The Premier League is roaring back this weekend with a number of big fixtures for fans to sink their teeth into.
Grosvenor Sport ambassador Jamie O’Hara is here to break down three must-watch matchups, including Sunday’s showdown between Manchester United and Tottenham.
Newcastle v Manchester City – Saturday 12:30
For me, Manchester City were poor in the second half of the Arsenal game last week. It’s really hard to play against two banks of four, especially with Arsenal’s Gabriel and William Saliba, who are brilliant. They did find a way and they got their goal, so they didn’t lose the game, but they will be frustrated.
This is a tough game for City; St James’ Park will always be a difficult place to go! Having said that, I don’t think Newcastle have looked particularly strong. The result against Fulham had been coming for them – they got found out, and Fulham deserved the win.
I still think Manchester City will win this game. I just think Newcastle are not quite where they want to be yet, and they are still lacking in that star quality. The likes of Erling Haaland, who is an absolute beast at the moment, will make the difference. He’s out there to kill teams off – you saw the way he was in the Arsenal game. He’s fighting, and he wants this title badly – he’s an absolute machine!
Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Manchester City (13/2)
Wolves v Liverpool – Saturday 17:30
This is a really tough one for Wolves. Liverpool are in good form, and Arne Slot has got his side playing really well. Tactically, Liverpool look on point, and they have those star players in the team that can take games by the scruff of the neck and win them. People were expecting a drop-off when Jürgen Klopp left, but actually Arne Slot has come in and he’s getting good results from his players.
Mohamed Salah is one of these star players I’m referring to, and Trent Alexander-Arnold is another. I’d go as far as saying, with this new style of inverted full-backs coming into midfield, Trent is the best full-back in the world!
Wolves are on the back foot at the moment; they’ve got nothing going for them. I suppose they could go into this game with a “we’ve got nothing to lose” attitude, because no one is expecting anything from them, but I can’t see anything but a Liverpool victory here. Wolves need to focus on their games against teams in and around them in the table. I’d be really surprised if they pull anything off in this one.
Prediction: Wolves 1-3 Liverpool (8/1)
Manchester United vs. Tottenham – Sunday 16:30
Manchester United haven’t shown me anything different from what I saw last season. They are going to win some games, and they will create some chances because they do have top players. But in terms of identity and how they’re actually playing, I don’t see anything different. I think they’ll finish seventh or eighth again.
Spurs beat Brentford last time out and, most importantly, both Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson got on the scoresheet. I’ve been critical of Johnson, but I’m happy to be proved wrong. He needs to be consistent now – not fours and eights, but sixes and sevens. As for Solanke, people started to get critical when he was injured, but his hold-up play is good, and he works his socks off.
Tottenham have to go into this one with confidence. Old Trafford isn’t the same as it was. All teams go there now with an element of expectation to leave with points, which was never the case when I played.
I think this game looks like a draw. Tottenham will try to win, but they do leak goals at the back. I can’t remember the last clean sheet Tottenham got. I think they will concede, so I’m expecting a score draw – but it could go either way.
Prediction: Manchester Utd 2-2 Tottenham (8/1)
O’Hara’s Hotspots: Manchester United v Tottenham Bet Builder
- Both Teams To Score
- Dominic Solanke To Score
- Over 9.5 Corners
BOOSTED FROM 4/1 TO 6/1