WEEK 10
HINT: Use Landscape for best viewing on mobile device.
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 10 November 1st 2nd 3rd
All times are Mountain Standard Time
LAST WEEK’S SUMMARY
WEEK 9
As far as last week’s predictions went, we got 5 right 4 wrong; but come on, 2 of the wrong ones were Liverpool v Brentford and Man City v Aston Villa; who could have seen those coming? My Gold Star pick came through, Bournemouth over Notts Forest, and Wolves continued down a very slippery slope. Arsenal still sit on top of the pile and should have an easy time of it at Burnley this week. I’ve come to learn that the most obvious picks often let you down, so the Arsenal v Burnley game I’m steering clear of. There are rumblings of discontent at West Ham, with good reason; and I won’t be renewing my season ticket there anytime soon. The Cherries slide into second place with Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool helping their cause by failing to beat inferior opponents. So it’s on to week 10 and all the delights that await us in the English Premier League. Tally Ho.
WEEK 10 GAME 1 – SAT Nov 1st 9:00 |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
 |
NOTTS FOREST |
MANCHESTER UNITED |
 |
||||
| Odds +1/2 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds -1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: After a couple of excellent, if somewhat unexpected, results in the past two weeks, Manchester United seem to be getting their house in order. Notts Forest are still adrift and even if they do have home field advantage, I don’t see them changing their losing ways just yet, if ever. Red Devils for me. Manchester United -1/2 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 2-2 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: One step forward two steps back for Manchester United. Three convincing wins in the last three weeks, especially against Liverpool and Brighton, did wonders for their league position. What looked like a relatively easy game for the Red Devils almost turned into disaster. They went in at half time one goal up but within a 92-second period, shortly after the break they conceded two goals to a team that hadn’t scored in their last four games. It took an Amad Diallo goal ten minutes from the end to salvage a point for United. All of Manchester’s players had not much better than an average game, and maybe Forest’s new manager, Sean Dyche, has made an early impression on a side that has had a disastrous start to the season. With West Ham winning, even though they picked up a point, they still slip down a spot leaving them second from bottom. A long long way to go before they are out of danger, but they face Leeds next week, a good game to see if they have truly turned a corner. | |||||||
WEEK 10 GAME 2 –Sat Nov 1st 9:00 |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
 |
BURNLEY |
ARSENAL |
 |
||||
| Odds +1 1/2 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds -1 1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Burnley have picked up six points from their last two games but I fear that run is over. Arsenal are 1-1/2 favorites and while it certainly looks like a Gunners win, the Clarets may give them a run for their money. I would take the home team to keep it close, but Arsenal may not win by two clear goals. No Bet | |||||||
| RESULTS: 2-0 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: As pretty much expected Arsenal made short work of Burnley. Another goal from a set piece and another clean sheet for the league leaders. My grandmother could have kept goal for the Gunners as keeper David Raya didn’t have to make a single save. Arsenal took control early with a 14th-minute goal from Victor Gyokeres, followed by a Declan Rice header at the 34th-minute mark. From there they never looked back, and even after slacking off in the second half, Burnley never looked like getting back in the game. The Clarets drop a place and are fourth from bottom at the moment. Many hard games in front of them if they are to survive. | |||||||
WEEK 10 GAME 3 – Sat Nov 1st 9:00 |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
 |
FULHAM |
WOLVERHAMPTON |
 |
||||
| Odds -1/2 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds +1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: It’s about time Fulham’s luck changed, and what better chance for that to happen than at home to Wolves. The Cottagers are currently 17th in the League, a position that does not do them credit considering the talent they have on display. A little more concentration in the last minutes of play should see them through this week. At the moment Wolves look like a lost cause and it’s hard to see where their next points are coming from. Fulham -1/2 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 3-0 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: As far as the stats go, Wolverhampton were never in this game. Going down to ten men in the first half didn’t help their cause any, and it’s tough to expect a result if you only have the ball a third of the time. A manager change could be on the horizon again for Wolves if things don’t buck up soon. If they leave it much longer to change their trajectory, this hill is going to be much too steep to climb. Fulham looked good for most of the game and I expect them to build on this success. | |||||||
WEEK 10 GAME 4 – Sat Nov 1st 9:00 |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
