EPL Week 7 Predictions: Premier League Picks, Key Players and Fixtures
Pep Guardiola will look to guide his Manchester City side to a record-breaking seven Premier League wins from his first seven games in charge when they travel to face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Manchester United have the opportunity to continue their revival as they host the struggling Stoke City, while champions Leicester City will need to bounce back from their 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Red Devils when they welcome Southampton to the King Power Stadium.
Chelsea—who are winless in their last three matches and have lost their last two—take on Hull City at the KCOM Stadium, and Arsenal can extend their winning streak to five games if they beat Burnley.
Read on for a look at which players could be set to star for their sides in Week 7, but first here is the full schedule complete with predictions for each:
| Friday, September 30 | 8 p.m./3 p.m. | Everton vs. Crystal Palace | 2-2 |
| Saturday, October 1 | 12:30 p.m./7:30 a.m. | Swansea City vs. Liverpool | 1-2 |
| Saturday, October 1 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Hull City vs. Chelsea | 1-2 |
| Saturday, October 1 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Sunderland vs. West Bromwich Albion | 1-1 |
| Saturday, October 1 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Watford vs. Bournemouth | 0-0 |
| Saturday, October 1 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | West Ham United vs. Middlesbrough | 1-1 |
| Sunday, October 2 | 12:30 p.m./7:30 a.m. | Manchester United vs. Stoke City | 3-0 |
| Sunday, October 2 | 2:15 p.m./9:15 a.m. | Leicester City vs. Southampton | 2-1 |
| Sunday, October 2 | 2:15 p.m./9:15 a.m. | Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester City | 1-2 |
| Sunday, October 2 | 4:30 p.m./11:30 a.m. | Burnley vs. Arsenal | 0-3 |
John Terry, Chelsea
While Chelsea aren't yet enduring the level of crisis they faced for much of the first half of last season, losing 3-0 to Arsenal—their first defeat at the hands of the Gunners in 10 games—immediately on the back of a defeat to Liverpool has left them struggling.
The Blues are especially vulnerable at the back, and despite being 35 they've missed John Terry's presence in those two defeats with the captain having been out injured.
Bleacher Report UK's Garry Hayes believes Chelsea need his leadership and organisational skills:
Further, their other defenders struggle without him alongside them, as noted by football journalists Tony Barrett and Dan Levene:
According to the Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel, he is expected to have recovered in time to face Hull on Saturday.
On paper, Chelsea should have little problem against Hull even away from home, but such are their problems at the back it's vital Terry returns for the game.
He may not be able to resolve all their issues, but they'll be a much more resolute prospect if he's in the team, and their quality going forward should be enough to secure three points.
Raheem Sterling, Manchester City
After an underwhelming debut season at the Etihad Stadium, Raheem Sterling is starting to show why City shelled out £49 million for him last year.
End product—be it delivering a killer final ball or applying a cool finish—has previously often eluded him, but the Englishman has been creative and clinical in equal measure this season, per OptaJoe:
Indeed, he's been one of Guardiola's top performers thus far alongside Kevin de Bruyne and Sergio Aguero.
Football writer Liam Canning hailed his return to form:
The winger's newfound incisiveness is getting the best out of his pace and technical ability—which were often wasted last year—and his chemistry with his team-mates appears far better too.
Tottenham have been good value for second place in the league and are the only other side to go unbeaten in the league.
Their defending has been as resolute as ever with just three goals conceded—fewer than any other team—so they'll prove a real test for Sterling and Man City.
If he can put in the kind of performance that has become the norm from him this season, City will stand an excellent chance of overcoming the Lilywhites.
.jpg?w=600 "Cards Had Wrong Love Number 😅")
.jpg?w=600 "Best Players Left After Round 1 🔢")
