Premier League Predictions, Week 10
© Micah Veldkamp, 2018
Premier League is back in action this weekend, and once again (for the top clubs at least) it's coming after a quick turnaround from Champions League and Europa League matches. Don't be shocked if the high number of midweek games plays an increasing factor in team performance as the season forges on.
Last time out, I had maybe my worst prediction week to date. I got a measly 3 for 5, being caught off guard by Manchester United's draw with Chelsea and completely missing the boat on Wolverhampton-Watford. Furthermore, I didn't guess a single scoreline correctly. That drops my rate to a paltry 25 for 35. Now, the matches are less than 12 hours away from starting, so let's not waste any time groveling. Here are your 5 for Week 10!
Watford vs. Huddersfield Town
As you may have noticed, I cannot for the life of me figure out how to predict Watford. Seemingly each time we've featured them here, I've pegged them winning, only for them to lose, and claimed they will lose, only to see them win. So take this with a grain of salt. But, despite Watford coming off a massive rebound victory last week, and despite their opponents having yet to win a match or even score a goal at home this Premier League season, I get the feeling a Watford upset is brewing. Something about Huddersfield's performance during and attitude after their close loss to Liverpool last week suggests to me that a turnaround is in their near future. I'll go ahead and guess it starts tomorrow.
The Pick: Huddersfield, 2-1
Liverpool vs. Cardiff City
It's tough to know which Liverpool result to put more stock in from this past week, their sloppy 1-0 victory over Huddersfield, or their smooth, dominant 4-0 Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade. Regardless, they have yet to concede a goal at home this Premier League season, and it appears that just maybe, Mohamed Salah is rounding into his top goalscoring form again.
The Pick: Liverpool, 3-0
Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal
Crystal Palace has been as inconsistent as the "moral Right" this season, which does not inspire confidence in picking them as the winner for a match this big. The bigger story here is Arsenal's red-hot streak of 11 straight wins. The Gunners have won every match in the Premier League since their opening two losses to Chelsea and Man City. Though Palace has the attack to surprise them, I'm skeptical they'll be able to put it together for 90 minutes against Arsenal.
The Pick: Arsenal, 4-2
Manchester United vs. Everton
Everton had an important turnaround victory over the aforementioned Crystal Palace last week, and will be looking to continue righting the ship against Manchester United. The latter, however, seems to be in full season-saving mode, parlaying their massive comeback against Newcastle into a thrilling (and surprising) 2-2 draw with former co-leaders Chelsea a week ago. Between two teams desperate to regain momentum, I'm inclined to go with the talent, and the home-field advantage.
The Pick: Manchester United, 2-0
Tottenham vs. Manchester City
For the 4th week in a row now, we have a Big 6 matchup. This time it comes on Monday night local time, where Spurs will try to do to City what they were unable to do to Liverpool; that is, fell a Premier League favorite at home. Though a Monday night at Wembley sounds raucous, and Tottenham tends to match up well with the Citizens, I just can't see it happening. Something has seemed off about this Spurs season from the get-go, be it their staggered play or their new stadium snafu, and Man City is just too good.
The Pick: Manchester City, 2-1