WEEK 4

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Predictions will generally be posted by Friday each week,
AND the analyses should be up by Wednesday following each weekend’s games.

The odds that I quote on each game are the first available and are quite
possibly subject to change as the game day approaches.

WEEK 4 Sep 12th- 14th

All times are Mountain Standard Time

WEEK 4 GAME 1 – Sat Sept 12th 8:00 Click on Podcasts to watch or listen to Harry’s Prognosis of this game.
HOME				AWAY
	CHELSEA The Blues			HULL The Tigers
	Odds -1 1/2		O/U 3 1/2		Odds+1 1/2
PROGNOSIS: It’s about time Hull were given a dose of reality, and I think it’s coming up from London this weekend. Chelsea put a scare into Arsenal, for a short time anyway, last week. There is no reason that they shouldn’t take it out on upstarts Hull. That’s the way I see this going. Chelsea should devastate the Tigers, and I see a 1-1/2 goal as no handicap. Chelsea -1 1/2
RESULTS: 2-2
POSTMORTEM: Much to my surprise, and I’m sure theirs, Hull are still unbeaten after four games in the new season. Chelsea looked like they had it under control early on when Morgan Rogers scored after just 7-minutes. It seemed that they had complete mastery over the visitors, but then their old failings in defense showed up. They allowed Mohamed Belluomini to bang in two goals, 6 minutes apart. Chelsea’s blushes were saved, somewhat, when Joao Pedro scored the equalizer at 66 minutes. The draw puts Hull third in the League table, one place above Chelsea. The Blues have had some tough games to start this season, but they need to tweak their defensive situation before much longer if they are to be true contenders. One indicator: They had 2/3rd’s of the possession and yet both teams had the same amount of shots. I can’t see Hull maintaining this kind of momentum, especially only having the ball for not very long and with only 74% passing accuracy, and as I have said elsewhere, they are going to need all these early points for survival.

WEEK 4 GAME 2 – Sat Sept 12th 8:00 Click on Podcasts to watch or listen to Harry’s Prognosis of this game.
HOME				AWAY
	LIVERPOOL The Reds			FULHAM The Cottagers
	Odds -1		O/U 3 1/2		Odds +1
PROGNOSIS: As shaky as Liverpool can be, they should take care of a Fulham team that deserve to be in a better position than they are in right now. The Cottagers are due for a result, but they may have to wait just a little longer for it to materialize. I can see Liverpool winning this, but given their unpredictable behavior of late, it could be by just the one goal. I’ll say Liverpool but fully expect only a one-goal spread between these two. Liverpool -1
RESULTS: 0-0
POSTMORTEM: Here is another team that hasn’t got their ducks in a row, just yet. I always thought that the Reds would have their hands full with a Fulham side that was in search of their first points in this campaign. “Hands full” is one way of putting it, but Liverpool were abysmal. You can look at some teams and immediately see where their problems lie. I don’t pretend to know what’s going on with this lot. Alexander Isak had a good game last week, but after one early chance he was MIA. Not thinking it was possible, Liverpool found someone even worse than Milo Kerkez to try and fill the spot he occupies. Kostas Tsimikas was the choice and was so bad that he was yanked, and our old underachiever, Kerkez, was sent on. He was slightly better than Tsimikas, but then a three-legged dog would have been an improvement. New kid Bradley Barcola has yet to find his feet. Even Cody Gakpo, brought on for the last 30-minutes had no effect on the game. Actually no one on the home side had much of a game. Maybe things will start to turn around for Fulham, but they face Manchester United next week, then it should get a little easier with Ipswich and Hull after them.

WEEK 4 GAME 3 – Sat Sept 12th 8:00 Click on Podcasts to watch or listen to Harry’s Prognosis of this game.
HOME				AWAY
	ASTON VILLA The Villans			NOTTINGHAM FOREST The Tricky Trees
	Odds PICK		O/U 2-1/2		Odds PICK
PROGNOSIS: This is well handicapped. A coin toss is what I would think. Either one could win, or lose. Problem is they are both as hopeless as each other. Should only be one goal difference in it, but to which team? This has the hallmarks of a draw, but I’m going to say take your pick. No Bet.
RESULTS: 1-2
POSTMORTEM: Aston Villa finally scored a goal, much good it did them. Forest piled on the pressure with 21 shots as opposed to 6 by the visitors. As I thought, despite all of Forest’s intensity, the game was heading for a draw. That was until just before the end when Igor Jesus slammed home the winner with 2-minutes left on the clock to deny Villa even a single point. The Villans have put a lot of money, and even more hope on new-signing Nicolas Jackson, but he was so bad that he was pulled at half-time; maybe he needs a little more time to settle in! Unai Emery’s attempts to rebuild Villa need to get going or he is going to find the gulf between safety and relegation too great to catch up. Thing is, we are only 4 games in, lots of matches to go.

