Michael Owen’s Premier League Preview: Gameweek Ten

After an inconsistent start to the season, Leicester are looking back to their best now. That win over Man United a couple of weeks ago has given the squad a real boost and new-man Patson Daka is beginning to find his feet. His movement is so similar to Jamie Vardy’s and he’s the perfect man to fill in for him when he needs a rest.

Arsenal played well against Villa last Friday. They scored three and they probably should have scored more. Emile Smith Rowe got all the plaudits and rightly so, I thought his energy was infectious and he led by example.

I fancy Leicester here. Vardy’s record against Arsenal is fantastic and he’s scored 11 against them, more than any opponent. I can see him scoring here and Leicester winning.

Who saw that win at Goodison coming for Watford? To win 5-2 is a remarkable scoreline and what a lift that should give the squad. A lot of people have questioned the hiring of Ranieri, so that’s a brilliant way to start his tenure.

Southampton must have been gutted to have not got the win at home to Burnley. That’s now five draws for them and whilst they don’t lose many games, they don’t win many either.

I can see another draw here. This is a big game for both, and neither will want to come away with nothing. I’ll say 1-1.

There’s no point debating it, Mo Salah is the best player in the world. That was a masterclass from him last week and there’s no better feeling than knowing you’re going to score the minute you step foot on the pitch.  I thought Firmino was superb last week too and he’s allowing the likes of Salah and Jota to flourish.

I was surprised by Brighton’s result against City. I didn’t actually think they played badly, it was just a City masterclass, which can happen to any side.

I expect a response from Brighton here, but Liverpool will still have too much. It’ll be difficult for the Reds to match the performance of last week so I’m saying 2-1 Liverpool.

I thought Newcastle were a little fortunate last week against Palace. They conceded plenty of chances and if not for some wasteful finishing, Palace would have won.  Only Norwich have conceded more in the league and that needs sorting, fast.

I know people will say it was only Norwich, but with no Werner or Lukaku and to still score seven, wow! Chelsea’s squad depth is probably the league’s best, and they showed it. It was great to see Mason Mount grab a hat-trick and that should kickstart his season.

Chelsea have the league’s best defence and I can’t see Newcastle having enough to hurt them. I think Newcastle will try to keep things tight, but Chelsea will get the win here, 1-0.

City were brilliant against Brighton last week. They made a good side look ordinary at times and the movement and quality of passing was superb. Phil Foden deserves a mention, he’s been fantastic of late and was borderline unplayable last week.

Patrick Vieira must feel his side aren’t getting any luck at the minute. They conceded last second equalisers to Brighton and Arsenal and should have beat Newcastle last week.  They’ve only lost twice this season, but six draws must be frustrating.

Unfortunately for Palace, I can’t see anything but a City win here. They are playing too well at the minute and will win this comfortably.

That’s now three draws out of four for Burnley. There’s optimism here though, they’ve been playing well, and Cornet continues to be a real bright spark for them.

After a good start to the season, that’s two defeats in a row for Brentford. They’ve lost to Chelsea and Leicester and should certainly have come away with points from those games, so it’ll be frustrating for boss Thomas Frank.

This will be a clash of styles and I’m sure Burnley will be relishing it. A first win of the season is surely coming, and I can see it coming here, 1-0 Burnley.

It may be early in the season, but this feels like a season-defining game for both sides.  I don’t know what to make of Spurs. Every time they look like they’ve turned a corner they then put in a disappointing performance like last week’s against West Ham.

As bad as United were defensively against Liverpool, and they were bad, they looked good going forward. They had some chances early on and they looked a threat. The confidence in the squad will be low and the likes of Ronaldo will be key in galvanising them.

Both managers are under pressure here, particularly Ole.  United won 3-1 here last season and are yet to lose in the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. I think they can edge this 2-1.

It’s been a dreadful start to the season for Norwich and the morale of the squad must be at an all-time low after last week’s hammering to Chelsea. I just don’t see where a positive result will come from. They have the league’s worst attack and worst defence, that’s not going to work.

That was a massive last-minute penalty for Leeds,  by Rodrigo to salvage a point against Wolves last week. They haven’t quite got going yet this season, but this should be an ideal game for them.

Norwich will play right into Leeds’ hands here. I think they’ll be too open, and I’d expect Leeds to score a few goals.

I was disappointed by what I saw from Villa last week against Arsenal. I think Dean Smith still isn’t sure on his best team and the balance of the team isn’t right. They’ve got a very good squad though and are capable of much better.

I still thinkest Ham go under the radar. That was another excellent result against Spurs last week and the Hammers are firmly in the mix for the top six and could even shake up the top four.

I think this is a closer game than the table suggests.  After three defeats in a row, Villa can’t afford another defeat here and I’m going for a 1-1 draw.

Wolves got their first draw of the season last week and must have been gutted to have not got the win. I think Wolves are one of the league’s most underrated sides though and can see them climbing up towards the top eight.

Knowing him as I do, Rafa Benitez must have been furious after the defeat to Watford. To concede four in the space of 12 minutes is so unlike his sides and he’ll have been working on the training ground with them all week.

I really can’t separate these two. I think come the end of the season, there won’t be many points between them. I’m going for a draw.