2021/22 Premier league Predictions: Matchday 8
Pintsized Background
Is it time to start up the Super League again? Newcastle have finally secured the £305m takeover by the Crown Prince of Saudia Arabia. Just a quick reminder that the Premier League stood in the way of the takeover previously, based on a) Saudia Arabia’s glaring human rights concerns and b) Saudia Arabia’s illegal streaming service (beoutQ). With the swift removal of Saudi’s pirate streaming, the takeover has been allowed through. Nice to know that the big dogs truly care about modern-day ethical and social issues, and would never drop their mask of virtue signalling for the pursuit of greater financial gain.
Failed to catch the action from the Premier League last weekend? No worries. Peep our preview of Premier League Predictions: Matchday 7. Prefer a review of the event to jog the memory, read Premier League Review: Matchday 7?
Unconvinced by Pintsized’s mystical predicting powers? Take a look at our prediction success last month detailed in Premier League Statistics: Match Day 7.
Bitesize Predictions
| Fixtures | Pintsized | Ryan | Steviano | Results |
| Saturday, 16 October | ||||
| Watford vs Liverpool | 2-3 | 0-3 | 1-3 | 0-5 |
| Aston Villa vs Wolves | 1-1 | 2-1 | 1-1 | 2-3 |
| Leicester vs Man United | 2-1 | 2-2 | 2-2 | 4-2 |
| Man City vs Burnley | 4-1 | 5-0 | 3-1 | 2-0 |
| Norwich vs Brighton | 0-3 | 1-2 | 1-3 | 0-0 |
| Southampton vs Leeds | 0-1 | 1-1 | 1-2 | 1-0 |
| Brentford vs Chelsea | 1-2 | 2-1 | 2-3 | 0-1 |
| Sunday, 17 October | ||||
| Everton vs West Ham | 0-2 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 0-1 |
| Newcastle vs Spurs | 2-2 | 0-1 | 0-2 | 2-3 |
| Monday, 18 October | ||||
| Arsenal vs Crystal Palace | 1-1 | 1-1 | 2-1 | 2-2 |
Premier League Matchday 8: Saturday
Watford (#15, 7pts) vs Liverpool (#2, 15pts)
Pintsized
Claudio Ranieri’s arrival for the Hornets is sure to boost the changing room, yet the former PL winner has achieved little since his record-breaking seasons with Leicester. No amount of positive positivity can stop the Liverpool wrecking ball in the final third, and I expect the Scouser’s to out-score Watford in a surprisingly entertaining firefight.
Prediction: 2-3
Ryan
The international break has brought about a boatload of changes including the almost annual management replacement at Watford. This came after a somewhat unlucky loss against Leeds, being denied a point dubiously. Liverpool played out yet another game of the season candidate against title rivals City with another thrilling draw. Sometimes a new manager gives the players a bounce. I don’t see Claudio Ranieri doing that here.
Prediction: 0-3
Steviano
Liverpool will miss their Brazilian contingent with the COVID restrictions but still have plenty of firepower to beat a Watford team who will be boosted by the arrival of the Tinkerman but lack the quality to trouble the reds.
Prediction: 1-3
Aston Villa (#10, 10pts) vs Wolves (#12, 9pts)
Pintsized
A fantastic fixture between two teams that have the potential to kick on and challenge for European spots if they are victorious on Saturday. With a strengthened post-Grealish Villa squad showing little signs of weakness, it won’t be long before they start to burying a greater percentage of their chances. Wolves aren’t the pushovers they proved during the early stages of the season. Hwang Hee-Chan has finally seen Wolverhampton scoring again, and as a result, finishing the regular opportunities created by the powerhouse, Adama Traore.
Prediction: 1-1
Ryan
As predicted, Villa played their ‘cup final’ at Old Trafford and had no energy or answer for a resurgent Spurs. Wolves meanwhile seem to have found some scoring form in the shape of loan signing Hwang Hee-Chan with a win against a distracted Newcastle. This is technically a derby but definitely not a hyped one. Another difficult one to call but I think home advantage will be important here.
