By
PaulT
Hello everyone and welcome again to the preview of the game week ahead. Last week was a quieter week for many but the week ahead has some more games that will throw up some interesting dilemmas on who to pick. We have another massive title contenders match on the horizon and the early relegation candidates have another chance to try and find their form. So lets dive in and see what we have……
Brighton v West Ham United
Friday night football comes to the Amex as the surprise package of the last GW come visiting. West Ham shocked Man Utd and they will be hoping their good form continues here. The Hammers are now unbeaten in three in the league, which has pushed them two points above Brighton into 14th. Victories over Everton and Manchester United will have undoubtedly boosted morale, however, having won just two of their last nine away matches, they must be wary of facing a Brighton side that has been impressive at home following their promotion last summer. The Seagulls were only beaten 2-0 at the home of the champions and their solid defensive display will be encouraging. Matt Ryan was beaten twice but had 6 saves so he has shown his worth to the team. Key players here will be Murray and March in attack for Brighton and the dangerous front 3 of Yarmalenko, Arnautovic and Anderson for West Ham.
Prediction � BHA 1-2 WHU
Burnley v Huddersfield Town
Burnley continued their upswing with a good win away at Cardiff. The Clarets are hitting more consistency over the last 2 games ans they will hope to keep that form going against Town here, with the Yorkshire side still languishing at the bottom of the table. A gaol and assist from Gudmundsson saw him rack up 13pts and make it into the FPL team of the week. Burnley will also look to Vokes up top and Hart in goals to provide much needed steel. Huddersfield lost to Spurs but were in the game for long spells. They were denied by woodwork and good goalkeeping, but the lack of goals still is the concern and no end is in sight for this. Depoitre looked much more lively, and support coming from the likes of Pritchard and Mounie will be needed if they are to climb the table soon.
Prediction � BUR 2-0 HUD
Crystal Palace v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Palace fell to a late defeat on Monday night and the Eagles will hope that the moment of madness from Sakho to give away the penalty will not be seen again soon. Van Aanholt scored a cracking equaliser in the match and the left back has shown in the past he knows where the net is. Max Meyer also found his way into the starting XI for Hodgson's men, and the little German has all the talent to drag Palace into a better position. Wolves eventually got their just desserts at home to the Saints, 2 late goals giving them the points. Cavaliero scored with his 1st touch in the Premier League and he is like a new signing for Wolves so he could be one for your team too. Jonny added to the left back dominance in the league with a goal and another good performance. Particio made the FPL team of the week in goals too, and whilst he is wearing no11 he is no1 for the Midlands club. A tight game ahead here.
Prediction � CRY 1-2 WOL
Leicester City v Everton
Leicester piled more misery on in the North East with a solid 2-0 at St James's. They welcome an Everton side who had a good win also last weekend, but will be disappointed to have gone out of the League Cup midweek. The Foxes have been glad to have Vardy back, and England hero of the summer Maguire put his massive noggin to good use scoring at the weekend. Puel's men have been quietly consistent this year and the steady performances of someone like Pereira at full back shows this to a tee. Everton's win on Saturday owed much to Sigurdsson finally showing the form we know he can produce, although the less said about his penalty miss the better. Walcott changed the midweek cup tie when he came on, and he can be the difference maker here too.
Prediction LEI 2-2 EVE
Tottenham Hotspur v Cardiff City
Spurs had a good win away at Huddersfield, but injuries are taking their toll and the Barcelona game will have taken so much out of them. They will be thankful that Cardiff come to town in 19th place and seemingly still struggling with the transition to life in the top division. Spurs have lost both Alli and Eriksen in recent weeks meaning their creative side is lacking, but they still make and take chances through Kane. Lloris returning in goal will give them a boost, and Trippier chipping in with the odd assist is also welcome to those that have him in their side. Cardiff lost out in a tight game at hme to Burnley, and the bright spark in the form of Josh Murphy gives them hope going into the upcoming games. Arter and Camarasa have shown good form in recent games as well the Welsh side will hope to cause an upset at the home of English Football.
