As we approach the 3rd fixtures of the season, here are my thoughts on this weekend's games.
Manchester United vs Newcastle United
The Red Devils host the Magpies in this weekend's early kick-off. This has all the ingredients to be a fascinating match with Memphis Depay looking in top form after scoring a brace against Club Brugge in midweek and Newcastle United still looking for their first win of the season. Manchester United have struggled for goals this season so are fortunate to be playing a side they have a very good record against having averaged over 2 goals a game in this fixture. For the Red Devils, Memphis could be the star man and it is vital for Rooney to score his first goals of the season. Florin Thauvin is set to make his premier league debut this weekend so it should be interesting to see how the promising midfielder fairs against one of the best teams in the country. If the Magpies hit the Red Devils on the counter then maybe they will be able to salvage a point from this game, however I believe that the home team will be a bit too strong for the visitors.
Woody Predicts : Manchester United 3:1 Newcastle United
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa
Palace fans will be hoping for their team to play just like they did on Sunday against Premier League heavyweights Arsenal where they were unlucky to not get anything from the game. However what the visitors showed at home to Manchester United was an outstanding work ethic. I think Villa will start the game with Gustede instead of Jordan Ayew, who's struggled in his first two games. This should give Villa a great opportunity to score as Gestede's heading ability will give his midfielders the option to play long balls to the striker and send in crosses to their target man. Both teams are likely to play the same way in sending the ball out wide and floating crosses in for their strikers, however I think with the quality of Palace's wingers' in Bolasie and Zaha and the creativity of Frenchman Yohan Cabaye, Palace will probably edge this game.
Woody Predicts : Crystal Palace 2:1 Aston Villa
Leicester City vs Tottenham
The question surrounding this game is, can Leicester City maintain a maximum points tally when Spurs visit the King Power Stadium? I personally believe they can, with the form of Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy, Leicester look like a force this season. Tottenham have started the season slow with an opening day defeat to Manchester United and having thrown away a 2-0 lead at home to Stoke last weekend, Spurs's defence looks out of sorts at this point of the season. If Eriksen and Harry Kane can link up well like they did for the majority of last season, Leicester should be in for a tough game, but with how well they're playing as a team this season, I believe they will get something out of this game. I think Harry Kane will get his first Premier League goal of the season this weekend but the impressive teamwork from Leicester will be able to break Spurs's defence down and be the vital factor in the result of this game.
Woody Predicts : Leicester City 2:1 Tottenham
Norwich City vs Stoke City
Carrow Road hosts what should be quite a close game but the main headline of this game is how will Stoke's surprise signing Xherdan Shaqiri perform. In a fixture which is highly won by the home side, can Stoke upset the positive atmosphere around Norwich following their 2-2 comeback away at Spurs last week. I think Xherdan Shaqiri is the key to this game's result and in fact to Stoke's season. The Champions League winner can be unplayable on his day so I wouldn't put it past him to grab a goal or an assist on Saturday. Norwich's game plan will most likely be to exploit the fact that stoke are missing their key centre back Ryan Shawcross. The pace of the Norwich attackers will cause Stoke continuous problems and this game should be full of goals.
Woody Predicts : Norwich City 2-2 Stoke City
Sunderland vs Swansea City
I would like to say that Sunderland have a chance in this game but after seeing the highlights of the game against newly promoted Norwich, they just looked awful and I'm predicting Swansea to run riot at the Stadium of Light. Swansea have been excellent so far this campaign and played incredibly well last weekend against Newcastle United. Jefferson Montero has arguably been the best player in the opening weeks of the season and if he plays this way all season, the winger could help Swansea to a Europa League place this season. Bafetimbi Gomis has also started the season very well indeed and has a great chance of adding a couple more goals to his tally this weekend. One positive for Sunderland last weekend was youngster Martyn Waghorn as he showed the passion to play for the shirt unlike the older experienced players. It's horrible to see a club struggle like this but until the senior players start showing the passion that this youngster showed, there is no other outcome than relegation this season.
Woody Predicts : Sunderland 0-3 Swansea City
West Ham United vs Bournemouth
The Hammers started off the season with a shock 2-0 win at the Emirates but after failing to win their first home game of the season, they will be hoping to take all 3 points against the Premier League's newest side. In what is only the 4th meeting between these two sides, Bournemouth will be hoping for their first win against the Hammers. Having been robbed of 3 points due to a poor decision by officials, Eddie Howe's men will be hoping for justice as they have a chance to pick up their first ever Premier League points. I wouldn't expect Bournemouth to change their style of play as they are not afraid to take the game to teams like they showed on Monday night against Liverpool. Dimitri Payet is most likely to put in another outstanding performance and after scoring on his home debut, I wouldn't be surprised if he scored another this weekend. For Bournemouth, finding the net is crucial this weekend and they need to start getting points on the board sooner rather than later. Matt Ritchie is the most likely to create Bournemouth's chances and if he plays well, they have every chance of getting something out of this game.
