Okay everyone it is time for our resident Just Arsenal tipster, Dan Smith, to tell us the Premier League results for the upcoming weekend, but to start with I’ll give you a little update on Mr Admin’s personal traveling status. Today I am in Palawan in the Phillipines and have been to the UNESCO-rated Subterraneum river. Amazing! The weather is much better thankyou (I hear you have snow in UK…) but where I am only has electric 12 hours a day and dont even ask about internet! I am hotspotting but only available for another half hour! I am travelling to the capital tomorrow so hopefully internet will improve—-
So let me get Dan’s predictions up quick!
Spurs 1-0 Newcastle
It was a massive last 10 minutes for Spurs at Wembley in midweek. Dropped points would have seen them dragged into the race for the top 4. I can see this game having a similar pattern. Empty seats, apprehension but doing just enough to get over the line. It’s been a great week to be a part of the Toon Army, beating the champions followed by breaking their transfer record. Perhaps Mike Ashley ‘s last attempt to convince Rafa not to leave in the summer? The Spaniard is a smart man, he knows avoiding relegation again makes him a legend on Tyneside, there is nothing else to achieve under the current regime.
Brighton 1-1 Watford
Very unlike a Chris Hughton team to throw away a two-goal lead, a manager who prides himself on being well organised. He will go back to basics and probably be even more cautious. Watford were brilliant in defeat at Wembley and here’s a question, is Ben Foster the most underrated keeper in the league?
Burnley 1-1 Southampton
I would suggest that Burnley have refound their mojo. Nearly 40, it’s great that Crouch, one of the good guys of the game, finds himself back in the big time. It also shows that Sean Dyche isn’t exactly looking to revolutionise his style of play.
Chelsea 3-0 Huddersfield
Two weeks ago, Sarri chose to publicly call out his players. A fortnight later, they suffer their biggest defeat since the late 90s. It’s hard to predict where the Blues go from here, history shows once senior players fall out with their boss, they have a habit of not performing. But if they could hand pick a fixture though it be this one.
Palace 2-2 Fulham
Saha is starting to be remembered for his constant complaining rather than scoring goals. His sense of entitlement, in terms of being ‘singled out’ shows a youngster who lacks the mentality to make it at the highest level. How many times does he think Messi gets kicked? Fulham have half a chance of survival due to having a goal scorer, something their rivals don’t have …
Everton 1-2_Wolves
I don’t think the Everton players enjoy playing at home at the moment. Goodison is quick to get nervous, which plays into away team’s hands, especially the likes of Wolves. The visitors will just keep passing the ball, the more possession the more the groans from the stands. Everton might be this season’s biggest underachievers.
Cardiff 1- 3 Cherries
I’m glad in the end Cardiff didn’t try to buy a striker. How ethically can you try and replace a man who you still don’t know is 100 percent not alive? I also heard them starting to talk about compensation but now is not the time. Some things are bigger then football and you wasting 15 million is an issue that is not a priority right now. If the Cherries repeat their Chelsea performance, they will have too much.
Sunday
Leicester 2-2 Man United
These types of games ate the ones the Foxes respond to, their problem is they get a result here then lose to a Huddersfield. As much as United have improved you can still get at their back 4, attacking wise though everyone is on form. Probably favourites to make too 4 as they have momentum and unlike us or Chelsea seem to be enjoying their football. Martial wouldn’t have signed a new contract if Jose was still there.
Man City 3-1
The last 3 times we played City we looked scared of them, showing them too much respect so I’m interested to see if Unai Emery has something up his sleeve (I can’t see him picking Ozil for this one). The question is do our players mentally believe they can get a result? Does a Mustafi have the personality where he’s going to lead his backline, pull people into position, bark orders, etc. People point to the likes of Palace, Leicester and Newcastle upsetting the champions, but they have the individuals where for the last 20 minutes of a match they can be organised and a hard nut to crack. Nonetheless Pep’s men do seem to struggle with adversity so the longer we stay in the match the more nervous the Etihad will become. In terms of the title race we are a dangerous side to play when all the pressure is on the home side.
Monday
West Ham 1-1 Liverpool
It was a chance missed for the leaders in midweek, but the fact is it’s another point further ahead of the champions. That’s what the leaders in your dressing room need to be saying, the problem is not too many at Anfield have experience of a title run. What was noticeable on Wednesday was for the first time the pressure seemed to be getting to the Reds. In my opinion that was the impact of having to play after City which is mentally huge. There’s a difference between playing to go 8 points clear and kicking off with the gap just 2.
Dan Smith