 |
BRIGHTON |
LEEDS |
 |
||||
| Odds -1/2 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds +1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: A disappointing result for Brighton last week at Manchester United, and they will be looking to make amends this time out. Leeds can be troublesome, and they are struggling to keep their heads above water. This looks like a draw to me therefore, for a modest outlay, I will take Leeds and the +1/2 goal advantage. Leeds +1/2 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 3-0 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Leeds were completely outclassed here, and Brighton won this at a canter. They bounced back from a disappointing result at Old Trafford last week and looked like a team that could take on anyone. Home advantage didn’t hurt and they always look more comfortable in front of their home crowd. Danny Welbeck continues to shine and a brace by Diego Gomez in the second half put this beyond reach. Leeds are struggling to stay afloat and they desperately need a result next week at Notts Forest, but then so do Forest. | |||||||
WEEK 10 GAME 5 – Sat Nov 1st 9:00 |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
 |
CRYSTAL PALACE |
BRENTFORD |
 |
||||
| Odds -1/2 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds +1/2 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Brentford have been very fortunate in their last couple of games, but I don’t see it continuing this week. Crystal Palace ran a close, but losing race last week against Arsenal, but I see them taking revenge on fellow Londoners on their home turf. Crystal Palace -1/2 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 2-0 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Brentford may have been unbeaten in four matches going into this game, but if you had watched these games, even if they did beat Liverpool and both the Manchester teams, you could say they had been very lucky. Almost the flip side of Fulham. They do not impress me and Crystal Palace gave them a shot of reality at Selhurst Park. Jean-Mateta put the Eagles in front at the half hour mark and the Bees did try to put on the pressure. They had 2/3’s of the possession, but only three shots on target. To be fair, Palace only had three shots on target themselves; the difference being that they ended up with two goals from their efforts. Granted one of them was an own goal, but that still counts. Crystal Palace have a horrendous schedule lined up and they may succumb to fatigue at some point, but at the moment they are flying high. (The Eagles…see what I did there.) On the other side of the picture I think Brentford’s best days in this season’s Premier League are behind them…time will tell. Oh by the way, this was my Gold Star pick of the week. | |||||||
WEEK 10 GAME 6 – Sat Nov 1st 11:30 |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
 |
TOTTENHAM |
CHELSEA |
 |
||||
| Odds PICK | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds PICK | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: This could go either way, hence PICK. Given Tottenham’s horrible home record against Chelsea’s spotty away performances, it’s tough to settle on a winner. In lots of ways these two are evenly matched and the game has the potential to be very entertaining. Personally I would rather win than be entertained. There are nine other games this week that can manage that chore. So I’m going to say keep your money in your pocket and enjoy the game. No Bet. | |||||||
| RESULTS: 0-1 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: A few things are starting to become clear as far as Spurs are concerned: 1. They are rubbish at home. 2. Xavi Simmons, even if he did cost somewhere in the region of $65 mil is a waste of space. 3. They desperately need a largish real #9. To address these problems: 1. Ever since they moved into their new stadium, the fan base has been a problem. Ticket prices are the third highest in the League and are getting out of the range of what their traditional, long suffering fans can afford. 2. Simmons has not taken to the rigors of the Premier League, some say he is too small and gets pushed around too easily, and he looks like he’s going to burst into tears at any moment. As much as I hate to bring him up, remember Timo Werner. He hung around much to long and contributed absolutely nothing. 3. Maybe when Dominic Solanke returns from injury (the end of November is the expectation) that might help, but in the meantime this position needs filling immediately. Oh was there a game here somewhere? These two may have split the time of possession, but Chelsea’s 15 shots, 9 on target, v Tottenham ‘s 2 with 1 on target about sums it up. Joao Pedro scored the only goal in the 34th-minute and that was all it took to send Chelsea back across London with all three points. Spurs need a win against Manchester United next week or this could get ugly real fast. | |||||||
WEEK 10 GAME 7 – Sat Nov 1st 14:00 |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
 |
LIVERPOOL |
ASTON VILLA |
 |
||||
