Exclusive e-Football Premier League Preview
Article by Paul GlanfieldFollowing a dramatic international break which concluded the group stage of European World Cup qualification, the Premier League returns this Saturday. For once there is a rarely seen extensive list of fixtures on Saturday with only two fixtures being played over the course of Sunday and Monday. Expect Arsenal to continue their early title push but more hardship for Spurs and Manchester United in their battle to get back in the mix at the top.
Saturday 19th October
Newcastle vs Liverpool
You have to go a long way back to find this fixture ending goalless, and I expect goals in this meeting, although not as many as many hyping up the game would have you believe. Newcastle will be desperate to avenge last season’s demolition in the corresponding fixture, whilst Liverpool will be determined to maintain their spectacular start and continue to add doubts to the various voices claiming they are still destined to fall away.
It could be close but I’m going for an away win.
Prediction – 1-2
Arsenal vs Norwich
The Gunners have been in such terrific form that it is hard to imagine any slip up here. The real test of
Arsenal’s title credentials will come over the course of November and December when they face Everton, Liverpool, United, City and Chelsea. For the coming weeks however it is hard to see Arsenal suffering from any jitters and Saturday should be comfortable.
Prediction - 3-0
Chelsea vs Cardiff
Behind the scenes a storm is brewing at Cardiff. Even if the tea lady hasn’t been appointed first team coach by kick off it’s hard to expect anything other than a Chelsea win. Jose suggested he could smell defeat in their last match against Norwich and quickly changed the team around. It is hard to imagine he will be smelling anything other than blood here.
Prediction - 4-0
Newcastle vs Liverpool
You have to go a long way back to find this fixture ending goalless, and I expect goals in this meeting, although not as many as many hyping up the game would have you believe. Newcastle will be desperate to avenge last season’s demolition in the corresponding fixture, whilst Liverpool will be determined to maintain their spectacular start and continue to add doubts to the various voices claiming they are still destined to fall away.
It could be close but I’m going for an away win.
Prediction – 1-2
Arsenal vs Norwich
The Gunners have been in such terrific form that it is hard to imagine any slip up here. The real test of
Arsenal’s title credentials will come over the course of November and December when they face Everton, Liverpool, United, City and Chelsea. For the coming weeks however it is hard to see Arsenal suffering from any jitters and Saturday should be comfortable.
Prediction - 3-0
Chelsea vs Cardiff
Behind the scenes a storm is brewing at Cardiff. Even if the tea lady hasn’t been appointed first team coach by kick off it’s hard to expect anything other than a Chelsea win. Jose suggested he could smell defeat in their last match against Norwich and quickly changed the team around. It is hard to imagine he will be smelling anything other than blood here.
Prediction - 4-0
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Everton vs Hull
The inspired acquisition of Lukaku looks to have galvanised Everton whom at present do not appear to be having any kind of David Moyes shaped hangover. In fact, with a new zip to their game inspired by Martinez there seems to be a genuine buzz around the place again. Steve Bruce has also got Hull performing wonders
to date and this may be a tighter affair than you’d maybe imagine. For me a narrow home win seems the most likely outcome.
Prediction – 2-1
Man Utd vs Southampton
United picked up a huge victory last time out at Sunderland, but they were hardly convincing and lucky to be in the game at half-time still. Southampton look a real dark horse and the more Liverpool go from strength to strength, the more impressive their shock victory at Anfield actually looks. Talk of the Champions League seems fanciful, but I expect Southampton to shock us all again and leave Old Trafford with a hard earned point.
Prediction – 0-0
Stoke City vs West Brom
Two teams with indifferent but steady starts. Mark Hughes has been fairly well received by the Stoke faithful to date whilst Steve Clarke’s side slowly seem to be rediscovering the form of last season, where they were one of the leagues surprise packages. This one could go either way but may well result in a draw.
Prediction – 1-1
Swansea vs Sunderland
Gus Poyet needs to start turning things around quickly at Sunderland, and despite a less than convincing start at home in the league (albeit against top opposition) Swansea are still a very good side. I expect a spirited fight from Sunderland but the quality of the Swans will prove decisive ultimately.
