RADIO
The International break is now over and so it's back to the weekly drama that is the English Barclays Premier League. The tragedy of world events, however, have had an enormous impact on soccer with the Paris attack, including the Stade De France, and a subsequent threat posed to the Germany v Holland fixture. Extra security will be in place this weekend and as a mark of respect "Les Marseilles" will ring out at all EPL matches before kick off. Do not underestimate the potential impact these events may have on the French players, but also on the German players who were caught up in both events.
Back on the field there is one stand out fixture this Saturday, but as ever three points will be high on the agenda of the 16 teams taking to the field.
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PREDICTIONS:
Watford 0 v Manchester United 2 Star Player: Juan Mata (Midfield)
Chelsea 2 v Norwich City 0 Star Player: Eden Hazard (Midfield)
Everton 3 v Aston Villa 1 Star Player: Gerard Delofeu (Midfield)
Newcastle United 2 v Leicester City 1 Star Player: Giorgio Wijnaldum (Midfield)
Southampton 0 v Stoke City 0 Star Player: Virgil Van Dyke (Defender)
Swansea City 2 v AFC Bournemouth 1 Star Player: Ashley Williams (Defender)
West Bromwich Albion 0 Arsenal 1 Star Player: Santi Carzorla (Midfield)
Manchester City 1 v Liverpool 2 Star Player: Simon Mignolet (Goalkeeper)
Manchester United are becoming rock solid defensively. It's not just because of David De Gea returning between the posts, but also due to the recent form of Chris Smalling. Watford are tricky opponents and they break with pace but we feel United can keep them at bay and with Juan Mata in good form they have enough to open up their opponents. On the injury front, Anthony Martial is likely to be missing along with Michael Carrick as both were injured in the emotional friendly between England and France earlier this week.
Chelsea must turn the corner eventually, although some would say they are currently on a Nascar track and running out of gas fast! Norwich is the kind of opponent you would want to have coming off the international break. Defensively they are short of what is required at this level and whilst it might be a grinding display, we do expect Chelsea to be solid at the back and find a way to break down the visitors. Eden Hazard has an abundance of talent and if he can return to anything approaching his best, then expect three points to take some pressure off of Jose Mourinho.
Reme Garde takes his Aston Villa side minus Jordan Amavi, who is out for the season. This is another blow to ‘the Villa’ who are already without Gabby Agbonlahor and for whom Rudi Gestede faces a late fitness test. Everton haven’t been great at home this season, except for the win over Chelsea, but Villa look like lambs to the slaughter. Tom Cleverley is back to full fitness and is raring to go and Leighton Baines is close to making himself available again for selection. Romelu Lukaku has scored on each of the three occasions he has faced Villa and is likely to do so again this weekend.
Newcastle United face Leicester, albeit potentially a Leicester without 9 in a row Jamie Vardy, who was unavailable for England due to injury. He will be desperate to play. Leicester invariably concede goals and yet find a way to score themselves but we also think that Newcastle are improving at home. The win at Bournemouth, having hardly had a shot on goal, will nevertheless boost their confidence. With the vocal backing of the Geordie fans we can see them getting over the line. Giorgio Wijnaldum is adjusting well to life in the EPL and we expect his class to be vital in securing the points.
Southampton and Stoke are two teams, that whilst capable of scoring, are equally strong in the defensive aspects of the game. We anticipate the points being shared and goals in short supply. Stoke look very solid now with Shawcross a favorite of ours back in central defense. Southampton, though, also have talent in this area in Jose Fonte and Virgil Van Dyke and we think a goalless draw is the most likely scoreline.
This week’s manager under pressure is Garry Monk, a remarkable thing to say given how he has performed since taking over from Michael Laudrup. Nevertheless, the Swans are very much out of form and a loss to Bournemouth would be very damaging and put the Welsh side in danger of joining the relegation fight. Not for the first time this season Bournemouth played wonderfully at home to Newcastle and yet had nothing to show for it. They have nobody to finish off the approach work and the loss of Callum Wilson is proving to be more and more damaging as the weeks go by and the missed chances stack up. A defeat to Swansea, as we predict, will leave the Cherries heading in the direction of the Championship.
West Bromwich Albion face Arsenal, a club that Tony Pulis has historically produced good results against. The performance at Manchester United, however, was as abject a display as we can remember. Albion showed no intention to try and actually win the game, and it was truly pitiful to watch. Expect a similar approach at home to Arsenal. The Gunners have a number of players dealing with the events of last week, but they will know that they need to be at the top of their game to breakdown the West Bromwich Albion bus and we think they will just about get the job done.
The big game of the day is at the Etihad when both David Silva and Sergio Aguero are expected to return to the City squad. Raheem Sterling and James Milner face their old teams and the former can expect quite a 'reception' from the visiting supporters. The performance at Chelsea will give Liverpool the blueprint to try to take on a City side that struggled to beat Norwich and could not breakdown Aston Villa. If the big guns return fully fit then we could envisage a home victory, but we have a gut feeling for the visitors who have not won in this fixture since 2008.
