Tottenham to hold Man United at Old Trafford
Man United 1 Tottenham 1
During the heydays under Sir Alex Ferguson, this was a cast iron home victory. However, Spurs have come in leaps and bounds. The North Londoners are playing with vitality. Their one-all draw with Real Madrid and obliteration of Liverpool has convinced me they aren’t in the title race just to make up the numbers. United’s goals have meanwhile dried up.
Arsenal 2 Swansea 0
On Sunday, Arsenal played their best football this season, battling from a goal down to wipe the floor with Everton. Swansea stand no chance of Arsene Wenger continues to unleash the three-man attack of Mesut Ozil, Alexander Lacazatte and Alexis Sanchez. The Gunners should win this tie with something to spare.
Bournemouth 1 Chelsea 2
Bournemouth showed vital signs of recovery in besting Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium. But champions Chelsea were even more inspired in seeing off a spirited Watford. The Cherries are certain to have a go at Chelsea but I expect the Londoners to outlast them.
West Brom 1 Man City 2
Of late, I don’t like West Brom’s approach to games. They are a tad too negative. Stopping title favourites will require upping their game. But I just can’t see how the Brummies are going to survive an onslaught from Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling, Kevin de Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus and record scorer Sergio Aguero. An away win is on the cards.
Liverpool 3 Huddersfield 0
David Wagner’s Huddersfield Town had their day in the sun, ambushing Manchester United 2-0 without having to turn on the afterburners. A trip to Anfield will expose the newcomers. Jurgen Klopp has instructed his underachieving Kop to get a grip. Hence, they are poised to make amends for last weekend’s diabolical display at Wembley Stadium.
Watford 2 Stoke City 1
Marco Silva’s Hornets are making themselves a name by playing fearless attacking football. I am a big fan of non stop strikers (Kipakus) - have always been. An in Richarlison, Watford have a Kipaku with real menace’. Stoke City’s back four are in for a busy afternoon from the English Premier League’s surprise team at the minute.
C. Palace 1 West Ham 1
If West Ham lose this game, Slaven Bilic is gone. Simple as that. He is presiding over the league’s laziest team, as evidenced by their 0-3 capitulation at home to West Brom. I think his players will lift their game in order to save their manager. Wilfred Zaha and Michail Antonio hold the keys to an outcome for their teams.
Brighton 1 Southampton 1
I was well and truly surprised by Brighton’s victory over West Ham last Friday. They were defensively organised and devastating on the counter. Southampton will be a different kettle of fish because they are cleverer and more intense. You can’t haul me off the fence on this one.
Burnley 2 Newcastle 1
These two teams are of about equal strength and are both well coached. It’s a measure of how well Sean Dyche is doing at Burnley, that he’s being linked to vacant managerial jobs at Everton and Leicester City. As they always do, Newcastle will compete, before succumbing to Chris Wood.
Leicester 1 Everton 1
Which one of the two caretaker managers will prevail? My distinct impression is that Everton have bottomed out. They reached a new nadir in falling 2-5 to Arsenal. The only place they can look is up. Whereas Leicester start as slight favourites, I fancy Everton to benefit from the bounce of having David Unworth as their new boss. Stalemate!