Prediction: 2-1
Steviano
Villa are missing key players through injury and COVID rules which might be enough for Wolves to nick a point.
Prediction: 1-1
Leicester (#13, 8pts) vs Man United (#4, 14pts)
Pintsized
Without regulars, Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire, shoring up the defence – United may find themselves in dire straits away from home. Lindelof and Bailly are a decent, experienced pairing but it only takes a small gust of wind to snap the Ivorian. With Jamie Vardy back to typically lethal form, it will take a monumental effort from United’s front three to keep pace.
Prediction: 2-1
Ryan
Where to start with two underperforming teams? Leicester somehow managed to bottle a 2-0 lead at Crystal Palace and scraped away with a draw despite Vardy’s hot streak. United meanwhile have serious questions all over the place – why did Ronaldo not start? Why did Fred start? What’s the game plan aside from individual brilliance? A home draw against Everton doesn’t help matters. Nor does Maguire and Varane being injured. With very random form on both sides, an exciting draw seems the best bet here.
Prediction: 2-2
Steviano
Both teams will be looking to get back to winning ways which should make for an open game but may play out as a draw.
Prediction: 2-1
Man City (#3, 14pts) vs Burnley (#18, 3pts)
Pintsized
Man, Burnley have historically had a stinker every time they face Pep’s City. While the Citizens are no longer the top private school rich boy in the league, their mega squad remain heavy favourites to win everything this season. Dyche’s side have looked less defensively resolute during 2021/22 while Guardiola’s strikerless squad still find the net with comical ease.
Prediction: 4-1
Ryan
A game of the season contender at Anfield definitely benefitted the away team more here with a valuable point. Talking of polar opposites, the stinkiest game of the season did not benefit the home team at all. This was a golden opportunity for Burnley to put their first win on the board and they failed to capitalise against a doomed Norwich. Essentially this game is just picking a number at random and that’s how many City will put past Burnley.
Prediction: 5-0
Steviano
City are another team with COVID players missing including Ederson, however squad depth should not be an issue and I expect them to continue Burnley’s miserable start to the season.
Prediction: 3-1
Norwich (#20, 1pts) vs Brighton (#6, 14pts)
Pintsized
Norwich may have secured their first point of the season away at Burnley last time out, yet their scrappy performance was underlined by successfully avoiding conceding a litany of penalties or cards. The ferocious pace set by Brighton early on has started to temper, yet the Seagulls have more than enough firepower and grit in the later periods to punish the Canaries.
Prediction: 0-3
Ryan
Norwich fans will be rejoicing with their first point (not win but point) on the board. This was probably more impressive than they’re being credited for given that it was a tough away day at fellow relegation candidates Burnley. Brighton meanwhile continue to pick up points on their train albeit in a stale affair against Arsenal. This is probably the best opportunity for hipsters favourite Graham Potter to pick up another victory and continue their incredible start.
Prediction: 1-2
Steviano
I’m struggling to see where Norwich’s first win is going to come from other than the championship next season – Brighton to get back to winning ways with the return of Bissouma.
Prediction: 1-3
Southampton (#17, 4pts) vs Leeds (#16, 6pts)
Pintsized
Southampton’s toothlessness in front of goal is a worrying trend. This isn’t Pulis’ Stoke, Southampton need to start bagging from open play if they want to remain a PL unit. With Kalvin Phillips returning for Leeds, Bielsa can finally find a season-defining performance that leads the Yorkies away from relegation.
Prediction: 0-1
Ryan
This is somewhat difficult to predict. Southampton put up a brave showing against Chelsea before eventually crumbling to Timo Werner of all players. Leeds meanwhile picked up their first win although they might feel fortunate to have done so. Nonetheless, this could be an interesting one with all outcomes being realistic and acceptable here. I’ll go down the middle.
Prediction: 1-1
Steviano
Southampton are still without a win this season whilst Leeds managed their first against Watford last time out and the return of Kalvin Phillips should give them another boost for this one.
