Premier league predictions & betting tips
Huddersfield, like AFC Bournemouth gave a good fight, in fact the strongest challenge till date to the Etihad dynasty but in the end, the massive quality in the City squad came through. That must be quite tough on David Wagner’s team as they saw their half time lead usurped by a second half barrage of attacks culminating into mistakes and eventual loss, and now they play Arsenal.
Manchester City proved again why exactly everyone is tipping them for the title as early as day one of the season, in quality, they’re a class apart, they showed grit when needed, patience when needed, brutality when needed and flair when need calls for it as evident in the displays against Bournemouth where a 97th minute winner from Sterling won the game, against Leicester where they had to wait before Jesus tapped in from a beautifully worked team move, against Liverpool and Stoke where the rest is history and against everyone else they faced respectively, whoever is in charge, please hand them the trophy already as it would take an extra ordinary collapse of some sorts and a mazy run from probably Manchester United to stop them. City face Southampton this Wednesday, doesn’t look like there’s anything that can stop the Citizens from embarrassing the Saints who finally scored more than two for the first time against the dead woods of the league... Everton.
Manchester United is the strongest of the chasing pack but they were tested by a resilient Brighton side who had the best of chances but couldn’t get past David De Gea in goal for the Red Devils, just a lone goal, an odd one for that matter was enough to keep the points safe and the chase on but United must do more, if the opponents were stronger on the day would United have won? Now they’re away at Watford, the Hornets went away and destroyed their hosts 3:0, Rafael Benitez would wonder what befell his team but Watford were better in all regards, they’ve been recently poor but they came to the party on Saturday and got the points. Squaring up at Vicarage road on Tuesday, it’s left to be seen how rampaging United would be or how compact and daring Watford would be, they already got scalps of big teams this season, holding Liverpool to a 3:3 draw, beating Arsenal several late goals to hurt opponents, big reasons why Marco Silva is hunted by Everton owners to replace the departed Ronald Koeman.
Elsewhere, Brighton are home to Crystal Palace, the Eagles left it late again as Sakho fired in at the death to steal all three points from Stoke at Selhurst while Brighton came so strong against United but lost, this would be some cracker of who wants it more.
Leicester City host Tottenham at the KP stadium, the latter went ahead against Westham on Friday but couldn’t keep it as the Hammers fought back to earn a draw, the grit and flair known with this Leicester side aren’t there anymore, the fear factor is gone, hence the surge of teams against them, you wonder what happened to the spirit that won the league two seasons ago. Tottenham aren’t their usual self either, one moment they’re dusting European Champions Real Madrid, the next they’re losing meekly to Arsenal and getting held at home by Westbrom, is Spurs falling off from grace?
They were lackadaisical early on as Westbrom shocked them, they leveled and really didn’t threaten much, against the Foxes they have to do better, way better hence they fall further from the Manchester clubs and even off the top four slots.
Westbrom will look to further their rise with the scalp of another big weekend loser, Newcastle, the gordies were shell shocked by Watford, three unreplied goals at home and this must be taken with all sense of seriousness, Rafael Benitez has it all to do, Westbrom are struggling and want to leave the red zone, they won’t make it easy for the visitors who must keep an eye on the bullish Peruvian, Solomon Rondon.
Burnley! What a team, the good works of Sean Dyche may not have earned a result against Arsenal but it certainly didn’t go unnoticed, what a performance that was; AFC Bournemouth played draw away from home for the first time all season long at Swansea, they’re home to Burnley this time and they certainly need loads of discipline, pace and precision, hence they would be punished by these high-flying lads. Burnley were just the whistle away from a very valuable point against Arsenal, although looking at the substitution Dyche made, he wanted the three but Takowski shockingly opted to push Ramsey who didn’t look like he would get something on the ball even as the last possible gunner to get in there and referee pointed to the spot, regardless, they live to fight against Bournemouth on Wednesday night.
Everton are in trouble, from one poor result to the other, Westham are next in line, another troubled team and indeed a relegation six pointer, they both must win, from losing woefully at home in Europe to losing emphatically to a Southampton team that doesn’t like scoring, hey, halt the rot Toffees! David Moyes did get a point at home to Leicester, a point here and there could keep them alive but a game of this magnitude must be won without excuses, it’s a must win for either side.
Stoke City are home to Liverpool, Mohammed Salah is no doubt the most prolific forward in the league, he scores every time and anytime, he proved his mettle against Chelsea, finding chink in their armour and will look to breach the potters’ defence as well. Stoke wobbled to defeat late on against Watford, looking like getting a result until Sakho happened, Stoke aren’t in the best of shape but they need all the intelligence in their squad to attempt to stop this Liverpool forward line and yes, Lallana is back!
Chelsea had to dig deep to earn a point at Anfield, great game of football that ended all square afforded Arsenal some heights on the log, Chelsea now home to Swansea would remember some recent results here and not take these Swans for granted; the Welsh club are down below and sliding down faster than imagined, stalemate again last time out when they hosted Bournemouth, they appear casual and too timid, they definitely would be pressed up field, stressed out and tested every tome Chelsea come forward, have they got what it takes to stop the Blues?
Arsenal host Huddersfield, fresh from the last gasp winner, albeit fortuitous against Burnley, a team that took the battle to them from all angles. For the third straight time, it was a controversial last gasp strike that took things away from Burnley against Arsenal, all having Alexis Sanchez written all over them. Huddersfield were home to the runaway leaders Manchester City, they were fearless, scored first and looked like earning a point but collapsed late on to a heart breaking Sterling strike, Arsenal have won every home game this season, but Huddersfield would be the latest to try and stop that run. The English premier league prides itself as the best in the world and the surprises it springs with results explain that in details, here we go again with predictions:
Fixtures
Brighton vs Crystal Palace
Betting prediction: Brighton to win or draw
Leicester vs Tottenham
Betting prediction: Tottenham to win or draw
Watford vs Manchester United
Betting prediction: United to win
Westbrom vs Newcastle
Betting prediction: Newcastle to win or draw
Bournemouth vs Burnley
Betting prediction: Burnley to win or draw
Arsenal vs Huddersfield
Betting prediction: Arsenal to win
Chelsea vs Swansea
Betting prediction: Chelsea to win
Everton vs Westham
Betting prediction: Westham to win or draw
Manchester City vs Southampton
Betting prediction: City to win
Stoke vs Liverpool
Betting prediction: Liverpool to win
Strictly the writer’s opinion...
