2021/22 Premier League Matchday 6: Predictions
Pintsized Background
Sigh. Even with a bumper weekend of football coming up, politics in the sport continues to weigh down on the fans. FIFA are adamant that a men’s World Cup needs to take place every two years, effectively destroying the competition’s legitimacy, player’s post-season recovery and continental tournaments that arguably provide more entertainment. Ah well, at least we have a fresh batch of managerial rivalry with Tuchel and Guardiola locking horns to kick off the weekend.
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Bitesize Predictions
| Fixtures | Pintsized | Ryan | Steviano | Results |
| Saturday, 25 September | ||||
| Chelsea vs Man City | 2-0 | 2-1 | 2-0 | 0-1 |
| Man United vs Aston Villa | 3-1 | 3-2 | 2-1 | 0-1 |
| Leicester vs Burnley | 1-1 | 2-0 | 2-0 | 2-2 |
| Everton vs Norwich | 1-0 | 3-0 | 3-0 | 2-0 |
| Leeds vs West Ham | 1-2 | 0-2 | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Watford vs Newcastle | 1-1 | 2-1 | 2-2 | 1-1 |
| Brentford vs Liverpool | 1-3 | 1-2 | 2-2 | 3-3 |
| Sunday, 26 September | ||||
| Southampton vs Wolves | 2-0 | 0-0 | 4-1 | 0-1 |
| Arsenal vs Tottenham | 0-1 | 1-1 | 1-1 | 3-1 |
| Monday, 27 September | ||||
| Crystal Palace vs Brighton | 1-2 | 1-2 | 1-0 | 1-1 |
Premier League Matchday 6: Saturday, 25 September
Chelsea (#1, 13pts) vs Manchester City (#5, 10pts)
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Match of the weekend. Lunchtime is a bit of a joke considering there will be a lot of sore heads come Saturday morning, but following football is nothing but sacrifice. This could well be another patient Tuchel performance, similar to Chelsea’s away trip to Liverpool. Chelsea would ideally like to finish the match stronger with eleven men on the field, though. Perhaps the Champions League ghosts spook Pep once again, a genius who often only has himself to beat. The loss of Mount is a tactical issue (sort of), but if Lukaku can rise to the occasion then Werner’s passenger role won’t do too much harm.
Prediction: 2-0
Ryan
The original El Cashico kicks off the weekend’s action in a repeat of the most recent Champions League final. Almost predictably, Chelsea completely stomped Spurs to submission. Very unpredictably, City failed to beat Southampton and were arguably lucky to escape with anything due to VAR drama. The recent trend has seen Tuchel outsmart Pep and I don’t see this changing much right now.
Prediction: 2-1
Steviano
Teuchel has the hoodoo over Pep lately winning their last 3 encounters as Pep has chopped and changed to find a way to solve the puzzle. This is a stronger Chelsea than last season with the addition of a genuine number 9 and in their current form it’s hard to look beyond that run extending.
Prediction: 2-0
Man United (#3, 13pts) vs Aston Villa (#10, 7pts)
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As has been the case since Fergie hung up the chewing gum, United have been a frustrating team to predict. Just when Ole appears to have got the Red Devils in check, they fail to find the back of the net at home against a team they beat away only days before. It has only been a month, but the importance of Ronaldo’s presence needn’t be clearer. Villa are an incredibly entertaining team to follow, with the Ings/Watkins duo up top looking a budget-friendly lethal partnership.
Prediction: 3-1
Ryan
This is also a lunchtime game but annoyingly not going to be shown on TV due to council demands with a Courteeners gig. The band being big fans will have gone through the full set of emotions following the dramatic win at West Ham with some quite frankly shit refereeing threatening to spoil proceedings. There was also excitement in Birmingham with a very convincing win for Villa over a traditionally game Everton. This could be a good one and I’ll go with home advantage to make the difference here.
Prediction: 3-2
Steviano
I expect United to do more than have a go against the Villains and this should be a home win after resting key players in mid-week for their second Hammers encounter. Villa will be buoyed by a good win over a previously unbeaten Everton but OT is a different kind of pressure.
Prediction: 2-1
Leicester (#12, 6pts) vs Burnley (#19, 1pts)
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Big Brendan Rodgers needs to give the Foxes a massive kick up the arse. It is still early doors but Leicester just aren’t creating enough chances in the final third. A high possession style isn’t suiting Leicester, and they’re unlikely to be counter-attacking often against a turtling Burnley. With a morale-boosting cup victory mid-week, Burnley are more than likely to cause an upset. I’m settling for an ugly, hard-earned point for both sides.
