Premier League Predictor: Round 5 Picks
The international break has finally passed meaning Premier League football is back! Round 5 is set to be an intriguing one with notable fixtures including Manchester vs. Leicester, Wolves vs. Chelsea and Watford vs. Arsenal.
The timing of the international break wasn't great since the season had only just going. It feels as if momentum has been lost over the past fortnight and the 'real season' starts now with clubs playing multiple times a week, so in my opinion it's worth keeping in mind that form may not be so significant going into this weekend's fixtures. Those who have started the campaign well will of course still have confidence, but teams that haven't may well see this as a fresh start.
Here are my Round Five Premier League predictions:
Best of luck in Round Five! Feel free to let me know how your picks compare in the comments section below.
The timing of the international break wasn't great since the season had only just going. It feels as if momentum has been lost over the past fortnight and the 'real season' starts now with clubs playing multiple times a week, so in my opinion it's worth keeping in mind that form may not be so significant going into this weekend's fixtures. Those who have started the campaign well will of course still have confidence, but teams that haven't may well see this as a fresh start.
Here are my Round Five Premier League predictions:
Liverpool vs. Newcastle
I know I went for an upset in the typically unpredictable early kick-off in Round 4, but this week you have to pick Liverpool. They haven't lost at Anfield in ages, Newcastle aren't a great side and there's plenty of recovery time between this fixture and their Champions League match in Naples in midweek. The question is just the margin of victory and I expect it to be comfortable. Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 NewcastleBrighton vs. Burnley
This is the first of quite a few tough picks in this round. Brighton and Burnley are very evenly matched and have identical records so far this season. I just feel that Burnley are more experienced in how they play and should be defensively strong enough to cope at the Amex. Brighton are still getting used to life under Potter and Leandro Trossard feels like quite a significant injury loss. One goal may well be enough to win this game. Prediction: Brighton 0-1 BurnleyManchester United vs. Leicester City
I managed an exact for United's 1-1 draw at Southampton last time out and I'm tempted to go against them again here because Leicester are a good side, however, I think United will actually play better and pick up more points against the stronger sides at the moment. Leicester have the better manager and arguably an equally strong XI on paper but that means this game will be quite open as the Foxes look for three points and Solskjaer's side has looked best on the counter. I was about to say that I'm backing a 2-1 United win but there's just been news that Pogba, Martial and Shaw are all out of the game - Leicester will really fancy their chances now. Prediction: Man Utd 1-2 LeicesterSheffield United vs. Southampton
Southampton have looked better in their last two games and Sheffield United have surprised me with how well they've done in all four of their opening league matches. Given that positive start and their home advantage, I'm leaning towards the Blades here. Southampton appear short of goals and therefore need new signing Che Adams to start scoring. Until he (or someone else!) does, it's tricky to have too much confidence in the Saints, especially with Redmond out. Prediction: Sheffield United 2-0 SouthamptonTottenham vs. Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace have been the giant killers of the division when playing on the road in 2019 but their record against Tottenham is poor and I expect Spurs to pick up three points here. Pochettino's side can't really afford another early slip up having already lost to Newcastle at home and they should have some players back from injury for this one. Palace certainly won't make it easy and I'm not expecting a hammering. Prediction: Tottenham 2-0 Crystal PalaceWolves vs. Chelsea
This is another game where all three outcomes feel possible. Wolves won this fixture last season but haven't managed a league win so far in this campaign while Chelsea are a work in progress under Lampard. The Blues have looked OK going forward but very fragile defensively. Team news is what's swaying me on this pick as Wolves have Boly suspended whereas Chelsea should have Rudiger and Kante back which would be a huge boost to help solve those defensive issues. Prediction: Wolves 1-2 ChelseaNorwich vs. Manchester City
It's hard to see this one finishing 0-0! Norwich look as though they'll concede a lot of goals this season and Manchester City are guaranteed to score a lot of goals this season. I can't see the Canaries coming close to coping with this City attack, the performances of players such as Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling during the international break was another reminder of just how much quality they have and though rotation is now inevitable from game-to-game, City have 3 or 4 potential XIs that could score plenty against this Norwich side. Prediction: Norwich 1-5 Manchester CityBournemouth vs. Everton
I've been quite impressed with Everton so far this season, they look as though they'll have a far better season that last year and now have multiple players who can score/create goals. I'm still a little concerned about their season coming undone with an injury to a defender or two but for now with a full strength side they should beat Bournemouth. The Toffees are still yet to win on the road this season and the Vitality isn't the easiest place to visit but Bournemouth haven't had the best of starts. Prediction: Bournemouth 1-2 EvertonWatford vs. Arsenal
Watford's decision to sack Javi Gracia is perhaps slightly surprising even in spite of their known lack of patience with managers, but for me the more intriguing move is that they've re-hired Quique Sanchez Flores. We can expect the Hornets to be better defensively with this change although I'm still not sure they'll be keeping too many clean sheets simply because their backline isn't good enough. This is certainly a fixture where it's hard to see a front three as strong as Arsenal's failing to find the net and I expect the Gunners to win. Watford have really tested Arsenal in recent years at Vicarage Road but they don't look capable at the moment and it may take a little while for Sanchez Flores to change that. Prediction: Watford 1-3 ArsenalAston Villa vs. West Ham
This is a really tough one to finish on. West Ham have found some form in their last two games but I always feel Aston Villa stand a chance of winning at home. The hosts were really unlucky to lose at Crystal Palace in their last game after a poor referee decision and will be at it in front of their home crowd on a Monday night whereas you never quite know if West Ham will turn up. I have a feeling Villa might snatch the points here but if the visitors can win, their confidence will be through the roof with three on the bounce. Prediction: Aston Villa 1-0 West HamBest of luck in Round Five! Feel free to let me know how your picks compare in the comments section below.
Team A plays Team C and the score is (A) 3-1 (C) and
Team B plays Team C and the score is (B) 1-0 (C),
could this suggest Team A is more likely to beat Team B?
i.e. Is 3-1 a bigger hiding than 1-0?
Likewise, is a team that beats team 'Z' by 3-2 likely to thrash another team that only scored 2-1 against Team 'Z'? 18 Sep 11:55