(All kickoff times are AEST)
Arsenal v Tottenham
Kickoff: 11.45pm Saturday October 17th at the Emirates Stadium
In this weekend’s match of the round, two underperforming sides – Arsenal and Tottenham – meet for the always-entertaining North London derby.
Arsenal’s less-than-impressive 3-3 draw with Fulham last weekend heaped more pressure on under-siege boss Arsene Wenger. The Frenchman has been at the club for more than 16 years, but now even his biggest supporters are suggesting a fresh approach must be taken at the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta missed a last-minute penalty to win the match for the Gunners, which could prove to demoralise the London-based club.
Tottenham conceded a late goal to Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko last week, subjecting them to their second loss in a row. They’ve now dropped well outside the top four and new boss Andre Villas Boas is under loads of pressure to get results. They have performed relatively well in North London derbies of late, but last season’s 5-2 hammering at the hands of the Gunners would be fresh in their mind in the lead-up to this clash.
Both sides are due for a win, so expect this to be a high-scoring thriller. I think Arsenal should just do enough to get the three points.
Arsenal 3-2 Tottenham
Liverpool v Wigan
Kickoff: 2.00am Sunday October 18th at Anfield
Liverpool battled to a 1-1 draw at Chelsea last weekend, however despite the positive result, the Reds still sit in 13th on the table. They have amassed just 12 points from 11 games so far this season and although they’re in a development phase, some fans just don’t believe that’s enough.
Wigan was streaming up the table before succumbing to a 2-1 loss to the in-form West Brom last weekend. Still, there are positive signs for boss Roberto Martinez, who has the club in 14th place on the table going into this match.
On paper, Liverpool look the better side, however the inconsistencies surrounding their form at Anfield has plagued past seasons and it looks to be continuing into this campaign.
Liverpool 1-1 Wigan
Manchester City v Aston Villa
Kickoff: 2.00am Sunday October 18th at the Etihad Stadium
Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Tottenham last weekend maintained their unbeaten start to this season and kept them within two points of top spot on the table. To me though, they still don’t look to have the fluidity of a side that will challenge for title honours at the end of the season. Problems with big name players like Mario Balotelli are still bubbling under the surface and Roberto Mancini has a huge task in keeping his high-profile squad together.
Aston Villa took a 2-0 lead at home to league leaders Manchester United last weekend, however conceded three unanswered goals to get nothing from the match. Still, they looked resurgent throughout the 90 minutes and showed signs that things were on the way up. They’re only out of the relegation zone by a game, but there are positives for Villa fans.
Although Manchester City isn’t playing like a well-oiled machine at the moment, they should still have enough to see off Aston Villa.
Manchester City 2-0 Aston Villa
Newcastle v Swansea
Kickoff: 2.00am Sunday October 18th at St James’ Park
Newcastle’s season hit a bump last weekend when they were beaten 1-0 by West Ham at St James’ Park. Under Alan Pardew, Newcastle can be credited for their work ethic and their desire to get forward and win games, however it just wasn’t to be seen against the Hammers. Pardew would be hoping for an improved performance this weekend against Swansea.
Swansea drew 1-1 with Southampton last weekend, which wasn’t enough to put them back into the top half of the table. It’s been a bit of an indifferent start to the season for the Welsh side. Their good has been very good, but their bad has been insufferable for their supporters.
Newcastle has a great chance to redeem last weekend’s mistakes. Back in front of their home fans, they should get the win.
Newcastle 2-1 Swansea
QPR v Southampton
Kickoff: 2.00am Sunday October 18th at Loftus Road
QPR’s 1-0 loss to Stoke last weekend kept them glued to the bottom of the table and maintained their unwanted record of still being without a win this season. Mark Hughes is now under a heap of pressure after spending big money in the summer transfer window. Their ambitious owner, Tony Fernandes, sent a warning to Hughes on Twitter, saying this week’s clash with Southampton was a ‘must win’.
Southampton jumped off the bottom of the ladder with an impressive 1-1 draw with Swansea last weekend. They now have the chance to steal points away from a fellow relegation-threatened side this week.
