The Premier League returns this weekend after the international break and there’s plenty to look forward to in week 5.
Liverpool vs Newcastle
Sat 14/09 at 12.30
Liverpool welcome Newcastle to Anfield in the early kick-off on Saturday. The Reds are the only team this season with a 100% record and Jurgen Klopp’s men will be looking to continue their strong vein of form.
In their last outing, they beat Burnley 3-0 away from home with Alexander Arnold, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino all on the scoresheet.
It was not plain sailing for Liverpool as Mane seemed increasingly frustrated with Mo Salah for not providing him with several assists. That displays their determination to challenge Manchester City at the top of the table for another season.
The visitors have had some mixed results since the appointment of Steve Bruce. Despite losses in the opening two games of the season, their form seems to have improved after an impressive victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Magpies were unlucky not to clinch a later winner in the final moments of the game where a number of chances fell their way.
Newcastle will expect to face a tough challenge at the league leaders this weekend. But having already beaten one of the big six, they will be optimistic.
In terms of team news, Klopp is expected to name a similar side to the one that beat Burnley last time out. Alisson is expected to be sidelined yet Naby Keita will be hopefull to make his first appearance of the season.
Steve is likely to select the XI which drew with Watford. However, Matt Ritchie and Allan Saint-Maimin are not expected to travel.
Prediction – Liverpool win 3-0
Manchester Utd vs Leicester City
Sat 14/09 at 15.00
Manchester United host Leicester City this Saturday afternoon and it’s expected to be a highly entertaining game.
Solsjkaer has had a difficult start to the 2019/20 season. Despite an impressive home victory against Chelsea, it’s left United with their lowest points tally in the modern era.
With City currently sitting third in the table, they will be confident of getting a result at Old Trafford.
Last time out, United drew with 10-man Southampton at St Mary’s. Despite applying a lot of pressure throughout the game and an impressive goal by Daniel James, 21, they failed to break the deadlock.
At the King Power stadium, The Blues dispatched Bournemouth with a fairly comfortable 3-1 victory. Brendan Rodgers has managed the team to an unbeaten start to the season, a statistic he will want to maintain when they visit Manchester.
No player has scored more goals for The Foxes than Jamie Vardy since Rodgers’ appointment back in February.
Solsjkaer will be without three key players for the visit of Leicester in Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial. This may leave Solsjkaer to experiment with his team selection and he will look to Marcus Rashford to rediscover the flare he showed during the international break.
At the other end, Wes Morgan is expected to miss the game with a back injury. Matty James and Daniel Amartey remain long-term absentees.
Prediction – 2-2 draw
Tottenham vs Crystal Palace
Sat 14/09 at 15.00
Tottenham host Crystal Palace in another afternoon kick-off.
Spurs have had an underwhelming start to the season with a home defeat to Newcastle and a draw against their north-London rivals, Arsenal.
Currently positioned 9th in the Premier League, The Lillywhites will want to improve their form in the upcoming fixtures. It’s been suggested that Tottenham’s poor start to the season may be due to discontent in the dressing room post the Summer transfer window.
Meanwhile, The Eagles sit fourth in the table with seven points from their opening four games. Jordan Ayew has been a key player for Palace in recent games, scoring two goals in three appearances.
The Eagles will need to be in inspired form if they are to prevent Tottenham from recording their second home win of the season.
Prediction – Tottenham win 2-1
Wolves vs Chelsea
Sat 14/09 at 15.00
Chelsea journey to Wolverhamton Wanderers this weekend.
Wolves have struggled to translate their Europa League form into the Premier League where they have drawn three and lost one. Currently 17th in the league, Wolves will look to climb the table with a home win against The Blues.
Meanwhile, Chelsea were held last time out by a resilient Sheffield United and have had an inconsistent start to the season. Under new manager, Frank Lampard, the team are trying to adapt to a new style of play.
Having selected the youngest ever Premier League side to play The Blades, Lampard is trusting the youth players which was rewarded when Tammy Abraham, 21, netted twice in the first-half.
However, it was a game of two halves and a persistent United went on to score a late winner.
In terms of team news, Wolves will be without Willy Boly due to suspension along with Matt Doherty and Romain Saiss who both miss out due to respective injuries.
Antonio Rudiger may return for Chelsea after a number of weeks on the sidelines. Although, Pedro, Mateo Kovacic, Kante and Callum Hudson-Odoi are not expected to feature.
Prediction – Chelsea win 2-1
Norwich vs Manchester City
Sat 14/09 at 17.30
Man City make the away trip to Norwich in the late kick-off on Saturday.
In Norwich’s last game, away to West Ham, they lost 2-0 with Summer-signing Sebastien Haller netting in the 24th-minute.
Daniel Farke may decide to experiment with his team selection after an uninspired performance which has not reflected the high intensity attacking style seem in previous games.
With just 3 points from their opening four fixtures, The Canaries will be desperate for the win. This may prove difficult with the reigning Premier League champions in town.
After scoring the fastest goal of the season in just 68-seconds and condemning Brighton to a 4-0 defeat, Pep Guardiola’s men will be confident of victory on the east coast.
City’s goals against Brighton were all highly impressive in terms of the individual finish and the team build up with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne dictating the game from central-midfield. To Norwich’s displeasure De Bruyne appears to have continued this form during the international break, particularly against Scotland.
In terms of team news, Norwich has an extensive list of absentees of which include; Tom Trybul, Onel Hernandez, Timm Klose and Christoph Zimmerman.
City are without the recently injured Aymeric Laporte and injury-prone Benjamin Mendy. This may romote John Stones to the starting XI desite a contentious thigh injury.
Prediction – Man City win 4-1
Watford vs Arsenal
Sun 15/09 at 16.30
Watford host Arsenal in the late kick-off on Sunday afternoon.
The Hornets, currently at the foot of the Premier League table have started the season poorly to the extent that Javi Gracia has resigned as Watford boss.
After re-appointing ex-manager Quique Sánchez Flores, the club will be hopeful of more positive results and performances starting with a result against the north-London side.
Arsenal have accrued 7 points from their opening four matches which leaves them 5th in the league.
Prior to the international break, The Gunners came from behind to level the north-London derby at 2-2. Despite characteristic issues defensively, the team played with impressive determination in the second half with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring the equaliser in the 70th-minute.
Manager, Unai Emery, will be looking to build on their draw against Spurs but this is expected to be a challenge when considering their questionable away form.
Looking at the team news, Watford are expected to be without their captain Troy Deeney. Etienne Capoue is expected to feature after recovering from illness.
For the visitors, Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney have returned to full-training but are not expected to feature this week. Granit Xhaka’s availability is uncertain due to paternity leave. Although Joe Willock has returned to full fitness and may feature.
Prediction – Arsenal win 3-1