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With another international break happily done and dusted, it’s back to the hurly-burly of the Premier League. This weekend brings several intriguing sub-plots, at least one of which is likely to become the main plot.
WATFORD vs LIVERPOOL (1230 ko)
The Tinkerman makes a welcome return to English football and he’ll need more than the promise of pizzas all round if he’s to get anything from his first game. Liverpool should be too strong for the Hornets, but this could be a banana skin for the Reds. Away win.
ASTON VILLA vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (1500)
Or roit? Form doesn’t always count in local derbies, but even then there’s little to choose between these two. Home advantage is likely to play a greater role. Home win.
LEICESTER CITY vs MANCHESTER UNITED (1500)
Leicester, you’d think, have to avoid defeat, while Man U have to win. Those are the expectations. The Foxes have achieved little so far this season, but it would be folly to write them off just yet. But Ronaldo for the visitors could prove to be what separates these two this afternoon. Away win.
MANCHESTER CITY vs BURNLEY (1500)
A game of principal interest to the two protagonists and those affected by the result. Burnley will try to spoil – they’re good at that – but City will be way too strong for such shenanigans. Home win.
NORWICH CITY vs BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (1500)
The Canaries are no longer pointless, but that will be cold comfort to the team at the bottom of the division. In contrast, the Seagulls are two points from the summit. In-form plays perennially out of form. There’s only one possible outcome. Away win.
SOUTHAMPTON vs LEEDS UNITED (1500)
A battle of teams that are better than their respective league positions suggest. If the Man City game doesn’t appeal, this one may. Draw.
BRENTFORD vs CHELSEA (1730)
No air miles on offer today as the year’s surprise team hosts the league leaders. This should be a battle worth watching. Away win.
**SUNDAY**
EVERTON vs WEST HAM UNITED (1400)
Moyes returns to the place where he made his name, while Niko Vlasic returns to the place that didn’t want him. Both have a point to prove. The entire team also has a point to prove after faltering against mighty Brentford last time out. With the rare, if always pleasing, exception, Goodison has long been a bogey venue for us. Rafa Benitez has done well so far and we can expect a hard game against disciplined, talented opponents. For his part, Rafa can also expect a tough encounter against a motivated, well-oiled side that’s far from the rollover of yesteryear. Draw.
NEWCASTLE UNITED vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (1630)
St James’ Park will be rocking this afternoon. What effect will the take-over have on the Barcodes’ current players? If nothing else, it should give them a boost. Will that boost be enough to get one over today’s visitors? Draw.
**MONDAY**
ARSENAL vs CRYSTAL PALACE (2000)
The pre-match headlines are all about the managers. Which is fair enough, because there’s not much else to whet the anticipatory juices. After dodgy starts, both sides have started to show some grit and this will offer a measure of how well-equipped they are for the rigours of a full season. There are worse fixtures to fill a Monday evening. Draw.
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