It would appear that I left for international break just before making my picks for match day 7. Quick peak back at the carnage before moving on to bigger and better things this weekend.
Match One: Man U vs Sunderland
Prediction: 2-0 Sunderland
Reality: 2-0 Man U
At least I picked the number of goals correctly. United got their shit together for once and took care of business. They’ll need to do that a lot more often as it seems ownership is committed to keeping Rueben for some reason. And I’m sure that reason has nothing to do with money from the team that recently got rid of free sandwiches at the training grounds.
Sunderland is off to a good start and they can pretend it’s the 90’s where losing at Old Trafford wouldn’t be seen as embarrassing.
Match Two: Arsenal vs West Ham
Prediction: 1-1
Reality: 2-0 Arsenal
I’ll be honest. That was a hopeful prediction. Not a cool calculated one. Get ready Arsenal fans for some genuine praise.
That defense is world class. Truly. It’s smothering.
Which makes it all that much more annoying that Arteta still plays so timidly. With a back line that’s nearly impenetrable they should be pressing their advantage more. Will this come back to bite them after 38 weeks? We shall see….
Match Three: Chelsea vs Liverpool
Prediction: 2-1 Liverpool
Reality: 2-1 Blues
Reverse jinx properly applied. Chelsea kept everyone on the pitch for once and notched a crucial 3 points. The young squad seems to be gelling nicely.
And speaking of Not Young, Mo Salah. He appears to have aged a decade in a year. At no point did he seem threatening or scary. Perhaps it’s just a blip but if this is his new normal Liverpool might have an issue on their hands this season.
This week let’s take a look at the table leaders, some newly promoted squads and the clash at Anfield.
Onto this week!
Match One: Fulham vs Arsenal
As stated above this Arsenal defense is pretty stout. 3 goals allowed in 7 games. But they can only allow 11 more all year if they want to beat the Chelsea record. This week should be more of a test than the flaccid West Ham.
As an American we need more stadiums with great names like Craven Cottage. Instead we get nothing but corporate sponsored drivel that only becomes iconic if it’s been around 100 years, looking at you Wrigley. Unfortunately home field advantage won’t mean much. Arsenal will strangle the life out of this game and then get a late one to put it away, probably from a corner.
Prediction 2-0 Arsenal
Match Two: Burnley vs Leeds
I feel that more often than not teams like these put on an epic show. There is something to be said for two teams that fully believe they can best the opposition. No cagey play, just hammer and tongs. Hopefully we get one of those as Burnley tries to climb out of the relegation spot and Leeds looks to widen the gap. I’m feeling a lot of bulges in the ol’ onion bag
Prediction: 3-3
Match Three: Liverpool vs Man U
Here we have the mirror image of Burnley/Leeds. A match that is hyped every year because the franchises involved are legendary. Far too often these massive tilts end up as duds. The formula for the Big 6, which includes United somehow still, is to beat up on the guppies and break even against the big boys. I fully expect United to sit back and counter every now and then, but they will play to not be embarrassed.
Even with an old Salah Liverpool should have enough to get the job done. Don’t expect any fireworks though.
Prediction: 2-0 Liverpool
Enjoy the games and remember, you get what you paid for!