Week 6 was defined by three dominant performances from the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea, who look a class above the rest of the league. Apart from that, the other big teams all won and the league is starting to get into a rhythm. Week 7 features the first massive game of the season, with two of the three heavyweights meeting for the first time. Here is how it will go down.
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Huddersfield vs Tottenham
Tottenham looks pretty good when they are not playing at Wembley, given that they have won all three of their away games this season, however, when they get to the national stadium it is a totally different matter, which doesn’t bode well for their chances of winning anything this year (no complaints here). Luckily for them, they are away from home this week, playing just the kind of no pressure game that they excel in, which is why I expect them to beat Huddersfield, who have gone off the boil since their fast start: 3-1, Tottenham’s way.
Bournemouth vs Leicester
Both Leicester and Bournemouth are hovering around the Premier League’s trap door, although the common belief among pundits is that they are both probably a bit too good to go down. I disagree and think that Leicester will deservedly get relegated after the way they treated club legend, Ranieri, last season: Karma’s a bitch! They concede a lot of goals and I expect Bournemouth to take full advantage: managing to win 2-1.
Man U vs Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace is on a record-setting pace: words that nobody ever expected to say about a team that is as mediocre, boring and beige as Palace. Unfortunately for them they are setting all the wrong records and could well be described as the worst team in Premier League history by the end of the season. While Manchester United keep winning and should knock off Palace at home, given that their two biggest rivals are playing each other, meaning that at least one of them will drop points. But football is a strange sport and this game has upset written all over it, which is why I believe that Palace will register their first points of the season at United: 1-1.
Stoke vs Southampton
It’s the battle of the red and white stripes! Destined to be a tedious affair: between two teams that are the very definition of mid-table mediocrity. I do feel slightly sorry for Stoke, who have already played a number of tricky matches this season and managed to pick up some good points. Which is why, I think, they will manage to grab a goal and hold on against the Saints who aren’t renowned for their goalscoring exploits this year: 1-0 Stoke.
West Brom vs Watford
Both of these teams are pretty high up the table, considering that they both have a negative goal difference (although the 6-0 drubbing Watford took at City probably has something to do with it). Watford is probably a slightly better team, but West Brom is at home, making 1-1 the most likely result in what will be a drab affair.
West Ham vs Swansea
Slavan Bilic getting the sack is a question of when, rather than if, for everybody apart from the deluded West Ham fans. He took over a solid mid-table team and spent a lot of money to turn them into one who is in a relegation dogfight each year. It also shouldn’t be forgotten that just two years ago their porn mag selling owners were boasting about getting into the Champions League and becoming the biggest club in London: how’s that going Gold? I continue to believe that Swansea is a good team, waiting to come out of their cocoon: transforming from the ugly caterpillar that they are at the moment into a beautiful butterfly. That process will start here because we shouldn’t forget that the pitch at the London Stadium is too big for West Ham: 2-0 Swansea.
Chelsea vs Man City
I don’t think anybody expected City to have the stingiest defense in the Premier League this season and it is remarkable that they have only conceded two goals so far. This is evidence of how kind the fixture list has been to them, especially when you compare it to what Chelsea have had: who are playing their fourth match against teams in the top 7 last year. I am really looking forward to the game and think it will be a high-scoring classic, with both teams, using styles that are the exact opposite of each other. City will have most of the ball and will undoubtedly create some chances, but Chelsea will hit them on lightning-quick counter-attacks. I think the return of Hazard will swing it Chelsea’s way in a 3-2 thriller.
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Arsenal vs Brighton
Arsenal is the ultimate cock-tease: they win just enough to keep their fans interested but fall apart as soon as they start to look like getting involved in the title race. They will win their next few games, Lacazette and Sanchez will look great together, and everyone will talk about them being dark horses for the title. Then with a thud, they will come crashing back down to earth when the pressure is on: 4-0 Arsenal.
Everton vs Burnley
Everton fans are quickly discovering that £150 million doesn’t buy you much in the crazy world of modern football, and have had an underwhelming start to the season after their big splurge. While Burnley continues to perform well above expectations (although they are admittedly very low, to begin with). I see Sean Dyche organizing his team well enough to cause another upset and enhance his credentials for a job that may well be offered to him when Koeman gets the chop: 2-1 Burnley.
Newcastle vs Liverpool
In the good old days this used to be a classic Premier League fixture and for a period of time when Shearer, Fowler, and Owen were all around it always produced 7 goal thrillers. Such a result is, of course, unlikely with Mr. Defensive, Rafa Benitez, standing in the home dugout, although Liverpool is becoming pretty used to conceding lots of goals. This has all the hallmarks of a Newcastle upset, given that Liverpool has to make the long flight back from Moscow on Wednesday: 2-1 Newcastle.