| Odds –1 | O/U 3 | Odds +1 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: These two teams seem to be going in opposite directions. Sooner or later Liverpool will begin getting it right, but it may take a little longer than they were hoping. The Villans are starting to mesh after a very choppy start to the campaign. This is another game that is very much up in the air, so I’m going with Aston Villa +1 goal, but I won’t be betting the farm on the outcome. Aston Villa +1 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 2-0 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: I don’t know what I was thinking here. Did I actually bet against Liverpool at home? Must have been a typo? Anyway, Villa opened the game with promise. Hitting the woodwork twice within the first 20 minutes, but after that opening spell, Liverpool begun to take control. Hugo Ekitike, a very interesting talent for the Reds this year, had the ball in the net just before half time, but was ruled offside by the VAR. Then just as the half was coming to a close, Villa’s goalkeeper made an awful mistake: he rolled the ball directly at Mo Salah who calmly slotted it home into an empty net from just inside the penalty area. Ryan Grvenberch put the game to bed in the second half with a shot that was deflected off Pau Torres and ended up in the net. It could have been worse, it always can, but Salah made a wrong decision and let Aston Villa off the hook. Liverpool started to look like their old selves at times, but they were still a little shaky now and again. Maybe their return to form might have had something to do with Milos Kerkez not playing, which has to please not only the crowd but some of his teammates I’m sure. | |||||||
WEEK 10 GAME 8 – Sun Nov 2 7:00 |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
 |
WEST HAM |
NEWCASTLE |
 |
||||
| Odds +1 | O/U 2 1/2 | Odds -1 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Tough to see West Ham ever beating anyone ever again. There is starting to be dissension in the ranks with some players looking for a way out before this ship sinks. Newcastle are still not firing on all eight, but they should have enough to carry the day in East London. Newcastle-1 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 3-1 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Even a broken clock is right twice a day. West Ham must have focused in on one of those times on Sunday. Newcastle went in front in the 4th minute, and it looked like another long afternoon for the Hammers. Despite having the ball 62% of the time, Newcastle looked like they were sleepwalking. Their away record this year has been pathetic, and they are a long way from the team they were last year. Three points for West Ham is a rarity and something I don’t think they should get used to. A very welcome result, but I don’t think they will play many teams this year as bad as the Magpies were in the second half. In fact they looked a lot like the old West Ham at times, lethargic comes to mind coupled with clueless. A last second goal by Thomas Soucek left the score at 3-1, but as bad as Newcastle was, that scoreline was a bit harsh on the visitors. | |||||||
WEEK 10 GAME 9 – Sun Nov 2nd 9:30 |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
 |
MANCHESTER CITY |
BOURNEMOUTH |
 |
||||
| Odds -1 | O/U 3 | Odds +1 | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Manchester City should never have lost last week at Aston Villa. All teams have off days, just look at Liverpool. Bournemouth are currently sitting second in the league, but I think this week they will be brought back down to Earth. Maybe Manchester -1 might be a bit generous? I’ll take the home team to make good this week . Manchester City -1 | |||||||
| RESULTS: 3-1 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Earling Haaland came out swinging and had two goals in his column within the first half hour. Bournemouth had equalized by then, but City never looked like it was going to slip away from them. Bournemouth are the real thing and they put up a capable showing, but a lot of the time this was a game of usurpers against the masters. Manchester City looked a class above Bournemouth and for my money, City could go all the way. They are starting to resemble the team that swept all before them in previous years, and Bournemouth are not finished yet. Barring any major mishaps, they can maintain their momentum and certainly finish in the upper reaches of the Premier League. | |||||||
WEEK 10 GAME 10 – Mon Nov 3rd 1:00 |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOME | AWAY | ||||||
 |
SUNDERLAND |
EVERTON |
 |
||||
| Odds PICK | O/U 2 | PICK | |||||
| PREDICTIONS: Sunderland continue on their excellent start to the season and they sit #4 in the league table at the moment. They could quite easily add to their point total this week. Even with the much needed help from Jack Grealish, Everton are starting to slip back into their old ways. Despite the boost from playing in a brand new stadium, they are wallowing in the lower reaches of the Premier League, a place they have come to call home, for I don’t know how many seasons? Sunderland. PICK | |||||||
| RESULTS: 1-1 | |||||||
| ANALYSIS: Sunderland should have had this game. They always looked more likely to score and Everton can think themselves, and Jordan Pickford, lucky to escape with a point. Granit Xhaka scored Sunderland’s equalizer in the second half which nullified Everton’s 15th-minute opener by Lliman Ndiaye. Xhaka seems to have calmed down a lot since his days as a Whirling Dervish at Arsenal. Robin Roefs continues to impress in goal for the Black Cats and one point still puts them in the #4 spot, a truly excellent start for Sunderland’s return to the top flight. | |||||||