Barclays Premier League; Super Sunday Preview and Predictions

In what is expected to be another exciting and intriguing weekend of Premier League action, we turn our attentions to the fixtures on Sunday with games such as West Ham vs Manchester United & Chelsea vs Liverpool that is sure to grab the headlines come the end of the weekend. All four teams are in need of victories, so how could Sundays games – including Arsenal vs Aston Villa and Crystal Palace vs Wolves – shape up?

Here are my previews and predictions:

Crystal Palace vs Wolves, (14:00pm) 

Your mind may be telling you that Wolves are guaranteed to pick up the three points, but we’re at the point where we can’t make an honest prediction of this one. Both teams are coming off the back of defeats. Wolves were blown away by Chelsea last weekend, which was uncharacteristic of Nuno Santo’s men who are always astute and rugged at the back. Whether its down to fatigue from Europa League qualification or bad form, this isn’t the exciting Wolves that we have come to enjoy as of late. Nuno Santo’s men will need to reassure the the fans that this is just a temporary blip.

Crystal Palace on the other hand, just can’t seem to find the net in front of their fans at the moment. with only just the one goal scored in the two games at Selhurst Park. What’s also a bit worrying for Roy Hodgson is that we haven’t seen the best of Wilfried Zaha yet. Certainly, his failed move away from the club may be the cause of his recent slump but now Zaha has got to show professionalism and give his current employers his best or else he won’t be fielding any calls for his services come the end of the season – or even in January. As always is the case, much of Palace’s success this season will hinge on the Ivorian’s form.

I’m gonna go with my mind here; Wolves to snatch it, only just.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 

 

West Ham vs Manchester United, (14:00pm)

West Ham always turn on the style when they meet Manchester United on their own turf and who’s to say they can’t do the same again on Sunday? Manuel Pellegrini’s side have enjoyed quite a fruitful start to the season and have removed the pain of their opening day battering by Manchester City out of their minds. Can Pellegrini improve on last seasons 10th place finish? The additions made over the summer certainly mean that West Ham must make some improvements on last seasons disappointing finish. Sebastien Haller and Pablo Fornals are such quality additions and hold the ability to improve any side, can they become the ingredients Pellegrini needs to maybe take the club to the next level? We shall see.

Manchester United picked up three key points against Leicester City last weekend after Brendan Rodger’s side dominated the whole game. Last season, United would have certainly caved in under that sort of pressure, dropping two vital points, but this season, United’s defence are a different animal. Aaron Wan Bissaka and Harry Maguire have been brilliant since their summer moves and will provide United with much needed solidity and stability at in defence. With David De Gea and Lindelof’s long-term futures secured, the uncertainty at the back has been addressed. However, its in the middle where United will struggle and without Pogba who may be missing for Sunday’s game, it will be difficult for Solskjaer’s men to dominate games, hence the emphasis on counter-attacking football. Will it be enough for a top four finish? Maybe not. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done but you can certainly see what Solskjaer’s trying to build at Old Trafford. The question is whether Woodward and the United faithful have the patience to ride the storm.

West Ham to win here.

 

 

Arsenal vs Aston Villa, (16:30pm)

Naive. Arrogant. Complacent. These are just three words to describe Arsenal’s performance against Watford last weekend, a performance which should have warranted a defeat had Watford been clinical enough in the final stages. Those three words aren’t even enough to describe how Emery’s men capitulated from such a comfortable position. It’s the same old story with Arsenal, and one that Emery is struggling to correct. Time and time again, you could bet your mortgage that Arsenal won’t hold on to a lead, and the game against Watford showed. Yes, David Luiz was brought in to aid those issues, but he and Sokratis – both international and experienced footballers – were the root of the problem. Have Arsenal progressed under the former Paris Saint-Germain coach? It’s debatable. You cannot defend and perform like that if you wanna reclaim a Champions League position come the seasons climax. If Arsenal carry on these sort of performances, they can kiss those ambitions goodbye.

Aston Villa, despite their rocky results so far this season, have really impressed in their performances, and you just feel – like Norwich – they have the required ingredients to somehow avoid relegation this season. Jack Grealish, Wesley, John McGinn and Tyrone Mings are the type of players Dean Smith will be heavily reliant on throughout the season, and they should provide Villa with the experience and ability to finish as high as possible. Villa will alright this season. Dean Smith is building something good at Villa Park, its exciting and refreshing to see.

Arsenal to win this one, though.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Aston Villa

 

Chelsea vs Liverpool, (4:30pm)

This weekend’s big one.

After both teams midweek Champions League defeats, Frank Lampard and Jurgen Klopp will be busting their guts to come out triumphant at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. On current form, you’d almost be forgiven in rooting for a Liverpool victory and why not? Chelsea’s defence are in a state right now, and that could play well into Liverpool’s hands with Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino once again at their fluent best. Chelsea are yet to keep a clean sheet so far this season, and you can expect that run to carry on come Sunday evening.

Tammy Abraham is in the form of his life currently, and he will cause Liverpool some problems who are also quite shaky at the back themselves. Just how Lampard will aim to approach this game will be the main talking point, Chelsea have shown glimpses of some wonderful free-flowing football so far but can they manage to keep it tight at the back? It’s an issue Lampard will need to address if Chelsea hold any ambitions of finishing in the top four

It could really be a thrilling spectacle at Stamford Bridge though I expect Liverpool to continue their 100% record.

Prediction Chelsea 2-3 Liverpool