The World Cup teams are all now decided and we await the draw on the 6th December to take place in the same region where Freddy Adu currently plays his football, Bahia. That is exactly two weeks from today people but for now we can turn our attentions back to domestic football and the Premiership kicks back into life Saturday with the Merseyside derby being the early kick off.
SATURDAY: (All kick off times 3pm BST/10am ET unless stated)
Everton v Liverpool (12:45 BST/7:45 ET)
Three points separate these two rivals going into the weekend, and for once they are both at the top end of the table. Everton will look to stop their rot though with the last two games ending in draws with no goal scored.
For Liverpool this will be another test of how far they have come and just how serious they are for title contenders. Big wins against the struggling sides of Fulham, West Brom, Palace and Sunderland are all well and good but you also need to get results away against the teams around you. The defeat to Arsenal at the beginning of the month and the draw away to Newcastle were both bad results and now is the perfect time to get things right.
Prediction 1-2
Arsenal v Southampton
The Gunners have been rampant this season and will look to rebound from their loss to Manchester United a couple of weeks ago. Everyone is looking at this as a hands down Arsenal win, but I am not so sure. Arsenal do have a few injury concerns ahead of the game but ex Southampton player Theo Walcott has been cleared to play.
Southampton are undefeated since August and have already been to Old Trafford and secured a point. Pochettino has them in the top three and no matter the result on Saturday they will still be in a strong position and that is where I think Southampton have the advantage. They have nothing to lose, they are not expected to win and they face Arsenal right after an International break and right before a crucial Champions League game, the Group from which, Arsenal have not yet qualified. That said, I do also think Arsenal will shade it, just.
Prediction: 2-1
Fulham v Swansea
So Fulham have appointed Rene Meulensteen as head coach along with Martin Jol. This approach has never worked in the Premier League and I do not see it starting now. Hopefully it will be enough to guide Fulham out of the relegation zone and up the table a little but currently finishing 17th or better has to be the primary focus.
Swansea were lucky and unlucky in their last match, coming back from 2-0 down only to lose out on a terrible penalty call in the final minutes to give them a 3-3 draw with Stoke City. I think the sense of injustice from that game will motivate the visiting side to come out all guns blazing on Saturday. For Fulham, Bent and especially Berbatov need to do so much more in the final third and scoring goals but conceding nine goals in the last three league games isn’t spectacular either. There is a lot of work still to be done with Fulham and a draw would be a good start I feel.
Prediction: 2-2
Hull v Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace’s last game resulted in a tied game at home to Everton. If Palace can build on that for this game that would be fantastic. Currently six points away from safety Palace haven’t won since the end of August. They still haven’t appointed a manager as yet but Tony Pulis is looking odds on favorite. If that is the case then I think they could make a good go of the rest of the season.
Hull and Steve Bruce will be just as eager for points though after the only managing four points in the last five league games and they boast an unbeaten home record with no goals conceded in the last four games at the KC Stadium.
Prediction: 2-0
Newcastle v Norwich
After the fantastic come from behind win against West Ham two weeks ago, Norwich boss Chris Hughton can be just a little more relaxed. Just a little though, as the fans were ready to see him leave if the half time boo’s and jeers were to be believed. Hughton returns to the club he began his managerial career.
However, Newcastle have won their last two games, including a 1-0 win away to Tottenham and a 2-0 home win against Chelsea. If Newcastle’s strikers are on form then the Norwich defense will be in for a very stern test, and certainly will want to do better than their last trip North when Manchester City hammered them 7-0.
Prediction: 3-0
Stoke v Sunderland
Stoke haven’t won since the end of August and that will be a concern for Mark Hughes. Letting a 2-0 half time lead slip and only just managing a late penalty to get anything at all is not good. They have been scoring goals, unfortunately they have also been letting them in just as quickly at the back.
Sunderland have no injury concerns going into the game and if it was at the Stadium of Light I would certainly have no hesitation in calling an away win. At home they beat Manchester City and Newcastle however in between those two results was a 1-0 defeat away to Hull. I think this has to give Stoke the advantage.
Prediction: 2-0
West Ham v Chelsea (5:30 BST/12:30 ET)
I have never liked Chelsea, except when facing United. This season they have not been consistent enough and Jose Mourinho doesn’t seem likable to me anymore. The first time as manager he was arrogant, but there was always that honesty to his character which was a redeeming feature. This season though, and with his latest comment about the West Brom penalty, he lost all my respect.
His side haven’t won in the last two and if not for Joe Harts mistake their victory against City may not have been. That said, they are in the top four and looking to progress in the Champions League.
West Ham will look to bounce back from that defeat against Norwich two weeks back, but without record club signing Andy Carroll you have to wonder where the goals will come from.
Prediction: 1-4
SUNDAY:
Manchester City v Tottenham (1:30 BST/8:30 ET)
Both of theses two sides are performing well below expectations so far this season. Last time out both sides lost to Tyne-wear sides and questions were raised about their situations.
Will Pellegrini recall Joe Hart to the starting lineup or stick with Pantilimon but probably the bigger headache for the Chilean would be what to do about the team without David Silva. Without the little Spaniard City seem unable to break through tightly packed defenses. The good thing is I don’t think Spurs will go to the Etihad and play for a draw.
AVB is under a bit of pressure himself with the amount of money spent this time around but the questions seem to be all on City and having Hart play rather than why Defoe is playing second fiddle to a guy who hasn’t scored from open play so far this season.
Prediction: 3-0
Cardiff v Man Utd (4pm BST/11am ET)
This will be a test for United, although their opening day game was a 4-1 win in Wales. Cardiff are slipping down the table despite the win at home to Swansea at the beginning of the month and will not be looking forward to the visit of David Moyes men.
United come to the Cardiff City Stadium in great form, undefeated in the last five. With one eye on Champions League midweek will Moyes be tempted to rest a few players? If he does it will be a dangerous game and I do not think it would be a good policy.
Prediction: 1-2
MONDAY:
West Brom v Aston Villa (8pm BST/3pm ET)
This one will be a tough game to call, as most derbys are. Villa have been playing better away from home which is no surprise as their style of play is suited more to counter attack football. If Benteke is fully fit and back to his normal self then I think Villa stand a great chance of taking all the points.
That said, West Brom are great at home and, like Swansea, will be motivated by the points robbed from them two weeks ago. Will they bounce back and get a much needed win to push them back in the right direction?
Both have similar form over their last six games but West Brom have beat Man Utd at Old Trafford and managed tied games with Arsenal and of course Chelsea. Meanwhile Villa beat Cardiff, Manchester City but only managed draws against West Ham and Hull City.
Prediction: 2-0
Going into these predictions this is the predictor table.
Lawrenson 82
Merson 77
Jason 69
