Dan’s EPL Predictions Week 5: Man City to go top as Arsenal drop points at Brighton?
Another Premier League weekend is here, with plenty at stake before the international break.
Arsenal face another tricky away assignment at Brighton, while Chelsea travel to Brentford and Manchester City host Sunderland. At the other end of the table, Coventry are still searching for their first point of the season.
Here are my predictions for all ten games.
Brentford 2-2 Chelsea
In the summer it looked like Alonso was turning Chelsea into the Newcastle of the mid-nineties.
A team who want to entertain and win 4-3 every week.
The reality is, though, the goals Hull scored at Stamford Bridge were basic mistakes from the Blues’ defence.
That’s taking nothing away from the Tigers, but as long as that’s the level of defending, it will always undermine their chances of putting a winning sequence together.
Spurs 1-0 Aston Villa
Forget spending all that money to challenge for Europe this season; Spurs would be happy if they could reach the international break with a goal in the Premiership.
There were ironic cheers from the home crowd when they finally managed a shot on target last Saturday.
That’s what’s concerning about this goal drought. It’s not players being unlucky. In the final third, they are struggling to create chances.
I keep thinking of the law of averages: the ball has to hit someone’s backside and go in eventually.
Villa are not much more confident, so the first goal this weekend could be vital.
Brighton 1-1 Arsenal
Most Gooners will fondly remember this game from last season’s title run-in.
It was the evening that, as we were hanging on at the Amex, we learnt that at the same time Man City were dropping points.
In many ways that one night summed up the Champions. We were not great but restricted the Seagulls to a few shots on target.
While Fabian Hurzeler later apologised, you know he wasn’t impressed with Mikel Arteta’s tactics, and you sense he will be extra motivated to get a result on Saturday.
He might feel he is due some luck in this fixture.
At least, though, we are getting some tricky away games out of the way early.
Everton 1-1 Ipswich
I seem to say this every season about the Toffees. They struggle in this type of game where they are expected to win and are more comfortable in the role of the underdog.
David Moyes hasn’t been shy in saying he’s looking on the market for free agents, so that tells you he feels he was let down in the last transfer window.
Newcastle 2-1 Hull
The honeymoon period might be over for Matthias Jaissle after his young squad on Monday produced the kind of performance the Toon Army had been fearing.
By now you would have learnt not to write Hull off, but it’s clear Newcastle have a manager with a huge personality.
He couldn’t hide his anger at Elland Road, so he will demand a reaction.
We will learn a lot about his players’ character this weekend.
Forest 1-1 Coventry
Coventry are the only team in the English football league without a point yet this season.
The longer that goes on, the harder it is for Frank Lampard to maintain confidence in his squad.
It doesn’t help that the other two promoted clubs are already 8 and 6 points ahead.
I’m not saying the manager would be under any pressure if he loses at the City Ground, but having something to build on would avoid a headache during the international break.
Cherries 2-2 Liverpool
This week will be the Cherries’ first-ever attempt at juggling European football with the domestic schedule, yet it’s worth the struggle if it means an adventure in the Europa League.
There is irony that Iraola is the manager waiting for Bournemouth when they return from Spain.
He can relate to Marco Rose struggling to turn draws into wins.
The Spaniard himself drew 18 games in the League last season, easily the most of anyone in the division.
So a draw on the South Coast feels fitting.
Leeds 3-1 Palace
As I write this, it’s not clear if Calvert-Lewin will be named in England’s latest squad on Friday.
Ivan Toney was picked ahead of him to go to the World Cup, so it’s not clear what Thomas Tuchel thinks of the striker.
Palace might be one of the few clubs grateful for the international break.
Steve Parish might have to get involved. The owner has three weeks to talk Mateta and Sarr into playing for the Eagles again.
Even if it’s only till January, it could be the difference between a relegation fight and not.
Man City 3-0 Sunderland
Yes, City were fortunate with their winning goal in the Manchester Derby, but that shouldn’t take away from the fact that, with ten men, they controlled the game.
Most teams who go down to 10 men at Old Trafford would go through the motions; City controlled the game.
It was such a pivotal performance, though; whoever maybe didn’t trust Maresca to bring the title back to the Etihad might now have more belief.
Winning in that manner is only going to do one thing for their confidence.
If Arsenal drop points the day before, the incentive is there for them on Sunday.
Fulham 2-2 Man United
While Pro Ref have apologised for their error of judgement in allowing Haaland’s goal to stand in the Manchester Derby, it would be wrong if Michael Carrick spent this week thinking his team were unlucky (he won’t).
The reality is United played at Old Trafford with a man advantage for over 70 minutes yet seemed to lack imagination in the final third.
That simply can’t happen against 10 men at the Theatre Of The Dreams.
The manner of the defeat means failure to win at the Cottage will make the international break a long three weeks for the manager.
Dan Smith
How many of Dan’s predictions do you agree with this weekend, Gooners? And what score are you going for in Brighton v Arsenal? Let us know your predictions in the comments.
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