Premier League Round 10 Predictions!

My relatively strong run of green arrow rounds came to an abrupt halt last week as I managed just 4/10 correct outcomes. Round 9 was of course tricky for most people and I only fared especially badly because of my draw pick for the West Ham vs. Tottenham game which nearly came off. The Watford win and Manchester United draw at Chelsea were certainly results I didn't expect!

This week we have an interesting looking round that on paper appears far easier than the past couple of weekends. It's surely only a matter of time before we start seeing a greater number of upsets against the big teams though - this season is the first season since the 1800's to see more than two teams pick up seven wins from their opening nine games and four teams have managed it! It will be interesting to see if the gap between the top sides and the rest stays so significant throughout the entire campaign.

Here are this weekend's fixtures along with my thoughts on them:

Brighton vs. Wolves

I've just mentioned that many picks look straightforward this week but this is a tough one to kick us off. Wolves suffered a surprising home defeat against Watford last week after an international break that saw Nuno Santo pick up the Manager of the Month award so it's tricky to tell if they'll bounce back at Brighton on Saturday. The Amex is not an easy place to go and Brighton have looked good of late. I still see Wolves as the better side but Brighton have home advantage so I'm going with a draw and I think both teams would be happy with that. Prediction: Brighton 1-1 Wolves

Fulham vs. Bournemouth

Fulham have been so, so poor defensively which makes it very difficult to pick them. Going to Cardiff and conceding four in such an important game is a really poor showing - especially after conceding five at home the week before! The Whites remain a threat going forward through Schurrle and Mitrovic but Bournemouth are better and will feel they can score plenty here. Prediction: Fulham 1-3 Bournemouth

Liverpool vs. Cardiff

Cardiff will be delighted with that vital win over Fulham last week and this is now a free swing for them. Anyone taking Superbru even slightly seriously will pick Liverpool although I was surprised to see Klopp name such a strong side in midweek against Red Star. The last thing he'll want is his front three burning themselves out as they did a little before the international break, but even if they only play for an hour in this game Liverpool will win. Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Cardiff

Southampton vs. Newcastle

After letting me down (again) last week, I won't be picking Newcastle in this round! This is another game that is winnable for the Magpies and I wouldn't be surprised to see them win it now I'm going against them but they've been so bad this season that they're breaking unwanted records and you have to think Southampton will be ready to take this. A 0-0 at Bournemouth in Round 9 wasn't a bad result for the Saints and this is a golden opportunity to grab a first home win of the campaign. Prediction: Southampton 2-1 Newcastle

Watford vs. Huddersfield

I think it's between Watford and Manchester United for the 'most unpredictable team of the season' award at the moment. The Hornets are definitely my current Superbru 'bogey team' so I'm not confident but they should have enough to beat Huddersfield. Gracia and his side can be motivated by the fact they have three very good fixtures between now and the November break and they won't be far off the top four if they win them all. Prediction: Watford 2-0 Huddersfield

Leicester vs. West Ham

Leicester looked great in the opening half hour against Arsenal and will probably feel they should have won the game inside those thirty minutes given the chances they had and the penalty they _should have_ had. I make the Foxes favourites for this one (especially if Vardy is passed fit) although I am wary of the fact they haven't drawn a game yet so a tie could be on the way. West Ham have looked better at home than they have away and now have Yarmolenko on the already long list of long-term injuries. Prediction: Leicester 1-0 West Ham

Burnley vs. Chelsea

Chelsea's major weakness of a lack of a decent striker is becoming clearer each week and Turf Moor is the kind of place that may well emphasise the problem further. Burnley may have been battered at City last week but expect this one to be far tighter if Chelsea's passing game doesn't find them a goal inside the opening stages. Maurizio Sarri will be praying Eden Hazard recovers from his back injury in time for this match but the last thing the Blues need is the Belgian aggravating that injury and for it to become a long term problem. I'm backing the favourites to narrowly come through this one with Giroud providing the strength required up front but I will be keeping a close eye on the team news. Prediction: Burnley 1-2 Chelsea

Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal

I felt a little sorry for Palace and Hodgson last week as they were unfortunate to lose at Everton but the major fault was of course with the Eagles and that missed penalty. As always at Selhurst Park, they'll give their opposition a game but Arsenal look so strong once they've settled into a match. I'm not sure Palace have the attacking power to get at the Gunners adequately in the early stages and Arsenal's class should shine through in the end. Prediction: Palace 0-2 Arsenal

Manchester United vs. Everton

It's hard to tell whether or not United will play well for just one half of this game yet alone the whole 90 minutes. It's becoming impossible to predict how Jose Mourinho's side will fare so I'm instead focusing on the opposition and I'm still not fully convinced by Everton. They have a strong enough squad to ensure they'll finish top half and in players such as Richarlison and Sigurdsson they have key men capable of winning any game on their day. Will they do so at Old Trafford? I have my doubts. Man Utd have this fixture and then Bournemouth away before trips to Juventus and Manchester City. They won't win either of those last two so need to make sure they get some wins before hand. Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Everton

Tottenham vs. Manchester City

After their performance at Liverpool and season so far, it's very tough to go against Manchester City in any game. The champions look as though they'll be every bit as strong as last season while that Anfield display and their recent Champions League away games suggest they have the ability to win tricky games like this as well. Tottenham may have won seven games so far in this PL season but they seem to have some mistakes in them and I'm not sure they can deliver the perfect performance required to win this match. I see goals and a Man City win. Prediction: Tottenham 1-3 Manchester City

Let me know how many of these picks you agree with in the comments! You can make your own predictions for Round 10 by clicking here.