Cape Town - Fast-improving visitors Chelsea should give champions Manchester City a run for their money in Saturday’s English Premiership big ‘un … but probably still play second fiddle.
That is the majority thought of Sport24’s forecasters, even if they see no lopsided repeat of last season’s meeting at Etihad Stadium, where City ran riot with a 6-0 outcome (Sergio Aguero hat-trick).
Meanwhile Jose Mourinho is widely tipped to get off to a flying start as Tottenham manager in their London derby at West Ham.
Each round of the 2019/20 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), the others are Garrin Lambley (Everton, and defending champion), Lloyd Burnard, Tashreeq Vardien, Baden Gillion and Lynn Butler (all Man Utd) plus Craig Taylor (Liverpool).
Three points are awarded for an entirely correct score-line, and one for right result.
OUR FORECASTS:
WEST HAM v TOTTENHAM
Saturday, 14:30
Rob: 1-3
Garrin: 1-2
Tashreeq: 1-2
Lloyd: 1-2
Lynn: 1-1
Craig: 1-2
Baden: 0-4
Last season: 0-1
ARSENAL v SOUTHAMPTON
Saturday, 17:00
Rob: 2-0
Garrin: 2-0
Tashreeq: 2-1
Lloyd: 2-0
Lynn: 3-1
Craig: 2-1
Baden: 3-1
Last season: 2-0
EVERTON v NORWICH
Saturday, 17:00
Rob: 1-0
Garrin: 2-0
Tashreeq: 2-1
Lloyd: 2-1
Lynn: 2-1
Craig: 2-0
Baden: 2-1
Last season: Not applicable
CRYSTAL PALACE v LIVERPOOL
Saturday, 17:00
Rob: 0-2
Garrin: 0-2
Tashreeq: 0-2
Lloyd: 1-3
Lynn: 1-2
Craig: 1-2
Baden: 0-1
Last season: 0-2
BRIGHTON v LEICESTER
Saturday, 17:00
Rob: 1-2
Garrin: 1-1
Tashreeq: 1-2
Lloyd: 1-2
Lynn: 1-2
Craig: 0-2
Baden: 1-2
Last season: 1-1
WATFORD v BURNLEY
Saturday, 17:00
Rob: 0-0
Garrin: 2-1
Tashreeq: 1-0
Lloyd: 1-0
Lynn: 1-1
Craig: 0-1
Baden: 1-0
Last season: 0-0
BOURNEMOUTH v WOLVES
Saturday, 17:00
Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 1-1
Tashreeq: 1-2
Lloyd: 3-0
Lynn: 0-2
Craig: 1-1
Baden: 1-0
Last season: 1-1
MANCHESTER CITY v CHELSEA
Saturday, 19:30
Rob: 1-0
Garrin: 2-1
Tashreeq: 2-1
Lloyd: 1-2
Lynn: 3-1
Craig: 1-1
Baden: 3-1
Last season: 6-0
SHEFFIELD UNITED v MANCHESTER UNITED
Sunday, 18:30
Rob: 0-1
Garrin: 1-2
Tashreeq: 1-2
Lloyd: 1-0
Lynn: 2-1
Craig: 2-1
Baden: 0-1
Last season: Not applicable
ASTON VILLA v NEWCASTLE
Monday, 22:00
Rob: 1-1
Garrin: 2-1
Tashreeq: 1-1
Lloyd: 1-1
Lynn: 1-1
Craig: 1-1
Baden: 1-2
Last season: Not applicable
LEADERBOARD
101 Garrin (7 points in last round)
94 Tashreeq (10)
89 Lloyd (11)
87 Baden (5)
86 Rob (8)
77 Lynn (4)
67 Craig (5)