Manchester resume hunt for maximum points at King Power, Chelsea look to extend

Leicester City vs. Manchester City

Defending champions Leicester City continue to struggle after losing again last weekend to Sunderland by 2-1 at Stadium of Light and this Saturday, it looks even more complicated facing Manchester City but, at least they are playing at home and the fact that City’s Aguero and Fernandinho are ruled out due to the red cards they picked out last weekend facing Chelsea could be an added advantage for them.

Leicester City last won a Premier League game back in October 22nd against Crystal Palace and its now five games in row without a win for this Leicester side, on the other side Manchester City suffered a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea at home last weekend in a game that saw City’s two players shown red cards and that means Aguero and Fernandinho will be sidelined for the next three fixtures, Leicester City would have been a good test for City at this point but, they haven’t been formidable enough in the league this season why I think it’s possible for City to travel to King Power and get three points but, I think Leicester City will fight hard not to lose another league game in a row making me confortable to give these two a point each, Leicester City 2-2 Manchester City

Arsenal vs. Stoke City

Arsenal are playing at home this weekend hosting stubborn Stoke City but, Arsenal is just three points away from the table leaders currently and they would not want to lose any points at this time. Arsenal visited West Ham last weekend and managed to see 5 goals past them and conceded just one goal in that game.

Stoke City also had a confortable 2-0 win last weekend against Burnley both goals coming in the first half of the game which in all ways gives them a bit confidence as they prepare to travel to Arsenal this weekend.

In the last six meetings of these two teams, Arsenal has won 3 times, drew once and lost twice to Stoke therefore they meet again this weekend with Arsenal looking as sure favorites on paper but, I know Stoke also will not rest until the last whistle in this game. Arsenal traveled to Switzerland mid-week for their last Champions League group game against Basel and it turned out to be an easy win for the gunners winning 4-1 which makes me think Wenger might need to rest a few players and play a few fresh legs against stoke to avoid surprises.

I expected Arsenal to stumble in their last two league fixtures but, they have proved me wrong but, I have not changed my mind despite their 5-1 away at West Ham last weekend, I see Stoke City defending whole heartedly for Arsenal to break them the reason I am giving this game a draw, Arsenal 1-1 Stoke City.

Watford vs. Everton

Watford vs. Everton is Saturday’s early kick off at Vicarage Road Stadium with just two points separating the two teams, Everton are in 8th position with 20 points and Watford in 11th position with 18 points from 14 games each so far but, Everton ahead again with one goal difference and Watford with goal difference deficit of 6 goals.

Watford lost to West Bromwich 3-1 last weekend but, they were away, maybe playing home this time gives them a little bit of confidence to face Everton but, it will a hard mountain for Watford to climb from the way Everton played last weekend.

Everton hosted Manchester United last weekend a game that ended 1-1 with Everton securing a very important point from this when Leighton Baines managed to convert Everton’s Penalty in the 89th minute to bring the hosts to level terms with United cancelling Ibrahimović’s 42nd minute goal, I see Everton winning away this weekend if they deploy the same performance spirit as they did last weekend. Bolasie had good attempts that could not be converted but, I think he has been a good fit into this Everton side and I think Watford will not survive again this weekend, Watford 1-2 Everton

Swansea City vs. Sunderland

Swansea City is now last on the table as they host Sunderland who are 3rd last on the table but, also still in the relegation zone although they have displayed good form in the recent games, Sunderland’s first win of the season came four weeks ago when they managed to beat Bournemouth away 2-1, then they got their second win in a row against Hull City wining 3-0, they lost to Liverpool in the middle 2-0 but came back to their winning ways last weekend when they managed to get three points against defending champions Leicester City winning them 2-1.

This Sunderland side that seem to be picking up will be visiting Swansea who managed to win 5-4 against Crystal Palace a week ago but, lost 5-0 in their next fixture against Tottenham, I see a draw written all over this fixture both teams fighting to prove a point but, if a win is to come, I see the home side with a little higher chance and I don’t think David Moyes will make it easy for them, Swansea City 2-2 Sunderland

Burnley vs. AFC Bournemouth

Burnley lost to Stoke City last weekend but, it’s not only Stoke City, they have only won once in their last five fixtures and drew once and lost the remaining three.

They host the popular Bournemouth that managed to beat Liverpool last weekend a game that ended 4-3 despite Liverpool’s 2-0 lead at half time and 3-1 lead again in 75 minutes before 90 minutes, Bournemouth came from behind to get three points at home in front of their fans and Liverpool missed a chance of staying ahead of Arsenal and go top over Manchester City.

With that kind of performance Bournemouth has been the leading sports newspaper headline the whole of this week and with this confidence from the Liverpool’s game I see Burnley suffering another loss in row, Burnley 0-2 AFC Bournemouth

Hull City vs. Crystal Palace

Hull City host Crystal Palace over the weekend at KCOM Stadium hoping to get their first win after four games so far without a win. The latest loss being the 1-0 loss to Middlesbrough on Monday night, they host Crystal Palace who are in 14th position but, have been on and off on many occasions.

