Three matches in 10 days might not be the best for the English Premier League players but for fans who have always had to wait six days between each round of matches, it doesn’t get any better than a two-day interval between three rounds of matches.
Chelsea lie seven points behind leaders Manchester United and six behind Manchester City, do we have a two-horse race on our hands? I believe so! The two Manchester teams I have always felt would go head-to-head again just like last season. They are the two most consistent teams in the Premier League and it should be another enthralling tussle for the Premier League title.
Tottenham moved above Everton and Arsenal into fifth after two consecutive home wins, Chelsea are back in third place but only on goal difference while West Bromwich Albion dropped to fourth after their 3-1 reverse at the hands of Swansea. At the other end, Southampton, Reading and Queens Park Rangers occupy the bottom three places but it’s crystal clear Rangers have a huge fight on their hands if they are to keep their Premier League status.
WEST HAM UNITED vs CHELSEA
How long before Chelsea regret giving him a job?
West Ham United matched Manchester United for long periods in their match on Wednesday, a Robin van Persie first minute goal proved to be the difference and on another night the Hammers could have left Old Trafford with a draw. I think the players and Sam Allardyce would be very confident gong up against a Chelsea team that is winless in six Premier League games. Sam Allardyce especially enjoyed some interesting and sometimes volatile match-ups against Rafa Benitez while the Spaniard was Liverpool manager so it promises to be a very close encounter.
West Ham at Upton Park is a daunting prospect for any Premier League side, least of all one with a new manager still trying to find his feet. If Rafa Benitez gets Mikel Obi and Juan Mata back in the starting eleven, I think they can win but without these two, Chelsea fans should be prepared for another labored performance.
OctupusSaxy’s verdict: DRAW
MANCHESTER CITY vs EVERTON
Manchester City extended their unbeaten top flight run to 20 matches on Wednesday night grounding out a 2-0 win at Wigan’s DW stadium.
A sixth draw in eight Premier League games has put a dampener on Everton’s impressive start to the season and they have now dropped to sixth place.
This should be a very interesting one, Roberto Mancini’s men would have to be on top of their game in this fixture and I think they will just about edge it.
OctupusSaxy’s verdict: MANCHESTER CITY WIN
WEST BROMWICH ALBION vs STOKE CITY
There was a first loss in five Premier League games handed out to the Baggies as they were cut to size on Wednesday night at the Liberty stadium in a thumping 3-1 defeat to Swansea City.
Stoke City have not lost a Premier League game on home soil since February and this record was in danger on Wednesday night but the Potters dug deep to come back from a one-goal deficit and eventually won Newcastle United 2-1.
West Bromwich Albion will be looking to bounce back at home as they try to stay among the big boys at the top of the table and on a ground where they have won all their matches but one (against Manchester City), Stoke City would do well to even leave with a point.
OctupusSaxy’s verdict: WEST BROMWICH ALBION WIN
NORWICH CITY vs SUNDERLAND
The Canaries are unbeaten in eight games in all competitions and came away from Southampton with a deserved point. Sunderland are out of sorts at the moment and I can see only one result here.
OctupusSaxy’s verdict: NORWICH CITY WIN
FULHAM vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Tottenham recorded their second home win in four days in a 2-1 win over Liverpool on Wednesday night, all thanks to Gareth Bale’s sublime start on the night.
Tottenham are showing form at the moment with Gareth Bale (10 goals for club and country this season) and Jermain Defoe (seven League goals so far) on top form. Andres Villas-Boas should hope the duo stay fit for much of the season as I feel they will be important to Spurs’ top four aspirations.
Fulham have not tasted a win in their last five Premier League games and with a confident looking Tottenham side up next, I don’t think this will change.
OctupusSaxy’s verdict: DRAW
ARSENAL vs SWANSEA CITY
Why won’t Arsene sign him up?
A point at one of the toughest venues in the Premier League I believe is no bad result but with everything happening with Arsenal’s other top four challengers, it’s important the Gunners get back to winning ways starting with this match against Swansea.
Swansea City are on a run of just one defeat in their last nine games and I feel they will get a point on Saturday, Arsenal just don’t seem to be up for it quite yet.
OctupusSaxy’s verdict: DRAW
LIVERPOOL vs SOUTHAMPTON
Southampton are now unbeaten in four Premier League games and defensively they have looked solid as a team in the past one month. The Saints are fast becoming tighter at the back, giving their fans plenty of hope that their club can climb away from the bottom three soon.
