Probably the best game of the week. A perfect example to understand why the manager is the most important person in a football team. Ten Haag has stamped his authority on this united team and despite not having a perfect squad of players he is managing to get results. It’s the way they set up in both home games against Liverpool and Arsenal. Happy to sit back absorb pressure and counter attack. They are not worried about possession of the ball and they are playing to their strength of pace and power to which they have added a new winger.
Rashford is flourishing since he has been preferred over Ronaldo and Sancho looks like the player we all saw in his Dortmund days. There will still be more bad days than good but this United team has managed to put together a run of four wins and the credit goes to the manager.
Arsenal on the other hand are an excellent team and may be stronger than most team barring City and Liverpool on paper. Their problem is their manager who is inexperienced and tactically poor. Everyone before the game knew that United will look to defend and counter attack so all Arteta needed was to stay compact and find spaces as game gets older. Arsenal had an extra day to prepare for the game and they could have taken advantage in the last 15 minutes but Arteta decided to go for an attacking display and played perfectly in United’s hands. As if he never saw or learnt anything from United’s win against Liverpool. To make matters worse he praised his team’s performance and his tactics after the match. If Arsenal plays this openly against City, Liverpool, Spurs and Newcastle then they are bound to lose all those games.
Next up Arsenal face a resurgent Everton with some really good new signings and it will be a very hard game for them. My prediction for that game is a 1-1 draw. United travel to Crystal Palace and that’s always been a team they historically struggle against. I can see United’s winning run ending at Selhurst Park and I expect palace to win 2-1.
Aston Villa V Man City (1-1, prediction 0-5)
Once Haaland scored it felt like that the floodgates would open and Villa will get trounced but credit to their team spirit and effort Villa managed to stage a comeback and if it wasn’t for poor refereeing Villa could have actually won it. City have a new dimension with their new striker going forward but they are still a bit suspect defensively. I still see them as potential champions and anyone who finishes above City will win the league. Next up City are facing Spurs, the only team that beat them twice last season. But with Haaland and his ability in the air Conte’s tactics of park the bus and enjoy the ride might not work. I think City at home will be too strong for this Spurs team and should win 3-0. Villa are off to bottom of the table Leicester and though Leicester lost over the weekend I can see them getting their first win against Villa. 3-1 to Leicester.
Everton V Liverpool (0-0, Prediction 1-3)
I cannot remember watching a more exciting and pulsating 0-0 draw before. The derby had everything in it from flowing moves multiple scoring chances flying tackles and two teams giving it everything to win the game. Having said that Liverpool should be winning games like this as they cant afford to give City a large lead to chase later in the season. Everton looked good with the new center back partnership and now Idris coming back from PSG will boost them further. They have a very tough task of hosting Wolves next week who can defend and frustrate Liverpool. I still see Liverpool finding a way. 1-0 to Liverpool. Everton are off to Emirates and with the new found confidence I back them to get a draw at Emirates. 1-1.
Chelsea v West Ham (2-1, Prediction 2-1)
Chelsea were extremely lucky to get this draw against West ham. For me the goal scored against Chelsea on Saturday and the goal scored against Manchester United on Sunday both should have stood. The inconsistency in the decisions riles fans up but in a way that adds to the passion and beauty of football. Havertz finally got on to the score sheet and Chilwell’s return is more than welcome.
Now with Auba in the mix Chelsea needs to concentrate on their away form and they visit Fulham next who are really good at home. 2-2 draw for me and Auba to score. West Ham have improved considerably and were extremely unlucky against Spurs and Chelsea. Next up they face a very good Newcastle team but if luck goes their way they should be able to nick it 2-1.
Tottenham V Fulham (2-1, Prediction 1-1)
Spurs once again didn’t look very easy on the eye. No free flowing football and Son is still struggling to find form. Kane is also restricted to penalties and tap ins and the performances we are so used to watching are not there. Then again they have a tactical genius in Conte and they are unbeaten and winning games despite not playing well. Fulham gave a good fight away from home and Mitrovic scored yet another goal but it wasn’t good enough. Spurs now face the might of City away from home and with Haaland in form and City wounded after Villa game one has to back City to win. Fulham host Chelsea and it should be a draw if Chelsea brought their A game to craven Cottage.
Brighton v Leicester (5-2, Prediction 2-0)
Brighton are flying and were ruthless against Leicester. Even the shock of going a goal down early didn’t seem to faze them and they were all over Brendon Roger’s team. Leicester have problems that need resolving early. No win as yet and bottom of the table is not the kind of start they wanted. They Host Villa next and it is a must win for them and I do see them winning. Brighton are away to Bournemouth and I expect them to draw the game 2-2
Forest v Bournemouth (2-3, Prediction 1-0)
Garry O’Neil has got us all be surprise. After a 9-0 defeat to Liverpool and sacking of manager Bournemouth seemed destined for the drop but they have come out fighting and came back from two goals down to get three points. Forest are in trouble. When you are playing your relegation rivals at home and you are two goals up then you should not be losing that game. Bournemouth host Brighton next and should manage a draw. Forrest are off to Leeds and I expect them to lose 3-1.
Brentford v Leeds (5-2, Prediction 2-2)
I will be very surprised if Ivan Toney is a Brentford player next season. The highlight of the game was his sublime free kick and he is very quickly taking his team to safety. Leeds have had a better start to the season than expected but they now seem to be losing direction. Brentford are off to Southampton next and I expect Southampton win that game 2-1. Leeds are hosting Forest and should win easily.
Wolves v Southampton (1-0, Prediction 0-0)
Wolves finally managed to score though it was a combination of a mishit and poor goal keeping. Southampton once again should have scored and failed to do so. Wolves are off to Liverpool next and with their defense it will be a job for Liverpool to find a way. I expect Wolves to lose at Anfield while Southampton should manage to beat Brentford at home.
Newcastle v Palace (0-0, Prediction 3-1)
I cannot fathom how this one ended in a draw. Both teams had the chances to score and both failed to do so. Palace are at home next facing in form Manchester United but I have a feeling they will end the run United are on. Newcastle go to face Hammers and I feel it’s about time luck favours West Ham and they should ideally win.
MATCHDAY 7 PREDICTIONS
| Matchday 7 Predictions | ||||
| FULHAM | WWDDW | 2 | ||
| V | ||||
| CHELSEA | LLWWW | 2 | ||
| BOURNEMOUTH | DLWLL | 2 | ||
| V | ||||
| BRIGHTON | LWWWW | 2 | ||
| LEICESTER | LLDWL | 3 | ||
| V | ||||
| VILLA | LWLLW | 1 | ||
| LIVERPOOL | WWDLW | 1 | ||
| V | ||||
| WOLVES | DLLDD | 0 | ||
| SOUTHAMPTON | WLDLW | 2 | ||
| V | ||||
| BRENTFORD | DWLDW | 1 | ||
| MAN CITY | WWWWW | 3 | ||
| V | ||||
| TOTTENHAM | DWDWW | 0 | ||
| ARSENAL | WWWWL | 1 | ||
| V | ||||
| EVERTON | DDWLW | 1 | ||
| WEST HAM | DLWLD | 2 | ||
| V | ||||
| NEWCASTLE | LDWDL | 1 | ||
| C. PALACE | DWLWD | 2 | ||
| V | ||||
| MAN UNITED | WWLWL | 1 | ||
| LEEDS | DWWWW | 3 | ||
| V | ||||
| N. FOREST | LWDLD | 1 | ||