After providing five of the top 10 at this week’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, the Premier League continues with its 11th round of fixtures this weekend.
Grosvenor Sport ambassadors Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique give their insight on three of the weekend’s key fixtures, including Fulham versus Manchester United, Newcastle versus Arsenal, and Monday’s all-London affair between Tottenham and Chelsea.
Watch the full episode of The Counter Attack with Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique here.
Fulham v Manchester United
Jamie O’Hara:
This is a big game for Manchester United and one that they can’t afford to lose – if they do, I think Erik ten Hag comes under some serious pressure.
We might actually be being a bit harsh on United because they’re only two points behind Newcastle, so if they win this one and Newcastle lose to Arsenal – which is definitely possible – then they’ll go above them.
Fulham have been really average this season, especially in comparison with how impressed I was by them last season. Without Aleksandar Mitrovic they’re really struggling for goals.
Although they’re away from home, I don’t think it will be too difficult for United to keep Fulham quiet. Rasmus Hojlund is one who needs to start scoring and I think this is a good opportunity for him.
Score prediction: Fulham 0 – 2 Manchester United (10/1)
Anytime goalscorer: Rasmus Hojlund (33/20)
Jose Enrique:
With United playing away from home this will be a tough game for them. It’s difficult to see them getting anything better than a draw out of this game with the way they are playing at the moment. I haven’t been impressed with their performances of late.
Fulham haven’t been great this season but they have the home advantage and I actually believe that this is a good opportunity for them to get at least a point out of Manchester United. I like the look of Hojlund, but even if he is on form, I don’t think United will have enough to get more than a point out of this game.
Score prediction: Fulham 1 – 1 Manchester United (5.4/1)
Anytime goalscorer: Rasmus Hojlund (33/20)
Newcastle v Arsenal
Jose Enrique:
What a game this is! With it being at St. James’ Park, I think this will be a tough test for Arsenal even if their league form has been good. It’s a difficult one to call.
As a home stadium, not many come close to St. James’ Park and I think it could make a huge difference in such a big game like this, like we saw in the Champions League when they beat PSG just a few weeks ago.
It is going to be a very close game but I think home advantage just gives Newcastle the edge over Arsenal in this one. Arsenal are in great form in the league, but it is a tough place for any team to go and get a point when the stadium is really rocking.
Score prediction: Newcastle 2 – 1 Arsenal (9/1)
Anytime goalscorer: Callum Wilson (17/10)
Jamie O’Hara:
It’s games like this where I think the league gets really interesting, when the big teams go head-to-head. Newcastle need a big result in this one and being at home will certainly help them.
Gabriel Jesus might come back in here but Eddie Nketiah has been in top form and is starting to show how good of a player he is. For me, he isn’t good enough to lead a title-winning attack just yet because he needs to show it against the really top teams.
Nketiah will want to prove a few people wrong and produce the good against the likes of Newcastle. I think Arsenal have got what it takes to beat Newcastle, but it is such a tough place to go and win, so I think it will be hard for either side to take all three points.
Score prediction: Newcastle 2 – 2 Arsenal (12/1)
Anytime goalscorer: Eddie Nketiah (23/10)
Tottenham v Chelsea
Jamie O’Hara:
This is another massive game and I can’t wait for it, because I think this is Tottenham’s best opportunity for a while to really batter Chelsea. I think they can really go after Chelsea, who just don’t look confident at the moment.
IAnge Postecoglou is the real deal and he has gotten rid of the ‘Spursy’ title which was looming over Tottenham in previous years. The players are on side, they’re confident, and they’ve got a bit of arrogance about them.
I think Tottenham will be licking their lips looking at this Chelsea side and think, ‘here we go, it’s dinner time!’ I reckon Tottenham are going to batter Chelsea on Monday and win the game comfortably.
Score prediction: Tottenham 3 – 1 Chelsea (15/1)
Anytime goalscorer: James Maddison (2/1)
Jose Enrique:
Tottenham are very good at the moment, I love the way they play and I love watching them. The way things are at the moment, I think they are too good for Chelsea.
At one point I think everything will eventually click for Chelsea and they will do well, but at the moment, they are just not showing what they’re capable of, whereas Spurs look happy and confident when they are playing every week.
Spurs are flying at the moment and I just can’t see Chelsea even coming close to getting anything out of this game because they are just not performing to the level that they should be at the moment.
Score prediction: Tottenham 3 – 0 Chelsea (17/1)
Anytime goalscorer: Heung-min Son (11/8)
GW11 Predictions
Fulham v Manchester United
Jose Enrique: Draw
Jamie O’Hara: Manchester United
Brentford v West Ham
Jose Enrique: Draw
Jamie O’Hara: Draw
Burnley v Crystal Palace
Jose Enrique: Draw
Jamie O’Hara: Draw
Everton v Brighton
Jose Enrique: Brighton
Jamie O’Hara: Brighton
Manchester City v Bournemouth
Jose Enrique: Manchester City
Jamie O’Hara: Manchester City
Sheffield United v Wolves
Jose Enrique: Wolves
Jamie O’Hara: Wolves
Newcastle v Arsenal
Jose Enrique: Newcastle
Jamie O’Hara: Draw
Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa
Jose Enrique: Aston Villa
Jamie O’Hara: Draw
Luton v Liverpool
Jose Enrique: Liverpool
Jamie O’Hara: Liverpool
Tottenham v Chelsea
Jose Enrique: Tottenham
Jamie O’Hara: Tottenham