Jack's Round 8 Premier League Predictions
There are some tough picks, but I'm excited for this weekend's Premier League round as there are a lot of significant matches.
Chelsea vs. Tottenham is always great because of the rivalry between the two and then Sunday has a strong lineup in the 2pm slot.
Here's my usual weekly piece giving some opinion on the weekend ahead.
For proper individual match previews for all 10 games, upgrade to Superbru Premium so you can read those previews that I put together either here or on the picks pages as you predict.
I'm then prepared to be annoyed with myself after the Saturday lunchtime game because I had Aston Villa to win initially. They always do well in this fixture, but something about their home league form so far and City's perfect, defiant streak of PL results thus far just has me playing safe.
For the rest of Saturday's games, both Everton and Tottenham have to be considered underdogs, but Coventry vs. Fulham is tough to call.
Fulham were really good last week and fully deserved that first win of the season. Can they replicate that kind of performance away at Coventry though? I have some doubts. I think they'll be the better side but the hosts might manage a point.
All of Sunday's predictions are tough in my opinion. I'm backing Hull for a point based on Brentford's team news as outlined in the Insights preview, and then I'm calling away wins and backing recent performances over size of club for the matches at Anfield and Old Trafford!
I'm not sure much needs to be said about Manchester United because we've just been here so many times over the past decade. When that's the case, it's obvious the issue is those that own and run the club, but that won't save Michael Carrick if Sunday goes the way I'm predicting. They were awful at Como.
Liverpool obviously may well beat Brighton, but it's the Seagulls performances that feel far more sustainable.
Finally, a draw at the Stadium of Light. I was going for Leeds but it sounds as if Brian Brobbey might be back for Sunderland and he has been sorely, sorely missed.
🔙 Liam Delap back at Portman Road
I mentioned earlier that Forest are missing big chances and Liam Delap has been very culpable. At Ipswich, they still remember him very fondly (far more so than at Chelsea), so will he thrive on a ground he loves?
🥊 Battle of the Bridge 2.0?
Chelsea vs. Tottenham rarely disappoints and we should be set for a proper derby with a storm hitting the UK this weekend. As it stands, heavy rain is forecast throughout this match which should make things even more fun.
💰 The sack race continues
There'll be lots of managers losing their jobs during the next international break in November across Europe, but will some go even before that? Everyone's understandably talking about Michael Carrick but I think Pierre Sage might be one more bad defeat away from trouble too.
Best of luck in Round 8!
Chelsea vs. Tottenham is always great because of the rivalry between the two and then Sunday has a strong lineup in the 2pm slot.
Here's my usual weekly piece giving some opinion on the weekend ahead.
For proper individual match previews for all 10 games, upgrade to Superbru Premium so you can read those previews that I put together either here or on the picks pages as you predict.
Last round
👏 | 12 points which is my best so far this season, though I know plenty of you managed more in what was a fairly predictable round for a change! I only had the 1 Exact for Arsenal at Forest but 7/10 overall thanks to the Fulham and Villa wins.Round 8
I think Nottingham Forest are the more likely to win tonight's opener and I very nearly picked them, but they haven't been great at taking their chances under Glasner whereas Ipswich have been quite good in that regard.I'm then prepared to be annoyed with myself after the Saturday lunchtime game because I had Aston Villa to win initially. They always do well in this fixture, but something about their home league form so far and City's perfect, defiant streak of PL results thus far just has me playing safe.
For the rest of Saturday's games, both Everton and Tottenham have to be considered underdogs, but Coventry vs. Fulham is tough to call.
Fulham were really good last week and fully deserved that first win of the season. Can they replicate that kind of performance away at Coventry though? I have some doubts. I think they'll be the better side but the hosts might manage a point.
All of Sunday's predictions are tough in my opinion. I'm backing Hull for a point based on Brentford's team news as outlined in the Insights preview, and then I'm calling away wins and backing recent performances over size of club for the matches at Anfield and Old Trafford!
I'm not sure much needs to be said about Manchester United because we've just been here so many times over the past decade. When that's the case, it's obvious the issue is those that own and run the club, but that won't save Michael Carrick if Sunday goes the way I'm predicting. They were awful at Como.
Liverpool obviously may well beat Brighton, but it's the Seagulls performances that feel far more sustainable.
Finally, a draw at the Stadium of Light. I was going for Leeds but it sounds as if Brian Brobbey might be back for Sunderland and he has been sorely, sorely missed.
Storylines to watch in Round 8
For those that, like me, love a bit of a narrative:🔙 Liam Delap back at Portman Road
I mentioned earlier that Forest are missing big chances and Liam Delap has been very culpable. At Ipswich, they still remember him very fondly (far more so than at Chelsea), so will he thrive on a ground he loves?
🥊 Battle of the Bridge 2.0?
Chelsea vs. Tottenham rarely disappoints and we should be set for a proper derby with a storm hitting the UK this weekend. As it stands, heavy rain is forecast throughout this match which should make things even more fun.
💰 The sack race continues
There'll be lots of managers losing their jobs during the next international break in November across Europe, but will some go even before that? Everyone's understandably talking about Michael Carrick but I think Pierre Sage might be one more bad defeat away from trouble too.
Best of luck in Round 8!
Superbru on X
23 Oct 22:11
https://postimg.cc/DWkw5YbJ
The average was actually 5.93, so more or less 6, so 7 is even better than you think, even if some did better. I got 6 myself (punt on Everton against Chelsea and backing Brentford against Liverpool messed me up really) but got 12 too, so I probably had more exacts or something, have to look at it.
Either way, I got green arrows, so 12 was a very good score last week. Even if some did even better. So you should be delighted with that 7/10 as a 5.93 average isn't overly predictable.
I always find that interesting - more consistent outcomes vs more exacts to compensate. The former is obviously more sustainable. 23 Oct 16:56
It depends how much stock you put in things like this. However, Bournemouth have won 0-3 at Old Trafford in two of the last three seasons, and last season was a 4-4 draw they really should have won. They tend to do well against them at the Vitality too. I believe they're unbeaten in something like 6 games against United, though I'd have to verify that stat. That Old Trafford last three seasons is definitely correct, though.
You might argue Bournemouth aren't quite as good at the moment, as they were under Iraola, but United are in turmoil so it balances out. Plus, I think the Cherries at the start of the season were playing better than their points total suggested, and now they're starting to get results they deserve. So something to think about for that fixture.
Dave. I should have taken your advice on this one. 23 Oct 22:27
I am just back from seeing Clayface - a late night jaunt to the cinema, back for 11.50 pm. Good body horror based on the Batman villain character. I enjoyed it. 23 Oct 23:08