B/R Expert Predictions on the Premier League's Super Sunday
Super Sunday doesn't always live up to its star billing, but the forthcoming edition in the Premier League has all the makings of a spectacular feast of football.
Arsene Wenger takes his Arsenal side to the Etihad Stadium to face a Manchester City team that is powering on at the top of the table.
That is followed by Manchester United's trip to Chelsea, with Jose Mourinho facing his former side.
Read on for our experts' views on the games.
Manchester City vs. Arsenal
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Man City vs. Arsenal: 9:15 a.m. ET on NBCSN (2:15 p.m. GMT on Sky Sports)
Dean Jones
All eyes will be on Alexis Sanchez to produce a moment of magic if Arsenal are to win this game, but the truth is he wishes he played for the other team.
Sanchez wanted to move to City on the most recent transfer deadline day and expects the Etihad to be his next home. We will have to see whether that motivates him to play well on an occasion like this or whether he lacks the desire to make a difference for his employers.
Pep Guardiola has transformed City into Europe's best footballing side this season, and it is difficult to see how Arsenal will cope.
There are still times Arsene Wenger's back line is caught out by simple moments of play, such as the one that led to Swansea City's goal at Emirates Stadium in their most recent match. Heaven knows how they will deal with City's energy bursts.
Guardiola's men have scored 19 goals in their past six outings and can expect at least two more against the Gunners. The pace and danger element provided by Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane will cause particular worry.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Arsenal
First goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
Karl Matchett
While the expectation might be for the entire day to provide competition and excitement of well-matched teams in the Premier League, this one could be a mauling.
City are a phenomenal side in the middle and final thirds, with so much movement that even the best defences struggle against them. And Arsenal do not have one of the best defences.
Guardiola's men are also mentally resilient and back themselves to get back ahead even after a setback or two, so even a fast start for the Gunners would be no guarantee of success.
Simply put, there is little chance for Wenger's side unless everything goes right for them and City are overconfident or Guardiola gets a few selections wrong. Then again, with such a deep bench, even that might not be a long-lasting problem.
Prediction: Manchester City 4-0 Arsenal
First goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
Sam Tighe
It's difficult to have any faith in Arsenal winning a game away from home, let alone when they travel to the stomping grounds of the big six.
The recent victory over Everton was their first in five attempts in the Premier League this season away from the Emirates Stadium, and their record against the rest of the top six away has been dreadful over the past three or four seasons.
Such an insecure side, battling free-flying criticisms of their mettle, aren't easy to back when travelling to the home of the league's only unbeaten side. Manchester City might just be the best team in Europe, and they will illustrate just how big the gap between themselves and the Gunners has become on Sunday.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Arsenal
First goalscorer: David Silva
Chelsea vs. Manchester United
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Chelsea vs. Man Utd: 11:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN (4:30 p.m. GMT on Sky Sports)
Dean Jones
There is no chance Mourinho will go to Stamford Bridge and have his team play expansive football. This is a game he marks down as can't-lose.
Not only is he heading back to his former club, but Mourinho is taking on a rival away from home. We saw at Liverpool recently how he tends to deal with such an occasion. The term, "park the bus" springs to mind.
United have been disappointing to watch recently, lacking all of the creativity, guile and flair they displayed in the early weeks of the season. Some fans say it is because they miss Paul Pogba, but fundamentally Mourinho has changed their mindset. They are playing more like Louis van Gaal's United than the sides of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Chelsea will most likely dominate the ball, but they have been below their best recently too. Manager Antonio Conte is coming under pressure, and Tuesday's 3-0 defeat at AS Roma rocked them further.
If there is a winner in this game, though, it will be Chelsea by one goal.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
First goalscorer: Alvaro Morata
Karl Matchett
After a midweek drubbing, expect Conte to go back to basics and be more pragmatic with his selection, which means moving Cesar Azpilicueta back into the centre of defence and possibly introducing the energy of Danny Drinkwater into midfield.
He might not be on the technical level as some of his team-mates, but United don't exactly tiki-taka their way to points—this will be all about positional diligence, concentration and set pieces.
A killer instinct in front of goal might make the biggest difference between a low-key draw and one team or the other taking all three points. Alvaro Morata is the better all-around forward but hasn't looked sharp since his injury, and Romelu Lukaku has struggled in the biggest matches—so maybe even they won't separate the teams.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United
First goalscorer: Eden Hazard
Sam Tighe
Mourinho is the big-game killer. If his side are involved in a table-topping clash—particularly if they are away from home—you know exactly what he will try to do.
Despite winning the vast majority of the games he has taken charge of this season, he already seems unseasonably antsy. When he strikes this kind of mood, the football he instructs isn't pretty. He's still dealing with a lengthy injury list, meaning he's even more likely to shut up shop.
Given Chelsea capitulated defensively in Rome on Tuesday, this might not be the best strategy. It's going to be the Liverpool-at-Anfield argument all over again. Still, that's what he will do, so steel yourselves for a lean affair.
Prediction: Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United
