Premier League Predictions, Week 10
Welcome back to the weekly predictions, Premier League fans! If it feels shorter than usual since the last time you heard from me, that's because a. we've had nonstop soccer this week, and b. next Premier League weekend is getting started tomorrow, rather than Saturday. So let's get to it!
After getting back on track right before the international break, I came out of that break with a vengeance, scoring what might be my best week of predictions ever since beginning this series. Mind if I shine?
The weekend began with a dead on prediction in the Merseyside Derby, a 2-0 Liverpool victory. Correct forecasts of victory for Manchester City and Aston Villa followed, and if the former had scored just one more goal and the latter just one less, I would have gotten both those scorelines nailed on as well! The London Derby between Chelsea and Arsenal seemed headed for a Blues victory, before a late Arsenal rally secured a draw, which, you guessed it, I predicted. Rounding it all out was Tottenham on Monday with their 2-0 victory over Fulham, bookending my weekend with another spot-on prediction. For those keeping score at home, my weekend of glory gave me a perhaps unprecedented 6-point week, which yanks my season total back up to 21/25.
Now, the matches are less than 24 hours from kicking off, so let's not waste any more time strutting and preening. Here are your 5 for Week 10!
Crystal Palace vs. Tottenham Hotspur
The two London clubs had polar opposite weekends in their return from the international break: Tottenham continued their unbeaten start and took sole control of the top of the table with a cozy win over Fulham, while Crystal Palace suffered their worst defeat of the season at Newcastle. Still, Palace are not a team to be overlooked, especially when they will be eager to rebound. Given the short Monday-Friday turnaround for Tottenham (seriously, what is up with the Premier League's scheduling??) and the home advantage for the Eagles, I expect this might be a frustrating draw for the league leaders
The Pick: Draw, 1-1
Bournemouth vs. Burnley
This is one matchup that will certainly fly under the radar on Saturday morning, but could have sneaky big implications. All 3 of the newly promoted clubs have had a turbulent-- to put it mildly --start to the Premier League season, and are in or around the relegation zone, but Bournemouth, who narrowly escaped last season, are right there with them in 19th place. Burnley's lone win has come over felow promotees Luton Town earlier this month, while the Cherries are in the midst of a 4-game slump and are still searching for their first victory of the season. In this Relegation Derby, I think the wait for the south coast-ers might finally be over. Both teams have been nothing short of fairly dreadful to be fair, but in multiple draws and spirited displays against Tottenham, Liverpool, and Chelsea, Bournemouth have at least exhibited some semblance of an identity and cohesion.
The Pick: Bournemouth, 3-2
Arsenal vs. Sheffield United
What was I saying about newly promoted teams struggling in the Premier League? Oh, right-- Sheffield United, with a whopping 1 point from their first 27, are in last place. They have shown signs of life, to be fair, most recently on Saturday against Manchester United. But I have to imagine an Arsenal team fired up by their dramatic rally at Stamford Bridge last weekend will relish the opportunity to get back to winning ways.
The Pick: Arsenal, 3-0
Liverpool vs. Nottingham Forest
Liverpool got back to winning ways last weekend against Everton. It wasn't pretty, but Merseyside Derbies rarely are, least of all when they're the early kickoff coming back from the international break. Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, are fresh off blowing a 2-goal lead against Luton Town and in the midst of a 5-match winless slump. They would love to turn their form around with an upset of Liverpool, but I don't see that happening with the Reds in good form and in front of a home crowd at Anfield.
The Pick: Liverpool, 3-1
Manchester United vs. Manchester City
Manchester has been so comprehensively dominated by the blue half over the last decade-plus....really, with the odd exception, since Sir Alex Ferguson left Old Trafford. Yet, more often than not, especially in recent years, the Manchester Derby still has a lot to offer. I expect that might be the case again. The two clubs may feel miles apart, but I think United is not as bad as the discourse suggests, nor is City in their unbeatable form (yet). Still, I anticipate the Cityzens ultimately coming through with the rivalry win in unfriendly confines.
The Pick: Man City, 2-1
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