Woody Predicts : West Ham United 2-1 Bournemouth
West Bromwich Albion vs Chelsea
This fixture could go one of two ways on Super Sunday, either Chelsea will continue their poor form to start the season or this will be the game they run riot. Unfortunately for West Brom, I'm predicting the latter. With the addition of Pedro, it could bring the best out of Chelsea as I would like to see them push Fabregas up to the Number 10 role allowing them to play a more free-flowing style of play. Tony Pulis is renowned for keeping his teams' defence strong and intact which was shown in their 0-0 draw last week. With all the speculation behind closed doors regarding the future of Saido Berahino, I don't think we'll see the best of West Brom until the deadline has passed. With this in mind, the £12million of Rondon shows that they do have cover if the young English striker does depart. I'm expecting Mourinho to show no mercy to West Brom and for this to be a comfortable win for Chelsea and possibly the start of an unbeaten streak like they went on last year.
Woody Predicts : West Bromwich Albion 1-3 Chelsea
Everton vs Manchester City
The two top performers last weekend meet in a thrilling conclusion to Super Sunday in what should be an end to end, evenly contested fight for the 3 points. Martinez's men put in a perfect performance away at Southampton last weekend and the two players that really caught my eye were Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku. These two players are tipped to be the next big thing therefore it's important for them this season to really prove themselves on a consistent basis. City were an absolute joy to watch last weekend as the cruised to a 3-0 victory against the reigning champions. Everton's defence need to stop the triangle passes between Silva, Sterling and Kolarov especially while being aware of the threat from the right hand side as well. If Everton can hold off when Man City throw the fullbacks forward, there will be gaps for the wide men to attack and with good distribution from the midfielders, a counter attacking style of play could be very effective.
Woody Predicts : Everton 1-1 Manchester City
Watford vs Southampton
With both these sides still searching for their first win of the season, this has the makings to be an amazing spectacle. Watford struggled to break down the back four of West Brom last weekend and ended up picking up their second point of the campaign, whereas Southampton found themselves on the wrong side of a 3-0 scoreline as they were outplayed at home to Everton. Personally I think this game will be close and both sides will create multiple chances, Mane, Tadic and Pelle will have to be on top form to break down an impressive Watford defence and for Watford, Troy Deeney and Ighalo will have to be clinical in order for their side to get something out of the game. I think this will be a close game but I can see the visitors edging the game and taking the 3 points due to the extra talent that this Southampton team possesses. However if Watford can abuse the lack of pace Southampton have in the fullback positions now, they could easily snatch a draw from this game.
Woody Predicts : Watford 1-2 Southampton
Arsenal vs Liverpool
In the most highly anticipated fixture of the weekend Arsenal meet Liverpool at the Emirates to close out the 3rd weekend of the Premier League. Arsenal have been renowned in previous years for losing to the big teams in the league however with the fans hungry for more success at the club, they will be hoping to see their club give Liverpool the same treatment as last year by potentially repeating the 4-1 scoreline. However, I think this game will be a much closer affair. Both sides will have to improve to steal the points in this game after Liverpool haven't quite been at their best this season and although Arsenal improved on their opening day performance last weekend by beating Crystal Palace away, they still didn't convert their chances enough and made the game way more difficult than it should have been, despite being unplayable at times. This is a real chance for youngster Jordan Ibe to prove himself as he will be coming up against one of slowest centre backs in the league so expect to see Liverpool look to play the ball in behind the big German repeatedly and if Arsenal don't cover their centre back, Liverpool could score a fair few. Arsenal will also have to be wary of Coutinho who has been outstanding so far this season so expect Wenger to tell Coquelin to go in hard on the flamboyant Brazilian. For Arsenal, they need to play Oxlade-Chamberlain on the right hand side instead of Ramsey in my opinion in order to keep putting pressure on youngster Joe Gomez. If Cazorla, Sanchez and Ozil can get their slick passing moves going consistently, Arsenal will constantly be threatening Liverpool's defence and Wenger will be hoping Giroud can add another goal to his cracking strike at Palace last week. I'd expect an end to end game and if Benteke's looking sharp in front of goal, Petr Cech maybe called on constantly to save the Gunners'. It should be a great game but I think the home side will dominate possession and take the 3 points due to the pressure they put on Liverpool's back four.
Woody Predicts : Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool
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