Tottenham v Liverpool, White Hart Lane (Referee Craig Pawson)
We have our first glimpse of new Liverpool coach, Jurgen Klopp as they travel to White Hart Lane. We will see first hand how the German will deploy the reds against an in-form Spurs who haven't lost a match in their last six games. Except for Danny Rose who has a thumb injury, expect a full-strength Spurs. Thursday’s loss of Danny Ings to a season-ending injury likely to have affected Klopp's plans late on but we still expect a positive, high tempo start from the men in red. Benteke, Firmino and Henderson remain injured while Moreno will slot in for Gomez at left-back. Easily the match of the weekend.
Our Prediction: DrawCrystal Palace v West Ham, Selhurst Park (Referee Mark Clattenburg)
Alan Pardew would be hosting the team he managed from 2003-06 and took to an FA Cup final and despite the injuries bedeviling the team, he has Mile Jedinak, Lee Chung-yong, Jordon Mutch and Damien Delaney at least fit enough to make the bench. His Palace team have won their last three games and sit fourth while West Ham, sixth, have not lost an away game in the league and may have an extra option among the substitutes as Andy Carroll nears full fitness. Angelo Ogbonna still struggles with his hamstring and is doubtful. Expecting a cracking game.
Our Prediction: DrawMan City v AFC Bournemouth, Etihad Stadium (Referee Mike Dean)
We reported earlier about the injuries to David Silva and Sergio Aguero; their absence is a significant blow to Manuel Pelligrini but the league leaders will still expect to win at home. Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth have shown they can compete at this level, in what is their first season in the top flight, but the continuous absence of the leading goalscorer Callum Wilson may blunt their attacking intent. Expect an entertaining contest.
Our Prediction: Slim City win.Everton v Man United, Goodison Park (Referee Jonathan Moss)
United arrive fresh from a 3-0 thumping at Arsenal but with a fit Wayne Rooney for a classic fixture that the Everton manager is delighted to see kick off at the classic time and with Séamus Coleman and John Stones back after injury. “Goodison probably gets at its very best against United and when it pushes you with that energy you feel you can cope with anything,” Roberto Martínez said about a fixture in which United were beaten 3-0 last season. Louis van Gaal sees this as an opportunity for Captain Wayne Rooney to return to scoring ways against his boyhood club. We expect to see EPL player of the month Anthony Martial adding more stripes in the other much anticipated game of the day.
Our Prediction: Too close to call; with a gun at my head, United win.West Brom v Sunderland, The Hawthorns (Referee Martin Atkinson)
Can Big Sam save Sunderland? A question posed in our earlier post announcing his arrival to a Sunderland team that sits 19th on the table. Sunderland fans seem upbeat about his appointment but pessimism tends to be growing amongst West Brom fans following their awful recent form. Both sides look like being in a long relegation battle so can ill afford to lose to the other even at this stage of the season. Pulis will hope Berahino can gain full fitness before the match. A cracker, this one!
Our Prediction: A first season win for Sunderland. Yes, and we are sticking to it.
Individually, Ronald Koeman and Claudio Ranieri will no doubt have spent the international break quietly satisfied at the starts made by their respective clubs. Leicester have lost only once in the league to sit an unlikely fifth, but Southampton’s unbeaten away record has not been replicated at St Mary’s, something they will aim to put right on Saturday, despite the loss of the striker Shane Long to a foot injury. The tantalizing Mahrez remains a doubt for Leicester but Jose Ulloa can reliably deputize in his stead. Another fine game to see.Our Prediction: Too close to call
Chelsea v Aston Villa, Stamford Bridge (Referee Roger East)
Can the Blues shake off the blues this Saturday? An untimely loss at home to Southampton invoked a vote of confidence from the owner and sanctions from the FA over Jose Mourinho’s post-match comments. Can they kickstart their league defence against an Aston Villa side? While Cahill is merely doubtful, Ivanovic is out till November, and Begovic still keeps for the injured Courtois; is this a defence Grealish, Gestede and Sinclair can explore to improve Villa's abysmal-looking season? Expect cards.
Our Prediction: Chelsea winWatford v Arsenal, Vicarage Road (Referee Mike Jones)
The international break probably came at the wrong time for Arsène Wenger’s team – the momentum created by that dismantling of Manchester United stopped before it was allowed to take off. Yet positive drive is exactly what they need before Tuesday’s vital Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich. Watford beware: their visitors have won seven of their past eight away Premier League games. Cracker of a game. Who to watch: Odion Ighalo.
Our Prediction: Arsenal winNewcastle v Norwich City, St James' Park (Referee Anthony Taylor)
If this is a do-or-die game for Steve McClaren and Newcastle, it is a pretty significant one for Norwich too. Alex Neil’s promoted team have not won in the league for a month now and they would be disappointed not to increase the Tyneside misery surrounding Newcastle’s worst start to a season for 117 years. McClaren is desperate to register a first top-flight victory but could have been grateful if he didnt need to field Rob Elliot, his third-choice goalkeeper, after Tim Krul’s season-ending knee injury.
Our Prediction: DrawSwansea City v Stoke City, Liberty (Referee Robert Madley)
Swansea need a victory to regain some momentum after picking up only two points from a possible 12 but Stoke, who have recovered from a slow start, will be awkward opponents. Xherdan Shaqiri has shaken off a thigh strain but the game has come too soon for Ryan Shawcross and Stoke will also be without Mame Biram Diouf, who is on compassionate leave following the death of his mother. Kyle Naughton returns for Swansea after missing the Tottenham game to be at the birth of his daughter.
Our Prediction: Stoke winWe'll publish our scorecard on Monday. Enjoy the games!!
Its Chelsea baby
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