Premier League Predictions, Week 11
© Micah Veldkamp, 2018
The Premier League reaches November, and Manchester City is in the lead, Arsenal is in 4th place, Jose Mourinho is still fussing, and Huddersfield is in last place. In other words, things are going according to plan. We're back in action this weekend, and for those clubs that are still in the competition, it's a short week coming off midweek League Cup play. But clubs don't even care about that! It's a stupid competition! I don't even WANT my favorite team playing in it! *Sobs*
Last time out, I continued my poor form, once again going 3 for 5. My Huddersfield upset pick was not even close to coming to fruition, and I also did not see Crystal Palace stealing points off of Arsenal. That drops my record to a 28 for 40. 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 11!
Bournemouth vs. Manchester United
United's turnaround has gone from fledgling stages to full-on streak, adding a win over plucky Everton to positive results against Newcastle and Chelsea. Though nobody before the season could have predicted it, Bournemouth may represent the stiffest test of the bunch. Sure, the Cherries have nowhere near the star quality of a Chelsea, for example, but a sleepy trip to the south coast could prove a dangerous trap against a side that has played consistently well enough to find themselves 6th in the League. Regardless, I think United's talent will win the day and continue the positive momentum.
The Pick: Manchester United, 2-1
Newcastle vs. Watford
This is not a very interesting matchup by any means, but I'm picking it because I'm so tired of guessing Watford matches incorrectly, and I think-- I THINK -- I can get this one right. Surely the suddenly resurgent Hornets can off a hapless Newcastle side. Right??
The Pick: Watford, 3-2
Arsenal vs. Liverpool
Liverpool plays their 4th matchup against the Big 6, just weeks removed from their back-to-back bash with Chelsea and City. Arsenal opened with those same two to begin the season, but have not lost since, last week's draw against Palace being the only non-win in the Premier League since August. It's a matchup between one of the hottest teams vs. one of the best, and these two always produce a cracker at any rate. Don't be surprised to see a thriller at the Emirates; however, Klopp has had Arsenal's number since coming to Liverpool, and I don't see why that would change this season with his strongest side yet.
The Pick: Liverpool, 2-1
Wolverhampton vs. Tottenham
Wolverhampton had been playing so well before a sharp dropoff around the last international break. It may seem like a tall task to regain their form against Tottenham, but the former Premier League runners-up have been almost a shell of themselves in 2018. Still, as poor form as they have been in from time to time, there's a reason Spurs are still fringe Top 4, and it's because they have enough quality on their team sheet to pull out matches like these.
The Pick: Tottenham, 3-1
Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace
Both sides roll into this London derby off of good results; Chelsea had one of their most fluid performances of the season in a 3-0 romp over Burnley. Palace secured a crucial draw against red-hot Arsenal to help pull themselves out of relegation danger zone. This one might just be more competitive than you'd expect, but given how wonderfully SarriBall has worked to date, anything other than a Chelsea victory would still surprise me.
The Pick: Chelsea, 2-0