Crystal Palace lost to Swansea 5-4 a week ago but, managed to win last weekend 3-0 against Southampton, now you can’t be sure how Allan Pardew and his boys will play with such an inconsistence display lately, but I guess Crystal Palace will be relying on their attacking force of Benteke and Puncheon to produce some fruits upfront and cause extreme discomfort to the Hull City defense as much as possible but Hull City is at home and KCOM stadium is not easy for anyone to come and get three points.

I will give this a draw but, it’s possible for the home team to get a win if all goes well, Hull City 1-1 Crystal Palace

Chelsea vs. West Bromwich

Table leaders Chelsea play on Sunday this weekend at Stamford Bridge with three points clear from second positioned Arsenal, Chelsea has gone eight games so far unbeaten and they are getting maximum. The latest win is still fresh in our memory which was last week’s fixture at Etihad Stadium home of Manchester City where Chelsea visited and saw three goals past this City side.

They will be playing at home this weekend against 7th Positioned side West Bromwich who are the best opponents at the time but, I guess Chelsea is a class ahead and it will take a very committed side to have this Chelsea drop any points at this level, Chelsea’s Diego Costa is currently the top scorer both with Arsenals Sanchez all tied at 11 goals and I am sure he will be looking to add more goals, West Bromwich on the other side is 14 points behind Chelsea and have managed to get results against big sides like a win at Leicester and a draw at Tottenham but, have also lost to Liverpool and Manchester City among the big guns in the league.

They have another test this week of Chelsea which I think I won’t judge them if they completely fall but, also I won’t be surprised if West Bromwich caused Chelsea problems, they visited King Power stadium and won 2-1, who knows they can do it again but, Chelsea is by far the better side and I will go with a home win, Chelsea 3-1 West Bromwich

Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur

My game of the weekend and for many others I guess that follow the Premier League will agree with me, Manchester United host Tottenham on Sunday both teams still fighting to deliver their best but, Tottenham with a better this season so far, Spurs have only lost once this season and this partly explains why they are ahead of Man Utd by 6 points.

United failed to break Everton last week and had to settle for just a point from Goodson Park but, on the other side Tottenham was flying at White Hart Lane against Swansea a game that ended 5-0 in favor of the home side, the last time these two met Tottenham won 3-0.

In their last six meetings, both teams have won twice and drawn twice as well, with this kind of history the game could go either way but, Man United will be playing at home and that gives them a bit of an advantage, my only issue is trusting them to win them game. They look good on the pitch but, just can’t get consistent results and until Mourinho gets a solution for this, this season will be terrifying for this Man United side despite having the most paid players in terms of weekly earnings.

The top 20 most paid Premier League list is topped by the Man United side lead by Paul Pogba (Man Utd) at £290,000 a week, Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) at £260,000 and Zlatan Ibrahimović also Man United with £250,000 a Week then Sergio Aguero of Man City comes In 4th position at £240,000, this can’t be good news at all for the Man United fans because, it does not translate at all to the standings in the League.

I think Tottenham has kind of picked up and it’s possible for United to fall victim of this Tottenham side, Manchester United 2-3 Tottenham Hotspur

Liverpool vs. West Ham United

Liverpool is back home at Anfield this weekend after losing to Bournemouth 4-3 last weekend in a game the Reds had a 95% chance of winning but, could not hold their nerves perfectly to embrace their half time 2-0 lead and 75 minute 3-1 lead and Bournemouth managed to come back to make it 4-3 in the 90 minutes, it was a surprise loss for Liverpool and a surprise win for Bournemouth also, surprisingly Liverpool Coach Jürgen Klopp took his whole Liverpool first team side on a camp holiday to Barcelona after this horrible defeat and they were seen in the Camp Nou stands mid- week watching Barcelona play the Germany side Borussia M'gladbach a game that ended 4-0.

Daniel Sturridge could be back and Lallana to be more fit to help them keep the hunt of the top spot alive, but this West Ham side managed to get a point from Man United a week ago and they are very good at set pieces which is Liverpool’s biggest weakness in defense, Klopp will be looking to play Sadio Mane 90 minutes this time also ensure the defense side is more solid which might send the Brazilian international Lucas Lieva aside to pave way for either Joe Matip if he is well or Moreno since Mamadou Sakho is history in this Liverpool line up for now.

Liverpool is most likely to win this but, don’t be surprised how hard it will be for them or even West Ham getting a draw from Anfield, Liverpool 3-1 West Ham United

Southampton vs. Middlesbrough

Southampton was beaten 3-0 last weekend by Crystal Palace which was a very surprising final result having seen them battle it out with Liverpool a week ago to get a draw, they will be at home this weekend against Middlesbrough who are behind them by just one position with just a difference of 2 points and if Middlesbrough can win this, they will be sure of being on top of Southampton by one point but, also if they lose to the host team, Southampton will broaden the gap between these two by 5 points.

I see Southampton fighting hard to win this having lost their previous league game and with the quality of play from the likes of Redmond and van Dijk Southampton will leave no stone unturned for three points this Sunday, Southampton 2-1 Middlesbrough