Dilly Ding Dilly Dong!!! Claudio Ranieri makes his Premier League return this weekend as he takes charge of Fulham.
Other highlights include a London derby as Tottenham Hotspur meet Chelsea whilst Liverpool and Manchester City face tough away trips to Watford and West Ham respectively.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Leicester City
Embed from Getty ImagesWith Brighton, its hard to predict what we can expect because they have lost their last two matches, having won their previous two beforehand 1-0 and three of those games were away.
Their home form however is decent with just one defeat at the Amex this season, which doesn’t make this match any easier to try and call.
Leicester meanwhile have coped admirably well in recent weeks but need to start focusing on finding their best finishing, which has been understandably lacking in recent weeks given their circumstances.
I am really struggling to predict this one because both sides have faced different challenges lately, so a draw would be a good bet.
Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Leicester City
Jake predicts: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Leicester City
Result: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Leicester City
Everton vs Cardiff City
Embed from Getty ImagesEverton have started to hit their stride after a slow start under Marco Silva and should be comfortable favourites here.
Cardiff have made impressive progress in recent weeks, although their away form leaves a lot to be desired despite having met three of the top four in their last three away matches.
If Cardiff play like they did against Spurs and Liverpool then I can see them getting something. If not then quality and squad depth will really be telling to the outcome here.
Prediction: Everton 2-1 Cardiff City
Jake predicts: Everton 2-0 Cardiff City
Result: Everton 1-0 Cardiff City
Fulham vs Southampton
Embed from Getty ImagesHaving dispensed with Slavisa Jokanovic’s services during international break and brought in Claudio Ranieri, this match will be key at working out where Fulham are in terms of play given that their defence is the poorest in Europe with 31 conceded league goals.
Southampton themselves are no better as demonstrated by a 6-1 thrashing at Manchester City in their last away game. They however showed resilience to bounce back and take a well earned point at home Watford after seeing a Charlie Austin goal controversially disallowed to deny them a 2-1 win.
I therefore can see a good open game here but Ranieri’s arrival will provide Fulham with that dilly ding dilly dong to kick his reign into gear instantly.
Prediction: Fulham 2-1 Southampton
Jake predicts: Fulham 2-2 Southampton
Result: Fulham 3-2 Southampton
Manchester United vs Crystal Palace
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite rumours of more strife at Old Trafford, Manchester United have shown a good upturn in fortunes despite a ripping from Man City in their last outing.
I therefore can see them dominating here and Palace trying to repeat their defensive display from against Tottenham. The Eagles however have Wilfried Zaha back so expect them to pose more of an attacking threat down the flanks here than of a fortnight ago.
Ultimately, I can see just one outcome here given that Palace haven’t won here since 1991 in the league. Otherwise United fans won’t be happy as they enter a crucial Champions League clash in midweek.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace
Jake predicts: Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace
Result: Manchester United 0-0 Crystal Palace
Watford vs Liverpool
Embed from Getty ImagesWatford need to be on top form here against a rampant Liverpool side as they meet at Vicarage Road.
Something has disappeared lately for Watford because they had been going superbly but have hit a surprise block in terms of finishing, which worries me as they should of beat Newcastle and Southampton in last two outings but unusually failed to wrap up chances like they normally do.
Liverpool meanwhile are solid all over the pitch and if can pounce on the Hornets’ attacking issues, there will be only one comfortable winner.
Prediction: Watford 0-2 Liverpool
Jake predicts: Watford 2-1 Liverpool
Result: Watford 0-3 Liverpool
West Ham United vs Manchester City
Embed from Getty ImagesManuel Pellegrini has a chance to get one over his former club as West Ham aim to end their recent hoodoo against Manchester City.
For me, the Hammers are starting to find their click lately but have conceded at least four goals in each of last three home clashes with City in all competitions.
Now that is a real worry against a rampant City side who are just ruthlessly brilliant and will toy with their opposition as demonstrated by an epic 44 pass move for their third against Manchester United.
West Ham’s best hopes probably therefore lie with Felipe Anderson and Marko Arnautovic being at their clinical best, if are to get anything otherwise I can see just one result.
Prediction: West Ham United 1-3 Manchester City
Jake predicts: West Ham United 0-3 Manchester City
Result: West Ham United 0-4 Manchester City
Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea (5:30pm)
Embed from Getty ImagesI can see an exciting game here because both had to grind out results a fortnight ago and Spurs can move above Chelsea with a win here.
Its however the visitors who have better form and Spurs haven’t beaten two of top three at home already this season, which could be key in how both sides approach this game.
Although both teams will produce a cracking 90 minutes, I am going for an away win because Chelsea are a dangerous side and I can’t see Tottenham posing much trouble with one eye on a crucial midweek European match.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Chelsea
Jake predicts: Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Chelsea
Result: Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Chelsea
Prediction Wars
With the new season underway, so is Prediction Wars between me and Boro Rants writer, Jake Self.
Rules remain the same as last season and goes as follows alongside latest standings;
Correct score – 3 points
Correct result – 1 point
Incorrect result – 0 points
| Name | Points |
| James Gregory | 74 |
| Jake Self | 92 |
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