Everton
v Liverpool
Strong contention for match of the week, missing out only
because it holds no realistic title contender, this should be a typically
intriguing encounter. Everton’s great start to the season would make them
favourites if it weren’t for the fact that local derbies, especially this one,
rarely go by the form books. Everton will be without Pienaar through suspension
and it looks like Fellaini will miss out through injury, these are two massive
losses for the Toffees. This will leave the midfielding burden on Osman, Mirallas
and Coleman to provide for Jelavic and Anichebe. As for the reds, Reina is a
doubt and Glen Johnson a ‘maybe’ leaving more defensive frailties for a team
who have already conceded 12 in the first 8 games, so will be looking for their
attacking threat, Luis Suarez, to do the business for them today.
Prediction: Always impossible to
predict but I’m going to go for a score draw. 2-2.
Newcastle
v West Brom
Newcastle have not managed to find their top-four-challenging
form of last season, with Papiss Cisse going missing the majority of the time and
the one striker who is banging in the goals, Demba Ba, seemingly dissatisfied and
on his way out of the club. West Brom, by contrast, find themselves in 6th
place with the only ‘bad’ result being a 3-0 loss away at Fulham, with Steve
Clarke proving his doubters wrong thus far, so the Baggies will be going into
this game full of confidence. Newcastle’s worry this season has been too many
draws, their only losses coming against United and Chelsea, so will be looking
to Demba Ba to compensate for the Geordies’ somewhat leaky defence. Key player
for West Brom will be looking to Shane Long again who, with 3 goals and 2
assists, always looks the most likely to make something happen.
Prediction: With only two away
league goals this season West Brom might struggle to overcome Newcastle, I’m
going for a home win, just. 2-1
Southampton
v Spurs
Despite a nervy start to the season AVB’s men have come on
leaps and bounds and have won 4 games of the last 5, last week’s defeat against
top of the table Chelsea the only ‘blip’ in recent form. Southampton, on the
other hand, are really struggling. They did get that all-important first win of
the season but that was a month ago and they’ve only managed 1 point from their
7 other games. Rickie Lambert has provided four goals but it has been the
Saints’ defensive woes that have caused them problems, shipping 24 goals already
this season, worst in the league. Tottenham themselves have conceded 12, which
is the worst in the top half of the table, so we can’t be surprised if we see a
few goals here at St. Mary’s today. Southampton will be looking for their
entire defence to step their game up if they are to come away from this match
with even a point. Whereas Spurs will be looking to Gareth Bale, returning
after the birth of his child, to run young full-back Nathaniel Clyne ragged.
Prediction: Sorry Saints fans, this
has away win written all over it. 1-3
Chelsea
v Manchester United
See “Big Game of the Week”
Comments
Post a Comment