BOTH THESE SIDES have started the season in inconsistent fashion.
Though after four league matches, Man United and Liverpool’s respective positions of fifth and seventh aren’t disastrous by any means, their recent respective losses to Swansea and West Ham indicate there is still plenty of work to be done.
With two wins, a draw and a loss, Arsenal have been their usual unreliable, unpredictable selves so far this season.
Meanwhile, Stoke, despite their lowly position of 18th, are likely to prove testing opposition.
Advertisement
Mark Hughes’ side were good enough to take points off Spurs at White Hart Lane and deserved at least a draw in their match with Liverpool.
However, Arsenal clearly possess the better players of the two sides and boast an excellent record against Stoke at the Emirates, with the Potters losing on their last 13 visits in the league and cup there.
3. Both teams to score in Crystal Palace v Man City (8/13)
PA WIRE
PA WIRE
(Crystal Palace recently earned a shock win over Chelsea)
Even after four games, not many people would have predicted a top-of-the-table clash between Crystal Palace and Man City.
Of course, Alan Pardew’s side are highly unlikely to hold onto second place for the duration of the campaign, but they have impressed so far, in particular in the shock victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Man City, with newly added pace provided by summer signing Raheem Sterling, have looked a class apart compared from any other Premier League side so far, and so they are still expected to prevail on Saturday, especially with recent big-money signing Kevin de Bruyne available and expected to make his debut.
But with City always looking to attack and Palace having scored in every match so far this season, it would be no surprise if these trends continued at Selhurst Park tomorrow
4. Chelsea to banish their bad form at Everton (21/20)
The pressure is on Jose Mourinho and Chelsea, after a poor start to the season has left them in 13th place in the table.
Yet Chelsea are surely too good to struggle in the long term — after all, it is largely the same side that comfortably won the Premier League last season.
The reigning champions have a poor enough record away to the Toffees in recent times, losing four of the last six matches at Goodison Park. But with Everton also starting the season in less-than-convincing fashion, the game should be there for the taking for Mourinho’s men provided they belatedly rediscover something even approaching last season’s excellent form.
5. Bafetimbi Gomis to score against Watford (9/5)
Swansea and Bafetimbi Gomis in particular have started the season off superbly. Following their recent defeat of Man United, the Welsh club sit fourth in the Premier League table, while some critics have even suggested they have the potential to challenge for the top four in the long term this season.
Gomis has been a big part of Swansea’s ascent, and will break a Swansea record if he scores on Saturday, registering a goal for the fifth match in succession since the season started.
Only Micky Quinn (Coventry), Ian Marshall (Ipswich), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) and Jose Antonio Reyes (Arsenal) have achieved this feat previously, and against Watford — who are currently struggling in 17th — Gomis is expected to have a couple of opportunities to make history.
5 Premier League bets to consider this weekend
1. Man United to beat Liverpool (19/20)
BOTH THESE SIDES have started the season in inconsistent fashion.
Though after four league matches, Man United and Liverpool’s respective positions of fifth and seventh aren’t disastrous by any means, their recent respective losses to Swansea and West Ham indicate there is still plenty of work to be done.
Despite suggestions of dressing room discontent at Old Trafford however, the Red Devils look favourites to beat Liverpool.
The club’s home record under Van Gaal has been superb and with Rooney having broken Bobby Charlton’s England record and David de Gea just penning a new contract, rather than disillusionment, there may now in fact be somewhat of a feel-good atmosphere for the Red Devils going into the game.
2. Arsenal to get the better of Stoke (3/10)
With two wins, a draw and a loss, Arsenal have been their usual unreliable, unpredictable selves so far this season.
Meanwhile, Stoke, despite their lowly position of 18th, are likely to prove testing opposition.
Mark Hughes’ side were good enough to take points off Spurs at White Hart Lane and deserved at least a draw in their match with Liverpool.
However, Arsenal clearly possess the better players of the two sides and boast an excellent record against Stoke at the Emirates, with the Potters losing on their last 13 visits in the league and cup there.
3. Both teams to score in Crystal Palace v Man City (8/13)
(Crystal Palace recently earned a shock win over Chelsea)
Even after four games, not many people would have predicted a top-of-the-table clash between Crystal Palace and Man City.
Of course, Alan Pardew’s side are highly unlikely to hold onto second place for the duration of the campaign, but they have impressed so far, in particular in the shock victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Man City, with newly added pace provided by summer signing Raheem Sterling, have looked a class apart compared from any other Premier League side so far, and so they are still expected to prevail on Saturday, especially with recent big-money signing Kevin de Bruyne available and expected to make his debut.
But with City always looking to attack and Palace having scored in every match so far this season, it would be no surprise if these trends continued at Selhurst Park tomorrow
4. Chelsea to banish their bad form at Everton (21/20)
The pressure is on Jose Mourinho and Chelsea, after a poor start to the season has left them in 13th place in the table.
The Blues have also suffered a further blow with news that Thibaut Courtois is expected to be out for around three months, with the Belgian international set to undergo knee surgery.
Yet Chelsea are surely too good to struggle in the long term — after all, it is largely the same side that comfortably won the Premier League last season.
The reigning champions have a poor enough record away to the Toffees in recent times, losing four of the last six matches at Goodison Park. But with Everton also starting the season in less-than-convincing fashion, the game should be there for the taking for Mourinho’s men provided they belatedly rediscover something even approaching last season’s excellent form.
5. Bafetimbi Gomis to score against Watford (9/5)
Swansea and Bafetimbi Gomis in particular have started the season off superbly. Following their recent defeat of Man United, the Welsh club sit fourth in the Premier League table, while some critics have even suggested they have the potential to challenge for the top four in the long term this season.
Gomis has been a big part of Swansea’s ascent, and will break a Swansea record if he scores on Saturday, registering a goal for the fifth match in succession since the season started.
Only Micky Quinn (Coventry), Ian Marshall (Ipswich), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) and Jose Antonio Reyes (Arsenal) have achieved this feat previously, and against Watford — who are currently struggling in 17th — Gomis is expected to have a couple of opportunities to make history.
‘The biggest derby in the league’ and this weekend’s Premier League talking points>
Gerrard has high praise for one-time rival Roy Keane>
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Bafetimbi Gomis Barclays Premier League Predictions Premier League Chelsea Liverpool Manchester City Manchester United