This weekend’s main game sees Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur in a battle for second at lunchtime.
There are however more highlights from later games, including the reunion of Jurgen Klopp and David Wagner as Liverpool meet Huddersfield at Anfield.
Crystal Palace host West Ham in a six pointer London derby before the evening sees Chelsea travel to Bournemouth.
Arsenal vs Swansea
Arsenal enter this fixture as favourites, having not lost at home so far this season in all competitions.
Swansea however have travelled better than they have been at home so will be dangerous opposition.
Both teams have a tight goals per half percentage.
The Gunners have managed 11 goals at the Emirates so far this season. Six of those goals came in the first half compared to after the break, giving a 54.5 v 45.5% comparison.
Swansea only have two away goals to their name with one coming either side of half time.
Ultimately, Arsenal have dominated at home except in the fouls stat so I can only see one result here.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Swansea
Jake predicts: Arsenal 1-0 Swansea
Result: Arsenal 2-1 Swansea
Crystal Palace vs West Ham
Crystal Palace know that this is a must win or could be cut adrift from the survival fight.
West Ham themselves are in a league rut, losing 3-0 last Friday at home to Brighton but will be buoyed by Wednesday’s League Cup comeback win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Luckily, Palace’s last home game also came against London opposition and they won that match 2-1.
Unfortunately, their record against the Hammers is dreadful with just one win in last six meetings. They also have lost the last four clashes between these sides.
Add in the fact that the Eagles have lost 12 of their last 14 games in all competitions without scoring and we have a major problem.
West Ham themselves are struggling and their away stats make for some ugly reading.
As you can see on the graphic, the Hammers have are severely woeful compared to the home team.
Their disciplinary record is also poor, having averaged more yellow and red cards than their hosts.
Realistically, this could be a 0-0 draw but I fancy West Ham to win this and Manuel Lanzini does like scoring in local derbies.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-1 West Ham
Jake predicts: Crystal Palace 1-2 West Ham
Result: Crystal Palace 2-2 West Ham
Liverpool vs Huddersfield
Liverpool enter this game off the back of a woeful performance at Wembley on Sunday. Huddersfield however will be sniffing an upset, having beaten Manchester United at home last Saturday.
The head to head record states that the Reds have won the last ten meetings but Huddersfield won their last top flight meeting at Anfield.
This is really a David vs Goliath game given that Klopp and Wagner used to work together so know how one another play their teams.
Both teams tend to do their scoring in the opening half but Liverpool have scored more second half goals.
Despite their defensive fragilities, Klopp’s Reds have leaked just one goal at home but Huddersfield tend to concede more after half time.
In the end, the winner will probably come from a defensive mistake and Huddersfield seems the more clinical.
Prediction: Liverpool 1-2 Huddersfield
Jake predicts: Liverpool 2-0 Huddersfield
Result: Liverpool 3-0 Huddersfield
Watford vs Stoke
Watford and Stoke are probably at opposite ends of where fans probably predicted them to be.
Last weekend saw both teams lose but the Hornets lacked the bottle to seal a win at Stamford Bridge, losing 4-2.
There have been only four top flight meetings in this fixture with Stoke winning the last three.
Both teams tend to score after half time so expect a tight first half.
If we do get any goals before the break, expect Watford to go and win this because they’re yet to lose any league games against non big six members, this season.
Prediction: Watford 2-0 Stoke
Jake predicts: Watford 2-0 Stoke
Result: Watford 0-1 Stoke
West Bromwich Albion vs Manchester City
There will surely be some big questions surrounding Manchester City’s fitness levels after Tuesday’s penalty shootout drama in the Carabao Cup.
Those fitness questions probably won’t stop them though, having won the last 12 meetings in all competitions with West Brom.
The Baggies however haven’t lost a dozen league games versus any opponents, other than Chelsea and Liverpool.
City however are the league leaders and victory would put them on 28 points, equalling the record for most points after opening ten league games.
Only two clubs (Chelsea 2005-06, Man City 2011-12) have achieved that and both went on to become that season’s champions. Could history be repeating itself?
Another omen in the Citizens’ favour is that they have already scored 32 league goals, which is Pep Guardiola’s best since 2008-09 with Barcelona.
His Barca side went on to achieve the treble that season (La Liga, Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League).
If City get two or more goals, are they set to go and match that glory or even push for the quadruple?
Personally, that probably comes down to how fresh they’re after midweek action but can see a City win here.
Prediction: WBA 0-2 Manchester City
Jake predicts: WBA 0-3 Manchester City
Result: WBA 2-3 Manchester City
Bournemouth vs Chelsea
Chelsea come here knowing that a win is necessary if want to stand any chance of defending their title.
Bournemouth however can see this match as an opportunity to move out of the relegation zone with victory.
That chance will seem a lot better because Chelsea are still having a midfield crisis.
N’Golo Kante and Victor Moses remain out, leaving just Cesc Fabregas as their clear midfielder.
Since the Cherries arrived in the Premier League, Chelsea have beaten them in the three clashes that were played at 3pm.
Bournemouth however won the only non traditional 3pm game and it came in the same timeslot of 5:30pm.
Admittedly, that was at Stamford Bridge in early December but with growing rumours of discontent with Antonio Conte (remember fallout with Jose Mourinho?), could history be about rear its ugly side again?
With a midweek trip to Roma, Chelsea can’t afford any injuries here and I think Bournemouth will maximise this to full effect for victory.
Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Chelsea
Jake predicts: Bournemouth 0-1 Chelsea
Result: Bournemouth 0-1 Chelsea
Predictions War
Here at Sport Grill, me and Jake Self are going head to head predicting games. Here is how things stand after the previous round of games along with the rules.
Correct score – 3 points
Correct result – 1 point
Incorrect result – 0 points
| Name | Points |
| James Gregory | 50 |
| Jake Self | 52 |
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