Match to catch
Manchester United’s season needed something to give it a kick-start and Robin van Persie’s 95th-minute equaliser against Chelsea last week may just be it. Louis van Gaal’s side have improved since their shambolic early weeks of the season and, with injury and suspension removing the selection headache of trying to fit all their big-name forwards into the line-up, the Dutch coach’s job on the red side of Manchester has been made a little easier. In the blue half, however, City have gone three games without a win and their inconsistency means they look unlikely to retain the EPL title. A couple of weeks ago, Sunday’s derby at the Etihad would have been a home banker, but United can’t be ruled out thanks to Van Persie’s dramatic intervention. Prediction: City 2 United 2.
Keep an eye on
What a difference the last month has made for Newcastle United and boss Alan Pardew. They started October on the back of a dismal run of form and with the manager seemingly just minutes away from the sack, but Papiss Cisse’s double earned a dramatic 2-2 draw at Swansea and they haven’t looked back since. They edged Leicester at home, beat Tottenham away thanks to Pardew’s half-time changes and then stunned Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad in the League Cup in midweek. On Saturday, they host a vulnerable Liverpool side and have a good chance of extending their hot streak into November. Prediction: Newcastle 1 Liverpool 1.
For the purists
The denouement to this weekend’s EPL action hardly looks worth the wait as Monday Night Football sees Crystal Palace host Sunderland. Neil Warnock’s Eagles will be strong favourites, especially if the visitors continue to dish out the embarrassing gifts that Wes Brown and Vito Mannone handed to Arsenal last weekend, not forgetting the own goals they gave Southampton in their 8-0 drubbing the week before. Prediction: Palace 2 Sunderland 1.
Showing form
Every week this column insists that West Ham are punching above their weight thanks to their impressive recent form, and yet every week they keep on winning. Last week the Hammers produced a heroic performance to beat Manchester City, with centre-back James Collins and midfield lynchpin Alex Song outstanding, and they are now only one point behind the champions. They will now go to unimpressive Stoke with a great chance of extending their good run. Prediction: Stoke 1 West Ham 1.
Need a win
After a fantastic start to the season, Aston Villa are now in freefall thanks to five successive defeats — all without scoring a single goal. This weekend they will host a Tottenham outfit also in poor form, also somewhat shy when it comes to finding the net and also worrying about exactly what they can expect from this season. Prediction: Villa 0 Spurs 1.
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