Another week of EPL awaits, and it should be a cracking weekend of Football with two of the fiercest local derbies on offer this weekend. Both derbies are between teams separated by just one place on the ladder, the difference being the derby in Manchester is for first place where the north east match up of Newcastle and Sunderland sees both teams in the bottom three.
There’s plenty of gold elsewhere, and we run the rule over all of the games in the revamped Own Goal – EPL Edition. Those who love their Football League never fear, there’s a separate Own Goal coming featuring the Championship, League One and League Two.
HIGHLIGHTS
ARSENAL v EVERTON – Sun (FOX 4 02:20)
SUNDERLAND v NEWCASTLE – Sun (FOX 4 21:55)
MANCHESTER UTD v MANCHESTER CITY – Sun (FOX 4 23:55)
THIS WEEK’S RUNDOWN
ASTON VILLA V SWANSEA CITY – SAT 23:55 – (FOX RED BUTTON)
Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood is one game down of the two he apparently needed to save his job, and with the loss at Chelsea making it five straight losses, he is a special to be next manager sacked. Especially if David Moyes comes on the market, which given the form of Real Sociedad may be soon. Especially if they lose to Swansea who are on a bad run of form. But Swansea have two men in Ayew and Gomis who look more likely to score.
STATISTICS PLEASE – Swansea yet to win away this season (P4 D2 L2). Not that Villa can talk, they’re yet to win at home (P4 D1 L3).
GURGLER TIP – SWANSEA to win
LEICESTER CITY v CRYSTAL PALACE – SAT 23:55 – (FOX RED BUTTON)
The hipster’s choice for game of the week, and they may not be wrong as two of the three surprise packets of 2015-16 go head to head within the Top 6. Crystal Palace will be happy it’s away from home where they are strong, Leicester are no slouches either with just a hammering from Arsenal the only real blemish.
STATISTICS PLEASE – There should be plenty of goals – 20 have been scored in 4 Leicester home games this season and 9 from Crystal Palace’s 4 away games.
GURGLER TIP – OVER 2.5 GOALS
NORWICH CITY v WBA – SAT 23:55 – (FOX RED BUTTON)
Norwich return to Carrow Road in a state of shock as their tremendous away record under Alex Neil was blown away by a side who were and still are in the bottom three. WBA turned around a two game losing streak with a win against Sunderland, a rare hat trick is on offer.
STATISTICS PLEASE – Norwich have now conceded the most goals with 20. WBA have more points away (7 from 4) than at home (4 from 5)
GURGLER TIP – DRAW
STOKE v WATFORD – SAT 23:55 – (FOX RED BUTTON)
Stoke won a third game in a row on Monday in Swansea, a rarity for the Potters and will fancy a fourth. Watford though have been solid, almost unnoticed so far this season, not a bad thing for a promoted club.
STATISTICS PLEASE – Before their last home win Stoke had the equal worst home record. Watford’s only away loss was against Man City.
GURGLER TIP – DRAW
WEST HAM v CHELSEA – SAT 23:55 – (FOX SPORTS 4)
Given current form for both sides, if this game were at Stamford Bridge West Ham should be favourites. The Hammers are nowhere near as good at home, probably as equally ordinary as Chelsea have been everywhere. Sure they beat Aston Villa, but a lot of sides will do that this season, and the trip to the Ukraine on Tuesday night won’t help. However with Chelsea unbeaten against West Ham in the last 5 meetings, and underwhelming Hammers home form, it points to Chelsea pinching a goal and win.
STATISTICS PLEASE – West Ham have scored in every game this season (Avg 2.2 per game). West Ham have the 15th best home record, Chelsea the 15th best away form.
GURGLER TIP – CHELSEA to win
ARSENAL v EVERTON – SUN 02:20 – (FOX SPORTS 4)
Arsenal defied the critics with a win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and will defy the critics with back to back great performances and wins. Everton will need to get back on track after losing to Man Utd last weekend.
STATISTICS PLEASE – Everton have not won at the Emirates for at least 6 games. Arsenal’s record after Champions League is a controversial loss to Chelsea and 3-0 win over Man Utd.
GURGLER TIP: ARSENAL to win
SUNDERLAND v NEWCASTLE – SUN 21:55 – (FOX SPORTS 4)
A very bitter local rivalry gets the early kick off it needs on Sunday evening given that a past game ended in a scuffle and a Police Horse getting punched. Once again Sunderland arrive to this fixture after a recent manager change – all of which have been temporarily successful in this fixture but ultimately no better than the predecessor. Add more bitterness in the new manager Sam Allardyce who was sacked at Newcastle, but kept himself consoled with a multi million payout. Still as a former Sunderland player and sacked Magpies manager there’s plenty of reasons for Sam to want to win this weekend. The big question is whether Newcastle’s 6-2 win was a turnaround or a one off.
STATISTICS PLEASE – Sunderland have won the past 5 games v Newcastle with a goal difference of 10 For and 1 against.
GURGLER TIP: SUNDERLAND OR DRAW v Newcastle
BOURNEMOUTH V SPURS – SUN 23:50 – (FOX SPORTS 5)
Spurs continue unbeaten since Round 1 after drawing with Liverpool last weekend. Bournemouth are a quite likeable side but major injuries have cost them so far, and if they don’t get more luck in that department they will be looking at a quick return to the Championship.
STATISTICS PLEASE – SPURS are unbeaten away
GURGLER TIP: SPURS to win.
MANCHESTER UNITED v MANCHESTER CITY – SUN 23:55 – (FOX SPORTS 4)
Arguably the big derby of the weekend, and plenty to play for as ever, and with top spot and early bragging right on offer for the winner. More to play for this year than the Moyes era and last season where van Gaal was yet to have an impact and City looked disinterested at times. Manchester City have won 5-1 and 6-1 since their loss at Spurs, and Manchester Utd have been quietly going about 4 wins from 5 games. Hopefully this game will avoid the boring draw that is usually played out between top sides in major leagues.
STATISTICS PLEASE – Man Utd are unbeaten in 11/12 home games. The losing side in each of Manchester City’s last five games has scored exactly one goal.
GURGLER TIP: OVER 2.5 GOALS
LIVERPOOL v SOUTHAMPTON – SUN 02:05 – (FOX SPORTS 4)
The Klopp revolution continues as the media love fest continues. Justified given the other personalities and yawn factories that are the current managers. Liverpool did look better than Spurs early, but the draw was ultimately a good result for them. But wins are needed soon, and Southampton won’t be easy.
STATISTICS PLEASE – Both teams have the same results so far (P 9 W3 D4 L2) but Southampton are 8th to Liverpool’s 10th due to goal difference. Interesting that Raheem Sterling scored four last weekend, Liverpool’s best striker return of 2 goals is shared between 3 of their players.
GURGLER TIP: DRAW
