Alan Smith’s Expert Analysis: Premier League GW15 Predictions & Analysis

Emery at Arsenal

It’s a funny one with Emery. In a way, you think he’s better at underdog clubs. Villa is a big club, but the expectation is not like it is at Arsenal. And in those Villarreal, those sides, Sevilla in Spain, he’s done ever so well. And he’s clearly a very talented, demanding coach. Loves the video analysis.

But he’s getting things together at Villa under difficult circumstances with the PSR; he hasn’t been able to spend as he would have wanted. So he might look at Arsenal as a missed opportunity, and somewhere he could have done better. But he’s a very good coach.

Mikel Merino Up Front

I thought Gyökeres might play last night, but it was a good decision to stick with Merino. He’s done ever so well. I think he’s grown into the role of a centre-forward when that’s not his natural position. But with all these games, Gyökeres is champing at the bit, so it might be that he comes back into the side. But Merino, that goal last night, it was such a centre-forward’s goal, really, just getting ahead of his man.

So he’s really answered the call with Gyökeres, Havertz, and Jesus out. It’s turned into a great signing.

Morgan Rogers Threat

Rogers is in great form. And he’ll probably be playing just behind Ollie Watkins, who got a couple the other night. So he’s confident, he’ll be given a boost. So the likes of Zubimendi, Declan Rice, to a certain extent, will be well aware of him and trying to keep tabs on him.

He’s done ever so well for England as well, Morgan Rogers. Really talented player who is difficult to keep down. So Arsenal have got to be wary of him.

Saka Rotation

I wouldn’t say Saka will be rested more regularly, but there will be occasions like last night, when Arteta feels he can do it. And Madueke didn’t let anybody down. I thought he was really good in that first half. So, in years gone by, we didn’t have anybody to step in. So, it would have done Saka a nice bit of rest, would have done him good.

Obviously, Saka came on and scored. But the choice, the options are fantastic. Arteta’s never been one for making wholesale changes. But the fact that he can put some of his key players in and out like that is great for him.

Jurriën Timber Performances

You’d say that Timber and Rice are the two standouts. In a team where everybody’s played well, Timber, again, they tried to give him a rest, but then he came on as centre-half, so he’s got that versatility to his game as well as being a fantastic defender. So, he will be the one pushing Declan Rice hardest for player of the season, I think, definitely.

Prediction

I’m going to go 2-1 to Arsenal.

Aston Villa 1 – 2 Arsenal

Liverpool’s Attacking Dilemma

Well, there are a lot of players to try and kind of ram into the starting XI, and sometimes when you try and put them all in, it doesn’t work. So Salah was the fall guy but came back on at half-time, didn’t he, last night. So whether he’ll play or not in this one remains to be seen.

Wirtz got a goal; it was down as an own goal, but that might do him some good. But I don’t see why Wirtz and Salah can’t play together, but then can you play Ekitike and Isak as well? An embarrassment of riches, but Salah will be off to the AFCON, and then it eases up a place a little bit more.

Joe Gelhardt Recall Clause

It’s a difficult one. Leeds will have been looking at him closely. Obviously, it’s a league below. Standards aren’t as high, but I thought they’d really struggle for goals, Leeds, but lately they’ve been knocking them in, haven’t they? Got three against Chelsea last night and two against Man City.

So, it’s not as if they’ve been short, but it’s a decision they might be looking at, but Leeds are giving themselves half a chance at the moment.

Prediction

Brilliant, brilliant win and performance by Leeds midweek, but it’s difficult. Liverpool have obviously got the problems, but I think the away team might sneak it 2-1, 2-1 to Liverpool.

Leeds 1 – 2 Liverpool

AFCON Departures

It’s a bit of a nightmare, a lot of players leaving from the right side of the pitch. So, not ideal for Amorim. So, the likes of Dalot and maybe Mason Mount could play out there, not as a winger, but slightly different style. But they’ve got to step up. The lads that are left.

It’s been a real struggle for United this season, hasn’t it? Following on from last season, there have been improvements, but he’s got to just think about what he wants to do. He’s going to stick with the system. That’s pretty obvious. Hell or high water. So he’s got to look to some of the members of his squad.

