EPL Week 4 Predictions: Locks to Earn Three Points this Weekend

Premier League football is back on Saturday with a slate of eight exciting matches to give you your fix.

There will be some new names among the players you’ll see on the pitch as many of the summer transfer deadline deals are finally official.

Will they make immediate impacts for their new sides or will it take some time before their additions are truly felt?

One thing is certain either way: It’s going to be another competitive day of football.

Here’s a look at the full slate of games along with predictions and three clubs you can pretty much guarantee will come away with three points on Saturday.

Arsenal over Sunderland

The Stadium of Light will be privy to the debut of German playmaker Mesut Ozil—unfortunately for the Black Cats, he won’t be donning red and white stripes. That is, of course, if Arsenal’s medical staff clears him to play.

According to John Drayton of the Daily Mail, Ozil missed Friday’s training session with an undisclosed illness and will be evaluated prior to kickoff on Saturday morning.

In the end, Ozil’s presence in this one is merely an added bonus for a much more talented Gunners side.

Sunderland remain winless in the young Premier League season and that won’t change after Arsenal leave the North-East on Saturday evening.

Prediction: Sunderland 1, Arsenal 3

 

Manchester United over Crystal Palace

Like the Gunners, Manchester United also brought in a new star to help boost their quest for another title. David Moyes was reunited with Marouane Fellaini before the transfer deadline, adding another potent and versatile weapon to his arsenal.

Moyes’ team has started slow on the attack, much to the new manager’s dismay. But adding an active and aggressive playmaker like Fellaini to the fold will do nothing but help spark things for his side.

Against Crystal Palace, Moyes has a great opportunity to debut his former player and get his side on track with his first win at Old Trafford. He never won there while leading Everton, so it would truly be his first win at the venue.

Palace have traveled poorly, collecting just 25 points in their last 24 games away from Selhurst Park. Add in manager Ian Holloway’s one-game suspension and the club will have a hard time doing much of anything this weekend.

Prediction: Manchester United 3, Crystal Palace 1

 

Manchester City over Stoke City

This is probably the hardest guarantee to justify, but it’s one you can be confident in regardless. In their last four trips to Britannia Stadium, Manchester City have played out 1-1 draws with Stoke City.

Mark Hughes, former head man at City, has the Potters off to their best start in recent memory. And it’s been anything but memorable for the Citizens to this point.

But it’s still early—top teams find ways to work out the kinks and that is what you’ll see on Saturday in this matchup.

Even without Vincent Kompany, Manchester City will get over their Britannia Stadium jinx and secure three points against an up-and-coming Stoke City squad.

Prediction: Stoke City 1, Manchester City 2