PREDICTIONS: Game-week 8

SillySeason give their predictions for this weekend’s football

After a mixed week for Premier League teams in Europe, all eyes are back on the Premier League with a packed weekend schedule ranging from Saturday lunchtime to Sunday afternoon.

The first game of the weekend sees Crystal Palace host West Bromwich Albion and Selhurst Park, which is then followed by five 15:00 kick-offs.

Saturday evening sees Chelsea go up against Southampton in what can only be described as a must-win match for Jose Mourinho.

The big games come on Sunday however.

Everton host Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby, before Arsenal take on Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.

But what do our writers expect from game-week eight?

Well Alex Batt goes head-to-head with Charlie Gregory this weekend and here are their predictions.

Saturday’s Games

Crystal Palace vs West Bromwich Albion

Alex Says: Think this game has home-win written all over it personally. Genuinely think Tony Pulis could be in danger of being relegated from the Premier League with this WBA side. Didn’t think I’d ever say that about a Pulis side. Match Prediction: 3-1

Charlie Says: Palace are doing really well in the Prem so far and are flying high in the top half of the league. West Brom are the opposite – on a bad run of form and living dangerously near the bottom. Can only see this going one way. Match Prediction: 2-1

Aston Villa vs Stoke City

Alex Says: Tough game to call this as neither side are in the greatest of form. Tim Sherwood looks lost as the Villa boss and I reckon they could drop more points at Villa Park to a struggling Stoke. Reckon a point each here. Match Prediction: 2-2

Charlie Says: Villa and Stoke both find themselves dangerously close to the bottom of the table. They’ve both won just once all season so far and I don’t expect either of them to add to that here. Match prediction: 1-1

AFC Bournemouth vs Watford

Alex Says: The battle of the newly-promoted boys. Couple of weeks ago I’d back the home team here, but after the Callum Wilson injury, I just can’t see where the goals will come from for the Cherries. Still don’t think Watford will win here though. Match Prediction: 0-0

Charlie Says: Bournemouth and Watford have both fared reasonably well for newly-promoted clubs so far. They’ve both been able to pick up wins and get some valuable points on the board so far. However, Wilson is now sidelined for the Cherries and unless someone else starts firing goals in for them, they could start to struggle. Match Prediction: 0-1

Manchester City vs Newcastle United

Alex Says: With no offence to Newcastle, this is a one-sided affair. The Magpies stepped up against Chelsea as expected, but they are awful at the Etihad Stadium usually and after beating Borussia Monchengladbach, spirits will be high in the City camp. Match Prediction: 3-0

Charlie Says: I can only see this going one way. Even though Newcastle managed to pull off a 2-2 draw with Chelsea last week, Man City should be too strong for them. City have won 11 of their last 13 against Newcastle and I can see that extending to 12 in 14 this weekend. Match Prediction: 2-0

Norwich City vs Leicester City

Alex Says: At the minute, Norwich look better on their travels rather than at home. As for Leicester, they suffered their first defeat last weekend at home to Arsenal so it will be interesting to see how they bounce back. I can see the points being split here. Match Prediction: 1-1

Charlie Says: I feel this game might have a few goals in it. I also think it might be a pretty tight affair despite how well Leicester are doing so far. I expect Norwich to put up a decent fight and it could be a pretty high-scoring draw. Match Prediction: 2-2

Sunderland vs West Ham United

Alex Says: Sunderland are still the same. Shockingly bad. As for West Ham, they seem better on their travels so I will give them the three points in this match. Match Prediction: 1-2

Charlie Says: West Ham are doing so well and Sunderland are doing so badly. The Black Cats are without a win in their last ten games and I’m sorry to say Sunderland fans that I think that run will only continue this Saturday. West Ham are in great form and I expect them to nab another three points here. Match Prediction: 1-2

Chelsea vs Southampton

Alex Says: This is a must-win for Chelsea and although Southampton have found form recently, I think the Blues will get the win they need. It will be tough though. Match Prediction: 2-1

Charlie Says: Chelsea‘s form needs to drastically improve if the Special One wants to stay in a job. It’s the worst run the Blues have had in a long long time and Southampton will be a tough team to turn that form around against. I expect Chelsea to come away with something from this game but I don’t think it will be all three points. Match Prediction: 2-2

Sunday’s Games

Everton vs Liverpool

Alex Says: Got to love a Merseyside Derby. Form books say back Everton here but we all know that means nothing when it comes to a derby. Having said that though, I think home advantage will benefit the Toffees and I do think they’ll pile more misery onto Brendan Rodgers. Match Prediction: 3-2

Charlie Says: It’s another very tight game. Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is under pressure to get a result and I think they could very much do that here but the strength of Everton and Romelu Lukaku will be tough for the Reds to handle. I think it could be another game that ends as a draw. Match Prediction 1-1

Arsenal vs Manchester United

Alex Says: Arsenal NEED to win this game after Tuesday’s loss to Olympiacos. They don’t usually do well against Manchester United and I think it will be another tough match for them, but I can see them snatching three points. It will be a tight affair though with one-odd goal separating the two. Match Prediction: 1-0

Charlie Says: Yet another extremely intriguing game that is taking place this weekend. Both teams have quality and goals in them and this will certainly be an interesting one to watch. However, when it comes down to it, I think it will be United who take the three points. They’re on a great little run at the minute and nothing looks like stopping them at the minute…but who knows. Match prediction: 1-2

Swansea City vs Tottenham Hotspur

Alex Says: Not an easy game to call this. Swansea are a weird side and it depends what Garry Monk side appears on the day. Similar story for Spurs. One game they look great, the next they look bang average. Score draw for me here. Match Prediction: 2-2

Charlie Says: Despite home advantage, I think this one will go to Spurs. They have won three on the bounce and are unbeaten in six in the league, and I believe this great run will continue. Match Prediction: 0-1

So there are our predictions.

What are yours?

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt