As the league table starts to take shape, we take a look at what the seventh round of Premier League fixtures has in store for us.
Grosvenor Sport ambassadors Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique delve into three of the weekend’s key fixtures including the O’Hara/Enrique derby between Tottenham and Liverpool, as well as Aston Villa versus Brighton and Fulham versus Chelsea.
Watch the full episode of The Counter Attack with Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique here.
Aston Villa v Brighton
Jamie O’Hara:
Roberto De Zerbi is a great manager and I could see him guiding Brighton to European football again this season. Both teams have brilliant managers and Aston Villa did well in their win over Chelsea last week, but I’m not sure either of them will be able to break into the top four this season.
I can see Aston Villa getting all three points here. They’re on good form at the moment and they are going to have the full backing of Villa Park behind them, so I think they will pick up another win here. Don’t get me wrong I think it will be a tight game and there might only be one goal in it, and with fire power like Ollie Watkins up top they will always score goals.
Score prediction: Aston Villa 2 – 1 Brighton 8.5/1
Anytime goalscorer: Ollie Watkins 29/20
Jose Enrique:
Brighton have managed to get up to third already. I didn’t think Newcastle would finish in the top four last season, so anything is possible, but I still wouldn’t put them in there this season. Aston Villa are different in that they are not a selling club, but I also don’t see them being able to push the bigger clubs out of the top four at the moment.
In terms of the match, I think Aston Villa will win it. Playing at home will be a massive factor because the atmosphere at Villa Park is always electric. I’m not counting Brighton out and this game is almost 50/50, but I am just siding with Aston Villa.
Although he didn’t score I think Moussa Diaby played very well against Chelsea and he deserves a goal and this could be the perfect opportunity for him to make an important impact.
Score prediction: Aston Villa 2 – 0 Brighton 16/1
Anytime goalscorer: Moussa Diaby 9/5
Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool
Jose Enrique:
Spurs are playing fantastic football at the moment and I really like watching them. It’s too early to say how high they can finish, but they look like they can beat anyone at the moment and it has been a long time since you have been able to say that about them.
I think this is going to be a very tough game for Liverpool when Tottenham have the quality of Heung-min Son up front. The Spurs attack is what I fear the most for this game because Liverpool are struggling defensively.
If Liverpool can sure up their defence they could get a result, but I think Spurs will target Liverpool’s right-hand side well. I think they can exploit the width and make it very tough for Liverpool. I hope Liverpool can get three points, but I think a draw would be a good result and I can see it being a bit of a goal fest.
Score prediction: Tottenham 2 – 2 Liverpool 9.5/1
Anytime goalscorer: Mohamed Salah 27/25
Jamie O’Hara:
I thought Spurs were excellent in the North London Derby, it was a big game and they had to come back from a goal down twice. I thought it was a really good performance given how bad they have been at the Emirates over the years.
Heung-min Son had been the focal point this season and he’s taken it in his stride; he’s been better since Harry Kane has gone. He is the striker now and he’s the perfect man for it.
After the performance against Arsenal, I think Spurs could put Liverpool to the sword. They are not the Liverpool of old and defensively they are liable to concede goals, so I really think Tottenham could turn them over at home.
Score prediction: Tottenham 3 – 1 Liverpool 18/1
Anytime goalscorer: Heung-min Son 7/5
Fulham v Chelsea
Jose Enrique:
Chelsea are struggling, but I think Mauricio Pochettino is a great manager and if they keep him they will inevitably get better. He works really well with young players and this team just needs to click.
Chelsea put in a good performance against Brighton and I really think they can start to gel and win this game. I was particularly impressed with Cole Palmer and I think he deserves more minutes, if he gets a good run of games he could make a real impact.
Score prediction: Fulham 0 – 2 Chelsea 8.5/1
Anytime goalscorer: Cole Palmer 18/5
Jamie O’Hara:
This is a massive game for both clubs for one – Chelsea are an absolute shambles at the moment. They are massively in trouble and we have seen big teams struggle and even be relegated before… you never know.
Chelsea can’t buy a win at the moment and I think Fulham are going to get the better of this west London derby against a lacklustre Chelsea team, with Willian causing his old side all sorts of problems.
Score prediction: Fulham 2 – 1 Chelsea 11.5/1
Anytime goalscorer: Willian 13/2
Premier League Gameweek 7 predictions
Aston Villa v Brighton
Jose Enrique: Aston Villa 8/5
Jamie O’Hara: Aston Villa 8/5
Bournemouth v Arsenal
Jose Enrique: Arsenal 13/25
Jamie O’Hara: Arsenal 13/25
Everton v Luton
Jose Enrique: Everton 3/5
Jamie O’Hara: Everton 3/5
Manchester United v Crystal Palace
Jose Enrique: Crystal Palace 24/5
Jamie O’Hara: Manchester United 3/5
Newcastle v Burnley
Jose Enrique: Newcastle 1/3
Jamie O’Hara: Newcastle 1/3
West Ham v Sheffield United
Jose Enrique: West Ham 4/9
Jamie O’Hara: West Ham 4/9
Wolves v Manchester City
Jose Enrique: Manchester City 1/3
Jamie O’Hara: Manchester City 1/3
Tottenham v Liverpool
Jose Enrique: Draw 16/5
Jamie O’Hara: Tottenham 21/10
Nottingham Forest v Brentford
Jose Enrique: Draw 9/4
Jamie O’Hara: Draw 9/4
Fulham v Chelsea
Jose Enrique: Chelsea 21/10
Jamie O’Hara: Fulham 29/10