Cape Town - English Premiership leaders Chelsea entertain Tottenham in a London derby on Saturday … and there is forceful support from our gurus for the Blues to solidify their lofty spot.
That is despite these teams sharing the honours on each occasion last season. The equivalent fixture at Stamford Bridge ended 2-2 late in the campaign, with Spurs squandering a promising two-goal lead: the outcome finally confirmed Leicester City as champions.
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:
BURNLEY v MANCHESTER CITY
Saturday, 14:30
Rob: 0-2
Garrin: 0-3
Tashreeq: 1-3
Maano: 1-1
Craig: 0-3
Lynn: 0-2
Lloyd: 0-2
Last season: Not applicable
HULL v WEST BROM
Saturday, 17:00
Rob: 1-2
Garrin: 1-1
Tashreeq: 1-3
Maano: 1-1
Craig: 1-1
Lynn: 0-0
Lloyd: 0-1
Last season: Not applicable
LEICESTER v MIDDLESBROUGH
Saturday, 17:00
Rob: 2-0
Garrin: 2-1
Tashreeq: 2-2
Maano: 1-0
Craig: 1-1
Lynn: 1-1
Lloyd: 1-0
Last season: Not applicable
LIVERPOOL v SUNDERLAND
Saturday, 17:00
Rob: 2-0
Garrin: 2-0
Tashreeq: 3-1
Maano: 2-0
Craig: 3-1
Lynn: 4-1
Lloyd: 3-0
Last season: 2-2
SWANSEA v CRYSTAL PALACE
Saturday, 17:00
Rob: 1-0
Garrin: 1-1
Tashreeq: 1-2
Maano: 0-1
Craig: 1-1
Lynn: 2-3
Lloyd: 1-0
Last season: 1-1
CHELSEA v TOTTENHAM
Saturday, 19:30
Rob: 2-0
Garrin: 1-1
Tashreeq: 2-1
Maano: 2-1
Craig: 2-1
Lynn: 2-1
Lloyd: 1-0
Last season: 2-2
WATFORD v STOKE
Sunday, 14:00
Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 1-1
Tashreeq: 1-2
Maano: 1-0
Craig: 2-1
Lynn: 1-0
Lloyd: 1-0
Last season: 1-2
ARSENAL v BOURNEMOUTH
Sunday, 16:15
Rob: 3-0
Garrin: 2-0
Tashreeq: 3-2
Maano: 3-1
Craig: 3-0
Lynn: 3-1
Lloyd: 2-0
Last season: 2-0
MANCHESTER UNITED v WEST HAM
Sunday, 18:30
Rob: 1-0
Garrin: 2-0
Tashreeq: 2-0
Maano: 1-0
Craig: 2-1
Lynn: 2-0
Lloyd: 2-1
Last season: 0-0
SOUTHAMPTON v EVERTON
Sunday, 18:30
Rob: 2-1
Garrin: 1-1
Tashreeq: 3-3
Maano: 1-2
Craig: 1-1
Lynn: 1-1
Lloyd: 1-1
Last season: 0-3
*LEADERBOARD:
99 - Garrin (8 points in last round)
92 - Lynn (6)
89 - Tashreeq (7)
87 - Craig (3)
85 - Maano (9)
79 - Rob (7)
78 - Lloyd (8)