Match to catch
Everton have been impressive under new boss Roberto Martinez so far this season and on Saturday they visit Manchester City, who will be desperate to produce a response after their abject showing against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night. The Blues badly missed a player like Gareth Barry, who they have sent on loan to the Toffees, in midweek as their midfield was ruthlessly exposed by far superior opposition. While Everton will pose a different threat, Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku must be hopeful of getting some change out of the City defence — and they do have an excellent record at the Etihad. Prediction: Man City 1 Everton 1.
Keep an eye on
Busy Tottenham, who kept yet another clean sheet away to Anzhi in Russia on Thursday night, on Sunday face a London derby against West Ham. The Hammers’ struggles in front of goal continue — they are joint lowest scorers in the league with four — but they will make life as difficult as possible for Spurs and hope to hit them on the break. Tottenham’s Roberto Soldado has now gone four matches without a goal and will feel Jermain Defoe breathing down his neck after the Englishman netted again in midweek. Prediction: Spurs 2 West Ham 0.
For the purists
Poor old Fulham are becoming regulars in this section thanks to their underwhelming start to the season. Boss Martin Jol has struggled to work his magic this term and it will be interesting to see how much longer new owner Shahid Khan can wait before bringing in his own man. On Saturday they host Stoke City, who were extremely poor against Norwich last week, and Jol might just need a result to save his job. Prediction: Fulham 1 Stoke 0.
Showing form
Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez have been reunited at last and Sunderland felt the full force as the dynamic pair combined for all three goals as Liverpool won at the Stadium of Light last week. The new ‘SAS’ may have some way to go to match the originals — Alan Shearer (34) and Chris Sutton (15) scored 49 league goals between them to lead Blackburn to the title in 1994/95 — but their partnership will be key if the Reds are to challenge for the top four this year. On Saturday they will set their sights on hapless Crystal Palace, who look like they’ll struggle to pick up an away point all season. Prediction: Liverpool 3 Crystal Palace 0.
Need a win
David Moyes is undoubtedly experiencing difficulties as he settles into his role as Manchester United boss, so it was good to hear talk this week that the owners are prepared to back him in the January transfer window, as any thoughts of him being under pressure to keep his job are surely wildly premature. The Scotsman said himself that he doesn’t have the five or six world-class players needed to win the Champions League and he’s right — he’s probably only got two. At least a trip to bottom club Sunderland on Saturday should help, although United will be hampered by the fact they played in Ukraine on Wednesday night. Prediction: Sunderland 1 Man United 2.
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