MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 19: Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Southampton at Old Trafford on August 19, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
The Premier League returns this weekend after the international break with some tasty matchups, check out our predictions here!
We have city derbies, a possible relegation six-pointer, and a coach returning to his old stomping grounds in another compelling Premier League weekend. Let’s take a look at some of the juicy matchups we have on the docket in matchday four of the most competitive league in the world.
Manchester United vs. Manchester City, Saturday 7:30 EST
This derby has failed to impress in recent years save for the storyline of young Marcus Rashford making his debut in the rivalry by skinning Martin Demichelis alive. This time around the managers are more of a story than the players themselves with Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho renewing their rivalry in a new country and a new league.
Sergio Aguero will miss the match through suspension and for that reason alone United will have the edge and will win a close one. Mourinho gets one over on his old friend Pep and United stay perfect.
Prediction: 2-1 Manchester United
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<p>The ambitions of Everton are much higher than the David Moyes era with Ronald Koeman at Goodison and they have more money and hence more attacking flair than they ever had under Moyes. That money brings higher expectations and this may be the first year that Everton lives up to them because of how good a manager Koeman is.</p>
<p>Moyes has prepared the Sunderland fans for the prospect of yet another relegation battle and if they are to avoid that then this is the sort of the match they have to take points from. At home, against a team still putting it together under new management, and after a lengthy international break. They will not get it done this matchday however and will continue to prop up the Premier League table.</p>
<p><strong>Prediction: 2-1 Everton</strong></p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/09/08/premier-league-predictions-matchday-4/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">Arsenal - Southampton</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_419144" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-419144" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/09/08/premier-league-predictions-matchday-4/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F09%2F597892222-watford-v-arsenal-premier-league-850x560.jpg" alt="WATFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Theo Walcott of Arsenal crosses past Christian Kabasele of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford and Arsenal at Vicarage Road on August 27, 2016 in Watford, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">WATFORD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 27: Theo Walcott of Arsenal crosses past Christian Kabasele of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford and Arsenal at Vicarage Road on August 27, 2016 in Watford, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)</p>
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<p><strong>Arsenal vs. Southampton, Saturday 10:00 EST</strong></p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>Arsenal looked excellent against an average Watford side on August 27th and may be finding their feet in the early goings. Arsene Wenger opted to rest some of his big guns in their first two matches, which may backfire in the long run, but it may pay off in the short term.</p>
<p>Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud, and Mesut Ozil all look fresh and raring to go and help challenge for a top four place once again. They welcome Claude Puel and the <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/09/08/premier-league-predictions-matchday-4/"http://saintsmarching.com/" target="_blank">Saints of Southampton</a> to the Emirates and they are the favorite to take all three points from the duel.</p>
<p>Southampton have not found their cutting edge and the combo of Shane Long and Charlie Austin have not been able to fill Graziano Pelle’s Italian loafers. The question about the Saints this season is if they can survive yet another summer where many of their best players departed for greener, and richer, pastures.</p>
<p>Arsenal wins this one comfortably with Petr Cech barely needing to shower after the match.</p>
<p><strong>Prediction: 2-0 Arsenal</strong></p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/09/08/premier-league-predictions-matchday-4/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">Burnley - Hull City</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—></p><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_418426" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-418426" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/09/08/premier-league-predictions-matchday-4/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F08%2F592595496-swansea-city-v-hull-city-premier-league-850x560.jpg" alt="SWANSEA, WALES - AUGUST 20: Hull team huddle during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Hull City at Liberty Stadium on August 20, 2016 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">SWANSEA, WALES – AUGUST 20: Hull team huddle during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Hull City at Liberty Stadium on August 20, 2016 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)</p>
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<p><strong>Burnley vs. Hull City, Saturday 10:00 EST</strong></p>
<p>This is your old-fashioned relegation six-pointer for the weekend with Hull City traveling to Turf Moor to take on Burnley. The Clarets had their early scalp of the season with a win over Liverpool but lost to Swansea City and were dominated by Chelsea last time out.</p>
<p>Hull City were within seconds of earning seven points from their first three matches, an incredible feat for a club that is in such disarray. They must hold on to that siege mentality that got them those seven points against a club that will have circled this match as a chance to get three points closer to Premier League survival.</p>
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