International break is over, let Premier League football resume!
There are some exciting games to watch this weekend including Arsenal vs Manchester City, Chelsea vs Swansea, and Manchester United vs QPR.
But who’s summer business will start showing an immediate impact? Can Falcao get off to a goalscoring start at United, or will Welbeck show Louis Van Gaal what he’s missing with a debut goal for Arsenal against City?
Without further delay, let’s get the predictions underway!
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Arsenal vs Manchester City (12:45pm)
23-year-old Englishman Danny Welbeck is expected to make his Arsenal debut this weekend when his new side plays against his old rival side, Manchester City, at the Emirates. The Gunners may be undefeated so far this season, but they have only won one game and need to start winning more to consider themselves as title contenders. A win against City will be a good start. The Citizens started their title defence well, but they suffered a disappointing loss to Stoke before the international break and will be looking to bounce back. I think Arsenal have enough in the team to win this one despite the possible absence of Aaron Ramsey.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-2 Manchester City
Chelsea vs Swansea
The two remaining 100% winning record teams in the Premier League this season will meet at Stamford Bridge this weekend in a game which I think will be an absolute thriller. Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas have revitalised Chelsea this season and have given them an added edge in front of goal. Although the partnership of Ashley Williams and Jordi Amat in defence has been solid so far, I don’t think they will be able to withstand Diego Costa this weekend.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Swansea
Crystal Palace vs Burnley
Crystal Palace earned their first points of the new campaign before the international break thanks to a late equaliser by Wilfred Zaha in a 3-3 draw against Newcastle. New Eagles manager Neil Warnock will be looking to build on that result when they welcome Burnley to Selhurst Park. Burnley achieved a well fought 0-0 draw against Manchester United before the break and this result would have boosted their confidence for this game. Sam Vokes is still sidelined for The Clarets and Sean Dyche may name the same starting XI that played against United, meaning new signings George Boyd, Nathaniel Chalobah and Michael Keane could miss out on a starting place. Palace should win, especially if Zaha plays.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Burnley
Southampton vs Newcastle
Southampton’s 3-1 win against West Ham before the international break would have bolstered fan’s hopes that the club was entering disarray after the summer departures. Belgian loanee signing Tony Alderweireld is expected to make his debut for the Saints, but Jay Rodriguez is still absent through injury. Newcastle is still looking for their first win of the season after suffering to a late Zaha goal in a 3-3 draw against Crystal Palace. The Magpies haven’t scored in five of their last six Premier League away games and will be without Siem de Jong and Papiss Cisse in this fixture, meaning this bad scoring form away from home is likely to continue.
Prediction: Southampton 2-0 Newcastle
Stoke vs Leicester
Both of these sides will be looking to develop on the impressive results they picked up before the international break. Stoke managed to beat Manchester City whilst Leicester achieved a draw against Arsenal. Little changes are expected in either side after these great results so this should be a close game. However, Stoke’s home field advantage at the Britannia will be enough to provide them with a win.
Prediction: Stoke 2-1 Leicester
Sunderland vs Tottenham
Sunderland are still looking for their first win of the season but an impressive draw against Manchester United in their last home game will give fans confidence in the side that they can pick up a result against Tottenham. Tottenham will be looking to recover after an embarrassing home loss of 3-0 to Liverpool before the international break. New faces at both clubs are expected to make appearances, but Spurs should still win this game.
Prediction: Sunderland 1-2 Tottenham
West Brom vs Everton
West Brom sunk to a 3-0 defeat to Swansea before the international break. Everton were also handed a big defeat by Chelsea and will be looking to rebuild. The Toffees have started the season poorly and will need to start picking up results in games like these if they want to replicate their 5th place finish from last campaign. Christian Atsu will be available for Everton, but both sides are injury stricken with Joleon Lescott, Victor Anichebe and Youssouf Mulumbu doubtful for West Brom, and Arouna Koné, Ross Barkley and Bryan Oviedo definitely out for Everton. Everton will pick up their first win of the season.
Prediction: West Brom 0-2 Everton
Liverpool vs Aston Villa (5:30pm)
Liverpool manager Brendon Rodgers will be annoyed that Daniel Sturridge picked up a knock whilst on international duty, putting him in doubt to appear in this fixture. Mario Balotelli will be looked upon to step up in this fixture, his home debut in a Liverpool shirt. He has a good record against Aston Villa, having scored four goals in six appearances for Manchester City against The Villa. Villa will be looking to continue their great defensive start to the season, having only conceded one goal so far. They are yet to come up against an attack like what Liverpool can offer so this may be when holes appear in the defence.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Aston Villa
Manchester United vs QPR (4pm)
Radamel Falcao is expected to make his debut for Manchester United against QPR, a team that has failed to win against The Red Devils since 1991. 19-year-old Luke Shaw is also expected to make his United debut alongside the Colombian, as well as Argentine Marcos Rojo and Dutchman Daley Blind. The R’s will be looking to build on their 1-0 win against Sunderland before the international break after losing their first two games this season. United has won five out of the last five games between the two sides, scoring ten goals and only conceding one. Despite their unimpressive start to the season under Louis van Gaal, United should pick up their first win of the season in this match.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-0 QPR
Hull vs West Ham (8pm)
Both sides will be looking to bounce back after disappointing losses before the international break. Hull lost 2-1 away at Aston Villa whilst West Ham lost at home to Southampton. The Hammers have won four out of the last five fixtures between these two sides. The Tigers will be without Robert Snodgrass and West Ham will have Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll still sidelined. Alex Song and Morgan Amalfitano are expected to debut for The Hammers while Abel Hernandez, Hatem Ben Arfa, Gaston Ramirez and Mohammed Diame are expected to debut for Hull. This is going to be a close game which I think will end in a draw.
Prediction: Hull 1-1 West Ham