Sentiment leans heavily toward Manchester United restoring morale with victory over north-west arch-rivals Liverpool in the most attractive English Premiership clash on paper this weekend.
Both teams come off defeats – ‘Pool a 0-3 home humiliation from West Ham – but perhaps those backing a Red Devils win saw last season’s corresponding 3-0 result (goals from Messrs Rooney, Mata and Van Persie) as a solid yardstick.
Meanwhile a full house of the wise men envisage leaders Manchester City continuing on their all-wins way at Crystal Palace – despite Alan Pardew’s charges lying a surprise second right now.
Each round of the 2015/16 Premiership season, a panel 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), the others are Garrin Lambley (Everton), Herman Mostert (Chelsea), and a quartet of Manchester United devotees in Tashreeq Vardien, Wade Pretorius, Lloyd Burnard and Maano Nekhavhambe.
Three points are awarded for an entirely correct scoreline, and one for right result.
OUR FORECASTS:
EVERTON v CHELSEA
Saturday, 13:45
Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 1-2
Herman: 1-2
Wade: 2-2
Tashreeq: 2-1
Lloyd: 1-1
Maano: 1-1
Last season: 3-6
ARSENAL v STOKE
Saturday, 16:00
Rob: 2-0
Garrin: 2-0
Herman: 2-1
Wade: 2-0
Tashreeq: 2-1
Lloyd: 2-0
Maano: 2-0
Last season: 3-0
CRYSTAL PALACE v MANCHESTER CITY
Saturday, 16:00
Rob: 0-2
Garrin: 1-2
Herman: 1-2
Wade: 1-2
Tashreeq: 1-2
Lloyd: 0-3
Maano: 0-2
Last season: 2-1
NORWICH v BOURNEMOUTH
Saturday, 16:00
Rob: 1-2
Garrin: 2-1
Herman: 1-1
Wade: 2-1
Tashreeq: 1-1
Lloyd: 1-1
Maano: 0-1
Last season: Not applicable
WATFORD v SWANSEA
Saturday, 16:00
Rob: 0-2
Garrin: 1-1
Herman: 1-2
Wade: 1-2
Tashreeq: 1-2
Lloyd: 0-0
Maano: 1-2
Last season: Not applicable
WEST BROM v SOUTHAMPTON
Saturday, 16:00
Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 1-1
Herman: 1-2
Wade: 1-1
Tashreeq: 1-2
Lloyd: 1-0
Maano: 1-1
Last season: 1-0
MANCHESTER UNITED v LIVERPOOL
Saturday, 18:30
Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 2-1
Herman: 2-1
Wade: 2-0
Tashreeq: 1-0
Lloyd: 2-1
Maano: 1-0
Last season: 3-0
SUNDERLAND v TOTTENHAM
Sunday, 14:30
Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 1-2
Herman: 0-1
Wade: 1-2
Tashreeq: 1-3
Lloyd: 0-0
Maano: 0-1
Last season: 2-2
LEICESTER v ASTON VILLA
Sunday, 17:00
Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 2-1
Herman: 2-1
Wade: 2-0
Tashreeq: 2-2
Lloyd: 3-0
Maano: 1-2
Last season: 1-0
WEST HAM v NEWCASTLE
Monday, 21:00
Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 1-1
Herman: 2-1
Wade: 2-1
Tashreeq: 1-0
Lloyd: 1-1
Maano: 0-1
Last season: 1-0
*LEADERBOARD:
34 - Lloyd (9 points in last round)
31 - Rob (12)
30 - Wade (6)
28 - Garrin (6)
25 - Tashreeq (5)
22 - Herman (6)
19 - Maano (3)