English Premier League: City injuries give United hope of Manchester derby success

Match to catch

Manchester City’s two big-money summer signings have proved their worth in the last week in the absence of injured striker Sergio Aguero. First Raheem Sterling (Dh249m from Liverpool) bagged a hat-trick in last weekend’s 5-1 romp against Bournemouth, and then in midweek Kevin De Bruyne (Dh311m from Wolfsburg) scored a crucial injury-time winner against Sevilla in the Champions League. Ex-Chelsea man De Bruyne has been particularly impressive, netting five times already as well as providing plenty of assists - and he could be the key man in City’s bid to reclaim the Premier League title. On the other side of Manchester, United’s big summer recruits (Memphis Depay, Anthony Martial) are more about potential than being the finished article already. If Aguero, David Silva and either Aleksandar Kolarov or Gael Clichy were fit, I’d expect City to beat their derby rivals comfortably, but those injury problems will give United the chance to put one over the league leaders. Prediction: United 2 City 2.

Keep an eye on

Two hugely inconsistent, frustrating teams meet at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening, with Arsenal looking to build on their unexpected win over Bayern Munich when they take on Everton. The Gunners, who have more than enough talent to be title challengers, have responded to their awful home defeat by Olympiakos with consecutive wins over Manchester United, Watford and Bayern - probably the form team in all of Europe - all without conceding a goal. Everton, meanwhile, are capable of beating Chelsea and producing a stunning comeback to win at West Brom, but then they failed to turn up against United last weekend and were hammered 3-0. Arsenal should win this one, but they have to be focused following the highs of Tuesday night. Prediction: Arsenal 2 Everton 0.

For the purists

Norwich, after a relatively promising start to the season, are in real trouble after they were hammered 6-2 by fellow strugglers Newcastle last weekend. The Canaries were abject in defence and boss Alex Neil must have had a busy week trying to pick through all their mistakes. West Brom, who visit Carrow Road on Saturday, haven’t been much better this season but they have won key games against the likely relegation candidates and I can’t see them getting beaten in East Anglia this weekend. Prediction: Norwich 0 West Brom 0.

Showing form

West Ham have developed a real swagger under new boss Slaven Bilic this season, particularly away from home. Only Manchester City have scored more goals than the Hammers’ 20 from nine games so far and, if they can improve their patchy form at the Boleyn Ground, they will be genuine contenders for a European place. Champions Chelsea are the visitors on Saturday and, despite a pretty woeful start to the campaign, I expect them to edge this London derby. Prediction: West Ham 1 Chelsea 2.

Need a win

It can’t be long now until perennial under-achievers Aston Villa wield the axe on Tim Sherwood and begin the hunt for their third manager of 2015. While one can certainly have some sympathy for Sherwood due to the lack of resources at his disposal, the writing is on the wall after a run of seven defeats and one draw since Villa’s opening-day victory at Bournemouth. Saturday’s match against Swansea really could be his swansong. Prediction: Villa 1 Swansea 1.

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Think I’m way off the mark? Tweet me your English Premier League predictions via @MartinDownerGN.