Following a blockbuster weekend in the Premier League, we jump right into what the eighth round of Premier League fixtures has in store for us.
Grosvenor Sport ambassadors Jamie O’Hara and Jose Enrique give their thoughts on three of the weekend’s key fixtures including a top of the table clash between Arsenal and Manchester City, as well as Brighton versus Liverpool, and Manchester United versus Brentford.
Arsenal v Manchester City
Jamie O’Hara:
It’s a massive game. Man City are coming into this one off the back of a loss for once and they looked a bit vulnerable against Wolves without Rodri in the middle of the park. He’s still suspended for this game and I think Arsenal will look at this game as a massive opportunity.
I think City could have some problems with the likes of Rodri, Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, and John Stones; they’re their best players. All of a sudden they look weaker and I actually think Arsenal are going to win this game. It is never going to be an easy game for Arsenal but I can see them just edging a victory here
Score prediction: Arsenal 2 – 1 Manchester City 9.5/1
Anytime goalscorer: Gabriel Martinelli 4/1
Jose Enrique:
Manchester City certainly looked weaker without Rodri against Wolves and he will be a big miss for them. Erling Haaland is the most important player for City because he is the one that scores the goals but Rodri is crucial and in that position they don’t have a top-class replacement in his position.
City are not the only ones with players missing and Arsenal will have a big problem if Bukayo Saka is unavailable. With Saka in the team I could definitely see Arsenal getting the better of City, but now I am not so sure. I think, with all the injuries and neither side looking particularly strong defensively, there is bound to be goals and with City missing a lot of firepower I can see Arsenal outscoring them.
Score prediction: Arsenal 3 – 2 Manchester City 25/1
Anytime goalscorer: Erling Haaland 23/20
Brighton v Liverpool
Jose Enrique:
This will definitely be a tough game with Liverpool having to recover after the last game but they have proved that even when they are not playing well they can win the game. They will still be confident heading into this game and it will be a good one to win to boost their top four credentials which will be their main target this season.
The fire from the Tottenham game will still be burning inside the Liverpool players, especially Luis Diaz. This is a great opportunity for them to bounce back given that Brighton took a beating from Aston Villa last weekend, and I think they will get the job done in style.
Score prediction: Brighton 0 – 3 Liverpool 20/1
Anytime goalscorer: Luis Diaz 39/20
Jamie O’Hara:
I thought Liverpool looked really good against Tottenham last weekend, before the VAR incident and the sending offs, and I actually still think they could challenge City for the title. they’re going to be coming out all guns blazing and wanting to really put Brighton to the sword, but it will still be a tough game.
I genuinely think Liverpool can win the title this season and if they get through this game and take three points of this Brighton side, they will be thinking to themselves that winning the title is realistic. I think they will be out to prove a point and I can see them winning this game pretty convincingly.
Score prediction: Brighton 0 – 2 Liverpool 15/1
Anytime goalscorer: Mohamed Salah 27/25
Manchester United v Brentford
Jamie O’Hara:
Manchester United are in serious trouble. My main issue is with Andre Onana because they’ve spent £50 million on a donkey; I bet they wish they still had David de Gea. However, a lot of the other players do need to take responsibility because there have been a lot of poor performances.
If Manchester United don’t win this game, there’s going to be riots. You can’t lose to Crystal Palace and then go on to lose to Brentford at home. Hojlund did really well in the Champions League earlier in the week and he will want to get on the scoresheet at home in the Premier League so I think he will be key to United winning this one.
Score prediction: Manchester United 2 – 1 Brentford 7/1
Anytime goalscorer: Rasmus Hojlund 13/8
Jose Enrique:
It seems like Erik ten Hag doesn’t have any pressure on him but they just keep losing and you can’t let things carry on like that, especially not at Manchester United. If they don’t get close to the top four this year can they really keep him?
When it comes to this game, Manchester United just don’t look like beating anyone at the moment and Brentford are certainly not going to gift them a win. If United don’t start well Old Trafford will turn against them and I don’t think that will help. I just can’t see them getting anything more than a draw out of this game, and I’m not too upset about that!
Score prediction: Manchester United 1 – 1 Brentford 6.5/1
Anytime goalscorer: Vitaly Janelt 12/1
GW8 Predictions:
Luton v Tottenham
Jose Enrique: Tottenham 4/9
Jamie O’Hara: Tottenham 4/9
Burnley v Chelsea
Jose Enrique: Chelsea 7/10
Jamie O’Hara: Chelsea 7/10
Everton v Bournemouth
Jose Enrique: Draw 14/5
Jamie O’Hara: Draw 14/5
Fulham v Sheffield United
Jose Enrique: Fulham 16/25
Jamie O’Hara: Fulham 16/25
Manchester United v Brentford
Jose Enrique: Draw 13/4
Jamie O’Hara: Manchester United 7/10
Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest
Jose Enrique: Crystal Palace 5/4
Jamie O’Hara: Draw 47/20
Brighton v Liverpool
Jose Enrique: Liverpool 5/4
Jamie O’Hara: Liverpool 5/4
West Ham v Newcastle
Jose Enrique: Newcastle 11/10
Jamie O’Hara: Draw 14/5
Wolves v Aston Villa
Jose Enrique: Aston Villa 23/20
Jamie O’Hara: Aston Villa 23/20
Arsenal v Manchester City
Jose Enrique: Arsenal 2/1
Jamie O’Hara: Arsenal 2/1