The Premier League continues, after a busy week in Europe for some, with the 14th round of fixtures this weekend.
Grosvenor Sport ambassadors Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique put two of this week’s key fixtures under the microscope, giving their insights on Newcastle United versus Manchester United and Manchester City versus Tottenham Hotspur.
Watch the full episode of The Counter Attack with Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique here
Newcastle v Manchester United
Jose Enrique:
Newcastle are struggling to maintain their intensity in both the Premier League and Champions League, but I still think they will win this game. From what I have seen so far, I think they will finish higher in the league than Man United come the end of the season.
Manchester United are the bigger team when it comes to expectations, it will be more dramatic if they don’t finish in the top four. United have to finish in the top four for Erik ten Hag to keep his job. I don’t think Eddie Howe is in the same situation at Newcastle; there is less pressure on them in fixtures like this.
The fact that the game is played at St James’ Park makes a big difference, the atmosphere will make it very tough for Manchester United and I think Newcastle will come away with the win.
Match prediction: Newcastle 2 – 0 Manchester United 9/1
Anytime goalscorer: Anthony Gordon 14/5
Jamie O’Hara:
I fancy Man United to pick up something from the game, I think Newcastle injuries could play a part in this game. The bench against PSG in the Champions League was awful, Lewis Hall, Paul Dummett and two goalkeepers, that was it!
As we’ve seen before, when Newcastle have played in the week they are out on their feet when the weekend comes, they aren’t used to playing that many games at that intensity, whereas Man United are kind of used to it. It’s a tough game but United can’t afford to lose ground and they have a knack of finding something when they need it.
When questions are asked about Erik ten Hag and his position at the club, they always seem to get a string of results, this is happening at the moment. They just seem to find a way and I can’t see them getting beat here.
Match Prediction: Newcastle 2 – 2 Manchester United 12/1
Anytime goalscorer: Marcus Rashford 13/5
Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur
Jamie O’Hara:
I don’t know what’s going on at Spurs, but it’s not looking good. Tottenham have got another big injury in Rodrigo Bentancur, who’s out for two and a half months.
They’ve lost three games on the bounce, maybe Ange Postecoglou needs to adapt but I don’t think he will. I think after Manchester City’s draw with Liverpool they’ll be up for this game and will see Tottenham’s form as a good opportunity to put them to the sword.
I love the way that Spurs are playing football, even against Aston Villa, they should’ve won with the amount of chances they made. However, they just concede goals. I look at it and think that you don’t want to be playing Man City off the back of a defeat like that. I think they need to be more solid defensively, and with their current injury situation, it will be a big ask against Man City.
I think they are down to their bare bones and they need reinforcements if they want to challenge for the top four. Looking forwards, I think they are going to struggle for the top four now. The likes of Eric Dier and Ben Davies as their back-up centre backs isn’t good enough, they need to move on from these players, if they seriously want to challenge.
Match prediction: Manchester City 2 – 1 Tottenham 7.5/1
Anytime goalscorer: Jeremy Doku 49/20
Jose Enrique:
I think if Tottenham try to go toe-to-toe with City, which I expect them to do, then City will destroy them. Ange Postecoglou will continue to play the same way no matter their opposition, but I don’t think Tottenham are going to be able to get anything out of this game. Man City are too strong and they are going to win.
I do like the way Postecoglou goes about things, even if they do get beaten it’s almost as if he won’t care as long as they play the way that he wants them to, because sticking to that style will benefit them in the long run.
Nonetheless, I think it will be a good game because both teams come out and try to play, but Spurs have a lot of injuries and they will not get anything out of this match.
Match prediction: Manchester City 3 – 1 Tottenham 8.5/1
Anytime goalscorer: Julian Alvarez 13/10
GW14 Predictions
Arsenal v Wolves
Jose Enrique: Arsenal (8/25)
Jamie O’Hara: Arsenal (8/25)
Brentford v Luton
Jose Enrique: Draw (15/4)
Jamie O’Hara: Brentford (4/9)
Burnley v Sheffield United
Jose Enrique: Draw (11/4)
Jamie O’Hara: Burnley (22/25)
Nottingham Forest v Everton
Jose Enrique: Draw (12/5)
Jamie O’Hara: Draw (12/5)
Newcastle v Manchester United
Jose Enrique: Newcastle (Evens)
Jamie O’Hara: Draw (14/5)
Bournemouth v Aston Villa
Jose Enrique: Aston Villa (19/20)
Jamie O’Hara: Aston Villa (19/20)
Chelsea v Brighton
Jose Enrique: Chelsea (8/11)
Jamie O’Hara: Chelsea (8/11)
Liverpool v Fulham
Jose Enrique: Liverpool (1/4)
Jamie O’Hara: Liverpool(1/4)
West Ham v Crystal Palace
Jose Enrique: West Ham (Evens)
Jamie O’Hara: West Ham (Evens)
Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur
Jose Enrique: Manchester City (3/10)
Jamie O’Hara: Manchester City (3/10)