Matheus Cunha Difference

He adds a little bit of stardust, doesn’t he, to United, which they’ve always had going down the years in their history, players that can excite fans and get them off their seats. And Cunha’s one of those, so they’ll be pleased to have him back. And, of course, Wolves have missed him.

He was kind of their talisman, somebody who could drag the team forward with a bit of magic. They lost other experienced players, didn’t they? Ait-Nouri and Semedo. But Cunha is somebody that you want to watch, and he settled really quickly at United.

Prediction

2-1 to United, I think. Rob Edwards has tightened it up, hasn’t he? A couple of 1-0 defeats, but 2-1 to United.

Wolves 1 – 2 Manchester United

French World Cup Hopefuls

I think when you’re excelling in the Premier League, which is the best league in the world, you’re going to turn heads, and Didier Deschamps will be well aware of Le Fee and Mukiele. He will have people keeping a constant eye on them; they’ve done so well.

They’ve got a lot of competition in that French squad. Le Fee, particularly with Olise, Thuram, Barcola, and Ekitike. So, not easy. Mukiele, as well, has some quality players in front of him. But no, they’re doing brilliantly for Sunderland.

Prediction

3-1 to Man City.

Manchester City 3 – 1 Sunderland

Burnley’s January Needs

Spend money, maybe. I don’t know if they’ve got it. Bring in more quality. But of course, the problem is people will look at Burnley and think, you’re going down. Can you attract the right type of player? Sometimes a loan will work. But they do need an injection of quality.

You wouldn’t pinpoint any particular position. Certainly, scoring goals, if you can’t score goals. Leeds are giving themselves a chance by hitting the back of the net. It’s a bit harder for Burnley. So they probably need to get busy in January.

Thiaw Form

I wouldn’t say Thiaw is the best defender in the league, but he’s done well. He’s aggressive. He’s been effective up the other end as well, scoring a goal or two. So it looks like a good bit of recruitment there with Fabian Schär just slowing down a little bit. So it gives them that real aggression, which Newcastle are known for as well. A good signing.

Prediction

2-0 to Newcastle.

Newcastle 2 – 0 Burnley

Tyler Dibling Opportunity

Dibling loves to take players on like N’Diaye, who is away for AFCON soon, and David Moyes would want that kind of player in his team. He’s got Grealish as well, of course. Dibling’s only 19, but he’ll learn a lot, I think, under David Moyes. And his time will come; it might come pretty soon. It depends on how he’s been doing in the games that he’s had, in training. But clearly, he is a talent.

Sean Dyche at Forest

Dyche has lifted them, hasn’t he? He’s got good wins over Wolves, Leeds, Liverpool, and drew with United. Seems to have reinvigorated Morgan Gibbs-White. He’s not had Chris Wood to call on. He’s been injured. But Sean Dyche is showing what a capable manager he is, doing a really good job there.

Prediction

1-1.

Everton 1 – 1 Nottingham Forest

Kaoru Mitoma Return

Mitoma is obviously a really good player and an experienced one as well. He gives you that pace, that width out on the left-hand side. They’ve done pretty well without him. They’re in a nice position in the table, seventh, with Gomez, De Cuyper on that left-hand side, but he’s more naturally somebody who’s going to keep his width more and take on players with that pace. So big, big boost for them when he is back.

Prediction

Normally goals with Brighton, and there have been goals with West Ham. 3-2 to Brighton.

Brighton 3 – 2 West Ham

Bournemouth vs Chelsea

Bournemouth is having a tough time at the moment in terms of results. Chelsea’s a bit of a nightmare game for them. But again, Bournemouth have been involved in a few high-scoring ones. 2-2 for that.

Bournemouth 2 – 2 Chelsea

Tottenham vs Brentford

Brentford rested a few players last night against Arsenal. They’ll be hoping they come fresh. Brentford haven’t got a great away form at all, but they might be able to steady the ship a little bit against Spurs, whose home form is less than decent. 1-1.

Tottenham 1 – 1 Brentford

Fulham vs Crystal Palace

Another one. Tight one, this, I think. And maybe a few goals. 2-2.

Fulham 2 – 2 Crystal Palace