Both teams will feel they can win this match, however the chance that their manager might get sacked will inspire QPR to their first win of the season.
QPR 2-0 Southampton
Reading v Everton
Kickoff: 2.00am Sunday October 18th at the Madeski Stadium
Reading secured a goalless draw with Norwich last weekend, meaning they have picked up points in five of their last six games. Unfortunately, they are still without a win this season and remain inside the relegation zone. I think they’re better than their form suggests though and their first victory in their return to the Premier League is just around the corner.
Everton secured a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Sunderland last weekend. Their dynamic duo up front, Nikica Jelavic and Marouane Fellaini, scored twice in three minutes to secure the victory and put them back inside the top four. Leon Osman is also in great form, resulting in his England debut midweek.
Although Reading’s form isn’t as bad as their league position suggests, Everton should still win this weekend.
Reading 0-2 Everton
West Bromwich Albion v Chelsea
Kickoff: 2.00am Sunday October 18th at the Hawthorns
West Bromwich Albion has had a fine start to the season, however they will face their biggest test this weekend when they play Chelsea. They comfortably accounted for Wigan last weekend and they sit outside the top four only on goal difference. Steve Clarke would be delighted with where his side is at.
Chelsea was disappointing in a 1-1 draw with Liverpool at home last weekend. They squandered a few great chances, yet they didn’t look like having the desire to get forward as often as they have in the past this season. John Terry came off the ground injured in his return from suspension, which will be a huge blow for the Blues.
Chelsea’s form is beginning to dip. They haven’t secured a league victory in almost a month, however they should narrowly scrape a win against West Brom this weekend.
West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Chelsea
Norwich v Manchester United
Kickoff: 4.30am Sunday October 18th at Carrow Road
Norwich’s goalless draw with Reading proved to be a pivotal point, as it put them two games out of the relegation zone. Although the Canaries were safe in mid-table last season, they must be weary of the dreaded ‘second-season syndrome’, so staying above the drop zone is a must.
Manchester United was once again forced to come-from-behind to win last weekend at Aston Villa. Javier Hernandez came off the bench at half time to score a sublime hat trick, however Alex Ferguson would still believe there are problems at United. It was the fifth time in 11 games this season that they’ve gone behind, only to win the game. Their belief simply must be commended.
Manchester United should have enough quality to see off the threat of Norwich this weekend.
Norwich 0-3 Manchester United
Fulham v Sunderland
Kickoff: 3.00am Monday October 19th at Craven Cottage
Mark Schwarzer came up with a brilliant last-minute penalty save to keep out Arsenal and maintain a well-deserved point for Fulham last weekend. It kept the Cottagers in the top half of the table and they’ll look to build on that good start to the season this weekend against Sunderland.
Sunderland players and supporters can deny it as much as they want, but they’re in a relegation battle. A 2-1 loss to Everton last weekend made it seven games without a win in all competitions. At least they scored though, with Adam Johnson becoming just the second Sunderland player this season to do so.
I’m not sure when Sunderland’s next win is coming or where it’s coming from, but it won’t be this weekend. Fulham should be too good for the Black Cats.
Fulham 2-0 Sunderland
West Ham v Stoke
Kickoff: 7.00am Tuesday October 20th at Upton Park
West Ham has made an outstanding start to the season. They sit in sixth on the table, just two points from the top four, despite coming from the Championship last season. Kevin Nolan secured a gutsy and brave victory away at Newcastle last weekend and they’ll look to continue that run of form this time around against Stoke City.
Charlie Adam scored his first Stoke goal in last weekend’s 1-0 win over QPR. It was the Potters first win in over a month and sent them back up to 12th on the table.
This match will be a battle of the long ball, with both team’s game style eerily reminiscent of the others. Expect these two sides to cancel each other out, with a draw the most likely result.
West Ham 0-0 Stoke
Riley Beveridge is a first-year Bachelor of Sports Journalism student at La Trobe University. You can follow his Premier League views at his Twitter account: @RileyBev.