Prediction – 2-0
West Ham vs Man City
Fresh from their open top bus parade around the streets of London following their superb thrashing of Tottenham, the happy Hammers return to action with a mouth-watering fixture against Manchester City. City have been far too open under Pellegrini and the fear factor around them for opposition is diminishing, despite the wealth of attacking talent at their disposal. I’m going for an away win in a thrilling game, but would not be surprised at all if West Ham take a point or all three given the shortcomings of City.
Prediction – 2-3
Sunday 20th October
Aston Villa vs Spurs
Spurs are in the strange situation of being 3 points off top but finding themselves on the verge of crisis, such was the humiliation caused by the defeat to West Ham. Up until then they seemed an assured and solid team, which meant the lack of goals at the other end wasn’t really so much of an issue. This is now a massive test of their top four credentials and Villa will be buzzing after the recent victory over City. Can see this being a top game but one that neither side will leave with all 3 points.
Prediction – 1-1
Monday 21st October
Crystal Palace vs Fulham
Martin Jol and Ian Holloway both need the points with both sides near the bottom at this early stage. Jol seems to be fighting for his job at the moment and Holloway seems to have a huge task on his hands with the squad at his disposal. At home I fancy Palace to sneak it and pile even more pressure on the Dutchman in charge of their opponents.
Prediction – 2-1
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The inspired acquisition of Lukaku looks to have galvanised Everton whom at present do not appear to be having any kind of David Moyes shaped hangover. In fact, with a new zip to their game inspired by Martinez there seems to be a genuine buzz around the place again. Steve Bruce has also got Hull performing wonders
to date and this may be a tighter affair than you’d maybe imagine. For me a narrow home win seems the most likely outcome.
Prediction – 2-1
Man Utd vs Southampton
United picked up a huge victory last time out at Sunderland, but they were hardly convincing and lucky to be in the game at half-time still. Southampton look a real dark horse and the more Liverpool go from strength to strength, the more impressive their shock victory at Anfield actually looks. Talk of the Champions League seems fanciful, but I expect Southampton to shock us all again and leave Old Trafford with a hard earned point.
Prediction – 0-0
Stoke City vs West Brom
Two teams with indifferent but steady starts. Mark Hughes has been fairly well received by the Stoke faithful to date whilst Steve Clarke’s side slowly seem to be rediscovering the form of last season, where they were one of the leagues surprise packages. This one could go either way but may well result in a draw.
Prediction – 1-1
Swansea vs Sunderland
Gus Poyet needs to start turning things around quickly at Sunderland, and despite a less than convincing start at home in the league (albeit against top opposition) Swansea are still a very good side. I expect a spirited fight from Sunderland but the quality of the Swans will prove decisive ultimately.
Prediction – 2-0
West Ham vs Man City
Fresh from their open top bus parade around the streets of London following their superb thrashing of Tottenham, the happy Hammers return to action with a mouth-watering fixture against Manchester City. City have been far too open under Pellegrini and the fear factor around them for opposition is diminishing, despite the wealth of attacking talent at their disposal. I’m going for an away win in a thrilling game, but would not be surprised at all if West Ham take a point or all three given the shortcomings of City.
Prediction – 2-3
Sunday 20th October
Aston Villa vs Spurs
Spurs are in the strange situation of being 3 points off top but finding themselves on the verge of crisis, such was the humiliation caused by the defeat to West Ham. Up until then they seemed an assured and solid team, which meant the lack of goals at the other end wasn’t really so much of an issue. This is now a massive test of their top four credentials and Villa will be buzzing after the recent victory over City. Can see this being a top game but one that neither side will leave with all 3 points.
Prediction – 1-1
Monday 21st October
Crystal Palace vs Fulham
Martin Jol and Ian Holloway both need the points with both sides near the bottom at this early stage. Jol seems to be fighting for his job at the moment and Holloway seems to have a huge task on his hands with the squad at his disposal. At home I fancy Palace to sneak it and pile even more pressure on the Dutchman in charge of their opponents.
Prediction – 2-1
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Except for the WHU game, a 9 out of 10 ....
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