The international break has put my boredom levels to an all time high. No United, no subreddit news and England are wank. He's a look at the upcoming gameweek after 2 weeks off...
Our draw against Stoke at Old Trafford meant we lost the chance to go above Everton and 1 point behind Liverpool. However, it is still early days as we sit just 3 points behind Arsenal in 3rd and Liverpool in 4th.
Saturday
City (1st) take on Everton (5th) at the Etihad.
City lost their first game under Guardiola last time around against a very good Spurs side. We failed to capitalise on their defeat, but still closed the gap by 1 point, putting the gap now at 5.
Everton may prove a test for Guardiola's team after being humbled at Spurs, and especially with main man de Bruyne out injured. If results don't go their way, City could actually find themselves falling from the top to 4th! (But we don't want that, that'd mean Liverpool winning). There are no easy games in this league.
Everton look decent under Koeman, but I myself have doubts in their ability to keep it up. I'd love it if Lukaku showed up against them. Lukaku for me either takes the game by the scruff of the neck and makes it his bitch, or he's totally invisible. There doesn't seem to be any middle ground whenever i've watched Everton. If he was consistent (Like Aguero for example), he'd be one of the most highly rated strikers in the world. The talent is there.
I don't think Everton will get a result, but i think they'll give City a game.
Prediction: 3-1 City.
West Brom (9th) vs Tottenham (2nd)
Poch has done wonders with his Spurs side and again they are up near the top of the table. They're genuinely dangerous and that showed vs City, and they remain the only unbeaten team in the league, just 1 point off the top.
Can Spurs win the league? For the first time ever, it wouldn't surprise me. Especially after last season. Spurs played great football last season and it's baffling how they actually finished behind Arsenal AGAIN. Their desire has transferred to this season it seems, and now they have the chance to learn from their mistakes.
Spurs go away to Pulis' West Brom, and it's difficult to see any other result than a Spurs win against a team who are build around defending, and with Spurs in such good defending form themselves plus looking fluid in attack. I personally wouldn't be surprised to see West Brom in a relegation fight this season.
Prediction: All Spurs in my opinion. Comfortable 2-0.
Arsenal (3rd) vs Swansea (17th)
When it rains, it pours for Arsenal, but when it's sunny, it's a heatwave. In their past 8 games Arsenal have won 7 (Including a 3-0 win against Chelsea) and drawn 1 (To PSG away) after 1 point from their opening 2 league games. It's only a matter of time before their form goes from WWWWW to WLDWLL, cries for Wenger Out, before it changes to WWWWW again. Rinse and repeat. Do i think they can challenge for the league...Nope. Not with City and Spurs looking far more consistent. I do think they'll be up there sniffing around for another collapse though.
Arsenal host a Swansea team with a new manager in Bob Bradley, a team who sit 17th in the league. If Arsenal play their game, they'll win comfortably. But as i said early, it's only a matter of time before their form does another nosedive.
I think this game will put a dent in their run of form. New manager for the Swans, and pretty much nothing to lose. Lets not forget that they don't have shit players, they've got Llorente, Sigurdsson and others. I even think Swansea will take the lead.
Prediction: 1-1.
Chelsea (7th) vs Leicester (9th)
We are only ahead of Chelsea on goal difference after they beat Hull last time out. But they have stalled recently. They got beaten by Liverpool and Arsenal in concecutive league games. a few weeks ago. We have the exact same record as Chelsea. Conte faces yet another challenge against a team with something to prove.
Champions Leicester have already dropped more points this season than they did in the entirety of their title winning campaign. They have 8 points from a possible 21 and sit 12th. We thumped them 4-1 at Old Trafford, will they hold out at Stamford Bridge?
I think this will be a very close game. I'm on the fence for a clear winner to be honest as i think it could go either way.
Prediction: 2-1 Chelsea (Maybe)
Palace (8th) vs West Ham (18th)
Listing Palace's game as they can go above us with certain results. Palace host struggling West Ham, and they'd need a victory and a defeat for us to move up. I don't have that much to say about Palace as it is still early, and looking over our shoulder at this stgae would be foolish. It would be funny to see them win however to dump more misery on West Ham.
Prediction: 1-0 Palace
No games of interest on Sunday
Monday
Liverpool (4th) vs Manchester United (6th)
Another trip to Anfield, with Liverpool in decent form. I'll save the main discussion points for the pre match thread, but this should be a fiery MNF game and we'll see where we stand as a team after 90 mins. If you deal with their pressing, their mediocraty is exposed. Saido Mane is just a poor man's Jesse Lingard and Clyne has a topless poster of Tony V in his bedroom. If Pogba and Herrera have good games in CM and do their defensive duties well against their tricky forward players, i think we'll win. An early goal will be worth it's weight in gold.
Prediction: IDK
Bring on Saturday
ここには何もないようです