Another weekend of Premier League football is upon us, and Dan Smith is back with his Week 8 predictions.
Arsenal welcome Everton to the Emirates on Saturday looking to keep the pressure on Manchester City, who remain three points clear at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners scraped a narrow 1-0 victory away at Nottingham Forest last weekend before producing a much more entertaining performance in Wednesday night’s Champions League encounter, fighting back to earn a 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich. With Everton up next, can Arteta’s side build on that European performance and keep pace with City?
Dan is backing another narrow Arsenal victory, but can the Gunners keep getting results without producing their best football?
Here are Dan’s predictions for all ten fixtures, followed by the latest Just Arsenal European Cup standings.
Dan’s Premier League Week 8 Predictions
Ipswich 1-1 N Forest
Oliver Glasner will feel enough chances have been made in Forest’s opening fixtures to not panic yet. That might change if he ends up 7 points behind his opponents.
Even against Arsenal, they had a couple of chances late on but were guilty of players taking an extra touch when they didn’t need to.
Individually or collectively, they just need that bit of luck in the final third. Law of averages, they are due some good fortune.
Villa 1-2 Man City
Semenyo is unavailable for the trip to Birmingham, making Phil Foden’s midweek hat trick timely.
The one hope the rest of the division might have is I’m not sure Maresca has the squad to cope with too many injuries.
The other, of course, is they could be facing a points deduction after Christmas.
Instead of complaining about the staff turnover, Unai Emery generally seems to be enjoying the challenge of building a new squad. New players are starting to form an understanding, but this game might come too soon.
There’s talk from fans that building their new stand is impacting the atmosphere at Villa Park, which is affecting their home form. Those are the small details which can be the difference between winning and not at the highest level of sport.
(Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Arsenal 1-0 Everton
I’ll go with the Champions not playing well, keeping the game tight, then finding that one moment to win the game, as that seems to be the Gunners’ pattern at the moment in the Premiership.
Law of averages, that attitude will eventually catch up with you, so it would be reassuring to see Mikel Arteta focusing on starting the game faster.
Some Gooners are getting vocal about the lack of entertainment, but that shouldn’t impact the atmosphere at the Emirates if the league leaders drop points before kick-off.
If Saka’s injury is serious, surely Arsenal improve our attack in January?
I have assumed that before, though, and it didn’t happen.
David Moyes has said recent defending has been uncharacteristic of the Toffees, which is music to my ears.
Coventry 0-1 Fulham
Despite a first Prem win as manager, Arbeloa barely managed a smile last Saturday.
That might be the pressure getting to the Spaniard, but it’s more likely he’s worried that yet again there was a failure to convert chances. Even victorious, long term that’s not going to be sustainable.
As long as you’re not clinical, your opponents will always be in the game.
To be fair, though, two fixtures against newly promoted clubs were billed as must-win for the Fulham boss, and I think he will just about get max points.
Chelsea 2-1 Spurs
The positive spin both sets of fans put on having zero European football is it means their managers can focus on one game a week.
Having that long to prepare means supporters, even more than usual, will not accept losing a game that means so much to both fanbases.
Yet Spurs never get much luck in this fixture, having won in the Premiership only once at Stamford Bridge.
Thankfully, it turned out that Martinez only fractured his jaw at Goodison Park, but (and I know some Evertonians have disputed this with one another) it wasn’t a good look to see a keeper lose consciousness, need oxygen and get booed leaving the pitch on a stretcher.
Palace 0-1 Newcastle
This game is billed as two managers under pressure, but you would assume their employers understood in the summer there would need to be a transitional period for whoever they hired?
Steve Parish is one of the most level-headed owners in the Premiership, so would only panic this early into Sage’s reign if he felt the Frenchman had lost the dressing room with his tactics.
I can’t be sure which Newcastle show up in London, but because the Eagles were in Turkey on Thursday, I will go for an away win.
Hull 0-3 Brentford
In an era where fans, players and managers like to blame everyone else for their failings, credit to Keith Andrews for asking his own team to take ownership for two red cards against Liverpool.
The first came with the Bees leading, so it was a huge missed opportunity. So I don’t get why the home crowd were applauding Yarmoliuk?
It’s not like he was unlucky with a mistimed tackle. He chose to needlessly make a headbutt motion towards his opponent.
If the visitors control their discipline on Sunday, they will win.
Liverpool 2-2 Brighton
I’m fascinated how Iraola tries to win the midfield battle on Sunday.
That’s the area of the pitch where he’s yet to find the correct balance as Liverpool boss, which isn’t helped by injuries and suspensions.
In contrast, that’s where the Seagulls have had so much energy.
If you have not seen Gomez’s goal from last weekend, check it out.
This was more than a player scoring from the halfway line because he saw the keeper off his line. The way he hit the ball with so much power makes it most likely the goal of the season.
Man United 2-2 Cherries
I think the saddest part for Man United fans is a lot of what I’m about to write you could copy and paste from the last few years.
They change managers, which gets a short-term bounce which they confuse for the beginning of something special.
Then it turns out long term that the team still lack an identity, senior players are then outspoken about tactics without taking personal responsibility, and halfway through a season fans and pundits debate if the grass will be greener with a new boss. It’s like they are on a loop.
The Cherries have had some memorable results at Old Trafford, and would an away win be considered a shock anymore?
Sunderland 1-1 Leeds
The Black Cats’ small squad are in Poland on Thursday while Leeds have had a whole week to prepare.
With this the final game of the weekend, the home team could kick off bottom of the table, 5 points from safety.
Too early to panic, but there might be some anxiety around the Stadium of Light.
By the way, next time fans wonder why footballers/managers don’t stop to interact, go check out how Sir Alex Ferguson was treated at Elland Road!
Dan Smith
Do you agree with Dan’s prediction of another narrow Arsenal victory, or are the Gunners due a more convincing performance against Everton? And who are you backing for the biggest surprise of Week 8? Join the discussion in the comments below.
Just Arsenal European Cup Standings
The top 36 qualify for the Just Arsenal European Cup.
Alfie G 53 GB 51 Sue 50 Okobino 50 Ackshay 50 Gunnerstew 50 IGL 50 Biggest A 49 ric ionta 49 Tblaze 49 Dave 47 Dan Kit 46 Akeem 45 Stephanie 44 Ayan 44 Amba 44 Kendrick Ohis 43 Cynthia 43 Kenya001 42 Wale Akinlatun 42 Chronicles 42 Michelle 41 Jo-Gunz 40 Obuche Achiel 40 Mena93- 40 EJS 40 Me 40 waal2waal 40 Antivirus 39 Sue P 39 MTG 39 I 38 Joe Gunner 38 Terrah 38 Adeski 37 Gunsmoke 37 Sagie 36 NT Gunnerz 36 Timothy Adegbola 36 JRA 35 Achizzy 34 Famochi 32 Matthew 32 Ladi 32 Enzo W 31 Solwills 28 Teteu 28 The Shoba Reality Show 27 Onyango 23 Ayan 21 Samson 14 MOSES HILLARY Akuno 13 Shaw 12 YY 11 Buchi 11 Kobin 7 Q.B 6 Bacuna 6 Emperor Augustus 5 Uzi Ozil 5 Drayton 5 Uzezi 4 Jimmymac 60 2 John Rambo 2 Emma123@arsenal 1 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ADMIN COMMENT
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