Premier League, Manchester City hunt for 18th consecutive home win. Forest insidious for Chelsea.
One of the main risk factors ahead of the new season for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City was the absence of major motivation. Normal for a team that won virtually everything there was to win between May and June.
And which-excluding the defeat it suffered on penalties against Arsenal in the Community Shield-continued to do so in August, lifting the first European Super Cup in its history. The Citizens also got off to the best possible start in the Premier League, a tournament that has seen them dominate for three consecutive years now. Of course, the calendar has extended a helping hand to Haaland and his teammates, who have faced two newcomers like Burnley and Sheffield United – beaten 3-0 and 2-1 respectively – but in between is the far from obvious victory against ambitious Newcastle, defeated 1-0 at the Etihad. The European champions, the only ones still with full points in England’s top league, now go on the hunt for their 18th consecutive success in front of their home crowd – that would be a record – against Fulham. The Londoners so far have not been more exciting, but a week ago they managed to snatch a point at home to Arsenal. And a few days later came the victory (after penalty kicks) against Tottenham in the League Cup. The chances of remaining undefeated even against the defending champions, however, seem very slim indeed.
The predictions on the other matches
The second round of the League Cup this year also involved Chelsea, another big name that will not participate in European competition. The Blues last Wednesday took a big risk against Wimbledon, a League Two club, who came back and beat them by a risky 2-1.
Sterling exults after a goal
Mauricio Pochettino certainly needs time to turn around a team that has again changed so much in the market. Meanwhile, after the draw with Liverpool and the defeat with West Ham for the Londoners came their first joy thanks to the round 3-0 win over Luton Town. At Stamford Bridge this time it is Nottingham Forest, which put a scare into Manchester United at Old Trafford last Saturday, losing 3-2. Chelsea are favored but it cannot be ruled out that the Tricky Trees could score at least one goal. Brentford, on the other hand, is no longer surprising, still unbeaten (two draws and one win).The Bees should also get the better of Bournemouth, in a match with at least three total goals. It could, on the contrary, be dominated by fear in the salvation clash between Sheffield United and Everton, two direct competitors still pinned to zero points. Finally, it has a good chance of bringing another three points home to Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham. Despite losing on penalties to Fulham in the League Cup – they played so many reserves – Spurs should come out on top at home to Burnley in a potentially entertaining challenge.
Premier League: possible winners
- Everton or draw (in Sheffield United-Everton).
- Brentford (in Brentford-Bournemouth)
- Tottenham (in Burnley-Tottenham)
- Manchester City (in Manchester City-Fulham)
The match by at least one goal per team
- Chelsea-Nottingham Forest
Premier League: games by at least three goals total
- Brentford-Bournemouth.
- Manchester City-Fulham
