EPL Week 10 Predictions: Premier League Picks, Key Players and Fixture Info
The Manchester derby is one of the most wonderfully raw spectacles on the Premier League calendar, and there isn’t long to wait until City and United lock horns at the Etihad Stadium in what is always a truly unmissable occasion.
It’s games of this magnitude in which names are etched into the respective folklores of each team and often a moment of untamed ingenuity proves to be the difference in these ferocious contests.
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And while the Manchester derby is undeniably the highlight of the weekend, there are a host of other enticing Premier League games to sample. Here’s a rundown of the fixtures to come and a glance towards the men who’ll be making the back pages after another round of the most engrossing league in the world.
| Newcastle vs. Liverpool | Sat., Nov. 1 | 12:45 p.m. | 1-2 |
| Arsenal vs. Burnley | Sat., Nov. 1 | 3 p.m. | 4-0 |
| Chelsea vs. QPR | Sat., Nov. 1 | 3 p.m. | 3-0 |
| Hull vs. Southampton | Sat., Nov. 1 | 3 p.m. | 1-1 |
| Everton vs. Swansea | Sat., Nov. 1 | 3 p.m. | 2-1 |
| Leicester vs. West Brom | Sat., Nov. 1 | 3 p.m. | 2-2 |
| Stoke vs. West Ham | Sat., Nov. 1 | 3 p.m. | 1-1 |
| Manchester City vs. Manchester United | Sun., Nov. 2 | 1:30 p.m. | 2-0 |
| Aston Villa vs. Tottenham | Sun., Nov. 2 | 4 p.m. | 0-0 |
| Crystal Palace vs. Sunderland | Mon., Nov 3 | 8 p.m. | 1-0 |
Mario Balotelli
Although the Reds have concerns that are far more pertinent than the form of the Italian front man, you have to wonder just how different things would have been for Liverpool early in the campaign had their £16 million signing found his golden touch in the iconic red jersey.
Balotelli missed a sitter to win the game for Liverpool in the dying embers of their clash with Hull City, and that took the gloss off what was otherwise a positive, multi-faceted display. Indeed, Hull boss Steve Bruce had some encouraging words about the former Milan man in the aftermath of the 0-0 draw:
But you suspect Balotelli and his manager Brendan Rodgers won’t be sated until he starts to find the back of the net for the Reds on a regular basis. Next time out against a Newcastle side who have rediscovered their form would be an excellent start.
Despite the Toon’s recent renaissance under the much-maligned Alan Pardew, Balotelli must fancy his chances of causing problems against this ropey Newcastle defence. If he showcases comparable application to what was on display against Hull, the chances will definitely come. He’ll get back on the scoresheet in the north-east and give the travelling Kop a much-needed win to celebrate.
Alexis Sanchez
Was there any doubt this magnificent footballer would be a roaring success in the Premier League? The Chilean has hit the ground running for Arsenal, helping himself to eight goals in the early part of the season; he’ll be hoping to add to that tally against a winless Burnley team at the Emirates.
The official Arsenal account provided us with a rundown of how influential he's been so far:
Sanchez was gifted a brace following some rudimentary defensive errors against Sunderland, but to gloss over his display at the Stadium of Light would be naive. He tore the Black Cats back line to shreds with his scintillating dribbling, purposeful movement and outstanding anticipation.
His diligent work rate is an area of his game that is often overlooked, although it’s clear when looking at his heat map from the game against Sunderland that the former Barcelona man puts a shift in too, per the Arsenal Twitter account:
Burnley will come to the Emirates and look to make things very difficult for Arsenal. They’re a team that, while struggling in the early stages of the season, can nullify the opposition and frustrate for long periods. The onus will be on the likes of Sanchez to unlock the door and conjure something telling in dangerous areas.
Given the distinction with which he has performed so far, expect Sanchez to scythe through the Burnley defensive efforts and for the first time this season, fire the Gunners to back-to-back Premier League wins.
Vincent Kompany
In derby games it’s vital that big players and dominant characters come to the fore, and for Manchester City—who will host Sunday’s Manchester derby—there are few men quite as influential as their captain.
City hammered Manchester United 4-1 in this fixture last season, a scoreline that typically gets purveyors of attacking football purring. But returning from injury, it was Kompany who picked up the man-of-the-match award with a commanding, purposeful and swashbuckling display in central defence.
Swooning in the aftermath, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a display like it”, per Sky Sports.
After a disappointing result against Moscow and a loss to West Ham last time out in the Premier League, City will be looking to their captain to lead by example against their city rivals and in the face of a stellar United offensive line-up.
In the wake of the defeat to the Hammers, Kompany insisted his team would turn things round quickly:
While City have struggled on the road, the champions are a completely different proposition on their own turf. Kompany typically relishes these kinds of occasions, so expect him to deliver a skipper’s display, help shut out United’s stellar attacking talents and inspire City to a much-needed derby victory.
