Prime
Manchester United setting the early pace
Cranes interim coach Moses Basena. File photo
Tottenham 2 Burnley 0
Don’t allow Spurs’ defeat to Chelsea to confuse you. Disregard Spurs’ wretched record at Wembley as well. Only one or two other teams will get anything from trips to England’s football cathedral. Last year’s runners up are creating chances aplenty. I therefore fully expect Mauricio Pochettino’s young charges to put three points on board.
Chelsea 1 Everton 0
Champions Chelsea rediscovered their mojo with a spirited display last Sunday. Though Antonio Conte’s side is still short of depth, their starting line up is way up there with the league’s best. Everton are certain to make a contest of this tie but I expect a more adventurous Chelsea to edge it. Everton’s Europa League trip to Slovakia will be a factor.
Huddersfield 1 Southampton 1
David Wagner’s newcomers are riding high after their one hundred percent start to top flight life. However, I can’t see them bettering a Saints outfit sprinkled with quality. Mauricio Pellegrini’s visitors have the guile to puncture Huddersfield Town’s defense. I can hence see a goal scoring stalemate.
Liverpool 2 Arsenal 1
Jurgen Klopp’s Kop usually save their best for ties like this and they are now playing the suffocating pressing game that saw them top the Top Six table last season. On Tuesday night, they blew away Julian Nagelsman’s talented side with a nonchalance that suggests Phillipe Coutinho won’t be sorely missed if he signs for Barcelona. The attacking trident of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino is primed to prevail.
Man United 2 Leicester 0
Record English Premier League winners Manchester United have started the season like a bullet train thanks to new found confidence. The Red Devils are picking up dividends from their ultra offensive 4-1-3-2 formation. New signing from Chelsea Nemanja Matic’s experience has freed up Paul Pogba, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Romelu Lukaku to wreak havoc. Leicester City are poised to huff and puff to no avail.
Bournemouth 1 Man City 2
Eddie Howe’s Cherries find themselves in unfamiliar territory after losing their opening two fixtures. Manchester City are the last opponents they wanted to face, given the controversial manner of the moneybags’ draw with Everton. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s unprecedented summer spending is to start making a difference against a Bournemouth side failing to punch it’s weight in what will be a tough English Premier League season.
Watford 2 Brighton 1
The Hornets pulled off a surprise smash and grab victory at Bournemouth. The oomph that comes with sitting pretty in a Champions League position will come in handy against a team still finding its bearings. Brighton should score their first goal in 40 but it won’t be enough. I am going for home turf advantage.
C. Palace 1 Swansea 0
There were signs Crystal Palace are coming to grips with Frank de Boer’s philosophy in their 0-1 loss to Anfield. Swansea remain short upfront despite the best efforts of teen striker Tammy Abraham and Ghanaian import Jordan Ayew. I envisage a narrow home win.
Newcastle Utd 1 West Ham 1
The league’s two basement clubs clash at St James Park both keen to jump-start their seasons. Rafa Benitez doesn’t appear overly stressed by his side’s indifferent start. Despite being contemporaries, he looks 10 years Jose Mourinho’s junior. But Magpies fans are keen to see their side get out of the blocks. I just can’t see West Ham losing their third straight game.
West Brom 1 Stoke City 1
Mark Hughes pulled a huge rabbit out of the hat when he convinced PSG to loan him striker Jesse. The Spaniard has quality and is a big, energetic forward who is a vast improvement on Jonathan Walters. And although West Brom are always a hard nut to crack, I can see Stoke zgetting onto the score sheet. This game has draw written all over it.
