Dan's EPL Predictions
After what has has been an unusually long international break, the Premier League finally returns this weekend, which means Dan’s predictions competition is back too.
We left things with Dan’s Week 5 predictions before the break, and there are some fascinating fixtures to call this time around, including Arsenal hosting Leeds and Liverpool welcoming Manchester City to Anfield.
Arsenal look to respond as the Premier League returns
Arsenal 2-1 Leeds
Wow, it feels like a long time since a Premiership football was last kicked.
Before the Gunners’ last fixture, some Gooners were doing the traditional Arsenal: it’s highly likely they go unbeaten, get over 100 points and beat Chelsea’s defensive record, etc.
We will be having the same conversation in 12 months’ time, even though Leeds now have more of a chance this campaign of being Invincible.
Then you get, ‘How do you know?’
It’s called the eye test.
This squad isn’t that good to be told they are better than they are. For most of the season, Mikel Arteta has done a job of keeping the noise out.
You see, it’s okay if a section of your fanbase wants to be arrogant, as long as your players don’t start listening to that hype.
There were signs of that at the Amex, like our squad thought they just had to show up.
In that regard, the 3-0 loss to Brighton will help the dressing room.
With Sunday’s fixture at Anfield, we need no other incentive on Saturday to be at our best.
Aston Villa 2-3 Brentford
On paper, the Bees are more settled than Villa.
Unai Emery is long enough in the tooth to know there was such a staff turnover this summer that there will be a transitional period.
That’s not helped by injuries during the international break.
Chelsea 2-2 Cherries
I will write this most weeks. Chelsea have such a good attack but not defence. It will be: you score, we score, most games.
You might remember it took Iraola a while to translate good performances into wins, so Marco Rose shouldn’t panic.
I wonder how Tuchel will feel if Palmer is fit this Saturday. No one is asking any player to go on international duty injured, but by all accounts he withdrew from the England camp as a precaution.
Even if the midfielder had just shown up for the camp, it would have improved his standing with a manager who didn’t select him for the World Cup.
Ipswich 1-0 Fulham
Arbeloa really could have done with his team holding on against Man United. It would have made his last few weeks more comfortable, and it just becomes harder to convince his squad they are good enough to stay in this division.
They will be seven points behind Ipswich if the Tractor Boys win.
Sunderland 0-1 Brighton
On paper, the Seagulls already have more firepower than the hosts, so if Brian Brobbey can’t recover from his injury, the visitors should have too much quality in the final third.
Man United 2-1 Spurs
Probably out of all the managers, the last three weeks would have felt the longest for Michael Carrick and De Zerbi.
Both have been around the sport long enough to know if they don’t get a win soon, it will be assumed they were good short-term options.
Many said it at the time. It’s one thing to come in halfway through a campaign and firefight because you can tell players what they want to hear.
As a full-time boss, it’s a different job.
Palace 1-0 Forest
One of the big question marks of the weekend might be what reaction Oliver Glasner gets at Selhurst Park?
Steve Parish has encouraged it to be a positive one. After all, this is the manager responsible for the only trophies in Eagles history.
On the other hand, having not extended his contract due to accusing his owner of a lack of ambition, there was surprise the Austrian ended up at the City Ground.
Given that Forest took their Europa League spot last season, this has become an unlikely rivalry.
Hull 0-1 Everton
Tempted to go for a goalless draw, but the Toffees should have more quality in the final third.
In a tight game, it might come down to whether the visitors have the ambition to chase the win.
You never know with David Moyes.
(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Anfield provides the weekend’s biggest test
Liverpool 2-1 Man City
A lot has happened since Man City last kicked a football.
Some of my peers predicted that by the time they kick off this weekend they would be bottom of the table. Others say by Christmas Day they will be erased from the Premiership.
In reality, they are essentially run by a nation who have dealt with bigger legal battles and conflict than something as trivial as sport.
They are never going to lie down and let their belly get tickled. So this will drag on.
Either way, I couldn’t think of a better stadium for them to go to directly after the 114 charges than Liverpool, in terms of letting the visitors know what they think about them.
Not just on the pitch did the Reds suffer more than most from the cheating, but rightly or wrongly, it’s a city that stands for everything opposite to what the Sky Blues have been accused of.
Until they know what the sanctions are and that they are directly impacted, I don’t think any player will be affected.
When we first heard about 115, they lifted the treble!
So this squad isn’t going to care about the medals those before them won. They might be bothered if they find out they are in another division next year, but you sense that’s far away?
Anfield will be tough because it’s Anfield, not because of the charges.
Haaland being fit or not might decide if they can get a result.
Coventry 1-0 Newcastle
Football can be all about timings.
It might turn out crucial for Coventry that they got their first points of the season before the international break.
It meant Frank Lampard could relax for a few weeks and find it easier to convince his players they are good enough to stay in this division.
Dan Smith
What are your predictions for this weekend? Get your scores in below and see if you can climb the table before the race for the Just Arsenal European Cup really heats up.
The top 36 qualify for the Just Arsenal European Cup.
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