TheCable

Over the next eight days we will get to see just how good Southampton are.

This Saturday the Saints play Manchester City, then Arsenal on Wednesday and Manchester United the following Monday.

Will the bubble burst for the Saints or they keep marching on?

Our soccer analysts are around to give you their views and predictions on this game and nine others Barclays Premier League matches.

Welcome to BPL preview!

WEST BROM V ARSENAL  

Kayode, we start with you and by the way, congratulations on your team’s fourth position on the log. Man U beat Arsenal last week but the Gunners have won three and lost none of their last five league visits to the Hawthorns and lost none of the last seven in all competitions (W4 D3 L0). Do you see them maintaining this impressive record against West Brom?

Kayode: Arsenal are not having a great season in all ramifications of the word, though they are just five points behind the top four. This tricky away game to West Brom is an opportunity for progressive change. Arsene Wenger is definitely under immense pressure having lost two games in a row with a “change style or leave” chants by the fans, so this is an opportunity to silence the critics. West Brom lost 2-0 to Chelsea and a further loss pushes them near the relegation zone. 1-2

Sunday: Arsenal have had an indifferent start to the season, to say the least. However, this game coming on the back of Champions League progress against a top side in Borussia Dortmund without conceding a goal would see the Gunners having a psychological boost at the Hawthorns. Jack Wilshere and Mikael Arteta are lost to injury but in Ramsey, Carzola, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez, including the returning Olivier Giroud, Arsenal have the firepower to destroy West Brom and they have not lost to a team in the bottom half of the league. In Sanchez, they have a player on form, with most of the club’s better statistics featuring the Chilean as the go-to man. Both teams have lost their last two games and would need a break, however, West Brom are likely to continue their poor form. They have managed to win just once at home this season and that was against relegation favourites, Burnley. On the attacking front, they have scored just thrice against teams in the top half this season and failed to score in four of those six games. Also, the biggest news at the club this week was the arrest of their top-scorer, Saido Berahino for drunk-driving and this may impact his performance on Saturday. Arsenal to claim a win in the Midlands. 0-2

Aisha: It’s been a season of ups and downs for Arsenal. Isn’t it always? Last weekend’s loss to Manchester United was hard to take for Arsenal fans but the win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League must have given them renewed hope. West Brom will be tough at home but the Gunners should win this. 1-2

BURNLEY V ASTON VILLA  

Burnley have lost none of their last 13 home matches against Aston Villa in all competitions (W8 D5 L0) dating back to 1959. Aisha, that’s really a long.

Aisha: Yes it is and Burnley’s 2-1 win over Stoke City away from home was one of the surprise results last weekend. Aston Villa’s form isn’t too good at the moment which is why they sit in 14th place. I think this will be a 1-1 draw

Sunday: This is going to be a strange game between two perennial bottom sides. Burnley are in every man’s card to get relegated straight back to the Championship while Aston Villa will keep struggling to maintain their Premiership status. Burnley went 10 matches winless but have won their last two since and have managed only eight goals in the season. Aston Villa on the other hand started the season with 10 points from a possible 12 but lost five on the trot and managed to stop the rot with draws in their last two games. They have only managed 6 goals all season – two of them coming away from home. However, one has to pity Aston Villa because they have had to face the big teams in that winless run. Although Danny Ings is back scoring for Burnley, Aston Villa should come away from this low-scoring game unscathed. 1-1

Kayode: Aston Villa will be careful not to lose this because losing while in 16th position is dangerous but the fact that 19th position team Burnley went away to beat Stoke should send alarm bells ringing. Also, Burnley have not lost any of their last 13 home games against Villa in all competitions since 1959 like the moderator said. Will Burnley go all out like their fans will want or sit back, lure in the desperate Villa? That determines this game. 1-0

LIVERPOOL V STOKE CITY 

Mario Balotelli has not scored or assisted a single goal in his last 12 hours and 48 minutes on the pitch in the BPL. Sunday, will he break his dock against Stoke?

