EPL Game 6 Predictions

Welcome to game six of the EPL, where teams are neither taking their eyes off the goal nor have their boots unlaced. So far we have had an unusual goal-laden Premier League season with 175 goals after match day five; 30 goals more than what we had in the previous season after the same duration. 

• West Ham and Manchester City have each averaged over 3.5 goals per game this season;
• Manchester United and Chelsea have each averaged over 4.25 goals per game this season
• Liverpool remains unbeaten at Anfield since 2017;
• Southampton vs Everton game is likely to produce over 2.5 goals
• Wolves have lost just 5 of their last 29 premier league home games
• Arsenal conceded at least once in 100% of their last five home league matches
• Likewise, stats show a likelihood of both teams scoring in at least three of matchday 3 fixtures.

To keep you informed ahead of a relaxed viewing, DATAPHYTE reviewed team statistics and predicted outcomes from all the EPL matchday six fixtures. 

Saturday 24 October 2020  

Westham VS Manchester City, 12:30 pm 

West Ham will welcome Man City to the London Stadium with surging confidence following their recent unbeaten run from three tough games. And not only did the Hammers produce superb wins against Wolves (4-0) and Leicester (3-0). They followed these wins with an incredible comeback draw in 10 mins to regulation time against Tottenham last weekend. Overall, West Ham’s electrifying performance in recent games should prove them tricky opponents for Manchester City today. 

With top spot in sight, Manchester City will start Saturday‘s game in search of consistency, following an up and down start to the campaign. However, their search for consistency might be hampered by an increasing injury list of key players in the defence, attack and midfield. This exposes them to more goals and makes them less lethal in front of the goal. 

Since both teams have averaged 3.5 goals per 90 mins so far this season, we predict over 2.5 goals. 

Fulham VS Crystal Palace, 3:00 pm  

Newly promoted Fulham have done little so far this season to shake their relegation favourites tag. Although, the Cottagers finally put their first Premier League point on the board last week with a useful draw at Sheffield United. However, their major problem seems to lie in scoring goals, having hit the net just once in their last four competitive games. 

Crystal Palace, like Fulham, seems to lack quality in the final third, having scored just once from open play in their last three top-tier fixtures. 

Going by both teams’ conservative nature so far, we expect a low-scoring game. More so, we strongly favour Crystal Palace to win based on the recent performance of both teams. 

Manchester United VS Chelsea, 5:30 pm 

Manchester United will face off the Blues in what enthusiasts are calling the star game of Matchday 6. And we expect a festival of goals. Recall that in a similar fixture last season, Chelsea came away reeling from a 4-0 defeat. Lampard and Chelsea will be keen to make amends for this defeat with a resurgent Chelsea side.  

As if the 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle United last weekend wasn’t enough, Manchester United further emphasised its stance with 2-1 win against Champions League finalist PSG during the midweek. However, the Blues are no pushover with quality players in the final third. Manchester United will do well to keep that in mind.  

Interestingly, Chelsea has the same poor defence problem as Manchester United. So far, they have conceded nine goals in five games of the EPL.  Not to mention their dismal defensive performance against Southampton last weekend that saw them draw 3-3.

We can expect over 2.5 goals in this encounter, as both teams have seen an average of at least 4.2 goals per game this season.  

Liverpool VS Sheffield United, 8:00 pm

Liverpool hosts struggling Sheffield United at Anfield in a game that some might call a walk in the pack for Liverpool. 

Over the past three reasons, Liverpool set an impressive record at Anfield. They remain unbeaten at home since 2017 and have won 36 of their last 46 Premier League games at Anfield. 

In contrast, Sheffield United, dubbed “the blades” have been blunt since the start of the season with 1 point out of 15. Mumbles about Sheffield United being affected by the second season syndrome are likely to become more audible. Especially after they became the first Premier League team to drop points against newly promoted team Fulham this season.

Sheffield United’s awful form points to an unquestionable Liverpool win this weekend. Best-case scenario, we expect Sheffield to deploy a defensive approach to keep the scoreline as usual. 

Sunday 25th October 2020 Fixtures 

Southampton VS Everton, 12:00 pm

Following successive wins against Burnley and West Brom, Southampton capitalised with a stellar performance against Chelsea last weekend. Now everyone is curious to see how much Southampton’s newfound confidence will count when they host a thrilling Everton team. 

Meanwhile, early pacesetters and Premier League leaders, Everton proved their tenacity last weekend when they went toe-to-toe with defending champions Liverpool at Goodison Park, in an enthralling 2-2 draw. However, with injuries and suspension to a host of Everton’s key players, we could be in for a lot of surprises, when Everton visits an unpredictable Southampton at St. Mary. 

More so, this encounter is likely to produce a lot of goals. With 14 goals in five Premier League fixtures, Everton are the EPL second-highest scorers. Despite their quality in the goal front, they have been conceding plenty of chances at the opposite. Everton has shipped two goals in three of their last four Premier League games against West Brom, Brighton, Liverpool. 

Everton’s porous back line is likely to present at least a one-point lifeline for Southampton, who notched two or more goals in three of their last four league outings. Although Southampton is also not without blemish in defence having conceded eight times in recent meetings with Tottenham and Chelsea.  As a result of the defensive frailties of Everton and Southampton and their ability to score goals, we favour over 2.5 goals and both teams to score predictions for this game. 

Wolves  VS Newcastle 2:00 pm

The Wanderers will aim for their third league win on a stretch when they host Newcastle. Wolves have won their last two recent Premier League games to nil to shrug off successive defeats to Man City and West Ham. Thus, Wolves in their present form are poised to take all three points against  Newcastle who had their self-belief shaken by a 4-1 defeat to Manchester United. 

Prior to Newcastle’s defeat to Manchester United last weekend, the Magpies had racked 7 points out of 12 in 4 matches. 

However, putting aside Newcastle’s loss to Manchester United, another existing home and away record reveals that Newcastle might not stand a winning chance against Wolves. 

Wolves have long established themselves as one of the division’s toughest teams to beat on the home ground, having lost just five of their last 29 Premier League games. Conversely, Newcastle United has managed just five victories in 19 top-flight attempts away from home. 

The last five meetings between Wolves and Newcastle has resulted in four draws and one win in favour of Wolves. On the premises of these reviewed statistics, we favour a Wolves win or draw.   

Arsenal VS Leicester, 4:30 pm

Arsenal and Leicester earned a confidence-building result in the Europa League on Thursday after losing their last premier league game. However, the Europa League victory is a more timely boost for Leicester. Recall, they lost their last two Premier League outings by West Ham (0-3) and Aston Villa (0-1). 

Going into this game, Arsenal has established themselves as one of the formidable premier league teams in terms of victories on home ground. Since January 1, 2020, Arsenal has won 9 and drawn 2 of the 11 premier league games they have played at the Emirate stadium. This includes a 1-1 draw with Leicester July 7, 2020.  Arsenal will feel they can harness the momentum from their powerful home form to take advantage of a fragile Leicester team with a lot of injuries. Just to add that Arsenal defeated Leicester 2-0 earlier this season in the Carabao Cup. 

On the flip side, with just one win in their last five Premier League meetings with Leicester, Arsenal might need to be wary of Leicester. Although, three of Leicester’s wins against Arsenal in the last five meetings have been at the King Power Stadium.

Arsenal conceded at least once in 100% of their last five home league matches. Moreso, Leicester has scored in two of their last visits to the Emirate. Based on these reviewed statistics, we surmise Arsenal to win and both teams to score in this game. 

Predictions for EPL: Matchday