Michael Owen – Premier League Matchday 4 Preview

It’s crunch time for Chelsea. Points dropped last weekend after a defeat to Liverpool means that if the Blues don’t take maximum points here, the heat will be turned up a notch on Frank Lampard. For all the criticism levelled at Chelsea this week, it must be said that they showed tremendous grit to come back from 3-0 down at West Brom and come away with a point. Manchester United conquerors Crystal Palace will again quietly fancy their chances here, but I fancy Chelsea to fire and come away with the points.

Brighton have been great to watch so far this season. They showed glimpses of what that they can do when going down fighting in the season opener against Chelsea. They were again unlucky to leave empty handed against Manchester United. Everton pose another tough challenge here. Carlo Ancelotti laid the foundations last season before acquiring some class in the summer, and it’s starting to pay dividends. As likeable as Brighton are, I’m taking the Toffees to win.

Leeds have been a tremendous watch, so far. You must admire their gun slinging approach to games and if they can rattle Manchester City with their high press, I wouldn’t put it past Bielsa’s men to get something out of the game.  However, if any team can beat that press it’s Manchester City and that could lead to a difficult evening for the home team. 4-1 to the Citizens is my prediction.

Newcastle have had an indifferent start to the season. They got off to a flyer against West Ham in the opener but had a woeful time of it when Brighton dispatched them easily by a three goal margin. Last weekend’s draw with Spurs will have given the Magpies a much needed confidence boost, and up against a Burnley team that are desperately short on numbers, I think they can get a result.

What an afternoon it was for Leicester last Sunday. There’s no sign of Jamie Vardy slowing up and you wouldn’t back against him notching again here. West Ham had a great result of their own as they thumped Wolves 4-0 at home and David Moyes’ men will go into this full of confidence. I think it will be tight, however, Brendan Rodgers has the Foxes playing well and I think they will just edge the Londoners out.

Southampton got a much needed win away at Burnley last Saturday night. It wasn’t a classic, but the Saints won’t care too much about that. West Brom were brought back down to earth after an unbelievable first half performance against Chelsea to share the points. You should never lose a three goal lead, and I think we might see a hangover in this one for the Baggies. I’m taking the Saints to march away with the points.

It’s not been the best of starts for Sheffield United. The Blades’ have lost three in a row and have looked a shell of the side that we saw last season. I have mentioned before that teams that fare so well first time out in the Premier League can struggle in their second season. This has been the case so far, and the visit to Arsenal couldn’t have come at a worse time. I can’t see anything other than a home win.

Where do we start with Fulham? The Cottagers haven’t got started in their return to the Premier League. Rock bottom with no points and a visit to Wolves won’t fill any Fulham fan with enthusiasm. Wolves themselves were as poor as I’ve seen them against West Ham, however, I think they have the class in their squad to get a reaction in this one.

Jose Mourinho was last seen in the Premier League, storming off the pitch after VAR robbed his side of 3 points at home to Newcastle last weekend. Who could blame him? Unfortunately, these are the new rules, so you have to feel for the officials in this case as well. Of course, this match has the added twist that Mourinho returns to Old Trafford. These are situations he thrives in and I expect Spurs to be disciplined. United have had problems of their own in their first two matches even though they managed to nick the points last week at Brighton, and I think they could have just enough to edge it here.

It’s been an unbelievable start for Aston Villa. The Villains have taken maximum points from their first two games, with Monday night’s win against Fulham their first win on the road in the Premier League since 2016. That said, the challenge of facing Liverpool is a whole different level. The Reds were electric at times against Arsenal on Monday night and if the Champions are in the mood again, I think they’ll come away with an easy 3 points.