Hear that? That’s the Premier League grind.
With a round of League Cup fixtures prior to this weekend and a selection of European commitments for teams in the midweek following, this is where squads are tested. It’s where some start to show cracks, some thrive under the pressure of a congested schedule and astute managers count for so much.
So while there’s no standout glamour-tie from Week 6 of English football’s top flight, there’s every reason to be excited about what’s to come. So strap yourself in for the grind.
Read on for a focus on three fixtures and a line on the remaining seven clashes, plus a pick for each game. Predictions are in bold, odds and bookmaker in italics.
West Ham United vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Put yourself in the position of a Tottenham supporter—West Ham must be really quite annoying, mustn’t they?
While the chasm in class between the two sides means Spurs don’t have to worry about their London rivals for much of the campaign, West Ham have a habit of pulling off a decent result against them. The 1-0 win at the London Stadium late last term is the most pertinent example, as the loss derailed Tottenham’s title chances.
That wasn’t the first, though. Indeed, West Ham have gotten the better of Spurs on home soil in four of the last six meetings. Chants of “it’s happened again” from those in claret and blue aimed towards the Tottenham supporters are not without credence.
Spurs seem to have approached this fixture with vengeance on their minds far too frequently and have become embroiled in the battle West Ham want. But away from Wembley, there’ll be a sense of pressure relieved for Mauricio Pochettino’s men; if this one is approached with a clinical mindset, Tottenham can come through. 1-2 (8/1 Bet365)
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Southampton vs. Manchester United
Southampton are the latest outfit tasked with getting one over on Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United. And of all the teams the Red Devils have took on this season, Saints may well be the best equipped to do so.
Mauricio Pellegrino has fashioned a robust and physical football team. Wesley Hoedt has settled in since in his move from Lazio, while Mario Lemina has been like a magnet to the ball in midfield after arriving from Juventus. Factor in the potential return of Virgil van Dijk and Southampton are going to frustrate many opponents.
Although they’ll be without Paul Pogba in midfield again, the Red Devils will be up for the battle. Nemanja Matic and Marouane Fellaini will compete, while it’d be no surprise if Ander Herrera was drafted in to shore up the middle third of the field. From there, Mourinho will want to see his attacking talent win the game.
And you suspect they will. Because not only has Romelu Lukaku been potent and Henrikh Mkhitaryan incisive, from the bench the Red Devils have so many weapons to take a game away from opponents. They will stifle Saints and eventually find a way. 0-1 (11/2 Paddy Power)
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Leicester City vs. Liverpool
Having lost 2-0 to Leicester in the League Cup in midweek, you sense plenty of Liverpool supporters would have preferred a different opponent this weekend. But Reds boss Jurgen Klopp will relish it.
The opportunity to right a wrong in football so quickly rarely comes around like this. Liverpool will field a much stronger side than they did so in midweek, although worryingly for those associated with the Anfield outfit, regardless of the personnel, there’s a thread of defensive complacency in all of their recent displays.
Leicester sensed that on Tuesday. Shinji Okazaki entered the action and unsettled the opposition back four, while a string of other attackers followed his lead. With Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez to come back into the side, this Reds defence will be tested physically and mentally at the King Power Stadium.
Goals seem like a given here, especially with the prolific Mohamed Salah set to return for Liverpool alongside the omnipresent Roberto Firmino. Leicester have struggled to convert good performances into points against the division’s best sides this season, but will do enough for one in an entertaining encounter. 2-2 (14/1 William Hill)
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Burnley vs. Huddersfield
Identity is a buzzword in modern football and no side in the Premier League has a clearer one than Burnley. After another battling point on the road last time out, manager Sean Dyche will want to see his team build some momentum at home now; they should do so against a Huddersfield team who looked prone to physical football in their loss at West Ham. 2-0 (9/1 Bet 365)
Everton vs. Bournemouth
Two teams who have showcased green shoots of recovery after poor starts to the season. Everton looked a little more like themselves in midweek in the win over Sunderland, whereas Bournemouth grabbed a morale-boosting win at home to Brighton last Friday. Home advantage will swing an even game the Toffees’ way. 2-1(8/1 BetStars)
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Manchester City vs. Crystal Palace
It’s tough to remember a mismatch like this on paper in the Premier League for many years. City are swaggering and scoring at will at the moment, whereas Crystal Palace are rooted to the foot of the table without a point or a goal. The Eagles should be a little more organized after another week of being Roy-Hodgson-field, but the hosts will still put on a show. 4-0 (10/1 Betfair)
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Stoke City vs. Chelsea
Stoke are a funny side, aren’t they? Against Arsenal and Manchester United they acquitted themselves wonderfully, though their displays in back-to-back losses against Newcastle and Bristol City were abject. They’ll be better at home, though not good enough to tame a Chelsea side that’ll be desperate to respond after their stalemate with Arsenal. 1-3 (14/1 Bet365)
Swansea City vs. Watford
The bulging balloon of positivity at Watford was punctured in emphatic fashion by Manchester City last weekend in a 6-0 mauling and it’ll be a test of character to see if the Hornets can bounce back on the road. Swansea will be buoyed by the way they held Spurs to a 0-0 draw at Wembley last weekend; they only look like a one-goal team at the moment, though. 1-1 (6/1 William Hill)
Brighton vs. Newcastle United
The value of a canny Premier League manager has been so apparent for Newcastle in the early weeks of the season, as Rafael Benitez has been the catalyst to a strong start to the campaign for the Magpies. Brighton, by contrast, are still finding their feet as a Premier League side. It’s easy to see both sides settling for a point here. 0-0 (7/1 William Hill)
Arsenal vs. West Bromwich Albion
Possibly the biggest clash of styles we’ll see in the Premier League this season. Arsenal will boss possession and meticulously probe, whereas at the Baggies will seek to clatter and kick their way towards goal. West Brom have made some steady progress as of late, but it’s still difficult to decipher what their way to wins will be in away games in 2017-18. 2-0 (7/1 William Hill)
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