TheCable

A week is a long time in football.

A week without Barclays Premier League is even longer.

So, after seven days of international friendlies, Euro 2016, and Morocco 2015 qualifiers, the BPL is back! Our analysts are back, too, to serve you their predictions and views on all 10 games.

ARSENAL V MANCHESTER CITY

Aisha Falode (AF): Arsenal humiliated Man City 3-0 in the Community Shield but I expect things to be much different this time. 2-2

Sunday Omeike (SO): Arsenal begin a run of tough matches and will do good to earn at least a point against City who’d be looking to recover from Stoke’s hammer blow. 2-2

Kayode Tijani (KT): I am tempted to join you guys and predict a draw but after a brace for England against Switzerland earlier in the week new recruit, Danny Welbeck’s confidence will be sky high, though Arsenal face a tricky home game against reigning champions City, who are still smarting from their shock defeat at the Etihad to Stoke. The shock goes on! 3-1

CHELSEA V SWANSEA

AF: The only two teams with perfect starts to the season. But even if Diego Costa doesn’t play, I fancy Chelsea to be too strong for the Swans at Stamford Bridge. 2-0

SO: Diego Costa or not, the Blues firepower upfront should down the men from Wales. One team’s unbeaten start is about to come to an abrupt end. No draw here! 3-1

KT: Sunday is really in confident mood! The high-flying Swans will at least not have to contend with Chelsea’s top-scoring striker Diego Costa, who is suffering from a hamstring injury … or isn’t he? Aisha, remember we were told the same thing before the Everton game. With or without him, Swansea will see blues! 3-1

CRYSTAL PALACE V BURNLEY

AF: Two sides that may well be candidates for relegation at the end of the season. But I think Palace will win this. 2-1

SO: Palace manager Neil Warnock’s unpredictability and adaptability will work in his favour here. He nearly took my darling Newcastle to the cleaners last week and I’m expecting him to sink an impressive Burnley unit that have shown flashes without a good result. Holding a toothless Man U to 0-0 doesn’t count! (Kayode, a United fan, bares his teeth and reaches for Sunday Luis Suarezly) 2-1

KT: (Still laughing) I will go for a win for the home side as well. Man U ‘misfit’ Wilfred Zaha should fire Palace to victory. 2-0

SOUTHAMPTON V NEWCASTLE UNITED

KT: Alan Pardew was sacked by Southampton just over four years ago and recent returns with his team have ended painfully, not least last season’s 4-0 walloping. With Newcastle still without a win this season, and pressure rising on the manager, this is a perfect time to turn the tide. 1-3

SO: I disagree with you Kay because I think this will be the nail in Pardew’s Newcastle coffin, no? Southampton have surprisingly had a good start and their technical style of football should tear apart the Toon Army who look really toothless (smiles at Kay) and uninspired currently. 3-1

AF: The Saints have coped well with losing several key players this season. Newcastle are also not a bad side even if results haven’t exactly gone their way so far. 2-2

STOKE CITY V LEICESTER CITY

KT: The international break should have allowed Stoke to get over the euphoria of beating City in their last match, so back to reality! Leicester, who have taken good points against Everton and Arsenal and impressed in defeat at Chelsea, have new signings Nick Powell, Tom Lawrence and Danny Simpson in their squad, as well as Argentine Esteban Cambiasso. Stoke should nick this one. 1-0

AF: Stoke City got the most shocking result of the season so far by beating champions Man City 1-0 at the Etihad. I go with Kay; they will beat Leicester. 2-0

SO: Stoke manager, Mark Hughes, has evolved the team’s playing style and they admirably shut out the champions in their backyard. Leicester City, however, have shown grit and determination but their work rate will be tired out by an impressive but unpredictable Stoke team. 2-0

SUNDERLAND V TOTTENHAM

AF: Spurs made a flying start to the season but were woeful in the 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool. But I don’t think Sunderland have enough quality to beat them. 1-1

SO: Frankly, Sunderland have not improved on last season and their struggle will continue this weekend against a Spurs side looking to banish the Liverpool hammering. Spurs to nick it! 1-2

KT: Summer signings Sebastian Coates and Ricky Alvarez will hope for Sunderland debuts in this game. Will their influence be enough to stop Spurs? I seriously doubt it. 1-4

WEST BROM V EVERTON

SO: A game to look out for in terms of the BPL’s tendency to rain goals. However, I’d give it a share of the points. Everton now see themselves as a top club and are playing so, but West Brom still know how to grind out results and they need to start from this weekend on. Ideye to open his BPL account. 1-1

