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Fellani scored the winning goal against United on the Opening Day |
There are 10 Premier League games this weekend, with 7 on Saturday, 2 on Sunday and 1 on Monday. Two of the stand out ties include Tottenham vs Newcastle and Man United vs Everton. All of the games are the reverse fixture from the opening game of the season
The early game sees Tottenham come up against Newcastle. The Toon Army will be on a massive high after securing a dramatic win against Chelsea last weekend. Tottenham closed the gap on Chelsea to just 1 point thanks to the shock win for Newacstle. In the reverse fixture on the opening day, Newcastle grabbed it 2-1. AVB may have a struggle picking a striker, as Defoe is injured and by Saturday, Adebayor will have only just returned from the Africa Cup of Nations and may not be able to start, leaving the manager with very limited options up-front. Prediction: Tottenham 1 - 0 Newcastle
One of Sunday's games sees Manchester United host Everton in the game where in the first game of the season Everton pulled off a massive shock against the current leaders, taking the game 1-0. However, United have been in incredible form recently and seem untouchable, and have now opened up a 9 point gap over closest rivals Manchester City. Everton have had a great start to the season, which is unusual for the Merseyside club as they normally have a great end to the season. The Toffees currently sit in 5th, just 1 point clear of nearest contenders Arsenal. Prediction: Man United 2 - 1 Everton
Manchester City travel to the South Coast to play Southampton where the new manager is still settling in at the club, and doesn't speak a word of English and requires a translator with him at all interviews! Since the new appointment, The Saints have picked up 2 draws and a loss (to Man United) in his 3 games in charge, which is not disastrously bad. Manchester City will be extremely disappointed with falling 9 points behind United at the top of the table after a 2-2 draw with Liverpool at home, and were lucky to get that, with a catastrophic error from 'Pool keeper Pepe Reina. This fixture on the opening day was a thriller, City nicking it 3-2. The sky blues fell 2-1 behind but clawed it back thanks to goals from Dzeko and Nasri in the last 20 minutes to secure the 3 points. Prediction: Southampton 0 - 3 Man City
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| Carragher to hang up boots |
West Brom travel to Anfield to play Liverpool. In this fixture last season, The Baggies pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory over The Reds. In the game, Odemwingie scored a penalty but has today been charged two weeks wages over his crazy antics on deadline day. Liverpool was saddened earlier in the week by Carra's announcement that he will retire at the end of the season. Liverpool have drawn 2-2 in the last 2 games, at Arsenal and Manchester City, showing definite progression from earlier on in the season but lack the edge to grasp games but its neck and come through with a victory. Prediction: Liverpool 2 - 0 West Brom
Chelsea host Wigan after their shock defeat to Newcastle last week. Wigan will be looking to climb out the drop zone with a win. I feel that Chelsea's confidence will be low which may just enable Martinez's men to grab something from the game. Chelsea won the reverse game earlier on in the season 2 - 0. Prediction: Chelsea 2 - 2 Wigan
Fulham travel to Norwich where on the opening day of the season, they won 5-0 at home, where Petric scored twice on his debut. Norwich will be looking to do much better than they did at Craven Cottage but have not won in their last 8 league games. Prediction: Norwich 1 - 1 Fulham
The other 5-0 victory of the opening day of the season went to Swansea, winning 5-0 at QPR. Since then, Rangers have appointed Harry Redknapp who has had a huge impact at the club. Swansea have, in recent weeks, become known as 0-0 specialists, and lost 1-0 to West Ham last week. Prediction: Swansea 1 - 0 QPR
Elsewhere, Stoke host Reading and will hope to stop a comeback from The Royals. Prediction: Stoke 3 - 1 Reading. Also, Sunderland host Arsenal, Sunderland have had a rise in from in recent weeks and will hope to continue this. Prediction: Sunderland 1 - 3 Arsenal. Finally, West Ham travel to Villa Park in a battle of the Claret and Blues. Prediction: Aston Villa 1 - 1 West Ham.
