Cape Town - Manchester City, bundled out of the Champions League in midweek, could be a slightly dispirited bunch in their big home Sunday clash with Liverpool.
At least that seems the view of several of the Sport24 Premiership pundits, with all results offered for the fixture.
A bit of doubt about City’s ability to prosper in this high-stakes one may also be down to last season’s corresponding outcome - the Reds raided the Etihad Stadium for a 4-1 triumph.
Each round of the 2016/17 Premiership campaign, a group of our staff has a crack at predicting the results - do the exercise yourself, if you like, and see how you compare afterwards.
Compiled by Rob Houwing (Newcastle-partial; he swears the Championship is more competitive), the others are Garrin Lambley (Everton), Lloyd Burnard, Tashreeq Vardien, Maano Nekhavhambe and Lynn Butler (all Man Utd) plus Craig Taylor (Liverpool).
Three points are awarded for an entirely correct scoreline, and one for right result.
OUR FORECASTS:
WEST BROM v ARSENAL
Saturday, 14:30
Rob: 0-1
Garrin: 1-2
Tashreeq: 1-2
Maano: 1-0
Craig: 1-2
Lynn: 0-1
Lloyd: 1-0
Last season: 2-1
CRYSTAL PALACE v WATFORD
Saturday, 17:00
Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 2-1
Tashreeq: 1-1
Maano: 0-1
Craig: 1-1
Lynn: 2-1
Lloyd: 2-1
Last season: 1-2
EVERTON v HULL
Saturday, 17:00
Rob: 1-0
Garrin: 2-0
Tashreeq: 2-1
Maano: 1-1
Craig: 3-1
Lynn: 3-1
Lloyd: 2-0
Last season: Not applicable
STOKE v CHELSEA
Saturday, 17:00
Rob: 0-1
Garrin: 0-2
Tashreeq: 1-2
Maano: 0-2
Craig: 0-2
Lynn: 1-3
Lloyd: 0-2
Last season: 1-0
SUNDERLAND v BURNLEY
Saturday, 17:00
Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 1-1
Tashreeq: 1-2
Maano: 0-1
Craig: 1-1
Lynn: 1-1
Lloyd: 1-0
Last season: Not applicable
WEST HAM v LEICESTER
Saturday, 17:00
Rob: 1-0
Garrin: 1-2
Tashreeq: 2-2
Maano: 2-2
Craig: 1-2
Lynn: 0-2
Lloyd: 1-0
Last season: 1-2
BOURNEMOUTH v SWANSEA
Saturday, 19:30
Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 1-1
Tashreeq: 2-1
Maano: 0-0
Craig: 1-2
Lynn: 2-1
Lloyd: 1-0
Last season: 3-2
MIDDLESBROUGH v MANCHESTER UNITED
Sunday, 14:00
Rob: 0-2
Garrin: 1-2
Tashreeq: 1-3
Maano: 1-3
Craig: 0-2
Lynn: 0-1
Lloyd: 1-2
Last season: Not applicable
TOTTENHAM v SOUTHAMPTON
Sunday, 16:15
Rob: 2-0
Garrin: 2-1
Tashreeq: 2-1
Maano: 1-0
Craig: 2-1
Lynn: 3-2
Lloyd: 2-0
Last season: 1-2
MANCHESTER CITY v LIVERPOOL
Sunday, 18:30
Rob: 2-1
Garrin: 1-1
Tashreeq: 1-1
Maano: 0-2
Craig: 2-2
Lynn: 1-2
Lloyd: 2-1
Last season: 1-4
*LEADERBOARD:
216 - Garrin
208 - Lynn
204 - Rob
190 - Craig
188 - Tashreeq
186 - Lloyd
174 - Maano