Liverpool’s defeat at Tottenham on Wednesday night brought an end to the Reds’ eight-game unbeaten run. The Reds looked a good team for most part of the game as they were only hard done by a poor start on the night. Even Andres Villas-Boas conceded Liverpool deserved a draw.
It all seems to be coming together for Liverpool but they must start winning matches and a record of just two Premier league wins at Anfield is poor.
OctupusSaxy’s verdict: LIVERPOOL WIN
QUEENS PARK RANGERS vs ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa’s third win of the season against Reading on Tuesday night moved them out of the Premier League bottom three. Paul Lambert’s insistence to not include Darren Bent in his second consecutive match day squad is a big surprise for me and one I can’t seem to get my head around. This is a player who was signed two years ago for a lot of money and he scored the goals that kept Villa in the top flight. Whatever is the problem going on behind the scenes between Lambert and Bent, I feel it’s important the former gets him into his plans as soon as possible as Bent is a player that has goals written all over him once the service is right.
Rangers showed plenty on Tuesday night to suggest that there could be some light at the end of the tunnel for them. The Hoops put up a spirited display at Sunderland to earn a clean sheet and a point as well.
This is a MUST-WIN for Rangers and I see Harry Redknapp matching his first match at Loftus road with a win.
OctupusSaxy’s verdict: QUEENS PARK RANGERS WIN
READING vs MANCHESTER UNITED
I think Manchester United had a great defensive display on Wednesday night at home to West Ham United. The home fans might grumble about the performance as it lacked the excitement and electricity generated when Manchester United have thrillingly fought back from a deficit but all those traveling to the Etihad stadium on December 9 will understand that with a fine defensive performance, the top two positions could remain unchanged till the new year when Manchester United are known to kick into gear.
This looks pretty straight-forward on paper but Sir Alex Ferguson’s men must be careful so as not to fall into the same trap like they did on their last Premier League away match at Norwich City.
OctupusSaxy’s verdict: MANCHESTER UNITED WIN
NEWCASTLE UNITED vs WIGAN ATHLETIC
Newcastle United were handed their fourth consecutive loss on Wednesday night for the first time since September 2008. The reasons for this bad trend are very simple and that’s the Toon’s participation in Europe and their big injury list which includes stars such as Yohan Cabaye, Steven Taylor and Hartem Ben Arfa.
The statistics on Wednesday night against champions Manchester City did not reflect a fine performance from the Lactics who will play a lot worse and pick up points.
The magpies are missing a number of key players at the moment and until a few of them return, I think they will find it difficult to win games.
OctupusSaxy’s verdict: DRAW
That’s it for this weekend’s Premier League matches. What do you think of my Analysis and Predictions? Let me know by making use of the comments box below and if you enjoyed the piece, could you kindly make use of the share buttons below? Thanks. You could also check back on Tuesday to see how I fared with my predictions.
Follow me on twitter – @Osesax
HAVE A SUPER WEEKEND AND MERRY CHRISTMAS IN ADVANCE
OctupusSaxy's Blog 
BRO God continue to bless you and give u the strength to continue ur Goodworks
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Amen bro. Thanks
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Expecting Victories 4 d Manchester teams.. I tink Cfc ll nick a win @ Upton park.. Don’t see Arsenal getting anytin more dan a draw.. Qpr shud get a win… Despite Newcastle below par performance of late, I bliv dey ll do enuf to get a win.. Sunderland to get a point @ Carrow road.. L’pool to win.. Stoke ll make life difficult 4 d baggies, I’m expecting a draw.. Spurs av won dier last two lig games,I expect dem to continue wit dat agnst Fulham..
Weldone!!!.. God continue to strenghten nd improve u.. 😀
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Hahahahaha…
Seems somebody has lost so much faith in his team, so much so, he is predicting a draw for them this weekend. Already conceding the title for this season? Anyway, Wenger said his trophy is Champions League qualification.
I see another tough weekend for Chelsea this weekend. Looks like the season is going to be a two-horse race in the EPL. Is the EPL becoming another La Liga?
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A lot of draws Mr Saxy.
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With cool analysis and previews,i jst believe these predictions were tough ones to call …..calling for tottenham draw is kind of dicey even though Fulham aint an easy opponent,QRP win and also Arsenal draw all depend on the kind of team †hαt turn on and also their opponent’s attitude in d game,Chelsea win at upton will be a hard 1 wit Carrol and Nolan both in form……… *Nice 1 tho*keep it up
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First time on here in a loooooong while. Phew!! Feels refreshingly good to be back. I laugh so hard when people who are easily swayed by the EPL scorn at the La Liga as a two horse race. Truth is not much difference has been established with the EPL in that regard. As it was last season, the race is open ONLY to the two Manchester overloads. Forget Rafa’s postulations that ChelSHIT (Oops, printer’s devil) can still win the league. Hot air readily comes to mind. Dude has to earn his pay you know.
