WHAT COLOUR WILL MANCHESTER BE?: We are back to club football with a bang! It was a short break, but I am already itching to see this weekend’s games, we are in for some real treats over the next couple of days. Obviously the main highlight will be the Manchester Derby, and the history between both side’s managers; Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola. So with all these great games, let’s see if we can make some money.

MAN UNITED v MAN CITY

I think everybody has been looking forward to this game since the Premier League went on break last week. The battle of Manchester, a battle between two managers with a not so pleasant past. Both managers are new to their respective clubs, and both have opened up the season in excellent form. This game has so many stories, so many interesting matchups and so much at stake this early in the season. So, who will win?

I think Man City will struggle without Aguero in the line up. I don’t normally like to say one player impacts an entire team, but in this case it proves to be true. I don’t see how Man City are going to replace Aguero’s goals up front, he is one of the best strikers in the world and has been in magnificent form. His suspension really hurts this side, and I’m not sure if Iheanacho is fit either, so it will be interesting to see how they line up.

Aguero missing is not the only thing that lies in Man United’s favour. I think they will hold a real advantage from set pieces. They have so many big strong players in their side that they will be a constant threat in this area all season long. This also looks like a real weakness for this Man City side, they lack height in their team bar a couple of players. Even their goalkeeper is the shortest keeper in the league. He is an excellent shot stopper, but I think being good in the air is what will matter most tomorrow. Man United will look to overpower this City side. There is no way Mourinho will want to go out and play football against a Pep Guardiola side, it just doesn’t work. We saw the same with Real Madrid and Barcelona over the years. Pep will know his teams weaknesses and try to counteract them as much as he can, but I think United will be too powerful for City to cope. Verdict – Back Man United @ 2.4.

ARSENAL v SOUTHAMPTON

This is an interesting time for Arsenal, the international break came at a good time for them considering the new signings they made. It gave the players a bit of time familiarise themselves with the club. Now it is time for business, and after a shaky start to the season the Gunners will be looking to hit the ground running. THere last game before the break was excellent, so they will be looking forward to picking up where they left off.

Southampton have had a very average start to the season. They have not shown the quality they did under Koeman last season, and this is definitely not a nice game to get after the break. Arsenal have most of their players back, plus a couple of new weapons and they will be motivated. This has the potential to be an ugly game for the Saints. Arsenal will be fresh, most of their side didn’t have too long to travel over the break. Southampton on the other hand may be forced to rest Shane Long who absolutely ran himself into the ground during the week in Serbia.

I see this one being very one sided in favour of the home side. Southampton could really be in for a long afternoon if Arsenal come out all guns blazing. When on form there are few attacking teams better than Arsenal. Whoever is on the pitch for them tomorrow will be motivated, so many players are fighting for places due to the depth of this squad. I can see an easy Arsenal win. Verdict – Back Arsenal -1 @ 1.97

BOURNEMOUTH v WEST BROM

There has been so much talk this week about Eddie Howe being Wenger’s long term replacement at Arsenal, and I am not surprised. He has don a phenomenal job at Bournemouth. Getting a club of their stature, with their limited budget, and then keeping them up, that is something else. They also play such a free style of football it is great to see. Although I don’t think they will freely be able to play that style this weekend against West Brom.

Tony Pulis’ sides are notoriously difficult to play against. He often sets his team up to stop the opposition from playing, and that is most likely what lies ahead tomorrow afternoon. West Brom will force Bournemouth to try and break them down, then try and hit on the counter or score via a set piece. It is in the DNA of a Tony Pulis side to play like this. If I was to make one criticism of Eddie Howe is that he doesn’t really have a plan B if teams stop Bournemouth from playing.

This Bournemouth team can actually be really easy to beat at times. Sometimes they try to play too much where it would be better for them to get stuck in to the opposition. They find it difficult to come by clean sheets since they arrived in the Premier League, and I see that being an issue for them tomorrow. West Brom will be tough to score against, and you can just see them sneaking a goal at the other end. At the price given, I have to have a bet on West Brom to grab a result. Verdict – Back West Brom @ 4.4

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