CHELSEA VS NEWCASTLE (3:00PM)
Chelsea: 1/3, Newcastle: 21/2, Draw: 49/10
Chelsea host Steve Bruce’s Newcastle, with the Blues unbeaten in their last
four and Newcastle looking for back-to-back wins for the first time in 6
months. N’Golo Kante is expected to return to the line-up, after being absent
from his teams win over Southampton with a muscle strain, whilst Andreas
Christensen and Antonio Rudiger are back in contention following groin
injuries. Newcastle are expected to line-up with the same eleven that stunned
Manchester United at St. James Park, meaning match-winner and local lad
Matt Longstaff could make his second-ever start for the Magpies.
With Newcastle only winning once in 25 meetings against Chelsea, Lampard’s
men will be confident of extending their excellent run of form. Despite their
heroics against Man. United, Longstaff’s goal merely papered over the cracks of what is going to be a tough season for a side that have won only twice this
term.
Micah’s prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Newcastle
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR VS WATFORD (3:00PM)
Spurs: 4/9, Watford: 7/1, Draw: 41/10
Tottenham will be looking to put behind them talk of unrest and unsettlement
within the squad by beating struggling Watford. Their task will not be helped
by the fact captain Hugo Lloris will be facing a long spell side lined and summer
signing Giovanni Lo Celso faces a month out. Michel Vorm has returned to the
club on a short-term contract and is expected to make his debut. Meanwhile,
Watford captain Troy Deeney is closing in on a return after knee surgery, and
could feature on Saturday.
Spurs have been, at best, unconvincing this season but have been handed a
great opportunity to put things right against the league’s bottom side.
Manager Quiqe Sanchez Flores will be looking for his first win in his second
spell in charge of the Hornets and may see the stuttering Tottenham as a good
chance to shock the world and kickstart a blunt season so far.
Micah’s Prediction: Tottenham 2-1 Watford
CRYSTAL PALACE VS MANCHESTER CITY (5:30PM)
Palace: 12/1, Man City: 1/4, Draw: 6/1
Crystal Palace face their toughest test of the season as they host back-to-back
champions Manchester City at Selhurst Park. City will be looking to try and
close the 8-point gap between themselves and rivals Liverpool, who play 24
hours later. Palace, though, could leapfrog Guardiola’s men into second place
with a win and other results going in their favour. Palace’s only injury concern
is Frenchman Mamadou Sakho, who will miss Saturday evening’s clash with a
muscle strain. Captain Milivojevic will return after his suspension and is
expected to start. City remain without Aymeric Laporte in the long-term,
whereas John Stones and Kevin De Bruyne are in contention to return after
spells out of the team. Sergio Aguero faces a late fitness assessment following
a car accident in the international break.
Palace come into this one in excellent form; back-to-back wins have silenced
claims that the Zaha transfer saga unsettled the squad. Ecent wins over
Manchester United and last season’s 3-2 triumph against City will have buoyed
the Eagles, who know they can beat anyone in front of their own fans. City
meanwhile, will be looking for blood after a surprisingly rare home loss to
Wolves last time out and will be looking to get their title defence back on track.
Micah’s prediction: Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City
SHEFFIELD UNITED VS ARSENAL (MONDAY, 8:00PM)
Sheff. Utd: 3/1, Arsenal: 19/20, Draw: 47/16
Arsenal will be looking to get on the path to consistency but face a stern test
against Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United. The Blades have already impressed
against big boys Liverpool and Chelsea with their positive football and famed
‘over-lapping centre-backs’, whilst Arsenal have flattered to deceive after
splashing the cash in the summer. Arsenal will be boosted by the long-awaited
return of Hector Bellerin after an ACL injury; the wing-back had been out since
January. Oli McBurnie and John Fleck are major doubts for Sheffield United,
after picking up injuries on international duty, whilst David McGoldrick remains
side-lined with groin trouble.
The Gunners’ big problem last season seems to have carried over into this one;
an inability to win the so-called ‘winnable’ games. This term, Emery’s men
have become even more reliant on talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubamayang,
despite investing £72m on Nicolas Pepe, whilst their back-line looks organised
at the best of times. Wilder’s men may just snatch a victory in front of their
own fans.
Micah’s prediction: Sheffield United 2-1 Arsenal
ELSEWHERE..
League leaders Liverpool will travel to Old Trafford to face fierce rivals
Manchester United. A win will see the Reds set the record for the most
consecutive in Premier League history. You can read more about this clash
here (link to Alex’s article). Leicester will be looking to extend their excellent
start to the season at home to Burnley, Bournemouth face struggling Norwich
whilst Aston Villa host Brighton. Wolves, flying high after their defeat of
Manchester City, face Southampton at Molinuex.
Words by: Micah Chudleigh