Godwin Odiko shares EPL MD 16 predictions

It’s going to be a weekend full of excitement in the English Premier League (EPL), as Manchester United welcome Manchester City and Liverpool take on Everton in the Merseyside derby. Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs would also be focused on winning, as they look to mount pressure on teams above them on the log.

So who is winning in the derbies? Read on to find out.

WEST HAM V CHELSEA

Thought West Ham were impressive last time out at the Etihad – as they tried to frustrate Pep Guardiola’s team, only to see their hope of coming out of that game with a point dashed in the 83rd minute by a David Silva strike. They can build on that solid performance against Chelsea, but, I think City’s dwindling performance didn’t start against West Ham, as the Hammers only took advantage of City’s recent relapses in the league. So I think with Chelsea; it’s going to be a different ball game. Another David Moyes defeat is on the cards here.

MY PREDICTION: West Ham 0-2 Chelsea

BURNLEY V WATFORD

Watford this campaign seem to perform better away from home, with their four wins away from home against their two at home a glaring evidence. They held Spurs to a 1-1 draw at home last weekend, and I think they will go to Burnley and cause Sean Dyche and his men lots of trouble. I am settling for a draw in this game.

MY PREDICTION: Burnley 1-1 Watford

CRYSTAL PALACE V BOURNEMOUTH

Roy Hodgson has improved this Crystal Palace since he came in, and I see them getting something from this clash on Saturday. Bournemouth should be very careful here, else they will get beaten by Palace. But I think this will end in stalemate.

MY PREDICTION: Crystal Palace 1-1 Bournemouth

HUDDERSFIELD V BRIGHTON

Brighton have been doing well in the league until they faced Liverpool last weekend and they got battered 5-1. That defeat will shatter their confidence, as they have only conceded three goals in the previous four league games before Liverpool. But Huddersfield are also suffering at the moment, and this game would come to both sides as one to help rectify their shattering forms.

MY PREDICTION: Huddersfield 0-0 Brighton

SWANSEA V WEST BROM

Paul Clement is under pressure to change the fortunes of the club now occupying the bottom spot on the log with just nine points and two wins so far. But will come against a West Brom side that would try to impress under new manager Alan Pardew. This game is designed to end in stalemate, but the side that scores first here would want to hold on to the win, and things might become difficult for the other party.

MY PREDICTION: Swansea 0-0 West Brom

SPURS V STOKE

Spurs scored three past Apoel in midweek, but their goal-scoring form at Wembley in the league hasn’t been encouraging. Stoke would look at Spurs goal-scoring record at home and come into this one looking to inflict damage on their host. But I am going for a Spurs win nevertheless. Burnley are breathing down their neck on the log, and I don’t think Spurs are comfortable seeing that.

MY PREDICTION: Spurs 2-0 Stoke

NEWCASTLE V LEICESTER

Newcastle’s form seem to decline by the week these days, while Leicester seem to be on some sort of resurgence with their new boss Claude Puel – losing only to City since they appointed the French manager. I see Leicester coming out of this game at struggling Newcastle with something.

MY PREDICTION: Newcastle 1-2 Leicester

SOUTHAMPTON V ARSENAL

Arsenal were unlucky not to come out of last weekend game against United with a point, thanks to David de Gea’s heroics in goal. And they responded to that defeat with a bang against BATE Borisov in midweek. Southampton are a decent side though, but I don’t see them getting something decent from this clash against Arsene Wenger’s men on Sunday.

MY PREDICTION: Southampton 0-2 Arsenal

LIVERPOOL V EVERTON

Sam Allardyce have come into Everton and turned their season around dramatically. Rooney scored a hat-trick on the day he came to the club to be confirmed as their new boss, as Everton won that game against West Ham 4-0. And he has also won all two games in charge of The Toffees. But this derby clash against Liverpool will serve as a big test to ‘Big Sam’ as he looks to curtail the firing power of the Reds ‘fab four’. But I think Jurgen Klopp’s men would have too much for Everton in a high-scoring Merseyside derby on Sunday.

MY PREDICTION: Liverpool 3-2 Everton

MANUTD V MAN CITY

This isn’t just a game to see who earns the Manchester derby bragging rights, but also a season-defining game for both clubs chasing glory in the league. Teams have started to slow Pep Guardiola’s City down, as they got their first defeat this season at Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek. But United will play this one without their suspended midfield maestro Paul Pogba, which City would be looking to capitalize on. José Mourinho’s side without Pogba will come into this one looking to catch their opponent on the break and try to exploit City’s weakness in defending against aerial balls – as we saw in their game against West Ham last weekend. I think Fellaini if fit would start this game and try to impose himself in midfield and cause the Citizens trouble in their box. I see United coming out of this with something.

MY PREDICTION: Manutd 1-1 Man City