Cape Town - Each round of the 2014/15 English Premiership season, a panel of Sport24 staff and occasional guest tipsters have 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), the others are Garrin Lambley (Everton), Herman Mostert (Chelsea), Earl Haupt (Liverpool) and a pesky new trio of Manchester United devotees in Tashreeq Vardien, Wade Pretorius and Maano Nekhavhambe.
Three points are awarded for an entirely correct scoreline, and one for right result.
THE PRIME ATTRACTION
MANCHESTER UNITED v ARSENAL
Sunday, 17:00
It’s a pity in many ways that the stakes are just that bit lower than usual in this meeting of traditionally fierce rivals. It has no influence on the done-and-dusted title race, of course, and all that probably remains to gauge is which of the two ends third and in a slightly more favourable Champions League qualification berth. But they’ll still snap at each others’ ankles, you can be pretty sure. For Arsenal, there is the chance to avenge a 2-1 loss in the corresponding first-round fixture in London, when United earned their first away victory under the tenure of Louis van Gaal. But nobody here sees Arsene Wenger’s charges getting all three points.
Rob: Manchester United 1 Arsenal 1
Garrin: 1-1
Herman: 2-1
Earl: 1-1
Wade: 2-1
Tashreeq: 2-1
Maano: 2-0
Last season: 1-0
THE GRUDGE MATCH
LIVERPOOL v CRYSTAL PALACE
Saturday, 18:30
Few obvious candidates for this status, but in the end I chose it for the fact that ‘Pool were thumped 3-1 at Selhurst Park earlier in the season – and that despite taking a second-minute lead through Rickie Lambert! It was a result, among other slips, that goes some way to explaining why the Reds aren’t nearly the force they were in the last campaign. Not only can they atone for that setback here, but a win would also serve as a really fitting Anfield send-off for one-club legend Steven Gerrard (LA Galaxy-bound). If they get that result, Liverpool will also be guaranteed a Europa League spot next season ... though yes, there are those who say “who the hell wants that anyway?”.
Rob: Liverpool 2 Crystal Palace 0
Garrin: 2-1
Herman: 2-0
Earl: 4-1
Wade: 1-0
Tashreeq: 3-1
Maano: 1-0
Last season: 3-1
THE DESPERATE DUEL
SUNDERLAND v LEICESTER
Saturday, 16:00
At this very late stage of the season you seldom struggle to find a game to fill this theme: I’ve opted for the Black Cats v Foxes clash primarily because this is a fixture featuring two sides still not quite clear of the relegation mire. Leicester are in 15th and Sunderland 16th ... and if there is a winner (the first-round meeting was a goalless draw) that outfit will surely be all but safe. Under the circumstances, maybe a nervy stalemate is the way to go again, despite the visitors’ rousing recent form? Four of us hold that view.
Rob: Sunderland 1 Leicester 1
Garrin: 1-1
Herman: 2-1
Earl: 2-2
Wade: 2-1
Tashreeq: 1-0
Maano: 0-0
Last season: Not applicable
THE OTHERS
SOUTHAMPTON v ASTON VILLA
Saturday, 13:45
Rob: Southampton 1 Aston Villa 1
Garrin: 2-1
Herman: 2-1
Earl: 1-2
Wade: 2-1
Tashreeq: 2-1
Maano: 1-0
Last season: 2-3
BURNLEY v STOKE
Saturday, 16:00
Rob: Burnley 1 Stoke 1
Garrin: 1-1
Herman: 1-1
Earl: 1-1
Wade: 1-1
Tashreeq: 0-2
Maano: 1-1
Last season: Not applicable
QPR v NEWCASTLE
Saturday, 16:00
Rob: QPR 1 Newcastle 1
Garrin: 1-1
Herman: 1-1
Earl: 0-1
Wade: 2-1
Tashreeq: 1-2
Maano: 1-0
Last season: Not applicable
TOTTENHAM v HULL
Saturday, 16:00
Rob: Tottenham 2 Hull 0
Garrin: 2-1
Herman: 2-1
Earl:1-1
Wade: 2-0
Tashreeq: 2-1
Maano: 2-1
Last season: 1-0
WEST HAM v EVERTON
Saturday, 16:00
Rob: West Ham 1 Everton 1
Garrin: 1-1
Herman: 2-1
Earl: 1-2
Wade: 1-0
Tashreeq: 1-1
Maano: 0-2
Last season: 2-3
SWANSEA v MANCHESTER CITY
Sunday, 14:30
Rob: Swansea 1 Manchester City 2
Garrin: 0-2
Herman: 1-2
Earl: 0-2
Wade: 1-2
Tashreeq: 1-2
Maano: 0-1
Last season: 2-3
WEST BROM v CHELSEA
Monday, 21:00
Rob: West Brom 0 Chelsea 1
Garrin: 1-2
Herman: 1-2
Earl: 0-1
Wade: 1-2
Tashreeq: 1-1
Maano: 0-1
Last season: 1-1
ARSENAL v SUNDERLAND
Wednesday, 20:45
Rob: Arsenal 1 Sunderland 0
Garrin: 2-1
Herman: 2-1
Earl: 2-1
Wade: 3-1
Tashreeq: 1-1
Maano: 1-1
Last season: 4-1
LEADERBOARD:
278 - Garrin (11 points in last round)
271 - Wade (5)
261 - Herman (8)
258 - Tashreeq (11)
252 - Rob (1)
249 - Earl (6)
229 - Maano (3)