Prediction: 1-2
Brentford (#7, 12pts) vs Chelsea (#1, 16pts)
Pintsized
It’s probably time to realise that Brentford aren’t enjoying a fluke start to the season. While second season syndrome may strike in 22/23, the Bees already look assured to stay up in their first Premier League season. Chelsea will prove their sternest test to date, however, as Tuchel’s magic has somehow got Werner back on the scoresheet. Expecting Lukaku to make a difference.
Prediction: 1-2
Ryan
This could be a really fun watch. Brentford are flying and a late win at an impressive West Ham will only fuel this streak. Chelsea meanwhile took time to get going against Southampton before the man advantage was enough to make the difference. Normally I like to throw a curveball each week and this will be mine. Brentford will stun an unprepared Chelsea for a shock home win.
Prediction: 2-1
Steviano
Brentford shocked Liverpool last time at home and followed up with a terrific win at the Hammers however I expect Chelsea to have too much for the Bees.
Prediction: 2-3
Premier League Matchday 8: Sunday
Everton (#5, 14pts) vs West Ham (#9, 11pts)
Pintsized
Benitez has Everton thriving off fast-paced counter-attacking football while Moyes maintains a set-piece dominant approach. Both managers have found surprising success throughout the season so far, but Everton’s injury worries are a red flag. Burnley were able to succeed through set-pieces at Goodison Park, Moyes is here to make a statement at his old club.
Prediction: 0-2
Ryan
Everton were good value at Old Trafford for their point, completely deserved especially with injuries to key players. West Ham meanwhile were on the wrong end of a comeback this time against surprise package Brentford. I can see this being an entertaining one and thus a difficult game to predict. For some reason, I feel like West Ham could have a field day on the counter attack and Moyes will be desperate to get one over his former team.
Prediction: 1-2
Steviano
Everton have a number of injuries ahead of this one and Moyes will want to get the Hammers firing again – relative upset with an away win.
Prediction: 1-2
Newcastle (#19, 3pts) vs Spurs (#8, 12pts)
Pintsized
Well, the biggest name on a team sheet this weekend is Steve Bruce remains at the helm of Newcastle. In no way am I a Newcastle fan, but seeing the media relentlessly hound Bruce has been upsetting. The issue is that with the party atmosphere at St James’ Park, an early Spurs goal will create hostility from a historically vocal fan base. With Kane still adamant about moving from Tottenham, a big performance against potential future employers is to be expected.
Prediction: 2-2
Ryan
Everything about Newcastle both on and off the pitch is a rollercoaster at the moment. On the pitch, a loss to Wolves didn’t help matters. Off the pitch, new ownership has given the fans some hope after umpteen years of nothingness. The way the managerial scenario is being handled is farcical and counterproductive at the moment. Spurs meanwhile pulled an impressive victory off against Aston Villa although no league goals for Kane still is worrying. Neither team is pulling up any trees at the moment but Spurs are a little less crazy and should have too much for a distracted Newcastle.
Prediction: 0-1
Steviano
Takeover fever will be in full swing but I expect Spurs to gatecrash the party
Prediction: 0-2
Premier League Matchday 8: Monday
Arsenal (#11, 10pts) vs Crystal Palace (#14, 7pts)
Pintsized
Ben White has silently been justifying his price tag with solid performances over the past few weeks. Vieira’s return to his old club could prove spicy, but most likely the two youthful teams will wear grind each other out in the middle of the park.
Prediction: 1-1
Ryan
Arsenal’s form is definitely more positive at the moment. Sure a 0-0 draw at Brighton is nothing to write home about but it’s definitely progress from their horrific start to the season. Patrick Vieira should get a great reception at the Emirates with a determined and dogged Palace team who showed spirit in their comeback against Leicester. I genuinely can’t see either side winning this one to be honest and that’s why I’ll plump with a draw.
Prediction: 1-1
Steviano
Arsenal to continue their recent improved form in a tough match against a competitive Palace team.
Prediction: 2-1
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