Prediction: 1-1
Ryan
Leicester are on a bit of a slump at the moment with their winless run continuing with a somewhat surprising loss at impressive Brighton. This is being mirrored by Burnley who were disappointing against a poor Arsenal outfit separated by, somewhat ironically, a set piece. This just seems like a nothing game with the Foxes getting back on track with 3 points.
Prediction: 2-0
Steviano
Still not firing on all cylinders Leicester but they should have too much attacking quality for a Burnley team that are really struggling. Having backed Dyche to bounce back in previous weeks I will do the Clarets a favour and back against them which should ensure they get their first win of the season.
Prediction: 2-0
Everton (#6, 10pts) vs Norwich (#20, 0pts)
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Have the wheels started to fall off for Rafa? Probably not, but it’s always entertaining to add a little spice to the discussion ;). Although… the Toffees will be missing Jordan Pickford, Seamus Coleman, Richarlison and Dom Calvert-Lewin – leaving a skeleton of a first-11. If it wasn’t Norwich, on one of the worst PL loss streaks of all time, then there would be a few squeaky bums at Goodison Park. Puuki may finish the one half-chance he receives from the pittance the Canaries call a midfield, but even an overweight Rondon can bag against Norwich.
Prediction: 1-0
Ryan
Everton were shellshocked against an impressive Villa, boiling the blood of Evertonians aplenty. Let’s have it right though, Norwich are doomed. 0 points on the board and a home loss against fellow relegation favourites Watford summed up their Premier League return so far. Expect more misery to be piled on the Canaries as Everton look to bounce back immediately.
Prediction: 3-0
Steviano
At some point Norwich will fluke a result but this won’t be it as Rafa will be smarting from defeat in the last match and will demand a response from the Toffees. Shipping 14 goals in five games puts a big reliance on scoring and Norwich don’t seem to be able to do that either – this could be an all-time low number of points and snatch Derby’s unwanted 11 point crown.
Prediction: 3-0
Leeds United (#17, 3pts) vs West Ham (#8, 8pts)
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Ugh, this is going to be ugly viewing for the Hammers I fear. Sure, the Iron secured the double over Leeds last year, but the open-ended nature of the matches means the result can end up anywhere. A fully-fit, suspension served Antonio is positive news but a congested fixture list will start to wear on a thin Hammers squad. Leeds aren’t firing on all (or any) cylinders just yet, so a very tentative lean towards West Ham is the call.
Prediction: 1-2
Ryan
The evidence is growing for the case that Leeds are the victim of second season syndrome with an uninspiring draw at Newcastle. West Ham may well feel aggrieved not to have come away with any points last weekend but Martin Atkinson definitely tried his best in that regard. Against a rusty, slow starting Leeds outfit, this is a good opportunity for the Hammers to bounce back despite the lack of Antonio.
Prediction: 0-2
Steviano
Leeds are stuttering this season with a lack of goals key compared to last season – they face a well organised West Ham team who will want to get back to their early season pace setting. Can argue it either way but I fancy Antonio to make amends for previous misdemeanours and snatch the victory here.
Prediction: 1-2
Watford (#11, 6pts) vs Newcastle (#18, 2pts)
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Perhaps owing to a somewhat kind fixture list, Watford find themselves in a surprisingly strong league position. A match against Norwich is essentially a free 3 points at the moment, however. Ismaila Sarr is a monster for the Hornets and will slice through a troubled Newcastle defence. Still, Steve Bruce can count himself unlucky so far. Allan-Saint Maximin is a beastly creative powerhouse, but the Toon Army hasn’t provided the end product. Without Willock or Wilson, Newcastle are reliant upon Joelinton – lol.
Prediction: 1-1
Ryan
A great 3 points for Watford against Norwich will be crucial in their inevitable bid for survival this season. Newcastle will be pleased to add another point to their lowly tally thanks to some Saint-Maximin magic. Although individual quality might make the difference, it doesn’t feel like Newcastle will win anytime soon and Watford should be looking at consecutive wins.
Prediction: 2-1
Steviano
Watford ended a run of three successive defeats with a win at the Canaries last week although that’s hardly a form guide for any team this season. Newcastle remain a club in turmoil but I fancy Bruce to battle for a point which will appease nobody on Tyneside.
