Another Premier League weekend is almost upon us. Here are five predictions for this week’s action.
The Premier League returns this weekend after the international break. We have five bold predictions for the week’s action, including the return of Philippe Coutinho, Harry Kane scoring and Manchester United struggling at Stoke.
1. Manchester United held at Stoke
Manchester United’s season has started with a whirlwind which many might have predicted when their summer spending was taken into consideration. The Red Devils sit atop the Premier League having scored 10 goals in just three matches and are still to concede. Impressive form by any means but nothing more than Jose Mourinho would expect from one of his sides.
This weekend they face a difficult trip to Stoke — a place that is widely considered one of the hardest places to get a victory in the Premier League. United haven’t won in the league there since 2013 which shows how difficult the Potters can make it for away teams. We see those struggles continuing and United’s Romelu Lukaku-Paul Pogba steam-train coming to a slight halt and the Potters taking a point from Saturday’s late game.
2. Coutinho comes off the bench to win it for Liverpool
One of the biggest sagas in the summer transfer window was Barcelona’s pursuit of Liverpool’s Brazilian playmaker, Philippe Coutinho. Despite Coutinho’s desire to leave Merseyside the Reds have managed to hold onto him even it’s just for the short-term.
The attacking midfielder is undoubtedly one of the most talented players in the league and although Liverpool have started the season well, his return could make them an even stronger force. This weekend Jurgen Klopp’s side have a difficult trip away to Manchester City in what should be a fiercely contested game.
We fancy the game to be level before Coutinho makes his long-awaited Liverpool return from the subs bench only to go and bag the winner for the Merseysiders. An emphatic late strike to clinch the match could make Liverpool fans forget about the Brazilian’s desire to leave the club.
(Ed. Note — Well, our boldness backfired and we are already wrong about this one. It was announced that Coutinho will not play against Manchester City.)
3. Harry Kane starts scoring now that it’s September
Harry Kane was the Premier League’s top scorer last season and at times he was unplayable. However, the England frontman isn’t the biggest fan of the month of August. Kane has never netted for Spurs in the month of August and it’s round about this time of year that he gets off the mark.
That’s bad news for Ronald Koeman’s Everton side, who welcome Spurs to Goodison Park at the weekend. The match is bound to be a close one but don’t be surprised to see Kane on the score sheet for the first time in this Premier League season. Once he gets going, Kane is a hard man to stop and he might even grab a double against the Toffees.
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4. Frank de Boer gets first league win with Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace fans must have been excited when they heard Frank de Boer was coming to manage their club, especially after a couple of difficult seasons. The former Barcelona player was unsuccessful as Inter Milan manager but he was impressive in charge of Ajax.
Unfortunately for Eagles fans de Boer has not delivered the goods so far as Palace have lost all three of their opening matches without scoring a goal. This weekend the Dutchman’s side face a difficult trip away to Turf Moor, one of the hardest stadiums to win at in the Premier League.
There are suggestions that this could be de Boer’s last game if he doesn’t get the win against Burnley. Therefore, we fancy Crystal Palace to finally get off the mark in the Premier League as they scrape a 2-1 win over the Clarets. That should save de Boer’s job and give him a little breathing space.
5. Huddersfield remain undefeated, Slaven Bilic gets the sack
On Monday, West Ham and Huddersfield come together in a clash between two teams that occupy either end of the table. A little unexpectedly, it’s Huddersfield that are near the top and the Hammers who are languishing at the bottom.
It’s clear Slaven Bilic is losing control of this West Ham side and their opening performances have raised questions about his commitment to keeping the job. Huddersfield are flying high and although this is a tough game for them they should fancy their chances of taking at least a point at the London Stadium.
We fancy the Terriers to keep their undefeated start going and they could even sneak the win. Bilic is on thin ice and our boldest prediction of the week is that anything but a win for his side will lead to his sacking.