have conceded the most (18) while Swansea would have scored five – the least by any club.
ALLAN’S EPL TABLE
P W D L F A Pts
Man City 11 9 2 0 22 8 29
Chelsea 11 9 2 0 18 7 29
Man United 11 8 2 1 17 5 26
Liverpool 11 6 5 0 20 12 23
Tottenham 11 6 5 0 17 7 23
Southampton 11 4 5 2 10 8 17
Arsenal 11 4 4 3 17 14 16
Everton 11 4 4 3 11 12 16
West Ham 11 3 6 2 14 12 15
Leicester 11 2 7 2 12 13 13
Swansea 11 4 1 6 5 10 13
Burnley 11 4 1 6 10 16 13
Crystal Palace 11 3 2 6 11 15 11
West Brom 11 1 6 4 10 13 9
Newcastle 11 2 3 6 12 16 9
Stoke 11 1 5 5 12 17 8
Bournemouth 11 2 2 7 11 17 8
Watford 11 2 1 8 10 17 7
Huddersfield 11 1 3 7 7 18 6
Brighton 11 0 4 7 8 16 4
