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Can Watford retain their 100% record & beat United? – Premier League Weekend Preview

Liverpool face Tottenham in the most eye-catching Premier League encounter this weekend, but there is plenty of other action to look forward to.

The Reds travel to Wembley looking to keep up their 100 percent record in 2018/19, although Saturday will be comfortably their biggest test yet.

Last season’s 4-1 defeat to Spurs was one of the lowest moments of Jurgen Klopp‘s tenure, and the German will be hellbent on erasing that memory.

The meeting of two of the country’s best sides is clearly the standout fixture over the next few days, but what about the rest of the action?

Here’s a look at the other nine matches taking place.


Bournemouth vs. Leicester – Saturday, 3pm

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 7, 2017: Leicester City's Nampalys Mendy celebrates with unused substitute Shinji Okazaki after the 2-1 victory over Everton the FA Cup 3rd Round match at Goodison Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

It has been a positive start to the season for Bournemouth, who have amassed seven points in four matches and continued to look a truly established Premier League side.

Their home meeting with Leicester City on Saturday should be an aesthetically pleasing contest—one that should have goals and attacking football aplenty.

The Foxes gave Liverpool a tough time of things last time around and they will fancy their chances of getting at least a point.

Score draw.

Prediction: Bournemouth 2-2 Leicester


Chelsea vs. Cardiff – Saturday, 3pm

Chelsea's Maurizio Sarri (AAP Image/Tony McDonough)

Cardiff City are doing their best in the top flight, showing plenty of heart, but they look the weakest team in the division.

Life doesn’t get any easier for Neil Warnock’s side this weekend, as they head to Stamford Bridge to take on a Chelsea team who have so far taken maximum points.

Anything can happen in the Premier League, but it is extremely difficult to see anything other than the most comfortable of home wins.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Cardiff


Huddersfield vs. Crystal Palace – Saturday, 3pm

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 26, 2017: Huddersfield Town's manager David Wagner before the FA Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Southampton at the John Smith's Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

A contender for last game on Match of the Day on Saturday night, Huddersfield Town’s visit of Crystal Palace doesn’t look like one for the footballing purists.

They have amassed just one win between them this season—Palace’s opening-day victory at Fulham—and it feels a more important game for Huddersfield, who look like relegation fodder.

In one corner there’s Klopp’s best mate David Wagner, and in the other, Liverpool’s worst-ever manager Roy Hodgson—you know who to support.

Prediction: Huddersfield 1-1 Crystal Palace


Man City vs. Fulham – Saturday, 3pm

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 21, 2017: Manchester City's manager Pep Guardiola before the FA Premier League match between Manchester City and Burnley at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Pic by Peter Powell/Propaganda)

Chelsea to beat Cardiff looks a shoo-in, and so does Man City‘s clash with a Fulham outfit doing their best to play football in the right way.

City are such a dominant force at the Etihad that it is almost impossible to see them slipping up against anyone other than a top-four rival.

Depending on what has happened earlier in the day at Wembley, and also at Stamford Bridge at the same time, Pep Guardiola’s champions could be top with a win.

Prediction: Man City 4-1 Fulham


Newcastle vs. Arsenal – Saturday, 3pm

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday March 3, 2018. See PA story SOCCER Liverpool. Photo credit should read: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications

Arsenal have steadied the ship well after a rocky start to life under Unai Emery, with back-to-back wins over West Ham and Cardiff.

The Gunners still don’t look wholly convincing, but they will feel they can edge out a Newcastle United team desperately searching for points.

Rafa Benitez has a huge job on his hands this season, as off-field matters continue to cause friction.

It could be another disgruntled St James’ Park crowd after the final whistle.

Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal


Watford vs. Man United – Saturday, 5.30pm – BT Sport

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 7, 2018: Manchester United's manager Jose Mourinho looks miserable before the FA Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Manchester United FC at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Right, who else tipped Watford relegation in the weeks leading up to the season?

Come on, it wasn’t just all of us at This is Anfield!

The Hornets have won every match to date, including an impressive triumph over Spurs last time out, and next up are Man United at Vicarage Road.

A routine win at Burnley has given Jose Mourinho some breathing space, and despite Watford looking surprisingly good in recent weeks, these are the fixtures United quietly prevail in and tally up the points.

Prediction: Watford 1-2 Man United


Wolves vs. Burnley – Sunday, 1.30pm – Sky Sports

Ruben Neves, Wolverhampton Wanderers (Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport)

Wolves have recovered admirably from a slightly slow return to the Premier League and their last-gasp win at West Ham on September 1 felt huge.

If momentum is building at Molineux, that is something Burnley can only dream of at the minute, following a tricky last month.

The Europa League has wreaked havoc with their league form—they sit 19th with just one point to their name—and they will be underdogs on Sunday afternoon.

Being out of Europe should aid the Clarets, however, so could this be the beginning of an upturn in fortunes?

Prediction: Wolves 2-1 Burnley


Everton vs. West Ham – Sunday, 4pm – Sky Sports

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 12, 2018: West Ham United's manager Manuel Pellegrini during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Giving Everton any kind of praise is never nice, but they arguably merit being higher than their current seventh place suggests.

Red cards have proved costly, turning likely wins into draws, and Marco Silva has made a solid start after replacing Sam Allardyce.

Liverpool’s Merseyside rivals are strong favourites to overcome rock-bottom West Ham this weekend—it would be very Everton to go and lose, mind.

Prediction: Everton 2-0 West Ham


Southampton vs. Brighton – Monday, 8pm – Sky Sports

Southampton's Danny Ings during the Premier League match at St Mary's, Southampton (Andrew Matthews/PA Wire/PA Images)

The waction ends with a south-coast battle at St Mary’s, although the pre and post-match brilliance of Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville in the Monday Night Football studio could be more worth your while.

Both Southampton and Brighton should be good enough to avoid the drop, but neither will exactly set the world alight.

It is a tough game to predict, with a share of the spoils feeling most likely.

Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Brighton

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