Prediction TOT 3-1 CAR
Watford v AFC Bournemouth
Watford held out till late on at the Emirates, but after their great start that match meant that they have only got 1 point from the last 3 games. They will be keen to arrest that slide against another side showing good early season form. Watford still find themselves in 6th place in the table, which is well ahead of preseason expectations. Their main players will again be Gray, Deeney and Pereyra Bournemouth ground out a good 2-1 win over Palace, and will not be undaunted coming to London. They have had good individual contributions from the likes of Fraser and Wilson, but the 1st goal from young Brooks was a moment to remember for him and his side. This should be a cracker!
Prediction WAT 3-2 BOU
Manchester United v Newcastle United
Saturday night sees the 2 United's clash at Old Trafford and neither manager has his troubles to seek. The high profile bust up, followed by lacklustre performances in the League and Champions League have many calling for Jose's head. Paul Scholes even said he was surprised tha manager was still in the dugout after West Ham. Whilst he is still there, Mourinho needs 3 points here. He will look to Rashford to give his youthful energy and talent to the side up front and hope that the likes of Mata and Fred can pull the string from midfield. In the opposition dugout, Benitez must also be feeling the pressure as the Magpies sit in the bottom 3. They were well beaten by Leicester and the concern is that they cannot get out of their funk before they are fully embroiled in the battle for the drop. Big performances will be needed here from the defence, so points could be gained from Lascelles and Dubravka. The goal threat (if one materialises) would come from Rondon.
Prediction MNU 2-1 NEW
Fulham v Arsenal
Sunday kicks off at the Cottage and Fulham will be hoping that their lacklustre display at Everton is just a blip on an otherwise decent start to the season for the promoted side. The visit of Emery's Gooners should get them up for this London Derby. They will hope that their big players show up better, so the likes of Mitrovic and Seri will need to be on top form if they are to get a result here. A decent showing from Bettinelli in goal will also be needed as the Arsenal attack is their best feature. Lacazette is in the best form of his spell in England, and Ozil was back on the score sheet at the weekend. Cech's injury see Leno get his chance in goal and the German will hope to have a good showing here.
Prediction FUL 1-3 ARS
Southampton v Chelsea
Saints come into the game having put Everton out of the League Cup on penalties midweek. They need to pick up in the league and defeat last week at Wolves sees them sitting on 5 points just above the relegation zone. Ings played well in midweek and seems to be the man most of the Saints hopes rest on this season. Nathan Redmond is a talented winger that can lay on the assists for them and strong at the back is McCarthy in goal. Their biggest issue is they are facing a Chelsea side who will want to get back to winning ways after 2 draws n the past 2 games. The late equaliser from Liverpool might have knocked the stuffing out of many other teams, but Sarri's men are made of more and they will expect to bounce back here. The obvious threat of Hazard sees him into a lot of FPL squads, but the continued form of Kante sees him as the “best player in the world” according to his more lauded Belgian wing wizard team mate. Rudiger has also been quietly going about his business, and was vital on Saturday.
Prediction Sou 0-2 CHE
Liverpool v Manchester City
Last but by no means least sees the 2 favourites for the title clash at Anfield. Liverpool struck late to bring 1 point back from the Bridge, Sturridge's strike coming straight out of the top drawer. Klopp will be swearing on the fitness of Keita who was stretchered off in Naples, so the continued good form of Milner will be key. Front 3 as always will be the main treat but with Champions League in their legs, you may see some rotation up top here. City are top on goal difference from their hosts, so they will be looking to put daylight between them here. Pep wil be happy that his men were able to grin out a win in Germany midweek, and with such a massive pool of talent to choose form you may see the likes of Jesus, Mahrez and even the fast healing De Bruyne come into contention for the weekend. FPL bosses debating over the Salah vs Aguero captains armband will be sweating on team selection right up to deadline, which is what we all love to see, dont we?
Prediction LIV 1-2 MNC
Another fascinating week ahead, and some good matches to look forward to.
Until next week…
LET'S GO!!!!
PaulT
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