The English Premier League is back after a two-week international break and it features three derbies, Manchester derby, North London, and London derby.
The EPL this weekend sees Ronaldo and the current league top scorer Halaand go for more goals while Mikel Arteta’s boys face Antonio’s unbeaten men and then Graham potter boys seek their first win under their new manager.
Fixtures for Oct. 1, 2022.
Arsenal vs Tottenham(12:30): this match will be the 192nd edition of the North London Derby (NLD), one of England’s most passionate local affairs, due in no large part to Arsenal relocating from south of the river to Highbury in 1913.
Tottenham makes the short journey across the local divide in fine form themselves after an unbeaten start to the season (W5, D2), and they could claim the top spot with a win here, until Sunday at least.
Prediction: 3-2
Bournemouth vs Brentford(15:00): The cherries boss Gary O’Neil has done a brilliant job in steadying the ship since Scott Parker’s exit, ending a three-game losing run of Premier League (EPL) matches with five points from a possible nine (W1, D2).
Brentford have made a similar start to Bournemouth in terms of PL results (W2, D3, L2), yet scoring almost three times as many goals as their hosts while conceding seven fewer means that they’re more likely dreaming of a first top-flight top-half finish since 1938! A 3-0 defeat to Arsenal last time out was only Brentford’s second defeat of the campaign, but losing to “title contenders” as boss Thomas Frank put it, is not the end of the world.
Prediction: 0-2
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Crystal vs Chelsea(15:00): Palace have been out of action for almost a month due to the Queen’s passing, train strikes and the international break, so they must be eager to resume their Premier League (EPL) campaign (W1, D3, L2).
Chelsea might be tough as they’ve lost each of the last four home H2Hs with a combined goal difference of -6. That said, the Eagles have only lost one of their previous 11 competitive home games (W6, D4) so the Selhurst Park faithful will expect their side to at least make life difficult for their visitors – as they did last term, when they held out until the 89th minute (L 1-0).
Prediction: 0-2
Liverpool vs Brighton(15:00): The Reds can always count on their beloved Anfield faithful to serve as their 12th man in tough times though, having gone undefeated in their last 26 EPL home games (W20, D6) whilst keeping 15 clean sheets along the way.
The Seagulls have flocked to Anfield with some success recently too, going unbeaten in their last two visits (W1, D1), though both results came under the guidance of the now departed Graham Potter.
Prediction: 2-1
Fulham vs Newcastle(15:00): Fulham fans will be delighted to see 11 points on the board after just seven games (W3, D2, L2) – over a quarter of the way to the much talked about 40-point survival mark.
It’s been a strange start to the season for Newcastle (W1, D5, L1), who may have been grateful for the international break and a chance to regroup. One win is undoubtedly concerning as the Magpies were widely tipped to threaten the European places this season.
Prediction: 1-1
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Southampton vs Everton(15:00): A 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa prior to the international break left Southampton looking back on consecutive Premier League (EPL) defeats ‘to-nil’ for the first time since May 2021.
Everton themselves will travel with newfound confidence though, following a 1-0 victory over West Ham, which saw them avoid an unprecedented winless seven-game start to a 38-game EPL season.
Prediction: 0-0
Westham vs Wolves(17:30): West Ham United this term, winning just once and starting the round inside the relegation zone (D1, L5). Manager David Moyes finds himself under pressure.
On the other hand, it has been a similarly miserable start to the season for Wolves, who sit just two points ahead of West Ham, perched precariously above the bottom three. Bruno Lage’s men also have problems in front of goal, netting just three league goals, of which only one came on the road.
Prediction: 2-0
Fixtures for Oct. 2, 2022.
Man City vs Man Utd(14:00): As rivals City and United meet for the 51st time in the Premier League (EPL), the former are bidding to win three consecutive league H2Hs for the first time since November 2014. The summer signing of free-scoring Erling Haaland has had the desired effect, but although they’re unbeaten in the EPL this term (W5, D2), they trailed Arsenal by a point going into the international break.
Prediction: 2-1
Leeds vs Aston Villa(16:00): Jesse Marsch will have to watch from the stands as Leeds finally return to action after nearly a month without a game. The Leeds boss received a touchline ban for his conduct during the 5-2 defeat to Brentford at the start of September.
Villa clearly have problems on the road though, given they have lost four successive EPL away games, despite scoring the opening goal in defeats to Manchester City (3-2) and Crystal Palace (3-1).
Prediction: 1-2
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