Dapo Olajuwon’s EPL prediction: Game Week 5

30-08-2022

Crystal Palace vs Brentford

Brentford got a draw against Everton last time out and within a couple of days, they are facing Crystal Palace. Do they have squad depth to manage this game? I don’t think so. And again, they will be playing away from home so I am unconvinced the conditions are in their favor. Crystal Palace gave a very good fight to Man City last time out going two goals up in the first half but were outclassed in the second half and lost 4-2. They will be eager to get back to winning way here at Selhurst Park and I think the fans will make a difference here.

PREDICTION: 1X

TIP: CRY 2-1 BRE

RESULT: CRY 1-1 BRE

Fulham vs Brighton

Fulham’s unbeaten run was ended by the Gunners last time out away from home. They will be playing at home and will be hoping to pick another maximum points or get a draw at least because the Seagulls are playing well at the moment. Brighton would have a lot of defending to do here because Fulham play attacking football. The Cottagers have got goals in them while Brighton don’t score many goals and I believe the Seagulls can keep them off. It won’t be a bad result for either side if they share the points as Brighton will be determined to keep their unbeaten record going.

PREDICTION: 2X

TIP: FUL 1-1 BHA

RESULT: FUL 2-1 BHA

Southampton vs Chelsea

Chelsea got an impressive win last time out against Leicester despite down to 10 men with Sterling scoring a brace to get them over the line. This will increase their level of confidence going into this one and I think they will get something out of this game. Southampton, on the other hand, lost to Man Utd last time out but their performance was not bad. They got punished for not converting their chances to goal and if it continues like that, they will surely get similar result here also. Thomas Tuchel needs to ask more from his players. You can’t keep relying on opponent’s mistakes.

PREDICTION: 2X

TIP: SOU 0-1 CHE

RESULT: SOU 2-1 CHE

Leeds Utd vs Everton

Everton are beginning to wake up from their sleep. They’ve had back to back draws against Brentford and Nottingham Forest yet I still believe they will struggle to score goals because they are lacking a striker. Leeds Utd were defeated by Brighton last time out and I think they will be keen to get something out of this game. I have a feeling that this is going to be a cagey game and a low scoring affair because when Leeds attack, it keeps them open at the back but Everton are finding it hard to score goals. So it might end up Everton sitting deep to keep Leeds out throughout the game.

PREDICTION: Under 3.5

TIP: LEE 1-0 EVE

RESULT: LEE 1-1 EVE

31-08-2022

Bournemouth vs Wolves

Bournemouth just got ripped apart by Liverpool in a 9-0 defeat at Anfield. Such defeat depletes a team’s confidence but I think we will get a reaction from the Cherries here as they play at home in the presence of their home fans. Wolves almost won 1-0 against Newcastle last time out but was denied by Saint-Maximin’s late equalizer. They played so compact and made it difficult for the Magpies to find a way through. I am convinced that Wolves don’t concede many goals nor do they score many and they’ve been a competitive opponent this season so far. So this has to be a low scoring affair.

PREDICTION: 2X

TIP: BOU 0-1 WOL

RESULT: BOU 0-0 WOL

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

I don’t know what’s wrong with Aston Villa and Steven Gerrard but it is difficult to make a case for the Lions right now. It seems like the lions don’t attack their prey collectively anymore. Or maybe Steven Gerrard needs to change his philosophy to get the player’s rhythm together. Going to Emirates stadium is going to be a quite difficult outing for them because Arsenal are in their best form of run in many years at the moment. Also, the Gunners have a 100% league stat to maintain to make it 5 of 5 wins – a greater course to play for.

PREDICTION: 1

TIP: ARS 2-0 ASV

RESULT: ARS 2-1 ASV

Man City vs Nott. Forest

There is not much to be said here. It is going to be a difficult game for Nott. Forest going to Etihad Stadium after they suffered a 0-2 defeat to Tottenham at home. I think this is a game they will be hoping to forget quickly if they get got in the first half. Man City will be full of confidence here after an amazing second half 4-2 comeback against Crystal Palace last time out. I think this is one of the games they’ll just come on the pitch and flex some muscles. Also, Erling Haaland might be aiming at his 2nd #PL hattrick here. Good luck to him.

PREDICTION: 1

TIP: MCI 4-0 NFO

RESULT: MCI 6-0 NFO

West Ham vs Tottenham

West Ham have finally got their first 3 points of the season with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa. I am still not convinced by the Hammers that they will build on it because this is not the best moment for them to face Tottenham who are unbeaten in their last 6-10 games in the league. Tottenham are playing well at the moment and they will want to continue their unbeaten run here. They have taken their time to settle into Conte’s style and Harry Kane is getting goals. I think it will be another win for the Spurs, or at least a draw, if and only if West Ham come to the party.

PREDICTION: 2X

TIP: WHU 0-2 TOT

RESULT: WHU 1-1 TOT

Liverpool vs Newcastle

Newcastle managed to get a draw against Wolves last time out and remain unbeaten. They have shown us that they are resilient and difficult to play against but I think they are about to have a hiccup here facing a Liverpool side coming off from a 9-0 win. The Reds’ last game was as if they just woke up from their slumber and they were unforgiving. They had already got the job done before the end of the first half. I think they will build up on it here to start preparing for the league chase unless Newcastle can replicate what they did against Man City.

PREDICTION: 1X

TIP: LIV 2-0 NEW

RESULT: LIV 2-1 NEW

01-09-2022

Leicester vs Man Utd

Man Utd have won two consecutive games now-against Liverpool and Southampton respectively and I think they can pick up from where they left off because they are facing an inconsistent Leicester side who are prone to conceding late goals. Leicester were disappointing last time out against Chelsea. They couldn’t even earn a draw against a 10 man Chelsea side. With Man United’s momentum right now, it is hard to make a case for the Foxes.

PREDICTION: 2X

TIP: LEI 1-2 MNU

RESULT: LEI 0-1 MNU