Sunday: Doubt it! Liverpool and Balotelli have been disappointing this season, to say the least. They have fallen many steps from title challengers to mid-table team in one summer! Their biggest worry presently, aside a kamikaze goalkeeper and defence, is who to start upfront. The once ‘Super Mario’ has been dreadful upfront, to put it straight: he doesn’t help the team when they are without the ball. Rickie Lambert, on the other hand is a willing runner but the tactics have not favoured him. However, he did himself a lot good with two goals in midweek and Brendan Rodgers should stick with him. Stoke, on the other hand have a better away record than at home and they have already won at both Man City and Tottenham (won 3 and drawn 2 of 7). What makes them thick is their short passing game – spearheaded by Bojan – which has produced most of their goals (77%) and this is bad news for Liverpool’s midfield and defence. The good news, however, is that they have a good record at home when they return from European action and Stoke will miss Victor Moses’ industry, therefore the Reds should scrape through. 2-0

Kayode: Liverpool are having a nightmare season. Losing 3-1 last weekend to Crystal palace was not the worst! Liverpool have lost three games consecutively and injuries and poor form which can’t be used as excuses. Rodgers has presided over 88 league games as Liverpool’s coach but has conceded an appalling 111 goals! There’s hope though, and like Arsenal, the Reds are five points behind the top four in spite of all this. 2-0

Aisha: 12th on the BPL table and having a poor run in the Champions League, Liverpool’s season have gone pear shaped. But Stoke are not having a great season themselves. Pressure is beginning to mount on Liverpool’s manager Brendan Rodgers while the Anfield crowd has uncharacteristically failed to inspire the Reds. But I still fancy Liverpool to win this 2-1

MANCHESTER UNITED V HULL CITY

Manchester United have won the last nine straight matches against Hull City including all six meetings in the BPL. Kayode, your team has no choice but to win this.

Kayode: No choice than for United to win this to keep up the pressure on the leaders and stay in the top four, even a draw will be a calamity. If Wayne Rooney stays in the form that destroyed Arsenal then Hull City will have challenges in different departments. What will Hull boss Steve Bruce do with his team now on three consecutive loses as well as only one win in their last eleven games in the league? Seventeenth position means they should be desperate. And restating what the moderator said, United have won nine games in a row against their opponents. Hull sadly are coming from a home loss to Spurs. 3-1

Sunday: Hull City are up against it at Old Trafford. Not only have they won just once since their open day win at QPR and are on a five game winless streak since a 2-0 win over Palace in early October, their manager, Steve Bruce, has never managed a win over United. Despite the talented pool they possess in attack – which is yet to gel – they have unusually gone flat in defence also. Hull City have, however, done well against the big teams but do not expect anything from a confident Manchester United. Coming from a smash-and-grab victory away at Arsenal last week, Van Gaalacticos will be brimming with confidence and Rooney is proving a class act as captain both on and off the field. Man United’s defence is not yet impregnable but I was impressed with Chris Smallings’ co-ordination work at Arsenal and David de Gea has matured impressively. Although still suspect from set-pieces, Hull have not scored from such situation this season and will likely get no joy at Old Trafford. A straight win for the Red Devils. 3-1

Aisha: The Red Devils got all three points against Arsenal at the Emirates despite being second best for most of the game. That result will no doubt give them the confidence to take on Hull City. 2-0

QUEENS PARK V LEICESTER CITY  

Leicester have won only one of their last 25 BPL games against London sides (L15 D9). Kayode, I’m sure you expect the losing run to continue?

Kayode: It will even though QPR last weekend lost to Newcastle United while Liecester drew at home to Sunderland. Both are at the bottom of the table and its survival battle here at Loftus Road. If QPR are in relegation fear, Leicester are completely off form. It looks like a QPR win, though it will still see them at the bottom. 2-0

Sunday: One of many relegation six-pointers around. Leicester City’s honeymoon is over as they have not managed a win since THAT WIN over Man United (smiles at Kayode)and are currently on a seven game winless run with six losses and just two goals scored – against Burnley at home – in that period. Leonardo Ulloa’s goals has dried up, while the team looks short on confidence as they slide down the BPL table. QPR are not better either, but Harry Redknapp’s men have been playing better in recent weeks without a result to show for it. They have an average of 1.5 goals per game when playing in front of their fans and their record at home against the bottom half opposition is almost flawless. Bobby Zamora is back and Charlie Austin does enjoy his presence in the team, therefore he should score in a much-needed straightforward win for the Rangers. 2-0

Aisha: Two sides that may well be relegated at the end of the season. There isn’t much difference between QPR and Leicester City so I will settle for a 1-1 draw

SWANSEA CITY V CRYSTAL PALACE 

Wilfried Bony is the top scoring BPL player in 2014 with 17 goals. He has scored five goals in his last six league outings for Swansea. Sunday, do you fancy him scoring against Crystal Palace?

