EPL Week 8 Picks: Predicting Full Slate of Weekend Action

With World Cup qualification reaching its final stages, the Premier League returns to the spotlight this weekend with as much promise for drama as ever.

Southampton have already gone about making themselves the surprise contenders for European football, while Sunderland’s extravagant summer transfer activity has done them no good, with the club currently stuck to the bottom of the division.

Despite such surprises, the return of the English top flight will have some predictability about it, with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea all poised to continue their impressive early form.

Newcastle United vs. Liverpool

Prediction: 3-1 Away Win

Alan Pardew is close to seeing his squad with a clean bill of health for the first time in months after going through the worst injury situation of any Premier League side last season.

However, even a fully replenished lineup won’t keep the Magpies safe from the red alert coming their way as in-form Liverpool travel to St. James’ Park. Still tied for top spot with Arsenal, Brendan Rodgers’ side are beginning to grease their attacking gears after a rusty start to the season, with Luis Suarez’s return adding a much needed impetus going forward.

With Daniel Sturridge netting for England against Montenegro last week and the pair accounting for five of the club’s six goals in their last two outings, there’s no strike pair more threatening at the moment.

Meanwhile, Newcastle look like an easy target considering they haven’t kept a clean sheet since August and aren’t likely to stop that trend this Saturday.

Manchester United vs. Southampton

Prediction: 1-1 Draw

Thanks to the second-half heroics of Adnan Januzaj, Manchester United were able to rescue three points from their trip to the Stadium of Light last week and now must face the Premier League’s other red-and-white-striped threat.

Southampton, currently sitting fourth, have been a breath of fresh air so far this season, standing up to big guns and minnows alike, snatching results against Swansea City, Liverpool and West Brom.

David Moyes’ Red Devils aren’t likely to have made any drastic improvements over the international break and still look turgid in attack.

The Saints gave United a run for their money last season and may look to stage an upset at Old Trafford, which—considering their defence is currently the best in the league—they are fully capable of doing.

Aston Villa vs. Tottenham

Prediction: 2-2 Draw

Tottenham’s 3-0 loss at home to West Ham will have been a wake-up call for Andre Villas-Boas and his men, who were flying so high prior to the result.

However, with that defeat in the bag, Spurs have now gone two games without a win and face a difficult trip to Villa Park this coming Sunday.

Paul Lambert’s side have been a roller-coaster story to watch, impressing at times but so far yet to claim back-to-back wins.

The Birmingham outfit have the tendency to be fluid and free in attack, everything Tottenham haven’t been so far this campaign, with a draw looking the most likely result at Villa Park.