EPL Week 10 Picks: Teams Guaranteed to Lose Their Next Game

While upsets often catch us by surprise in the Premier League, there are a few fixtures in Matchweek 10 that appear to be mismatched. 

While all eyes turn to the Welsh derby and the top-of-the-table clash between Arsenal and Liverpool, there are some sides in the top half of the table that will hope to go about their business with minimal fuss.

The Manchester clubs are two of those that should get through the weekend unscathed.

Meanwhile, West Bromwich Albion will fancy their chances against Crystal Palace, firmly rooted to the bottom of the table after Sunderland’s win over Newcastle on Sunday.

Here we put our necks on the line with a full slate of predictions before breaking down the teams guaranteed to lose their next game. 

Date, time	Home	vs.	Away	Prediction
Nov. 2, 12:45 p.m. GMT	Newcastle	vs.	Chelsea	Chelsea win, 0-2
Nov. 2, 3 p.m. GMT	Man City	vs.	Norwich City	Man City win, 3-1
Nov. 2, 3 p.m. GMT	Hull City	vs.	Sunderland	Draw, 1-1
Nov. 2, 3 p.m. GMT	Stoke City	vs.	Southampton	S'ton win, 0-1
Nov. 2, 3 p.m. GMT	West Brom	vs.	C.Palace	W.Brom win, 2-0
Nov. 2, 3 p.m. GMT	Fulham	vs.	Man United	United win, 1-4
Nov. 2, 3 p.m. GMT	West Ham	vs.	Aston Villa	Villa win, 1-2
Nov. 2, 5:30 p.m. GMT	Arsenal	vs.	Liverpool	Draw, 2-2
Nov. 3, 1:30 p.m. GMT	Everton	vs.	Tottenham	Everton win, 2-1
Nov. 3, 4 p.m. GMT	Cardiff City	vs.	Swansea City	Swansea win, 1-2

 

Manchester City vs. NORWICH CITY

Norwich could have and should have beaten Cardiff City last weekend, and when they take a look at this weekend’s opponents, they will rue the missed opportunity for three points at home.

Norwich have lost three of their four games on the road this season, and Chris Hughton’s side will struggle to take anything from the game at the Etihad.

City have looked a different side when playing in the comfortable surroundings of their home ground. They have won four out of four, scoring 13 goals and conceding just two in the league.

While Manuel Pellegrini deployed Sergio Aguero on his own up front at Stamford Bridge, he will be expected to introduce a second forward, most likely Alvaro Negredo, for the visit of Norwich. 

In this instance, City should possess too much firepower for Norwich, who have conceded 13 goals this season, including four in their last outing away from home against Arsenal.

Much of the talk in the build-up to the game will surround Joe Hart’s position in the side after his blunder against Chelsea. But, in reality, Norwich are unlikely to cause too much trouble in the attacking third.

The Canaries have scored just six this season and are tied with Stoke and Crystal Palace for the Premier League’s lowest haul. They took 31 shots against Cardiff City and failed to register a single goal, although David Marshall did pull off some stunning saves.

 

FULHAM vs. Manchester United

On Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday last weekend, Charlie Nicholas and Paul Merson felt Manchester United were on the verge of dishing out a beating, and that could come this weekend away to Fulham.

Martin Jol has talent at his disposal, but Fulham have failed to play as a team this season. Their 4-1 win over Crystal Palace became known for Pajtim Kasami and Steve Sidwell’s wonder strikes, but in reality they were 0-1 down and being outplayed by an average side before magic rained down on Selhurst Park. 

United will be wary of Fulham’s individual threat, but the defending champions will have shifted some nerves after their come-from-behind win over Stoke City.

There are still plenty of questions for David Moyes to answer, particularly at the back where his defence has leaked 12 goals in nine games.

But going forward, United have started to show signs of cohesion.

Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie both got on the scoresheet in the 3-2 victory over Stoke, and the repeated pleas from some sections of the Old Trafford faithful for Shinji Kagawa to start were heeded as he played all 90 minutes in the league for the first time this season.

United will be eager to register their first back-to-back wins in the league this campaign, and a trip to Craven Cottage provides them with a good opportunity to do just that.

Fulham have won at home just once this season, scoring four and conceding six.

  

West Bromwich Albion vs. CRYSTAL PALACE

Eight losses from nine games doesn’t exactly make pretty reading for Crystal Palace. Neither does a goal difference of -13.

The managerless club are on a downward spiral and life won’t get any easier with a trip to the Hawthorns this weekend. 

West Brom lost their first two home games of the season to Southampton and Swansea, but since then the Baggies have bounced back with a comfortable win over Sunderland and a draw with Arsenal. 

Steve Clark’s charges will be eager to get back to winning ways after suffering at the hands of Luis Suarez and Co. last weekend, and the opposition currently doesn’t come much easier than Crystal Palace at home.

A win could lift West Brom into the top half of the table and there will be few betting against them coming away with all three points.