Bryan White previews the weekend's Premier League action
Bryan White is a transition year student at Kinsale Community School and is on work experience with The Southern Star.
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Cardiff v Wolves
There is no love lost between the two after their clash last year at the Cardiff City Stadium in the championship. Both teams are in different mind sets, Wolves around mid table, Cardiff struggling, so this should be an interesting game. Wolves had a bad result against Huddersfield at home losing 2 -0. Cardiff, I feel, need this result more and I fancy them to nick it. Cardiff 1 Wolves 0
*****
Crystal Palace v Burnley
Two sides just outside the bottom three. Palace had a good point away at Manchester United and were unlucky not to win that game. Burnley are struggling big time this season and their defeat at home to Newcastle on Monday night didn’t help. Palace is a difficult place to go and I think they will get a very important three points. Crystal Palace 3 Burnley 0
*****
Huddersfield Town v Brighton
Huddersfield are on a good run at the moment, two wins in their last 3 and when you consider they had no win in their previous ten, this is a good run. Brighton had a good start to the season, however they are starting to slip slightly. They will fancy themselves getting something here. The John Smith Stadium is a tough place to go and I think the fans will help their team get the win. Huddersfield 2 Brighton 1
*****
Leicester v Watford
Two very evenly matched teams in this game. Leicester coming off the back of a good point at Brighton with ten men, Watford were beaten 3-0 by Liverpool, however the scoreline didn’t do them justice. Both teams are sitting comfortable in mid table. This should be a tight one. Leicester City 1 Watford 1
*****
Man City v Bournemouth
It is so difficult to stop Man City. Evan with there best player, Kevin De Bruyne, missing, they are still steamrolling everyone. They had a tough game in Lyon during the week and I am sure they will be looking to put in a better performance at the weekend. At home they look unbeatable. Bournemouth have had a great start to the season, however successive league defeats has brought them back down to reality. Man City 4 Bournemouth 0
*****
Newcastle v West Ham
Newcastle have finally found their form, their finally scoring goals and winning games. West Ham are coming off a drubbing at home to Man City and they have had a really up and down season. Both sides have 12 points after 13 games so whoever wins this could really move away from the relegation zone. I fancy this to be a tight affair with nothing to separate the two sides. Newcastle 0 West Ham 0
*****
Southampton v Manchester United This should be a comfortable win for Man United, you would say, but how many times has that been said this season and they don’t win. Last week’s performance against Crystal Palace was typical of their season so far. They had a good win in mid-week but it was against Young Boys and it was a last-minute goal. But still any win is a good win for Man United these days. Southampton have left off where they finished last season, scrapping at the bottom of the league without scoring goals. It’s hard to see how much longer Mark Hughes will be in the job. Their mid-week exit from the EFL Cup didn’t help matters. This match is very important for both teams with two under-pressure managers. I fancy United’s quality to prevail in the end. Southampton 0 Man United 2
*****
Chelsea v Fulham
The first of three derbies on this week in the Premier League. The West London derby is probably the least high profile of all three but it should still be a great game. Chelsea lost their unbeaten status after last week’s dismal showing against Spurs at Wembley. There were a lot of questions coming out from the game particularly about the role of N’golo Kante’s role in the Chelsea midfield. It will be interesting to see how Maurizio Sarri sets up his midfield this week. Fulham had a great win last time out against Southampton in the first game of the Claudio Ranieri rein. Fulham spent a lot of money in the summer and they shouldn’t be where they are now in the table. Most people will probably think a comfortable Chelsea win here but I fancy Fulham to get something out of this game. Chelsea 1 Fulham 1
*****
Arsenal v Tottenham
This could be one of the games of the weekend. The North London derby has become more interesting over the last couple of years with Tottenham’s improvement. Both teams are in great form this season. Arsenal are 18 games unbeaten in all competitions. Spurs are having their best start ever to a Premier League season. Arsenal have been brilliant this season under Unai Emery, they sit in fifth place three points behind Spurs. Their form at the Emirates has been excellent even last season when they were terrible they still only lost two Premier League games at home. Spurs haven’t won at the Emirates since 2010. Tottenham’s league form is excellent this season despite their poor European form. This will be tight and it’s too hard to call. Arsenal 2 Tottenham 2
*****
Liverpool v Everton
Liverpool have had an interesting season so far. They have not been at their best yet they are still second in the league and unbeaten this season in the league. Another away European defeat in Paris on Wednesday has dampened the mood but a win over there Merseyside rivals would fix that. Everton are sixth in the league yet they still probably should have more points. It has been almost 20 years since Everton last won at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp has never won a competitive game over a Marco Silva . Liverpool haven’t been at there best this season but I fully expect them to have enough to see of the challenge of Everton. Liverpool 3 Everton 1