Sunday: Yes because his team, Swansea are a formidable side on any day, and at home they are even better. Manager Gary Monk has maintained the team mantra of pass and play and they have a monster of a player in Wilfried Bony – the Ivorian just knows when to hold up the ball or release the pass and he would be playing in a top-five team soonest. The Swans have failed to score in just three matches this season and they have scored an average of 1.8 goals per game at home. Against lower opposition they do not concede and have an average of 2.0 goals in such games. Crystal Palace are also good, but you don’t know which side would turn up (sluggish or electric) and they rely on the form of their two mercurial wingers Yannick Bolasie and Jason Puncheon – especially Bolasie – to punch above their weight. Bolasie destroyed Liverpool last weekend and he will be looked upon for inspiration again. Swansea should drown Palace in Wales. 2-0

Kayode: Seventh Position Swansea at home at the Liberty Stadium to 15 position Crystal Palace. Bear in mind Swansea lost their last game away to Man City after scoring first but they should be able to defeat a very unpredictable Palace who are capable of shocking any team on their day. 2-1

Aisha: The Swans lost to Man City last time out but only just. Crystal Palace were impressive in their 3-1 win over Liverpool but I believe Swansea will get the win. 2-1

WEST HAM V NEWCASTLE UNITED

This match sees former Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce (BPL record at Newcastle: W7 D5 L9) against former West Ham manager Alan Pardew (BPL record at West Ham: W20 D9 L26). The Hammers have only won two of the last 17 BPL matches against the Magpies (W2 D7 L8) and have gone three Barclays Premier League games without a win for the first time since April. Sunday, what’s your take?

Sunday: Few weeks ago, Sam Allardyce was being hailed a genius for an enterprising attacking play which earned his side four wins in six but now have no win in their last three games as you pointed out. Now it is the turn of Alan Pardew to receive such accolade after five straight BPL wins on the back of some horrendous jibes at him from us, the supporters (hold up his hands). Club owner, Mike Ashley would be laughing in his office now, calling himself a genius over a cup of tea with Pardew. Looking at the game, both teams should attack and the goals could flow aplenty. West Ham have not lost at home in four attempts (3 wins and 1 draw) while Newcastle have won two and drawn one of their last three away games in the league. The Hammers are currently on a four-match winless run and they would look to stop the rot in front of their fans at the Boleyn Ground even though they have injury concerns for the likes of Mark Noble, Alex Song, Enner Valencia, Diafra Sakho, Cheikhou Kouyate and Stewart Downing. 2-1

Aisha: It’s not often that West Ham and Newcastle are 6th and 5th on the BPL table but this is one of such times. Newcastle’s recent form has been absolutely fabulous after a miserable run of results which almost got manager Alan Pardew sacked. Both teams are in good form so I will go for an exciting 2-2 draw

Kayode: West Ham can win this but must be wary of Newcastle who will be coming from a 1-0 home win against QPR. West Ham remember lost to Chelsea but at sixth position they know it’s best not to move down and what better way than to shock an unpredictable Newcastle. I give this to West Ham. 2-1

SUNDERLAND V CHELSEA

Sunderland have lost their last nine Barclays Premier League home games against Chelsea. Aisha, another win for your Chelsea would set a league record for consecutive home defeats to the same opposition. What do you think?

Aisha: In the words of Jose Mourinho, Chelsea are playing beautiful football at the moment. And who can disagree? The Blues are in imperious form in the BPL and in the Champions League. I know that Sunderland inflicted the only home defeat in the Premier League on Mourinho last season but I don’t think the Black Cats can withstand the league leaders in this encounter. Chelsea to win this. 0-2

Sunday: Who would stop Chelsea? That is the question everyone has been asking. They are in such imperial form that they can grind out results, provide attacking master class and also mix it a little bit. Jose Mourinho’s men are unbeaten and have drawn twice away and won the other four. However, they have not managed one clean sheet on their travels and Sunderland could provide the first. Since their 0-8 reverse against Southampton, Sunderland have adopted a safety first approach with positional play the watchword for the Mackems. They have managed to concede ‘just’ six in four games since and Chelsea would need to be at their best to grind it out while also giving us a masterful performance from the likes of Eden Hazard, Oscar, top goal scorer Diego Costa and assist king, Fabregas. A comfortable afternoon for the champions-elect. 0-2

