RADIO
It's week 7 of the EPL and, unlike last week's warning as to a Champions League hangover plus our prediction that West Ham would take all three points at Manchester City, no similar warnings from the midweek League Cup action where most EPL sides make changes and rest up varying members of their first team squads. This week doesn't offer the most exciting fixtures on the schedule but, nonetheless, for at least four managers it could be a weekend that could determine their futures.
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Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City
Midweek saw Tottenham rest several players, in particular in defense, whilst Manchester City took care of Sunderland early with a strong starting line up. Spurs have been very resilient this year but Harry Kane is lacking confidence and he doesn't, at least yet, pose the same threat that was so apparent last season. We predict a share of the spoils with Hugo Lloris having a busy day.
Prediction: Tottenham 1 Man City 1
Star Performers: Hugo Lloris (Goalkeeper); Sergio Aquero (Forward)
Leicester City v Arsenal
Leicester have a never say die attitude and their last two comebacks, at home to Aston Villa and last week at Stoke City, have been quite stunning. They remain unbeaten and, at home, they will be determined to attack Arsenal. That, we think is where they may come unstuck because of Arsenal's ability to counter attack at pace. Arsenal will have been hurt by last week's debacle at Stamford Bridge where the sending off changed a game in which they were very competitive, but we expect Theo Walcott to lead the line and his ability to link up successfully with Alexis Sanchez will likely be the deciding factor.
Prediction: Leicester 1 Arsenal 2
Star Performers: Alexis Sanchez (Midfield); Theo Walcott (Forward)
Liverpool v Aston Villa
Two managers under pressure. It would seem that, irrespective of the outcome of this match, that Liverpool's owners have decided that they need to make a change. We expect Carlo Ancelotti will be the beneficiary of that decision and maybe even as soon as the Merseyside derby. Whilst Tim Sherwood is not in that position just yet, his honeymoon period is over and Villa are back to being an inconsistent side that lacks any serious attacking threat - as they have been for the last few seasons. Captain Jordan Henderson is unfit as is Christian Benteke who will miss out on a match against his former side but we think Liverpool will just about scrape home. However, we doubt it be enough for the owners or the supporters.
Prediction: Liverpool 1 Aston Villa 0
Star Performers: Martin Skrtel (Defender); James Milner (Midfield)
Manchester United v Sunderland
Oh dear! Sunderland deteriorate with every performance and a visit to Old Trafford will do nothing to improve the mood for their long suffering fans. Anthony Martial has hit the ground running with 4 goals in 4 games so far and we expect United to play their usual cautious game, but to create enough chances to win this match comprehensively.
Prediction: Man Utd 3 Sunderland 0
Star Performers: Wayne Rooney (Forward); Anthony Martial (Forward)
Southampton v Swansea
Contrasting efforts away to Championship clubs in midweek, as Southampton scored six goals whilst Swansea conceded a single goal and suffered defeat. Swansea have gone off the boil and a visit to St Mary's is a difficult place to turn this around. Victor Wanyama is very solid in midfield, breaking up the play for Southampton, and because both clubs have quality central defensive players in Adrian Williams and Jose Fonte we expect much endeavor in this one, but no goals.
Prediction: Southampton 0 Swansea 0
Star Performers: Victor Wanyama (Midfield); Adrian Williams (Defender)
Stoke City v AFC Bournemouth
Mark Hughes has spent an enormous amount of money and, consequently, expectations were high at the Brittania Stadium. However, six games into the season and Hughes' beleaguered team have still not picked up a win. Pressure must be starting to build and this is a must win game for the Potters. Bournemouth have had a reasonable start, but this is a tough test of their credentials and even though Stoke have a softer underbelly than in years gone by, this is a game where we think the additional physicality of the home team will prove to be the difference.
Prediction: Stoke 2 Bournemouth 0
Star Performers: Bojan Krkic (Forward) Jack Butland (Goalkeeper)
West Ham United v Norwich City
West Ham are the enigma of the season. Last week we predicted that they would beat the league leaders away from home but we are less confident of a win at home to a Norwich side growing in confidence. In the end, we have fallen down on the side of the Hammers in the belief that their attacking threat will prove to be just too much for Norwich who still look a little vulnerable at the back. Diafra Sakho is a menace leading the line and of course Victor Moses and Dmitri Payet add to that goal scoring threat.
Prediction: West Ham 2 Norwich 1
Star Performers: Diafra Sakho (Forward); Mark Noble (Midfield)
Newcastle United v Chelsea
Newcastle's loss in the League Cup AT HOME to a Championship side that had made 10 changes from their starting eleven in the previous league fixture was a disaster. We expected a whole hearted performance against Watford last week and, Daryl Janmatt aside, they failed to deliver once again. Janmatt was physically sick on the field in the midweek game, something that's reflective of the feeling of the supporters in the stands. They have invested $75 million dollars in the summer but they still look disjointed, completely lacking in confidence and bereft of any marked attacking talent. Mitrovic will be back and he has to, at least, put in a performance to offer their supporters some hope, but they will not win and they will not score. Chelsea will cruise to three points on a ground where Jose Mourinho has never won.
Prediction: Newcastle 0 Chelsea 3
Star Performers: Cesc Fabregas (Midfield); Pedro (Forward)