WEEK 4 GAME 4 – Sat Sept 12th 8:00 Click on Podcasts to watch or listen to Harry’s Prognosis of this game.
HOME				AWAY
	CRYSTAL PALACE The Eagles			IPSWICH The Tractor Boys
	Odds -1/2		O/U 2 2-1/2		Odds +1/2
PROGNOSIS: Not much to chose between these two. Palace do not inspire any kind of confidence, and Ipswich should keep this close. Both these teams could be headed for oblivion, therefore I’m going will the slight edge. Ipswich +1/2
RESULTS: 2-3
POSTMORTEM: Crystal Palace’s path to self-destruction continues. Ipswich picked up a very welcome 3 points at Selhurst Park on Saturday. The stats for these two were almost identical. With a couple of small differences: goals and a red card. Anan Khalaily opened the scoring for the Eagles at the 14-minute mark. From there it was all downhill. 20 minutes later, the home team went down to 10 men when Axel Disasi was sent of for a reckless tackle. Even with 10 men, they held on and drew level with a goal by Jorgen Strand-Larsen which cancelled out two goals by Ipswich. Then just when it seemed that the teams were going to split the spoils, new-signing Zian Flemming popped up and bagged the winning goal at the stroke of time. Palace have the smell of death on them, but Ipswich might just save themselves. They have learnt from their last foray into the Premier League. They have strengthened their squad and a few more results like this will see them go a long way to solidify their position in the Top Tier.

WEEK 4 GAME 5 – Sat Sept 12th 8:00 Click on Podcasts to watch or listen to Harry’s Prognosis of this game.
HOME				AWAY
	BOURNEMOUTH The Cherries			BRENTFORD The Bees
	Odds PICK		O/U 3		Odds PICK
PROGNOSIS: Another game that has a non-committal feel about it. This can go either way. Neither team has a betting advantage, so it’s going to be hard to make a pick here. I’ll lean slightly in favor for the home team, but given their propensity for draws, I can’t give a confident endorsement. No Bet
RESULTS: 2-2
POSTMORTEM: Well lookee here, who could have seen this coming? What is it with this team? 4 games played and Bournemouth have chalked up 3 draws already. The Bees must have been off their feed a little here. They only had 2 shots on target but they made them pay. By most metrics, Bournemouth had this and they should have put this in the bag. After all this is Bournemouth we are talking about. They did have the lead, for a short time, 4 minutes, but gave it up when Kevin Schade scored the second of his 2 goals. Brentford could consider themselves lucky to escape with a point when all seemed lost. Remember this is Bournemouth, as long as there is time on the clock, even if you are behind, they’ll find a way to let you come back.

WEEK 4 GAME 6 – Sat Sept 12th 10:30 Click on Podcasts to watch or listen to Harry’s Prognosis of this game.
HOME				AWAY
	TOTTENAHM The Spurs			EVERTON The Toffees
	Odds -1/2		O/U 32-1/2		Odds +1/2
PROGNOSIS: How many chances are Spurs going to get? For me this is it. If you don’t get a result against a threadbare team like Everton, then this could become one of the biggest bunches of mismanagement and wasteful spending that there ever was. Spurs have to have this, and now. No more, rebuilding, injuries, getting to know one another and disagreements with the medical staff. Get it done or start looking to your new friends in the Championship League. All that said, as far as the betting odds go, with a very modest wager, one has to go with the home team. Don’t be booking any cruises with your expected winnings. Tottenham -1/2
RESULTS: 0-0
POSTMORTEM: Move along. Nothing to see here, literally. Another week, another game without Spurs scoring a goal or winning. Not that Everton looked much better. Tottenham had the ball most of the time, but failed to do anything worthwhile with it. The only really bright spot in an instantly forgettable game was that Tottenham had a 93% pass accuracy stat, if only they could translate that into putting the ball in the back of the net. One other bright spot, from Spurs’ point of view, was the absolutely atrocious performance by Brennan Johnson. When they sold him to Crystal Palace last year they got away with robbery. The Palace scouts could not have seen him play to OK a deal worth somewhere in the range of $45 million. The fact that he was only there for 3 or 4 months before they realized their mistake speaks volumes for his lack of anything that resembles skill on the pitch. With precious little options open to them, Everton took him on loan for this season. Unless he morph’s into someone who resembles a football player, he’ll probably end up playing for Grimsby or Bristol Rovers next year for loose change.

