Football: This Weekend in The Big League

Liverpool vs Man United

The international break may have worn us all down but there’s no better way to get back into the feel of club football than a clash of the sides that probably the biggest traditional rivals in English football.

Liverpool has started this season off in an extremely shaky manner with United looking quite the opposite.

The away side has often been favourite on its visits to Anfield and the opening game of this weekend is no different. Although Jose Mourinho is without Paul Pogba, I expect United to stun the Reds early and Jurgen Klopp’s side don’t have much of a Plan B at this moment in time to help them fire back. It’s tough to stop Liverpool scoring but the Red Devils’ late march should see them over the line.

Prediction: 1-2

Man City vs Stoke

Whatever happens to United in the early kick-off, their rivals for the top of the table at Manchester City will go into their 3pm game against an average Stoke side knowing that it is precisely the sort of contest where slip-ups can happen. The visitors have struggled for form, leaked goals and can’t seem to score many either but Man City’s Pep Guardiola will not be letting his guard down this weekend. The home side has scored goals from all over the pitch and dismantled last season’s champions Chelsea before the international break. Man City look unstoppable.

Prediction: 3-0

Palace vs Chelsea

I really want to think Palace will end its atrocious run of not scoring (seven games into the season without a single goal) but I don’t see it happening this week. Without a proper striker whose fully fit and firing, the Eagles have been trying to sign Carlton Cole; that’s how bad things have got for them. Chelsea’s home defeat to City outlined the Blues’ problems and gave Antonio Conte plenty to work on. Despite not having Alvaro Morata fit for this trip to nearby Palace, the Blues should have enough firepower to extend the agony of Roy Hodgson and Co.

Prediction: 0-2

Spurs vs Bournemouth

Harry Kane’s on fire, clean sheets are easy to come by and the Spurs look even better than did in the previous two seasons but the game is at “home”, in Wembley.

As long as the curse of Wembley sticks with fans, it will also affect the players. Bournemouth will be looking to pinch a huge victory on its visit to London this weekend and it has every chance if it can maintain the high standard of its last two games. It should be an enticing game but Kane’s good form might be enough to see the home side over the line.

Prediction: 1-0

Burnley vs West Ham

The Hammers are in desperate need of a consistent turnaround of form rather than just a couple of good results. Burnley has caused some upsets already this season and I can’t see past the home side’s rigid defence and bright attacking force. West Ham would need some inspiration from Javier Hernandez to avoid defeat but it doesn’t look likely.

Prediction: 1-0

Swansea vs Huddersfield

Both teams have looked dry of goals recently, especially Swansea since losing Gylfi Sigurdsson. Huddersfield started the season superbly but faded after the first four games and a 0-4 home defeat to Spurs before the international break was a real eye-opener for the Yorkshire side. It will be a low-scoring game at the Liberty Stadium with the home side edging it.

Prediction: 1-0

Watford vs Arsenal

Marco Silva has turned the Hornets into a well-oiled machine. The home side will look to defend deep and catch Arsenal on the counter but the Gunners have improved drastically in recent weeks so it should be an exciting game resulting in an away win for Arsene Wenger’s men.

Prediction: 1-2

Brighton vs Everton

The best way to describe the first of Sunday’s two games is chaos. The visitors have looked sloppy and slow at times this season but they have also been scintillating to watch on the odd occasion. The home side will be looking to capitalise on the fact that Everton struggles to defend against quick players so the likes of Anthony Knockaert should get a good chance to create chances.

Prediction: 1-1

Southampton vs Newcastle

The final game of the weekend is a fixture made for Newcastle’s defence with Southampton looking poor going forward and not having much movement in the final third. Rafa Benitez’s side is well organised and tends to dominate teams who struggle to move the ball quickly in the final third.

The Saints have been boring to watch, which is unusual considering the type of football they play but this season hasn’t really got going for them yet. It will be a tight game but the visitors will be galvanised by their point against Liverpool in their last game and they should steal the points at St Mary’s.

Prediction: 0-1

Leicester vs West Brom

If there are two teams that play totally opposite styles of football, it’s the two facing off on Monday night. Leicester’s counter-attacking style goes head to head with West Brom’s defending-deep format. Jamie Vardy will be crucial for Craig Shakespeare’s men and with the Baggies lacking goals you’d have to favour the Foxes.

Prediction: 2-0

By Nubaid Haroon

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