By Britwatch Team
- The Britwatch Football Team give their preview and predictions for the sixth weekend of the season
- Follow their progress throughout the season and see which writer takes up the Premier League Prediction cup
- Correct result gets one point, correct result and score gets three points.
The Premier League season is now in full flow as we reach match-week six. Here is our writers’ verdict on the weekend’s action.
| Niall (36) |
Actual Score | Neil (27) |
| West Ham 0-2 Tottenham | West Ham 2-2 Tottenham | |
| Burnley 1-0 Huddersfield | Burnley 2-1 Huddersfield | |
| Everton 1-1 Bournemouth | Everton 1-1 Bournemouth | |
| Man City 4-0 Crystal Palace | Man City 4-0 Crystal Palace | |
| Southampton 1-1 Man United | Southampton 0-2 Man United | |
| Stoke 1-2 Chelsea | Stoke 1-3 Chelsea | |
| Swansea 0-2 Watford | Swansea 1-2 Watford | |
| Leicester 2-2 Liverpool | Leicester 2-3 Liverpool | |
| Brighton 1-1 Newcastle | Brighton 1-1 Newcastle | |
| Arsenal 2-1 West Brom | Arsenal 2-0 West Brom |
West Ham United vs Tottenham Hotspur (Saturday, 12:30)
Niall: The weekend kicks off with a London derby between two sides in need of points of different reasons. West Ham’s form has improved in recent weeks, but they are still not where Slaven Bilic wants them to be.
Spurs’ away form is going to be key for their season and given their better performances away from Wembley I believe they will come out on top in this one
Prediction: West Ham 0-2 Tottenham
Neil: The weekend’s fixtures kick off in style on Saturday, with a London derby as Spurs travel to the London Stadium. In what is West Ham’s second home game this term, Bilic will be keen for a repeat result after the Irons beat Huddersfield 2-0 almost a fortnight ago. After taking a point from The Hawthorns last time out, the hosts have taken four from a possible six, however goals are still a sticking point for the East London side.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men arrive with a strong away record, looking to register a win after last weekend’s frustrating home draw to a resolute Swansea City, with Spurs’ Wembley hoodoo failing to lift – domestically at least. Derbies see form tossed out of the window, but with both sides building up a decent run of form, I can the spoils being shared on Saturday.
Prediction: West Ham 2-2 Tottenham
Burnley vs Huddersfield Town (Saturday, 15:00)
Niall: Burnley welcome Huddersfield to Turf Moor on Saturday hoping to show the Premier League new boys why it is a difficult place to earn points.
Both sides have somewhat overachieved thus far and will be looking to continue with their good starts. Neither team is known for their goals, so I expect a low scoring affair, and given how good Burnley can be at home, it is likely to be a narrow victory for the Clarets.
Prediction: Burnley 1-0 Huddersfield
Neil: The Clarets form on the road this term continues to impress. Last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Anfield saw Sean Dyche’s men claim their fifth point away from home thus far – a far cry from last term’s travel-sick Lancashire outfit. Burnley have lost just once this season and will look to striker Chris Wood to continue his goal-scoring form as the hosts return to Turf Moor.
Huddersfield were wasteful during the first half versus Leicester last Saturday, but in the end clung on to a vital point at the John Smiths Stadium, where a loss could have signalled a spiral down the Premier League table. A trip across the Roses’ divide will be another real test of the Terriers’ mettle away from home and with the Burnley fans set to turn up the heat on their opponents, it could be an uncomfortable afternoon for David Wagner.
Prediction: Burnley 2-1 Huddersfield
Everton vs Bournemouth (Saturday, 15:00)
Niall: Everton have hit an awful patch of form lately and will look to steady the ship against a buoyant Bournemouth side fresh off their first win of the season.
The Toffees’ performance against Manchester United was not that bad and they could have easily grabbed something from that game if not for the late surge by the Red Devils. Bournemouth have underachieved this season, but their recent win may inspire enough confidence to grab a point against an out of sorts Everton.
Prediction: Everton 1-1 Bournemouth
Neil: The pressure has been ramped up on Toffees boss Ronald Koeman after their 4-0 loss to Manchester United last weekend. Whilst the score-line did not tell the true story of events at Old Trafford, Everton are now without a goal or point in all competitions since their draw versus Manchester City almost a month ago, with a leaky back line into the bargain.
Bournemouth roll up to Merseyside after finally recording their first league points of the campaign, with a comeback win over a game Brighton side last Friday evening. Jermain Defoe’s winner is likely to instill a boost of confidence to the veteran striker as he faces a porous home defence this time around. A cagey affair could however be on the cards and I am backing a point a piece at Goodison Park.