Kayode: Gus Poyet can become the first manager to inflict three successive defeats on Jose Mourinho should Sunderland maintain their Indian sign over the Blues. Never, in 14 years in the dugout, has the Blues boss suffered three straight losses at the hands of an opposite number. I see it happening though. 1-0

SOUTHAMPTON V MANCHESTER CITY 

Saints have won six and lost none of their last eight Premier League home games, conceding just two goals in total in this run. Sunday, where will the pendulum swing in this game of the week?

Sunday: The game of the week by all means pits the season’s surprise team against the champions. Southampton starts their run of three difficult matches with the visit of reigning champions, Manchester City. Boosting the best defence in the league, Ronald Koeman’s Southampton have the basis to shock their more illustrious opponent. Coupled with the ability of Dusan Tadic to slice open defences, this game should be a cracker. The Saints are on a five-game unbeaten streak while the Citizens are experiencing a below-par season with two wins in four. Their form away from home also leaves much to be desired with only a 50% win ratio and they ship in goals against teams that set out to attack them: as witnessed at West Ham. Southampton have dropped just two points at home all season – winning 5 and drawing 1 – and conceding just once! However, with the presence of Sergio Aguero for City following his hat-trick exploit against Bayern Munich in midweek, Southampton should at least concede once. A score draw is definitely on here. 1-1

Aisha: Manchester City virtually came back from the dead in the Champions League game against Munich to keep alive hopes of qualifying for the round of 16. Such results are most times the turning points of the season. However, against Southampton, the champions are up against a side that is even better than them this season. It will be an explosive encounter but City have the quality to nick this. 1-2

Kayode: Okay this is where the reality check begins for fairytale team of the season Southampton. They are home to a City team that are very desperate to close the gap before Chelsea completely run away with the league in record time. They must first beat Southampton before dreaming of that chase. So how will Southampton react to this threat? City are struggling and only managed to beat Swansea last weekend . Southampton have not lost in eight home games, winning six and conceding just two goals. Juxtapose this with City scoring in all six of their away fixtures and you get a cracking game. Okay I want to take a risk – Southampton to win this. 2-1

TOTTENHAM V EVERTON

Tottenham are unbeaten in their last five Premier League games against Everton at White Hart Lane (W3 D2 L0). Kayode, what are your expectations?

Kayode: Everton will be travelling to White Hart Lane with their confidence boosted by the 2-1 home win to West Ham last weekend which place them in number nine position. So Spurs, just next to them below in the table, have it all to fight for. Spurs are yet to lose to West Ham in this venue in five meetings like you said. Add that to the tough win against Hull city last weekend and Spurs might fancy nicking this, but they should be wary of Everton who have won three of their last five games. 2-1

Sunday: Two teams expected to wrestle with the top four for the rights to play in the Champions league. Two teams who recently qualified for the knock-out stage of the Europa League. Two team sitting side-by-side on the log. Both Tottenham and Everton were mentioned for great things this season but are currently failing to live up to that potential. And with the game coming on the back of a night in Europe, there is less fanfare expected. Tottenham’s home record is appalling as they have lost four of six home games. Everton’s away record is not particularly impressive, with three draws and a loss in six. Everton have not defeated top-10 opposition away from home, while Spurs are one of two teams to defeat Southampton this season (the other being Chelsea) and kept a clean sheet in the process. Both Tottenham and Everton do not have a good record in BPL games after playing in Europe, with Spurs managing just a win while Everton have none. However, I expect Mauricio Pochettino’s midfielders to provide the goals and win in a feisty tactical battle against Roberto Martinez’s boys. 2-1

Aisha: Both sides won with similar score line, 2-1, last weekend. Both sides have similar points, 17. I think this is a nailed on draw. 2-2

There are games on Tuesday and Wednesday but sadly our soccer analysts won’t be in town to bring your favourite programme to you.

Do not despair because we will be back to preview the weekend games.

Southampton again are involved in the star match. This time they host the other Manchester team – the ‘real’ Manchester team according to Kayode Tijani – at St. Mary’s Stadium.

Bye for now!

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