Premier League football is back after a two week sabbatical for international football.
The North London derby takes centre stage tomorrow at lunchtime but there are plenty of exciting ties in the later games to watch out for.
Highlights include Leicester vs Manchester City, West Bromwich Albion vs Chelsea and Manchester United vs Newcastle.
Bournemouth vs Huddersfield
Bournemouth finally climbed out of the relegation zone last time out but face a tricky Huddersfield side.
This will be an interesting match because both teams have decent squads full of quality players.
The Terriers ‘ away form has been poor, losing three of their last four away games but the Cherries’ home form.
Having played five home games so far, Bournemouth have collected just four points (W1,D1,L3).
Based on current form, a draw is likely but I reckon the Cherries will win this purely to avoid ending up back in bottom three.
Prediction: Bournemouth 1-0 Huddersfield
Jake predicts: Bournemouth 2-1 Huddersfield
Result: Bournemouth 4-0 Huddersfield
Burnley vs Swansea
Burnley are still punching above their weight, sitting seventh and in a potential Europa League fight.
Swansea on other hand are where many probably expected the Clarets to be, down in relegation zone.
Burnley with their strong work ethic should really fancy their chances, given that Turf Moor has often been a tough place to visit.
Swansea’s per away game average also will serve as a boost given that the Swans have struggled on the road this season.
One positive is that those hosting Swansea have struggled to score against them as shown on the graph next to ‘Goals’.
I can see Paul Clément’s side sitting deep but eventually Burnley will break through and open the floodgates.
Prediction: Burnley 3-0 Swansea
Jake predicts: Burnley 1-0 Swansea
Result: Burnley 2-0 Swansea
Crystal Palace vs Everton
Both teams really shouldn’t be in the relegation scrap, if they had performed under Frank de Boer and Ronald Koeman respectively.
Everton has the upper hand in this fixture, having not conceded on their last four trips to Selhurst Park.
Palace however are improving under Hodgson and won their first home game after last month’s international break.
Could that be a positive omen for the Eagles?
Their home form has also improved taking four points from last two games at Selhurst Park.
Although the Toffees are tricky opposition, I can see Palace repeating what they did to Chelsea last month.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Everton
Jake predicts: Crystal Palace 2-3 Everton
Result: Crystal Palace 2-2 Everton
Leicester vs Manchester City
You never really know what to expect whenever Leicester takes on a Manchester club at the King Power Stadium.
Manchester City were in strong form last year before heading to Leicester. They then lost that game 4-2 before struggling to 4th place.
Flash forward nearly a year later and the Citizens are unbeaten in all competitions, having taken ten wins and a draw.
Could that unbeaten run again come to a shattering halt on the Foxes’ turf?
The Foxes are unbeaten since Craig Shakespeare left, taking seven points from three league games, making this an even tougher match.
A draw is likely but Leicester like to cause surprises against Manchester sides so I am backing them here.
Prediction: Leicester 2-1 Manchester City
Jake predicts: Leicester 1-3 Manchester City
Result: Leicester 0-2 Manchester City
Liverpool vs Southampton
This match has a love in feel because there are so many connections between these teams.
Southampton manager, Mauricio Pellegrino used to play and coach at Anfield but return as boss of the Saints.
Liverpool currently have three ex Southampton players in their squad but will it be happy families at full time?
The Saints are currently unbeaten in their last five meetings with Liverpool and can break the previous record of five consecutive unbeaten games (April 1983- May 85, April 91- February 93) if don’t lose here.
The Reds however are yet to taste defeat this season at Anfield so will be a tough side to break down.
Ultimately, I feel that this will end in a draw.
Prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Southampton
Jake predicts: Liverpool 2-0 Southampton
Result: Liverpool 3-0 Southampton
WBA vs Chelsea
West Brom are winless since August in all competitions whilst Chelsea have dropped just three games in that period.
Chelsea have had less corners on the road than those hosting them. This will give the Baggies hope given their set piece speciality under Tony Pulis.
Ultimately, this should be an easy win for the Blues.
Prediction: WBA 0-2 Chelsea
Jake predicts: WBA 0-1 Chelsea
Result: WBA 0-4 Chelsea
Manchester United vs Newcastle (5:30pm)
Jose Mourinho will be delighted to have Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Marcos Rojo back in the team.
Newcastle are yet to face a big name team on the road this season so this will be a real test of their quality.
Whilst Man Utd have taken a maximum 15 points from five home games at Old Trafford, Newcastle has a poor away record, earning just four points from five away games.
United however have started to slip up, losing two of their last three so could be vulnerable here.
Ultimately, I can see this match ending in an United victory because the Magpies’ away record is just so poor.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Newcastle
Jake predicts: Man Utd 2-1 Newcastle
Result: Manchester United 4-1 Newcastle
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