Prediction: Everton 1-1 Bournemouth
Manchester City vs Crystal Palace(Saturday, 15:00)
Niall: When you think things can not get much worse for Crystal Palace, they have to travel to the in-form table-toppers, Manchester City.
The Eagles are yet to score a goal this season, never-mind a point, and it is difficult to see them getting their tally going here. City have looked imperious lately, especially going forward with Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus in fine goal-scoring form.
This will not be pretty for Palace fans and their manager. It will be likely be a thrashing for the visitors as City continue their great form.
Prediction: Man City 4-0 Crystal Palace
Neil: Pep Guardiola’s men made an emphatic statement last Saturday at Vicarage Road against a previously unbeaten Watford. The Citizens put in the complete performance to rout the Hornets, but their play on the afternoon would have matched almost anyone across Europe. Aguero showed he has no plans of moving away from Manchester City with a clinical hattrick and more could be on the menu this weekend.
Crystal Palace are in danger of being cut adrift at the foot of the table after just five games. Their loss to Southampton by a solitary goal was perhaps an unfortunate one, however the Eagles keep breaking the most unwanted of records, as now the only side in English top-flight history to lose all five of their opening games, still without a goal this term. A trip to the Etihad is the stuff of nightmares then for new boss Roy Hodgson and although I can see the visitors putting up a plucky fight, it will almost certainly be six games, six losses come the final whistle.
Prediction: Man City 4-0 Crystal Palace
Southampton vs Manchester United (Saturday, 15:00)
Niall: This is Manchester United’s first non-televised game of the season and It happens to be a difficult one away at Southampton.
Along with their noisy neighbours, United sit joint top of the table and have looked in great form thus far. Their defence has generally been water tight, and they have scored plenty of goals to go with it, especially late on.
Southampton have been uninspiring, but a game against the Red Devils may give them the kick they need. The Saints will set out to frustrate United, and I can see that happening. This is the sort of game they struggled with last year, often ending in a draw, and I would not be shocked to see the honours be shared In this one too.
Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Man United
Neil: It could a display of defence versus attack at St. Marys this weekend as the Red Devils visit the south coast. Despite their win at Selhurst Park, a greater test in the shape of the league leaders approaches this Saturday, with a notoriously goal-shy Saints side struggling for goals once more this season. Virgil van Dijk made his first appearance of the season as a substitute last time out and the Dutch defenders’ return to the fold will be a timely one.
Manchester United laboured for long period of the win versus Everton, and were clearly missing the presence of Paul Pogba in midfield. With the Frenchman set for an extended spell on the side-lines, Jose Mourinho will look from within to remedy the situation. Unlike their opponents, United have hit 16 goals in five outings and that statistic is set to serve them well once more against Mauricio Pellegrino’s side.
Prediction: Southampton 0-2 Man United
Stoke City vs Chelsea (Saturday, 15:00)
Niall: Stoke have already taken points of Arsenal and Manchester United so far at the Bet 365, can they take points off the current champions too?
The Blues are in need of points as they try keep up with the Manchester clubs. With the Diego Costa saga seemingly over, the focus will turn 100% to on the field where Eden Hazard’s return to fitness will be a huge boost.
Stoke have done a good job against the bigger sides thus far, but Chelsea may prove to be slightly too strong at both ends of the field.
Prediction: Stoke 1-2 Chelsea
Neil: Whilst their away form continues to be cause for concern, the Potters have seemingly restored the Bet 365 Stadium to something of a fortress. Having taken four points versus Arsenal and Manchester United, Mark Hughes’ men are unbeaten at home so far as they welcome Chelsea to Staffordshire.
The Blues held on for a point on the Kings Road last Sunday against a much-improved Gunners side and will look to resume winning ways on their travels a week on. David Luiz’s sending off added to a growing disciplinary worry for Antonio Conte having now lost three players from the starting XI already this season. Antonio Rudiger is likely to stand in once again therefore, which could dent the visitors’ chances. It may well give Stoke a leg-up, but I can’t see it preventing Chelsea taking three points back to West London, with Hazard set to start in attack.
Prediction: Stoke 1-3 Chelsea
Swansea vs Watford (Saturday, 15:00)
Niall: Watford have started the season well despite their thrashing at the hands of Manchester City last week, but results like that can often be a confidence deferrer.
