The new Premier League season continues this weekend with the highly anticipated Manchester United vs Tottenham fixture on the bill on Sunday following a war of words between Ole and Mourinho.
SATURDAY
Chelsea v Crystal Palace (11:30 GMT)
Chelsea have been very unpredictable so far and found themselves 3-0 down against West Brom. They responded well, and rescued themselves in that game, but Blues boss Frank Lampard must be wondering what his side are going to serve up next.
Chelsea always look like scoring, but defensively they have been all over the place. I do think they will improve at the back, though, once Thiago Silva settles in and has a regular partner.
So, I am going to go with them to break down Palace who have had an impressive start to the season.
Prediction: 2-1
Everton v Brighton (14:00 GMT)
Brighton were so unlucky to somehow lose against Manchester United in their last league game. If they keep playing like that, they will finish in the top 10.
The Seagulls look potent going forward, which is one of the ways they have improved, but no-one will want to play Everton at the moment. Toffees striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is absolutely flying and cannot stop scoring. I won’t be surprised if Brighton got something out of this game but I am going for an Everton win here.
Prediction: 2-1
Leeds United v Manchester City (16:30 GMT)
Leeds are still strengthening their squad but the one thing you can be sure about with all of their signings is that they can run. A pre-requisite for all of their players seems to be that they can cover some ground.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side have been fabulous so far and it is going to be fascinating to see how he approaches this game against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Manchester city have to win this game after the humiliating loss at home to Leicester. It is early days but it is looking like Liverpool might run away with the title again.
Prediction: 1-3
Newcastle United v Burnley (19:00 GMT)
Newcastle have had their fair share of fortune in the past few days, firstly with that last-gasp penalty to draw with Tottenham, and then to get past League Two side Newport via a shoot-out.
Burnley have a few injuries and I think Newcastle will be too strong for them.
Prediction: 2-1
SUNDAY
Leicester City v West Ham United (11:00 GMT)
West Ham got their first league win of the season last weekend against Wolves. It was an impressive result and they deserved it, because they played extremely well.
They won’t be afraid of the Foxes, because they will sit in and deny them space to run into. That sounds ridiculous coming off the back of a 4-0 scoreline but that is the format that might give them success here too.
Jamie Vardy is in great form and will be full of confidence after his hat-trick against Manchester City. I don’t see the Hammers keeping him out.
Prediction: 2-1
Southampton v West Bromwich Albion (11:00 GMT)
Southampton are up and running after beating Burnley last time out, and they played well in that game too.
You could see how much the result meant to Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl by the way he ran on to the pitch at full-time – he knew if they had played three and lost three then it would have put them under pressure right at the beginning of the season.
West Brom came close to a morale-boosting win of their own after starting really well against Chelsea – but then they got penned in and could not get out of their own half as their 3-0 lead went away.
Prediction: 2-1
Arsenal v Sheffield United (13:00 GMT)
Still no points and no goals for Sheffield United so far this season. The Blades have got Championship strikers who have done brilliantly for them – but they basically need a prolific striker.
I know Arsenal lost at Anfield but they were really competitive and they had a purpose about the way they played.
The tempo they played at was good too. Yes, they were beaten by a very good Liverpool team but another performance like that will secure the points this time.
Prediction: 2-0
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Fulham (13:00 GMT)
Wolves were well beaten by West Ham over the weekend but I don’t see Fulham giving them too many problems.
The Cottagers are bottom of the table with three defeats from three, with 10 goals conceded. They have good players at the top end of the pitch but really need to sort out their defence.
Prediction: 3-0
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur (15:30 GMT)
It’s not just United’s back four which is a problem – it is the protection, or lack of it, in front of them that really astonished me against Brighton.
Brighton were allowed to play in and around United’s 18-yard box, which I could not understand. Solskjaer has got to find a better balance in his midfield because, yes, they were great going forward – but they look like they are going to concede goals too.
Spurs created plenty of chances against Newcastle last weekend, but could not beat Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow. I am going with United because of their attacking power, but it is going to be very close.
Prediction: 2-1
Aston Villa v Liverpool (18:15 GMT)
Liverpool are playing well at the moment. You could say the same about Aston Villa – and they already look a better team than they were last season – but you have to consider who they have played so far.
Villa beat Sheffield United, who are yet to score a goal, and Fulham, who have shipped plenty. Liverpool are a much sterner proposition at both ends.
Prediction: 0-2