WEEK 4 GAME 7 –Sat Sept 12th 1:00 Click on Podcasts to watch or listen to Harry’s Prognosis of this game.
HOME				AWAY
	ARSENAL The Gunners			SUNDERLAND The Black Cats
	Odds -1		O/U 2 1/2		Odds +1
PROGNOSIS: On the face of the odds Arsenal should have this. Sunderland are tenacious and they will not make it easy for the current League Champions. I see the Gunners winning this, but again knowing their habit of sitting on any lead they may have, I see this as just a one goal difference. My feeling is for an Arsenal victory, but just by the one goal. Without much confidence, I’ll take Sunderland, and expect a push. Sunderland +1
RESULTS: 2-0
POSTMORTEM: Sunderland getting beat 2-0 is not a true representation of how this game played out. The Black Cats could feel cheated out of at least one point here. For lots of this game it could of gone either way. Dan Ballard was everywhere causing problems for anyone that came close to him. He claimed a penalty when Ezri Konsa brought him down in the area. David Raya got a hand to the penalty and turned it onto the post to deny Sunderland the lead. Going into extra time, Reinido Mandava, for Sunderland, was shown a red card and less than a minute later, Arsenal were awarded a penalty. With the last touch of the ball, the Gunners made it 2-0. OK Arsenal are unbeaten in their attempt to maintain their Premier League crown but…… The last couple of games they have started to play the game, which is a good thing. The thing that I see constantly is when anyone gets even close to them, they act like they have been pole-axed. Referees need to be handing out cards to players that are diving. There’s lots to be looking for here.

WEEK 4 GAME 8 – Sun Sept 13 th 7:00 Click on Podcasts to watch or listen to Harry’s Prognosis of this game.
HOME				AWAY
	COVENTRY The Sky Blues			BRIGHTON The Seagulls
	Odds +1/2		O/U 2 1/2		Odds -1/2
PROGNOSIS: Brighton were unlucky to go down to Chelsea a couple of weeks ago. I fully expect them to be in contention for the top spots at the end of this season. Therefore they have to vanquish the likes of a Coventry team that is having a hard time making the transition from The Championship to the Premier. I see Brighton adding to Coventry’s misery. Brighton -1/2
RESULTS: 0-5
POSTMORTEM: Coventry’s manager, Frank Lampard, may be looking in the want ads right about now. To sum it up: Coventry are winless, scoreless and hopeless. It’s hard to see where salvation is coming from; well they do get to play Tottenham in a few weeks. In the first period, Coventry were holding their own and trying to make a game of it. Even if they did go in at the half one goal down, they still had hope. Well that all fell apart in the second half. After conceding a second goal Taiwo Awoniyi stuck an elbow in De Cuyper’s neck and was sent off. Down to 10 men things went from bad to terrible. Coventry gave up a penalty, Lewis Dunk scored a screamer from outside the penalty area and Yasin Ayari topped it off with number 5 in injury time. The Sky Blues have a very slim chance at redemption next week when they go to Nottingham Forest, but I think the emphasis is on very.

WEEK 4 GAME 9 – Sept 13th 9:30 Click on Podcasts to watch or listen to Harry’s Prognosis of this game.
HOME				AWAY
	MANCHESTER UNITED The Red Devils			MANCHESTER CITY The Citizens
	Odds PICK		O/U 3 1/2		Odds PICK
PROGNOSIS: This has all the makings of a doozy. Both these teams have shown their weaknesses over the past couple of weeks. It looks to me that United have more problems than City. In the end, only one of these teams has Earling Haaland. Going on that deeply insightful analysis, I’ll go with the visitors. Manchester City PICK.
RESULTS: 0-1
POSTMORTEM: This game could have gone either way. Especially after Phil Foden was sent off half way through the first period for a petulant kick to the stomach of Bruno Fernandes. United probably had the better chances, but goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma earned his kibble with some excellent saves. City, at times, looked more polished but there really wasn’t much to chose between either side until……. Earling Haaland had the ball in the net, but initially was ruled offside. After a lengthy delay, VAR claimed that the Norwegian was onside when he struck the ball. A slow motion shot of the action confirmed this decision. Much to the displeasure of the home crowd, the win keeps City on track with Arsenal with 12 points, while United have only 4 to their name currently.

WEEK4 GAME 10 – Mon Sept 14th 1:00 Click on Podcasts to watch or listen to Harry’s Prognosis of this game.
HOME				AWAY
	LEEDS The Whites			NEWCASTLE The Magpies
	Odds PICK		O/U 2 1/2		Odds PICK
PROGNOSIS: Really? Newcastle have a hope of gaining anything from a match at Elland Road against Leeds. Fat Chance. At a pick, Leeds will not let this game slip away to a side that is not sure which way is up, well with saying that, they may have noticed that Newcastle is North of Leeds. Leeds PICK and PICK again.
RESULTS: 4-1
POSTMORTEM: Leeds trampled all over Newcastle on Monday, and to be frank, this is the kind of result that I see Newcastle having to live with as the season progresses. Their unbeaten record was left in tatters as Leeds won this at a trot. A necessary substitution in the 19th-minute when Nico Gonzalez had to come off after being hit in the face with the ball did not help the Magpies’ efforts and they went in at the half 3-0 down. If anything it got worse in the second half with Leeds in complete control. Possession of the ball was evenly split 50/50 but even when they had the ball, the visitors could do nothing with it. Until the 90th-minute when Bazoumana Toure did score a consolation goal, but by then the Magpies were 4-0 down. The win puts Leeds fourth in the table, unbeaten at this point and with a rosy future ahead of them. Newcastle, not so much. This season is going to be tough for them and they are good candidates for the drop, but the way things are shaping up, they’ll have plenty of company in the lower reaches of the table.

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