‘Winnable’ Weekend: Which Top PL Team Will Be the First to Falter?
This week is the ultimate litmus test for the Premier League’s self-proclaimed elite. The fixtures are a gift, a free three points. But for the so-called “big boys,” the real danger isn’t the tough fixtures; it’s the ones they’re supposed to win comfortably. That’s when the overthinking kicks in, the chaos begins, and points get dropped in the most meme-worthy fashion possible.
So, which of the Premier League’s giants is about to trip over themselves? Let’s dive in.
Liverpool: The ‘007’ Double-Agent & The Inevitable Regression
Five wins from five, top of the table, Arne Slot is looking untouchable. But the adrenaline-fuelled comebacks can’t last forever. Palace won’t try to beat Liverpool; they’ll try to out-survive them.
Florian Wirtz, the $116m “magician,” is still living the “007” dream, 0 goals, 0 assists, 7 games. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s defence leaks chances like it’s sponsored by DStv Now Buffering. This has all the makings of a shambolic 3-3 where Kloppball and Slotball would both have taken the clean sheet more seriously against a Crystal Palace side that has already beaten them in Community Shield this season.
Arsenal: The Crisis of Success & The Best-of-the-Rest Myth
Best goal difference, rock-solid defence, and marketed as the “serious” challengers. But Newcastle away will always be tough no matter their form. Arsenal always seem one deflected shin-shot away from another crisis headline.
They’ll have 70% possession, 30 shots, 10 corners… and still lose to a lone counter-attack where a Newcastle striker scuffs a shot so badly it loops in like a FIFA glitch. Arteta will blame the grass length, the referee’s socks, and “negative energy in the stadium.”
Manchester City: The Wobble and Pep’s ‘Haramball’
Ninth in the table with two defeats already, whispers of a “crisis” are in the air. Pep is so addicted to tinkering that he sometimes invents problems to solve. But even his boredom can’t stop City from bulldozing weaker opposition.
Expect him to debut a bizarre 3-1-5-1 “false chaos” formation, but Haaland doesn’t care about tactics; he only cares about goals. And against a promoted side? He’ll eat. Pep will call it “a beautiful tactical balance,” but it’ll really just be Haaland smashing in a hat-trick while Pep’s notes look like abstract art.
Chelsea: The Expensive Inefficiency
A billion spent and still no real identity. But last week, Chelsea finally looked coherent. Brighton at the Bridge isn’t the kind of game they should overcomplicate. For once, the stars might actually align.
João Pedro will still find a way to miss a sitter, but it won’t matter because Chelsea’s expensive toys will finally click. Stamford Bridge might even smile for once.
Manchester United: Amorim’s Rigid System
The Chelsea win looked like a turning point, but it was powered by an early red card, not Amorim’s tactical genius. United’s 3-4-3 looks designed for suffering. Against a team that refuses to play expansive football, they look lost, predictable, and ripe for counter-attacks.
United fans might need therapy after watching their wing-backs sprint forward only to be caught out, again and again. The inevitable 2-1 loss will feel both painful and boring, like déjà vu on repeat.
Weekend Predictions
● Brentford vs Manchester United (Sat, 12:30 pm)
No red card bailout this week. Brentford 2-1 United.
● Chelsea vs Brighton (Sat, 3:00 pm)
Chelsea finally click, Brighton can’t defend. Chelsea 2-0.
● Crystal Palace vs Liverpool (Sat, 3:00 pm)
Chaos guaranteed at Selhurst. 3-3 thriller.
● Manchester City vs Burnley (Sat, 3:00 pm)
Pep tinkers, Haaland scores anyway. City 3-0.
● Newcastle vs Arsenal (Sun, 4:30 pm)
Arsenal dominate, still lose. Newcastle 1-0.
Catch the game and every other Premier League game this weekend live on SuperSport Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203). Stream it all via the MyGOtv or MyDStv apps, or visit their websites.
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Source: Legit.ng