Having said that, the weekend is one l always look forward to because of the beautiful game. And this one would not be any different judging from the squaring ups that make my retina pop in anxiety and my taste buds water in anticipation.
West Ham come up against the reigning European Champions(my fingers literally ache typing this). Two things are instructive here. Its a derby and like they say, anything can happen. While the former are a hard nut to crack at home, the later on the other hand are low in team esteem right about now. The fans are bitter, the owner seems to be questioning himself if he’s made the right decision . Against this background, l can hazard as a guess to the only outcome: A West Ham win!
City would continue with their impressive start to the season and its another win parceled in a box checked!
West Brom have been the revelation of the season thus far but l don’t see that momentum sustained. Whats more, Sir Peter would be off to the nations cup and what a miss that would prove to be. That miss manifested itself in their loss on Wednesday and Clarke can only guess what the rest of the season holds for his team. I see them taking the kick-and-follow style of Big Sam to the cleaners and recording another win to booth.
Norwich and Sunderland? Errrrrm, a boring barren draw in the horizon is all l see. I would be utterly surprised if it turns out otherwise.
Fulham and Tottenham promises to be another London derby. It would be explosive and with Defoe in such scintillating form, he may turn out to be the foe Fulham would have to deal with. Berby though has not lost any of the sleekness we used to know him for. This one sure has some goals in it. And the one who would bang in more is likely………….Fulham!
Arsenal! Waoh, what that name does to me, words alone aren’t enough to describe. Causing me joy and pain in equal measure, they would be taking out their frustration on Swansea. This fixture last season left a bitter taste in the mouth. However, its already feeling like l have honey in my mouth this time. Meaning? Arsenal win! Did you even have to ask?
Liverpool, Reading and Newcastle are consigned to draws. I really feel pity for Newcastle though. They were an excellent side last term and a joy to watch. Don’t know if the the two Dembas have stopped taking their mouth watering goat soup. Yeah, that was what the Manager attributed to their fine form. Cabaye’s absence too has been a huge blow to their creativity. Liverpool on the other hand is growing in leaps and bounds confidence wise, but that confidence won’t do much against a free flowing footballing side like Swansea. As for Reading, well, Manchester United would read them like a book but not well enough to pass the vital exams.
And finally, I have always considered Harry a good Manager and would have loved him to land the England job. Well, he landed himself another job and he has to justify both his pay pack and the confidence of the Arabs. What better way to start than with a win at home? That win he definitely would get against a Villa side that is neither here nor there. Who cares if their stadium is called Villa Park? They should simply ”park well” joor and relish their loss.
Wait? Is this my blog or Saxy’s? I’m out………………………….kwakwakwakwakwakwa!!!
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Hahaha – brilliant Mr. Charles. Good to see your contributions again. And of course it is my Blog but I don’t mind the mini-blogs at all. God Bless
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I actually believe it’s too early to call it a 2 hoes race. Manchester City dropped a huge lead and then came back from a strong deficit. Don’t count Chelsea out. I also think city drops point against Everton. Remember what Mancini said after signing Rodwell. “Rodwell is a good player,” Mancini said. “He is young, and now for the first time he is at a club that plays to win, so it will be different for him.”
Funny thing, Mancini has one win and 3 losses against Everton during his time at City. Moyes will get his players fired up for this one.
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Anoda gud write-up
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WEEK 15
WEST HAM v CHELSEA
It doesn’t seem to ease off for Rafa Benitez as he leads his “transitional” Chelsea side to take on Sam Allardyce’s Hammers who lost narrowly – it must be stated – to Manchester United at Old Trafford having conceded the quickest goal of the season so far. The Hammers to their credit kept it tight and prevented a rout which they may employ today at lunch time to keep the Blues out.
Mark Noble’s contribution was missed against Manchester United but Kevin Nolan was imperious. In Andy Carroll, the Hammers possess an aerial threat but Chelsea are not softies. They are European Champions and know how to ride turbulence just like their manager. Torres may not start scoring all of a sudden but the attacking style and intensity Chelsea posseses may be a bit too much for the Hammers to keep at bay.
Verdict: Chelsea WIN
ARSENAL v SWANSEA
The top two ball playing sides meet at the Emirates in what should be the cleanest game of football this weekend. But will it be boring – like a sparing match devoid of the will to win?