Prediction: 2-2
Brentford (#9, 8pts) vs Liverpool (#2, 13pts)
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It’s starting to tire hearing about Brentford being the model club of the 21st Century, but it once again has to be re-iterated that they truly are a well-run club. The Bees solid defence may finally begin to leak against the firepower that Liverpool possesses. Thomas Frank has been draining every last drop of quality out of his side, but it would take a miracle to halt Klopp’s awesome attack.
Prediction: 1-3
Ryan
The newest addition to the Premiership continue to be the surprise package so far with a brilliant win at Wolves despite a red card early in the second half. Liverpool meanwhile strolled past Crystal Palace at home in a comfortable victory. I’m going for a Liverpool win but this won’t be easy and should be quite the challenge in general for them.
Prediction: 1-2
Steviano
I may well be proved embarrassingly wrong with this one but Brentford’s confident start to life at the top might be enough for an upset against the more favoured Reds – alternatively may just be wishful thinking! Klopp may be tempted to rest players ahead of the trip to Porto in mid week with City to follow next weekend which may be enough for the Bees to squeak a point.
Prediction: 2-2
Premier League Matchday 6: Sunday, 26 September
Southampton (#15, 4pts) vs Wolves (#16, 3pts)
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Southampton steadfastly refuse to play up to expectations. Taking points from both Manchester teams, Adam Armstrong has made an immediate impact in the Premier League. The former Blackburn man can feel hard done to not have been awarded a penalty for a clear foul by Kyle Walker. It’s strange that VAR requires a debit card to boot up. Wolves’ mid-week Carabao loss to Spurs on penalty will have stung, but at least the Midlands team finally hit the back of the net. A real pick-em.
Prediction: 2-0
Ryan
The Saints are continuing their shopping spree at IKEA for more draws although this was almost certainly more than they expected against the current champions. Wolves’ fortunes reverted back to the start of the season where they suffered yet another brutal loss, this time against Brentford. At the risk of being made to look foolish, the draw just seems the most obvious result here based on current form.
Prediction: 0-0
Steviano
King of the draws Southampton culminating in a point at the Etihad take on a Wolves team who don’t score many. Southampton to go crazy and double their goals tally for the season.
Prediction: 4-1
Arsenal (#13, 6pts) vs Tottenham (#7, 9pts)
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For anyone believing that the pressure is off Arteta, you are only as good as your last result. A London derby is worth about 3-5 matches in the fan’s eyes. Lose badly on Sunday against a struggling Spurs and Arteta could see himself chopped before New Year. With such a youthful Gunners squad, I’m expecting tempers to flare and a red card to be shown. Spurs to stall the game before grinding out a late goal.
Prediction: 0-1
Ryan
Is this one of the least anticipated North London derbies in recent memory? The hype behind this seems to be non-existent right now. Arsenal continued their ‘spectacular’ form with a grinding win at Burnley. Spurs meanwhile were absolutely obliterated by another London team in Chelsea. Maybe Harry Kane will finally come to life or continue to suffer with mostly average teammates. Arsenal are just so poor that I can’t see them taking advantage right now. Both teams will be happy to split the share.
Prediction: 1-1
Steviano
Their results are a bizarre mirror image with Spurs winning their first three and losing the next two with the Gunners vice versa. Neither team are very inspiring to watch but a derby always adds some extra spice and the disciplinary side of the game may provide more fireworks than the lack of free flowing football.
Prediction: 1-1
Premier League Matchday 6: Monday, 27 September
Crystal Palace (#14, 5pts) vs Brighton (#4, 12pts)
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Two fresh-faced managers clash early on in the season – very tasty. Vieira has Palace playing aesthetic, controlling football despite a lack of renowned experience or talent. Brighton will be buoyed by a lofty champions league spot. Potter’s wide formations and quick passing style may tear apart Palace’s unproven full-backs.
Prediction: 1-2
Ryan
Another derby (despite the distance between the two clubs) closes the weekend off in style. Palace unsurprisingly didn’t muster anything of note against a strong Liverpool. Brighton somewhat surprisingly continued their impressive form with a big win against a strong Leicester to send footballing hipsters wild with Potterball. If Brighton beat their rivals away from home, that would surely put their manager in contention for the monthly award right? In the real world, we need a fairytale to continue and I think the winning run for the Seagulls will follow suit.
Prediction: 1-2
Steviano
Both sides have surprised me with their positive starts to the season – Brighton sit in the giddy heights of fourth place whilst Palace sit fourteenth with 5 points which may not sound a lot but considering the wholesale rebuild of a team by a manager who most people had written off before the season started it’s a solid start. Unlikely upset with Palace to win this one against the champions league hopefuls.
Prediction: 1-0
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