RADIO
Another exciting week ahead in the EPL with some very interesting Saturday match ups for us to consider in detail. It has been another week of Champions League and Europa League matches and for the first time in a long time, Arsenal excluded, the EPL sides have had some much needed success. Can they transfer these performances into league play?
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Predictions:
AFC Bournemouth 1 v Newcastle United 2 -Star Performer: Daryl Janmatt (Defender)
Leicester City 3 v Watford 1 - Star Performer: Jaime Vardy (Forward)
Manchester United 0 v West Bromwich Albion 0 - Star Performer: Claudio Jacob (Midfield)
Norwich City 1 v Swansea City 1 - Star Performer: Lukas Fabianski (Goalkeeper)
Sunderland AFC 1 v Southampton 4 - Star Performer: Saido Mane (Forward)
West Ham United 2 v Everton 2 - Star Performer: Romelu Lukaku (Everton)
Stoke City 1 v Chelsea 1 - Star Performer: Willian (Midfield)
Previews:
Bournemouth Vs Newcastle
Bournemouth welcome 'the Toon Army' to the South Coast in what, we expect, will be a lively encounter. Bournemouth always concede at least one goal if not more and so the question for them is always whether they can score sufficient goals to secure a win? It is always difficult to win matches when you have to score at least two goals to do so. We think this is too much to expect this weekend against a Newcastle side that secured a much needed clean sheet in the home stalemate with Stoke last weekend. Newcastle will have enough quality up front to secure the points and in Daryl Janmatt they have an offensive threat from the full back position that will help create the space needed to open up the Cherries defense.
Leicester Vs Watford
Week after week Leicester continue to impress and Jaime Vardy is rapidly becoming a leading attacking threat not just in the EPL, but across all European leagues. His story is a testament to hard work and determination and he deserves all his success. Watford will try to counter attack and whilst they may create one or two opportunities, we look to Vardy to again hit the target and lead Leicester to a comfortable home win.
Man United Vs West Brom
Manchester United have not scored now in their last two league matches, whilst West Bromwich Albion have conceded just 5 away goals all season. The away side have won the last two meetings at Old Trafford and the longer they can keep a clean sheet the greater the possibility of them sneaking a third win in a row. We really do not see them doing this but certainly think they can do enough to frustrate the home side, and the home support, whom Louis Van Gall has publicly stated are entited to vent their anger at the teams lack of offense. Darren Fletcher and Jonny Evans both return to their old club, but it will be Claudio Jacob who will be vital to any rewards the visitors take back from Manchester. He is a very combative defensive midfielder and we think probably number 1 on the team sheet for Tony Pulis. His number of tackles is in the top 5 in the entire league and his discipline and work rate can help Albion scratch out another away point.
Norwich Vs Swansea
Norwich face Swansea in an interesting match up of styles. It should be a game that is nice on the eye, although the build up play will not necessarily translate into many goal scoring opportunities. The pressure will be on Norwich to get the three points and this can play into Swansea's hands and enable them to secure a goal on the counter attack. Lukas Fabianski had a howler last week, but he is capable of bouncing back from that adversity and we anticipate a solid display at Carrow Road. Both sides will have to settle for a point.
Sunderland Vs Southampton
Sunderland face their nemesis in Southampton following their 8-0 massacre last season. This does not bode well given that they conceded six goals last weekend and we think their brittle defense will be exposed again. Victor Wanyama is suspended for the visitors and Jay Rodriguez and Shane Long are sidelined, but Graziano Pelle was the catalyst for last years win and, we suspect, he will be again. Sunderland do not have Lee Cattermole available although both John O Shea, and Younes Kaboul are both available if Sam Allardyce feels this would strengthen his defense. We are not convinced that it will, or that it will make any difference to the outcome, and Southampton will stroll to an easy away victory.
West Ham Vs Everton
The old West Ham are alive and well, beating top four teams with ease and losing to promoted clubs who ultimately will be fighting just to stay in the EPL. It was a very poor performance last weekend by 'the Hammers' and Slaven Bilic will expect a much better display against the other English club he represented in his playing career. Everton are back on track and scored some superb goal, albeit against Sunderland, but we think this could be the match of the day. The battle in midfield will be pivotal to the outcome and we can see Everton getting an early grip on matters before West Ham fight back. We expect goals and a share of the points.
Stoke Vs Chelsea
The last match on Saturday pits former Chelsea player Mark Hughes against his old club in a repeat of the recent Capital One Cup encounter. Stoke were very unlucky not to come away with the victory and again we expect a tight affair that will take place in the absence of Jose Mourinho, who has been banned from the Stadium for one match as a result of his conduct in the defeat to West Ham. Steve Holland will direct operations in Jose's absence and whilst the Champions League win will have boosted confidence, Stoke is not the place to go if you are desperately in need of three points. We told you last week that Ryan Shawcross would make a difference defensively, and that is exactly what happened. Geoff Cameron and Phil Bardsley are both available for 'the Potters', whilst Pedro has returned to full fitness and will be pressing for a starting place for the visitors. We think the points will be shared after a 1-1 tie.
Sunday sees 5 of the top 10 teams in action. Reme Garde's arrival at Aston Villa will, we think, make little difference against Manchester City. We expect Arsenal to win the North London derby and Liverpool to prevail against Crystal Palace. Liverpool continue to improve, and we can see them pressing on for a top four position, especially given Chelsea's early season implosion.
