5 bold Premier League predictions: Van Dijk leads Liverpool to victory

The Premier League is back after a weekend of FA Cup matches. Liverpool host Manchester City in what should be the highlight of the weekend. Here are five bold predictions.

The Premier League is back this weekend after the third round of the FA Cup was played last week. There’s no early kickoff on Saturday, but Tottenham host Everton in what should be an interesting later game.

Bournemouth host Arsenal and Liverpool welcome Manchester City to Anfield in what should be a fantastic Sunday of soccer. Here are five bold predictions for all the action.

1. Virgil van Dijk helps Liverpool to victory over Manchester City

Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield in what should be this weekend’s most exciting game. On paper this has the making of a classic — two teams who love to attack and play soccer with great intensity.

The Reds will need something special to knock Manchester City off their stride as the league leaders are flying. Even in midweek, when City looked lackluster against Bristol City, they still managed to produce a late winner.

However, Anfield and the atmosphere there should give the Liverpool players that extra push that they need to win this game. The next thing they’ll have to do is keep out one of the most impressive attacking lines in European soccer.

Someone who could help with that last bit is new signing Virgil van Dijk. The Dutchman, just signed from Southampton for £75 million, had a dream debut, scoring the winner in the Merseyside derby last weekend.

This game is a different beast and van Dijk will have to prove his worth immediately. We fancy the big center-back to do just that and give Pep Guardiola’s side their first loss of the Premier League season.