Gameweek 8 Premier league predictions & betting tips
Sanity is back after the international break, one that saw teams flying to Russia in style, Nigeria became the first African country to land at the mundial, Germany, Spain, Iceland et al all joined Russia the host and Belgium who had qualified earlier and Brazil were joined by Argentina who left it late but still got in fine after some Lionel Messi magics but Chile missed out, so did Netherlands. Back to the premier league, teams will return to our screens from Saturday to battle for three points; we left off at the point where Liverpool stumbled totally from grace with yet another dropped points, Burnley keep rising and Arsenal surged up, elsewhere, the Manchester clubs aren’t losing steam, ramming goals past opponents like they don’t have defences, Crystal Palace still haven’t scored a goal and no respite for them yet, next opponent for them is Chelsea, a team ruing their home loss to rampaging Manchester City, Tottenham have Real Madrid in midweek, but they first must put Bournemouth to sword at Wembley, a ground where they are yet to win in the league, it would an interesting weekend!
Lunchtime kickoff sees Liverpool hosting the Red Devils, a traditional affair with age long history, Sadio Mane is out, so is Fellaini, the injury list for this game makes it quite tricky, Manchester United are in a sort of form that would see them beat anyone and everyone while Liverpool lost two precious points at Newcastle last time out, from a winning position after a sleek routine strike from Coutinho, Joselu fortuitously bundled in an equalizer and Liverpool never managed a response, United on their parts swept Crystal Palace aside, making it seven losses in seven for the Eagles, talking United, every game they have won 4:0 this term, they played 1:1 last season, including with Liverpool, now should Anfield be ready for another 4:0? Ander Herrera would be recalled to the midfield with Fellaini and Pogba injured, Mata and Matic are expected to complete the trio while its up to Mourinho to pick his partners for Lukaku, very likely to be Mhikitaryan and Rashford while hit man Martial watch from the bench. Liverpool will have to think outside Mane again like they did when he was banned after the Ederson incident, Emre Can is fit to play and so is Sturridge, this is the best ever way to start a weekend.
Burnley host Westham in the first of our simultaneous fixtures, Burnley are the most stubborn bunch in the league, they die hard, they beat Everton to everyone’s surprise at the Goodision park, now they host Westham, who managed some fine three points over Swansea too, Westham will go all out for it while Burnley will take their time, knowing how they play, Westham must be careful, very careful. A win will take Burnley as high as third, something they need to dig back to 1960 to remember when they were last that up in the league. Crystal Palace host Chelsea, what a fixture for a struggling team like Crystal Palace, Roy Hodgson must be wondering how on earth he’ll get a win from a wounded team like Chelsea, with the visitors missing the likes of Kante and Alvaro Morata, it is down to Bakayoko and Batshuayi to fill in the boots. Crystal Palace have it all to do, to stop Chelsea, they must attack, while attacking, they must mind the wingbacks of the blues, counter attack doesn’t look good on Crystal Palace, hence they collapse again, whatever happens, Crystal Palace would have to look for a win elsewhere.
Manchester City are home to Stoke, can fatigue weaken this side and make them susceptible to the strength of this bogey Potters? I don’t think so, still without Sergio Aguero, Manchester City also have to make do with Kyle Walker as Mendy is out on a very long term, who will stop their evasive midfield brilliances? The plot that dumped Chelsea is still very thick and Stoke will have to defend all day, talking Stoke, they are thirteenth on the log, a point here and there is the plan but is Etihad in their shortlist? They have beaten Arsenal, drew Manchester United, lost to Chelsea all at the Britannia, what will they do against this team on fire? Swansea are home to Huddlesfield, toomany casual players in Swansea is the major undoing of the Welsh side, Leroy Fer, Jordan Ayew, Renato Sanchez et al need to step up and play with purpose, else, they might be drawn into the relegation dogfight one more time. Huddlesfield aren’t here to joke, they are better placed than their hosts, compact and calculative, big thumbs to David Wagner, Swansea must win from the midfield hence they drop points at home again. Tottenham rounds off the simultaneous fixtures of the day at home to Bournemouth, Wembley is the temporal home of Spurs, but they are yet to win there in the league, Bournemouth aren’t doing very well right now but they know exactly how to scare teams, remember City? Tottenham have a big date with European giants, Real Madrid in midweek, an eye would be on that fixture but we must not pretend like we don’t know Pochetino’s priorities...
Arsenal are away to Watford, a team brimming with confidence with yet another brilliant point at Westbrom, last gasp equalizer just like they did against Liverpool, there is a new spirit at Vicarage road with Marco Silva in charge, strong men with brave hearts, Arsenal have been revitalized since losing meekly at Liverpool, four straight clean sheets, including one at Chelsea show how improved Arsenal are, but they are without Mustafi who suffered injury during the break, Koscielny is back and so would be Rob Holding, this would be a cracker with Watford readying their defence for a long evening. Brighton Host Everton, a struggling team with loads of wasting talents, losing at home to Burnley was the latest of the lows for Everton, now they play another compact team, how will they approach this? Southampton are home to Newcastle, inconsistent as they are, Southampton must win this, Newcastle would be buoyed by their heroics at home to Liverpool but Southampton must find a way round their long balls. Leicester City are down and under, what a season this is becoming for them, poor in all regards, Westbrom are still ruing the last minute equalizer they conceded at home to Watford, they have to keep Leicester out for as long as they can while minding business upfront, interesting fixtures everywhere, time for us to deliver our take like we always do... Premier League Predictions.
Liverpool vs Manchester United
Verdict: Both teams to score
Burnley vs Westham
Verdict: Burnley to win or draw
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea
Verdict: Chelsea to win
Manchester City vs Stoke
Verdict: City to win
Swansea vs Huddlesfield
Verdict: Swansea to win or draw
Tottenham vs Bournemouth
Verdict: Spurs to win
Watford vs Arsenal
Verdict: Arsenal to win
Brighton vs Everton
Verdict: Everton to win or draw
Southampton vs Newcastle
Southampton to win or draw
Leicester vs Westbrom
Verdict: Leicester to win or draw
Strictly the writer’s opinion
Written by @komptrolla