Premier League Predictions!

Welcome back to the PL Prediction Blog! We're jumping into proceedings a little late this year, as you well-attuned may have noticed. The Premier League season came fast, and was not at all interested in waiting for my life to settle down and regular Couch proceedings to resume. So, we waited for the first international break to catch our breath a little bit. Let's get you caught up on what's transpired through the first 4 weeks: Liverpool are the only side that have won every single match, holding to a slim lead over the reigning champions Manchester City. That's all you need to know. If the season ended today, Liverpool would be champions. Start etching the trophy, lads!

Now, the matches are less than 12 hours away from starting, so let's not waste any time. Here are your first 5!

Liverpool vs. Newcastle

It's smooth sailing for Liverpool in the early going. They've won all 4 matches, scoring 12 goals while only conceding 3. And lest you think these were all lightweight opponents, this run included their annual Anfield beatdown of Arsenal, who very well may be a Top 4 side this season. Newcastle, on the other hand, have once again gotten off to a rough start, winning only once (though, to be fair, that one win was a huge upset over Tottenham). Were this the Rafa Benitez-coached team of the past couple years, playing in the friendly confines of St. James' Park, I think Liverpool could be in real trouble. But at Anfield, coming off of a long rest? Reds will roll.

The Pick: Liverpool, 3-0

Manchester United vs. Leicester City

As perhaps several people expected, this matchup features one of the 3 unbeaten Premier League teams, and the 8th-placed side fighting to get in to Europa League places. As perhaps nobody expected, it's Leicester that are sitting pretty in 3rd place at the moment. Man U's season started so brightly with a 4-0 destruction of Chelsea, but it has been ugly since then, with a loss to Crystal Palace sandwiched between two draws to lower-tier teams. Brendan Rodgers' Leicester is going to be a thorn in many sides this season, and I expect nothing different tomorrow. But I just think United is too desperate for a win to drop yet another decision.

The Pick: Manchester United, 2-1

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Chelsea

This matchup features two clubs very hungry for a win. Chelsea are a young club in transition, dealing with the loss of megastar Eden Hazard, and breaking in a new manager in Frank Lampard. Still, their fans are likely disheartened with the nature of some of their results: getting shellacked by Manchester United and blowing a 2-goal lead to Sheffield United come to mind. Wolves, on the other hand, are trying to build on their best season in modern history, but have only 3 points to date, amidst them balancing the Europa League fixtures for the first time. Neither look quite like the 2018-19 versions of themselves as of yet, but I have to imagine the talent of Chelsea will win out tomorrow.

The Pick: Chelsea, 2-1

Tottenham vs. Crystal Palace

In yet another bizarro world matchup, Palace come into this one as the higher ranked team, earning 7 points to date, compared to Tottenham's 5. What's more, if you follow Premier League, you've probably seen the chart that was spread widely showing that, over the last 15 matches (going back to the end of last season), Tottenham have the third-worst form of anyone in the country. In short, they need a win in a major way. And, as tricky as tomorrow's opponents may be, I think they'll get it. It's always hard to trip someone up coming off of a two-week break, and I think Spurs welcomed the opportunity to reset their form a bit.

The Pick: Tottenham, 1-0

Norwich City vs. Manchester City

Other than a bizarre draw against Tottenham-- in a match they utterly dominated --Manchester City have very much looked the part of champions once again. They've already outscored their opponents by 11, and you can probably expect goals galore in this one, too. Norwich City isn't going to beat Man City, but neither are they going to lay down without a fight. They have real class in attack, topped off of course by the brilliant (and brilliantly-named) Timo Pukki. This affair could be a lot more entertaining than you might think.

The Pick: Manchester City, 5-3

Premier League Predictions!

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