Swansea may have had a boost of their own confidence after holding Spurs to a draw last time out, and will fancy getting three points in this one. I do not see it though as Marco Silva is tactically a very good manager and good at getting results. Watford have done well in these matches so far and I think they might get a another away win at Swansea
Prediction: Swansea 0-2 Watford
Neil: The Swans surprised many with a dogged defensive display versus Spurs last Saturday Evening, as Lukasz Fabianski earned Man of the Match for a string of impressive saves versus former rivals from his Arsenal days. Whilst many have in previous week tipped Paul Clement’s men to drop down into the Championship after seven years in the top-flight, their defensive nouse remains intact, if their goal tally does not.
Watford, having given up their unbeaten record travel to south Wales looking to keep up their impressive away record this term. Silva has guided his side to consecutive 2-0 wins on the road with a healthy balance of attack and defensive ethos. They may discover the Swans to be a trickier task however, but I still back the visitors for the win.
Prediction: Swansea 1-2 Watford
Leicester City vs Liverpool (Saturday, 17:30)
Niall: For the second time this week, Leicester City host Liverpool at the King Power, and the Foxes will be hoping for a repeat of their mid-week meeting.
Leicester ran out 2-0 winners in that match, and once again Liverpool’s finishing, or lack of, was their undoing. Leicester have the counter attacking ability to be a threat on the other end too, so chances are there will be goals in this match.
Liverpool have a habit of not winning matches they should, and whilst it would not be wise to expect a Liverpool win, they enter this match as the favourites. Leicester are best when they are underdogs, so I think this may be a score draw.
Prediction: Leicester 2-2 Liverpool
Neil: Leicester host Liverpool for the second time in four days, following the Foxes 2-0 win in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night. Craig Shakespeare’s side come into the game on the back of just a point from their last two games, and will be keen to inflict a double defeat on the visiting Merseysiders.
The Reds are becoming increasingly profligate in front of goal and have drawn their last two outings on the bounce. Despite Liverpool having a wealth of attacking talents at their disposal, Jurgen Klopp is coming under pressure for failing to address a frail back line, with basic errors creeping into their play. As is the case for most games this term, the potential for goals at both ends are on hand with Liverpool games. I am expecting no less at the King Power, but tipping Klopp’s men to come out on top in what could be a frenetic encounter, ahead of their crucial trip to Moscow in midweek.
Prediction: Leicester 2-3 Liverpool
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Newcastle United (Sunday, 16:00)
Niall: Sunday’s lone fixture pits two promoted sides together as Brighton host the in-form Newcastle United.
The Magpies have won three games on the bounce, taking them towards the top end of the table. Brighton have come into their own in the Premier League too, making this an interesting match.
It is a hard one to predict. I do not expect many goals as neither have a huge amount of front line firepower, so a low scoring draw will be the likely result
Prediction: Brighton 1-1 Newcastle
Neil: Despite a decent showing at the Vitality Stadium last Friday night, The Seagulls fell back to earth with a bump after notching their first Premier League goal and indeed win a fortnight ago. Midfielder Pascal Gross is already shaping up to a key component of Chris Hughton’s side’s battle against the drop, with the German replicating his Bundesliga form of last season.
The Magpies, after a wobbly start have now assimilated back into top-flight life, with three successive wins on the bounce, that have seen Rafa Benitez’s men catapulted into the top four. Skipper Jamaal Lascelles netted his second goal as many games versus Stoke and will again be an aerial menace at set-pieces once more. Joselu will be looking for better fair after a poor showing in front of goal last weekend, indeed I am backing the Spaniard to lead the Toon Army to a point on the south coast.
Prediction: Brighton 1-1 Newcastle
Arsenal vs West Brom (Monday, 20:00)
Niall: The final fixture of the weekend will see Arsenal host West Brom as the Gunners search for another confidence boosting result.
Being at home will no doubt be an advantage to Arsenal against a side known for being ragged and stubborn. West Brom are tough to break down and will look to take advantage of Arsenal’s weakness at defending set pieces.
The Baggies will no doubt make Arsenal earn a win here, and I think the Gunners will do it. They seem more confident and given their good performance last week, I see Arsenal grabbing a narrow victory.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 West Brom
Neil: The final fixture of the weekend sees Arsenal host West Brom at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night. The Gunners arguably deserved all three points at Stamford Bridge last Sunday, but as Arsene Wenger’s men return home, playing in their N5 home continues to be laced with difficulty. A single-goal defeat of League One Doncaster Rovers did little to quell such anxiety and as a full-strength XI comes back in, better will be expected from the hosts’ fan-base.
The Baggies put in a valiant effort in defeat to Manchester City in the League Cup on Wednesday night, showing what Tony Pulis’ men are capable when they elect to cast the shackles of defensive responsibility. As they roll into North London however, emphasis will be on defence. Danny Welbeck is a major loss for the home side, and West Brom will frustrate Wenger’s men however, I can only see a home win as the outcome.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 West Brom
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