Both sides have crucial absentees from their starting line-ups but still have the depth of squad to put in an honest shift good enough to win. The Gooners have won just once in their last 5 while Michael Laudrup’s men have won twice in the same number of games.
With Podolski and Walcott missing, Arsenal will depend on Giroud and Gervinho to put away chances which has not been the most assured option this season. The Swans will be without their prolific forward Danny Graham who’s efforts open up spaces for Michu to exploit.
Verdict: Swansea WIN
FULHAM v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Martin Jol and Dimitar Berbatov welcome their former employers in a game that promises to be as open as it’s exciting. Moussa Dembélé and Clint Dempsey will no doubt have fond memories as they return to Craven Cottage as Spurs players. Dempsey in particular having left Fulham rather acrimoniously will be desperate to perform at least at the level he did constantly while at the Cottage – a feat he hasn’t managed yet for Spurs.
With Bredé Hangelaand out suspended, Fulham are weaker in defence. Spurs however seem stronger in defence with Gallas and Caulker(who should be fit after illness),Vertonghen and Walker. Going forward, the constant threat of Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon and Jermaine Defoe may be too much for Fulham to keep at bay especially as Fulham, depending on Berbatov will be without Bryan Ruiz and Kaçaniklic which makes them slightly weaker.
Verdict: Spurs WIN
LIVERPOOL v SOUTHAMPTON
Brendan Rodgers has achieved some stability in the shape of his side albeit still rough around the edges with under-performing players like Stuart Downing and Jordan Henderson but the return to fitness of Lucas Leiva will be priceless for the Reds. With Luis Suárez being the only outlet for goals, Gerrard and co will have to exploit Southampton’s soft underbelly in defence.
The Saints having won 2 of their last 5 matches over rather decent opposition possess their own fire power upfront with Puncheon and Lambert so Liverpool have to be careful. One thing is certain: It won’t be a dull affair.
Verdict: Liverpool WIN
MANCHESTER CITY v EVERTON
David Moyes leads the Toffees to The Etihad on the back of being the team with the best record against the Premier League Champions winning 8 of the last 10 against “the citizens”. This game has not produced a draw in the last 15 so it’s safe to state that there’s a pattern to expect and a result to be gotten. The question is who gets it?
City will be without Milner, Richards, Clichy and Rodwell but have all the other protagonists fit which will be Everton’s major headache who have Baines out and Jelavic struggling with illness.
Manchester City may be making the rounds for not being at their best but with their position in the league table, the rest of the league should be scared for when they actually do start playing well.
With all the rumours surrounding Marouane Fellaini, the Belgian will once again be key for Everton although his international team mate in City’s influencial captain and defence stallwart – Vincent Kompany, there will be a battle of the “Big Bullies.
Verdict: ManCity WIN
QUEENS PARK RANGERS v ASTON VILLA
Harry Redknapp will expect to get his 1st win today against a “decent” side in Villa who have Darren Bent frozen out for reasons best known to Paul Lambert. Adel Taarabt has given all at Loftus Road something to cheer by declaring he’d stay out of the Morocco squad to African Cup of Nations so as to help QPR’s fight for survival. If all ‘Arry’s players put up this attitude – today at least, they should get a result if not all 3 points from Aston Villa who’d be missing Ron Vlaar and that’s vital.
Verdict: DRAW
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READING v MANCHESTER UNITED
Like the Champions, the Red Devils have managed to top the league playing in 2nd gear and with well documented defensive problems largely down to the fitness or the lack thereof at the back. However Sir Alex has rotated and kept his lads happy effectively. The plus side for Manchester United was the fact that they kept a clean sheet against West Ham – a feat that’s been a rarity so far this season.
The hosts however have had a poor start – not that most followers of the EPL are surprised. Reading have lost just once at the Madejski but have won once too drawing four and in contrast to their illustrous visitors, the Red Devils have not drawn ANY games – home or away this season: For Fergie, it’s been all or nothing which makes it interesting. It will be easier for Reading to lose than win.
Verdict: Manchester United WIN
WEST BROMWICH ALBION v STOKE CITY
Steve Clarke has to prove that his baggies are a top 5 side by merit and there are fewer teams that test the strength of a team than Stoke who play a variety of unorthodox styles in no particular order which more often than not give them the desired results especially amongst teams within their weight category.
West Brom will do well to keep it steady as they’ve done so far this season benefitting from the effective partnership of Shane Long, Osaze Odemwingie and Zoltan Gera.
Verdict: West Brom WIN
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