KT: (Stands up to sing the National Anthem. General laughter.) I’m not as optimistic for Ideye and his West Brom mates. Everton should have recovered from the humiliation against Chelsea and will seek a pound of flesh from the home team. 1-3

AF: Have Everton recovered sufficiently from their amazing 6-3 loss to Chelsea? Nevertheless, I’m backing them for an away win here. 1-2

LIVERPOOL V ASTON VILLA

SO: Sturridge is out but Balotelli and Sterling to win it for the Merseysiders. Villa have started well and could shock Liverpool, but not this weekend! 3-1

KT:  You are right Sunday; not this weekend because Liverpool’s teenage wonder Raheem Sterling will be central to Brendan Rodgers’ hopes of defeating Aston Villa at Anfield.He will surely deliver. 3-0

AF: Liverpool showed against Spurs that on their day, they can absolutely destroy any team. But Villa have also been impressive. I’ll go for a Liverpool win. 3-1

MANCHESTER UNITED V QUEENS PARK RANGERS

AF: Manchester United have made their worst start to the season in many years but Radamel Falcao, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw and Rojo may all make their debuts against Queens Park Rangers. I really can’t see beyond a comfortable home win. 3-0

SO: Let the goals rain down on Old Trafford! Falcao, Di Maria and maybe a Rooney penalty to condemn QPR – who sold their best striker and possess a squad littered with past-time top earners – as early relegation contenders! 4-0

KT: United are yet to win a competitive game this season, though the Dutchman’s newest members of his expensively-assembled team will have an easy game – on paper, at least – at home TO QPR. I can’t wait to see United’s ‘Van Gaalacticos’ line up for this game! 5-1

HULL CITY V WEST HAM UNITED

AF: Two unpredictable sides. One week they are impressive, the next week they are insipid. It’s safe to bet on a draw. 1-1

SO: Steve Bruce and his Tigers to batter West Ham to submission. 2-1

KT: With the Tigers’ name-change saga on the front burner, Steve Bruce has the welcome distraction of a game to concentrate on. 2-0

WEEK 3 PREDICTIONS

PUNDITS LEAGUE TABLE

KEY MATCH STATS

ARSENAL V MANCHESTER CITY

Arsenal won 18 of their first 22 Premier League fixtures against Manchester City, but have only won three of the last 12 (D4 L5).

The Citizens have only won one of 17 previous Premier League games away at Arsenal: a 2-0 win in January 2013 (L11 D5).

Indeed, that 2-0 win was also the only time Manchester City have scored more than once in 17 Premier League games at either Highbury or the Emirates.

Danny Welbeck could become only the third player in Premier League history to play for both Arsenal and Manchester United (Mikael Silvestre, Robin van Persie).

CHELSEA V SWANSEA

Chelsea have won all three Premier League home meetings with Swansea and are unbeaten in six overall in the competition versus the Swans (W4 D2).

The Swans did win 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in the League Cup in January 2013, however, with Michu and Danny Graham on the scoresheet.

Didier Drogba scored on his one previous appearance against the Swans, in a 4-1 home win back in September 2011.

Diego Costa has scored four goals in three Premier League games; Fernando Torres took 39 games to reach this figure for Chelsea.

MANCHESTER UNITED V QPR

The Red Devils have won 10 and lost none of their 12 previous Premier League meetings with QPR.

Queens Park Rangers have not kept a clean sheet against Man Utd since September 1992, when they drew 0-0 at Old Trafford in the first-ever Premier League meeting.

Since that stalemate, Manchester United have won five consecutive home league games against the Londoners.

The R’s have only won one of 21 previous away league games against Man Utd (D3 L17), the 4-1 result of January 1992.

LIVERPOOL V ASTON VILLA

Steven Gerrard has scored 12 Premier League goals against Aston Villa, four more than versus any other side.

The Villans are unbeaten in three Premier League trips to Anfield, winning once and drawing twice.

Indeed, Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has never tasted defeat at Anfield as a Premier League manager, drawing once with Norwich and winning once and drawing once with Villa.

Rickie Lambert has scored three goals in four Premier League meetings with Aston Villa.

Reds new boy Mario Balotelli has scored four times in two clashes with the Villans, scoring his only Premier League hat-trick against them in December 2010.

SUNDERLAND V TOTTENHAM

Sunderland scored first in both of their Premier League games against Spurs last season, but ended up losing on both occasions.

Spurs have won six and lost none of their last eight Premier League meetings with Sunderland (D2).

Tottenham’s last four league away wins against Sunderland have all ended 2-1.

Spurs have been shown more red cards (1) than yellow cards (0) in the Premier League this season.