Predictions 12 – 16.09.2024
Southampton vs Manchester United | Premier League
14/09/2024 12:30
Prediction: 1-2
Southampton’s return to the Premier League has been rough, recording three losses. For the first time in 12 seasons, they have taken such a poor start. Manager Russell Martin’s style of play is not winning over the fans, and even after the game, when they lost 3-1 to Brentford, he accepted that they needed to make it less complicated. With pressure on, Southampton will have a hard time against Manchester United at St Mary’s on Saturday.
Southampton hadn’t won at St Mary’s for the last 8 Premier League games, conceding 19 goals. The Saints have not beaten Manchester United at home since 2003; out of the Saints’ last 15 games against the Red Devils at the St Mary’s, 8 were draws and 7 ended in defeats.
On the other side, Manchester United aren’t exactly performing well. Erik ten Hag’s team has only 1 win from 4 matches this season, including losses to City and Liverpool. Ten Hag’s under pressure but remains optimistic, remembering that last season started similarly before United finished third.
However, United’s away form is unstable—just five points from their last seven away games. This makes the upcoming match a crucial one for both sides looking to change their fortunes.
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest | Premier League
14/09/2024 15:00
Prediction: 3-1
Arne Slot couldn’t have asked for a better start as Liverpool boss. Three wins in a row, and not a single goal conceded—first time any Liverpool manager has pulled that off in the Premier League. The 3-0 win over Manchester United? That’s the stuff fans dream about.
Liverpool look solid heading into this weekend’s fixture, and their track record after international breaks backs it up. They’ve lost only one of their last 24 league games post-break, which should give them a big boost. Plus, Anfield is a fortress: just two losses in 62 Premier League home games. They’re a tough nut to crack at home, no question.
Nottingham Forest aren’t pushovers though. They’re unbeaten this season and have shown they can fight, taking early leads in both of their 1-1 draws. They’ve also strung together three away wins on the bounce, so while Anfield might be a nightmare for most teams, Forest’s form on the road could make this interesting.
Liverpool are heavy favorites, but Forest have proven they can hang in there. Liverpool’s defensive strength and Forest’s knack for away goals might make this one to watch for a low-scoring affair or Liverpool win to nil. Betting against a clean sheet at Anfield is risky business, but stranger things have happened!
Manchester City vs Brentford | Premier League
14/09/2024 15:00
Prediction: 3-1
Manchester City have started the season strong, winning their first three Premier League matches for the second straight year. There should be no slowing down for City as they will be aiming to add Brentford to their long list of league winning streaks, which currently stands at twelve matches. Here’s the kicker: they have not only beaten the aforementioned clubs but have also done so in the most convincing of fashions, the closest which has been two-goal margins, meaning that they have been very better than their opponents.
Back on their home turf, City are hard to beat. They have not lost any Premier League match at the Etihad stadium in 31 matches, which basically means that the chances of them coming out victorious are very high. Yet, it is worthy to note that Brentford were the last team to beat City at their own ground when they played them in November 2020, and this fact may add some confidence in their gameplay. That being said, Brentford have won only four of the six meetings with City T so far, and only two of those victories were by multi-goals, which is bad for them.
So far this season for Brentford, it’s toss up with them winning two and losing one (W2, L1). Losing Ivan Toney to Saudi Arabia was a big step down for their attack. They’ve been leaky on the road, though—their last 15 league away fixtures comprise 3 wins, 1 draw, and 11 losses with just one clean sheet. And they never kept a clean sheet against a North West club in their history in the Premier League. In light of City’s attacking options, it is hard to see that changing anytime soon.
Bournemouth vs Chelsea | Premier League
14/09/2024 20:00
Prediction: 1-3
Bournemouth’s comeback victory against Everton right before the international break, 3-2, was a turning point for them. They are the first team in Premier League history to turn around the negative results from two goals down as deep into the game as the 87th minute. Despite Manager Andoni Iraola downplaying the win, his attacking substitutions were spot on. Now, however, Bournemouth are on a record chase—trying to avoid a loss in their first four games, something they have never done before in the Premier League. Therefore, the match will be quite tough given that their last recent head-to-head performance with Chelsea has not been up to the mark.
Closer, for Bournemouth, the Vitality Stadium since the start of the current season has been difficult to breach, as they have only lost one out of the last eight league games at home. Despite this, however, their record in terms of keeping clean sheets was rather marred as they could manage only two such matches.
As for Chelsea, after the first match loss against the reigning champions, Manchester City, they have resumed activity in a rather confident manner. In particular, they have netted seven times over their last two games and are currently enjoying a three-match winning streak in the league on the road. Even so, they have let in five goals in those three wins, suggesting some defensive troubles. Chelsea have had its way when visiting Bournemouth; over the last seven meetings in the Premier League, the Blues have lost only one match.
Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid | La Liga
14/09/2024 20:00
Prediction: 1-2
Real Sociedad have had a rough start to this new La Liga season, as they have only won once out of the first four matches. The absence of players like Mikel Merino (currently at Arsenal) and captain Mikel Oyarzabal (injured) adds pressure. Sociedad have lost their last three home league matches, and if they lose again, it will be their fourth consecutive home defeat, and that will be a first for them since 2007, when they also drew with Real Madrid, which included their losses to Barcelona and Eibar.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, have come into the fixture in a will mixed but generally positive. Problems of injuries have been felt, especially at the back, with defender Éder Militão and David Alaba ruled out, but Jude Bellingham is back, and that is a plus. Despite their form, they are winless away from home this term, which marks the first since the 2012/13 season that they have not won either of their first two away games. However, Madrid’s recent record against Sociedad in San Sebastián (W3, D1 in their last five) and their 17-match unbeaten away run (W10, D7) suggest they’re favorites to turn things around.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal | Premier League
15/09/2024 14:00
Prediction: 1-2
There is one other game of vital importance this weekend at both ends, as Tottenham host local rivals Arsenal in Saturday’s much-anticipated North London Derby. Spurs have been a bit hit-and-miss under Ange Postecoglou this season, dropping two points at Leicester and losing out on victory against Newcastle despite complete dominance. Although they did claim a comprehensive win over Everton, their opponents that day were in such terrible shape that it is difficult to understand how good Spurs actually are right now. Tottenham will be desperate to have a better performance their season, and they could not have asked for a better game than this derby in order to find form.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are still undefeated this season but will feel let down after their 1-1 draw at Brighton before the international break. With Manchester City clear at the top and showing little signs of slowing down, Mikel Arteta is aware that any slip-ups now could be crucial further down the title. These are two teams that need a point to prove, and it should be an all-action match between the fierce rivals.
Girona FC vs Barcelona | La Liga
15/09/2024 15:15
Prediction: 2-3
Barcelona has made an impressive start to the La Liga season, winning all four of their opening matches. Their campaign began with narrow 2-1 victories over Valencia, Athletic Bilbao, and Rayo Vallecano before they delivered a stunning 7-0 thrashing of Real Valladolid right before the international break. This dominant performance not only kept them top of the league but also showcased their potential for a serious title challenge.
Girona, meanwhile, has had a solid start, with seven points from their first four games despite a tough 3-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid. The team, under the City Football Group umbrella, has adjusted well following the departures of key players. They have enjoyed notable victories against Osasuna and Sevilla, and secured a hard-fought draw against Real Betis.
The upcoming Catalan derby promises to be an exciting clash, featuring two sides known for their proactive and attacking football. Given both teams’ recent form and the high stakes of the match, a high-scoring encounter seems likely.
