By Jamie O’Hara, PricedUp Brand Ambassador
Three-week international break. The longest one they’ve ever put in the middle of a season, and I’ve had just about enough of it.
Right, let’s get into it.
Arsenal v Leeds – Saturday, 12.30pm
My prediction: Arsenal win
Arsenal have had three weeks to sit and stew on that performance at Brighton, and I don’t think they’ll have enjoyed a minute of it.
Three-nil at the Amex, two down by half time, Pascal Groß running the show. It was the first time all season anyone had laid a glove on Arsenal, and then they shipped three goals in one afternoon. That’s the sort of result that nags at a squad over a long break, and Arteta will have made sure of it.
Which would normally have me backing a big response. But Leeds are a far more awkward afternoon than people may give them credit for.
Daniel Farke’s side have yet to be beaten, and more to the point they’ve only conceded three goals in five games. They’ll sit in, stay compact and make Arsenal play through them for ninety minutes. That’s exactly the kind of game that can frustrate a side still carrying a bit of damage from their last outing.
I still think Arsenal get it done. Second in the table, first game back at the Emirates, and a squad that’ll have spent the break desperate to put Brighton right. But they’ll have to be properly at it, and I wouldn’t be shocked if this one stays tight for a long while.
Chelsea v Bournemouth – Saturday, 3pm
My prediction: Chelsea win
Chelsea haven’t won in three and the last one was a hiding. Three-nil at Brentford, no response, nothing. Xabi Alonso has a problem and it’s at the back. Twelve goals conceded in five games is the sort of number that drags a season sideways no matter how good you look going the other way.
Bournemouth are an equally intriguing story. Sixth last season, the best finish in the club’s history, and now five games without a win, just three points, and a squad that looks like it’s lost its identity.
I think Bournemouth are in for a long season and a relegation scrap is a real possibility. They’re not the team everyone expected after the manager went up the road.
With no time for Alonso to have made any changes over the international break, I’m expecting more of the same from Chelsea this weekend and both teams to score. However, at home, I think they will get the job done against a weak looking Bournemouth.
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur – Saturday, 5.30pm
My prediction: Tottenham win
I know how this looks. My club are bottom of the league. Two points from five games, two goals scored in total, and I’m sat here tipping us to win at Old Trafford.
But look at it properly. The defence isn’t the problem, we’ve kept two clean sheets already, more than most of the teams above us. The problem is that we can’t put the ball in the net, and sooner or later that has to turn. We finally got two against Villa and still lost 3-2, which is about as Spurs as it gets.
United are there for the taking. Five points from five, twelfth, beaten at home by a 10-man City, held at Fulham, and knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton after leading 2-0. Michael Carrick is under serious pressure and Old Trafford knows it.
If we can keep them out, and I think we can, then the crowd turns, the pressure builds, and we’ll get our chances. It’s about time our forwards took one. I expect us to out-run them in midfield and in the wide areas, and I’m backing us to come away with it.
Liverpool v Manchester City – Sunday, 4.30pm
My prediction: Liverpool win
Of all the fixtures City could have had right now, Anfield away is bottom of the list.
The Premier League confirmed that an independent commission has found City guilty of 114 out of 115 charges. City say they’re disappointed and surprised, maintain they’re innocent, and have lodged an appeal. No sanction has been decided and that process has a way to run yet. Almost certainly into early 2027 at least.
But none of that stops Anfield being Anfield. It doesn’t take much to get that place rocking, and City will walk out into an atmosphere on Sunday afternoon unlike anything they’ve had this season. That’s just the reality of where this has landed.
On the football, this is still a serious test. City have won all five, scored five against Sunderland, won at Old Trafford with 10-men, and Haaland is top of the scoring charts again. Enzo Maresca has them flying and they’ve got more than enough class to win this.
Liverpool are unbeaten too, mind. Five games without defeat under Iraola, Isak scoring, Barcola settling in after that £106m move. They’ve drawn too many, but they haven’t lost, and Anfield with that crowd behind them is a daunting proposition for City.
I’m going 2-1 Liverpool.
Coventry City v Newcastle United – Monday, 8pm
My prediction: Newcastle win
Here’s a stat that tells you everything about Coventry’s season so far. They’ve scored one goal in five Premier League games. One. And it won them a match, unlike Spurs.
Josh Dasilva’s finish at the City Ground was the only goal they’ve managed since coming up, and it took three points off Nottingham Forest. Frank Lampard will take that all day, but a return of one goal in five, minus nine on goal difference, isn’t sustainable over the course of a season. They have to start creating.
Newcastle arrive in better shape than their position suggests. Eighth, eight points and Matthias Jaissle has them playing with real belief for a manager only a few months into the job. They were two up inside ten minutes against Hull last time out and saw it through, they won at Tottenham, and they took a point off Liverpool on the opening day.
Monday night at the CBS Arena, a big crowd, and Coventry will throw everything at it, they always do. But Newcastle have got goals in them and Coventry currently don’t. I’ll take the visitors.
The Weekend in Five
- Arsenal to win
- Chelsea to win
- Tottenham to win
- Liverpool to win
- Newcastle to win
Accumulator price – 50/1
As always, these are opinions and nothing else. Have a look, make your own mind up, and only ever stake what you’re happy to lose.
Enjoy the weekend.
Jamie
Odds correct at time of publication and subject to change. 18+. Please gamble responsibly. For free, confidential support and advice, visit BeGambleAware.org
Responsible Gaming
We want all our players to enjoy their gaming experience safely. Please remember to set deposit limits, take regular breaks, and only gamble what you can afford to lose. If you need support, visit our safer gambling page or contact organizations like GambleAware.
Need Help?
If you have any questions about this promotion or need assistance with your account, our friendly customer support team is available 24/7 via live chat, email at support@pricedup.com, or phone.
