As the Premier League enters its first weekend of November, Grosvenor Sport ambassador Jamie O’Hara is on hand to dissect three key games, including Arsenal’s trip to Newcastle, Tottenham against Aston Villa, and Manchester United vs Chelsea.
Newcastle v Arsenal – Saturday 12:30
It’s difficult to constitute what would be a good season for Newcastle. Eddie Howe has done a brilliant job since he took over but the club seems to be at a bit of a crossroads at the moment – nobody really knows how they can make that next step up and stay there for long enough to sit at the same table as the Big Six.
They’ve been really poor in some games this season – they made it way too easy for Chelsea to play against them last Sunday, although at the same time they did well to stay in the game and could have easily nicked a point. That’s the advantage of having a good squad – they’re always likely to stay in games even if they’re underperforming.
It’ll be interesting to see how Arsenal respond to last week’s draw against Liverpool. I actually think they were the better team for most of it and a point versus Liverpool is never a bad result, but you get the feeling their fans left the game with a bit of a sour taste in their mouths. They’re picking up a few injuries now and there doesn’t seem to be as much momentum with them as there was last season.
Visiting St James’ Park at 12:30 on a Saturday is always going to be tough. I think Arsenal could slip up again here – Newcastle beat them last season and seem to have their number when playing at home, so I’m going for a Toon victory.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Arsenal (10/1)
Tottenham v Aston Villa – Sunday 14:00
This is a massive game for both teams. Aston Villa haven’t been playing badly but have still won just one league game in their last four – you could argue having to juggle Premier League and Champions League football may be capping their performance levels. They’re still a massive threat and tend to come alive in these calibre of fixtures though.
Jhon Duran scored again in midweek – he’s definitely up there with the best strikers in the league at the moment. I can’t remember a player having such a consistent impact off the bench in the modern Premier League era, it’s remarkable. Villa need to find a way to work him into the first XI because he’s too good to be left on the bench all game.
Tottenham got a really positive result against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup, but it doesn’t make up for the league defeat against Crystal Palace last weekend. The Premier League is the bread and butter of the season and is how Ange Postecoglou will be judged at the end of the season. That being said, if Spurs can make a statement in the League Cup, then it will lift everyone around the club.
This is a tough one to call. Micky van de Ven looks to have picked up an injury and probably won’t be fit, but Spurs’ record at home this season has been really good. I think Tottenham will just about get the job done, but it will be close.
Prediction: Tottenham 2-1 Aston Villa (13/2)
Manchester United v Chelsea – Sunday 16:30
It’ll be interesting to see how Ruben Amorim fares as Manchester United boss, presuming he gets appointed. He plays a totally different formation to what the current crop of United players are used to, but I think he’ll make them more solid at the back for starters. The amount of times they were cut open by teams under Erik ten Hag was ridiculous – they were so easy to play against and that has to change.
This will be a fresh slate for a lot of players who have been on the periphery of the squad for a while and I think a lot of individuals will be raring to prove a point over the next few games, even if it’s still Ruud van Nistelrooy in charge. There’s a huge amount of talent in this Man United squad and it’s just about getting a tune out of them in order to move up the table.
Chelsea play some really good football on the eye, but still look a bit shaky at the back. They were all over Newcastle last Sunday and should have put the game to bed before the hour-mark, but with their defence and goalkeeper you just always thought there was a way for Newcastle to get back into the game. I think they need to address that if they’re to make that next step up as a team.
I question whether this Chelsea side has the ability to go to a noisy Old Trafford under the lights and win the game. They have a huge amount of talent, but you can tell it’s still a young squad by the way they play sometimes. I think the spoils will be shared here, with both teams getting on the scoresheet.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-2 Chelsea (15/2)
O’Hara’s Hotspots: Manchester United v Chelsea
- Draw
- Both Teams to Score
- Chelsea most yellow cards
Was 6/1 NOW 8/1