As the Premier League returns to action following the international break, Thomas Woods predicts the outcomes of the latest round of matches.
[Weekend preview: Raheem Sterling faces Liverpool for first time since bitter exit + kick-off times]
[Greg Lea: Once the world's best striker, Falcao's Manchester United misery shows no sign of abating at Chelsea]
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Watford 0 Manchester United 1
United are sweating on Anthony Martial’s injury but the absence of the Frenchman could actually benefit Louis van Gaal’s side. Martial has been stuck out on the wing in recent games, which doesn’t seem to suit him. If he is out, the likes of Memphis Depay and Ashley Young could come in, both of whom are more natural wide men. Watford are well organised, but they don’t score enough goals. The key to this is when and if United score. The longer it stays goalless, the more confident Watford will become about grabbing at least a point.
Chelsea 2 Norwich City 0
Norwich are above Chelsea in the table but this is a game the home side should win comfortably. “Should” being the key word. Jose Mourinho’s position is already shaky and I’m not sure he could survive another slip-up, especially against a team Chelsea would normally expect to beat nine times out of 10. Time for Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and co to start Chelsea’s revival.
Everton 2 Aston Villa 0
Villa put in a gutsy performance in holding Manchester City to a 0-0 draw two weeks ago but the score shouldn’t mask the amount of work new manager Remi Garde has to do. It could have been 3-0 City had they converted several glaring chances and Villa did not have a shot on goal. It’s hard to see them scoring against an Everton side with plenty of attacking potential.
Newcastle 0 Leicester City 1
Newcastle are another team whose last result does not reflect the story of the match. They were dominated by Bournemouth, yet scored a breakaway goal to take a 1-0 win back home with them. They can’t play as badly again against a Leicester side who always seem to find a way to score. Who would pick against Jamie Vardy, who can equal Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of scoring in 10 straight league games, if he is fit enough to play?
Southampton 1 Stoke City 0
A clash of two form sides with Southampton unbeaten in six, having won four of those. Stoke have lost just once in seven and beat Chelsea last time around. Both sides boast among the best defences outside the top four but you have to fancy the home side, with Graziano Pelle in great form, to win a tight one.
Swansea City 1 Bournemouth 0
Swansea need a win badly after just one in their past eight games. The goals have dried up, with centre forward Bafetimbi Gomis struggling of late. The same can be said of Bournemouth, who have also been hampered by injury. They should have beaten Newcastle last time out, but lacked cutting edge.
West Bromwich Albion 0 Arsenal 1
Arsenal have enough quality to take three points from the Hawthorns, but West Brom have proved on several occasions under Tony Pulis they are capable of super defensive performances. Similar to Manchester United’s trip to Watford, one goal should be enough for Arsenal. Olivier Giroud is coming into top form for them and should be one to watch.
Manchester City 2 Liverpool 0
City are expecting to have David Silva and Sergio Aguero back and that is the key. As good as Liverpool were in taking three points from Chelsea, City are on a different level. Jurgen Klopp’s side are also missing key players — Daniel Sturridge, Mamadou Sakho, Jordan Henderson — and they can’t keep relying on Philippe Coutinho to produce moments of brilliance.
Tottenham 2 West Ham United 0
Dimitri Payet has been one of the players of the season so far but he is now out for around three months and West Ham might take a while to adjust to losing him. In his absence, Slaven Bilic might consider moving Al Jazira loanee Manuel Lanzini more centrally, but whichever way you paint it, Payet will be missed. Tottenham are motoring and they probably deserved to beat Arsenal two weeks ago. Expect another strong display here.
Crystal Palace 4 Sunderland 0
Fresh off a 2-1 win at Anfield, Palace are handed the Premier League’s easiest three points at the moment — home against Sunderland. This game could be decided in the first 20 minutes. Palace tend to fly out of the blocks and have so much pace upfront — due to the fact they basically play four wingers — that Sunderland will struggle to cope.