Alan Smith’s Expert Analysis: Premier League GW6 Predictions & Analysis

Viktor Gyökeres’ Impact

Gyökeres can definitely add something to this team. Against Manchester City, it was hard because there were very few chances going and defensively, City were excellent. But watching him last night, I was up at Port Vale, and he’s got that acceleration in the box. As an all-round player, sometimes you’ll think, Oh, what have we bought here? But I think he’ll get goals.

It’ll be in positions where before they didn’t score, because he has got a nose for goal. I do think it’ll be a good addition as to whether that’s going to get him over the line in the title race – we’ll wait and see. It’s early days and he’s just feeling his way still, but I think he’ll be a good signing.

Lewis-Skelly’s Development

He’s only young. He’ll get his games, definitely. Calafiori has been the number one, but it’s a symptom of a bigger squad, isn’t it, as well? Calafiori was already there. I was looking at Nwaneri last night, and he’s not going to get so many games with Eze coming in and the like.

These boys are young, and they’re still learning, and Lewis-Skelly, like Nwaneri, really did burst onto the scene. Great talents, great teenagers, but there’s no real need to rush. He’ll get his games, but obviously not as an automatic starter.

Eze’s Preferred Role

Eze’s best position is in the middle. He’s very versatile. He can play off the left, which he probably will do when Ødegaard’s in the team. But like a few other lads, that competition for a place with Ødegaard might do him good when he comes back, even if it was a little bit underwhelming from him last season.

But for Eze, what a great talent. He got his first goal against Port Vale last night, and he looks made for the very top level. So that’s a lovely choice for Arteta to have because of the different sorts of players – I think Eze was a great buy.

Anthony Gordon’s Return

He owes his teammates one after that stupid challenge against Liverpool. But he is a good player. He’s got a great desire. Sometimes it can tip over the edge. But I was looking at his goal record. He got nine goals last season for Newcastle, which is OK. I think he can do a bit better, a player like that.

With Woltemade through the middle, he needs players running beyond, and Gordon can certainly do that. So his manager, Eddie Howe, will be really hoping he can kick on now and get some goals and do well.

Prediction

Newcastle have had the sign over the Gunners and knocked them out of the Carabao semi-finals last year. Maybe it’s time for a bit of revenge. 1-0 Arsenal.

Newcastle 0 – 1 Arsenal

Yankuba Minteh’s Quality

Minteh has started really well. Got a couple of goals. Only 21, still young, still learning, but he’s fast. He’s powerful, he’s direct. A bit of a nightmare for a lot of defenders. So definitely one to watch. Riding down that right, he’s a threat.

Carlos Baleba’s Situation

I think Baleba needs to settle down. When you’ve got all that going on in the transfer window, especially for a 21-year-old, and then it falls through, it can be destabilising. Perhaps it has been for him. But Fabian Hürzeler will be working hard on him on the training ground and just getting him right again.

I don’t see too many problems. He’s young. They need him, though. He’s such a good player, so dynamic in that middle ground. They need to get him back and find him in his best form again.

Prediction

Tough one, this, with Chelsea as well and Cole Palmer carrying this injury. I don’t know if he’s going to play. There have been some goals with Brighton, so I’ll go 2-2.

Chelsea 2 – 2 Brighton

Granit Xhaka’s Impact at Sunderland

It’s been steady, how I expected it would be. He’s organising players around him, many who haven’t experienced the Premier League. His know-how at this level is really important. The record signing, Habib Diarra, got injured, didn’t he? And he’s a midfielder. So, more responsibility on the shoulders of Xhaka and maybe Chris Rigg.

He came in last match and got subbed when they went down to 10 men. But somebody like Chris Rigg, a young teenager, to Xhaka. Xhaka, I think he enjoys that responsibility, doesn’t he? Taking that on, talking to teammates. So it looked like a good signing and I think it will be a good signing for Sunderland.

Wilson Isidor’s Transformation

It’s amazing, isn’t it? You think – if he can’t be prolific or anything in the Championship, how is he going to get on in the top flight? But goals, it’s an amazing thing what goals can do for a striker, can settle them down, give them so much confidence.

You come into a season, you’re thinking, “Am I actually good enough for this level?” Then you score some goals and you think, yeah, I am. And then you can blossom. It was a lovely poacher’s goal against Villa last time out. Really good. Just hanging on the last line. So, the signs are good for him. Really good. And a bonus for the manager.

Elliot Anderson’s Quality

I don’t think that Newcastle wanted to sell him. It was one of those PSR things. Obviously, he’d come through the ranks, and they would have waved goodbye reluctantly. But he’s good, a really good talent. He has settled in quickly at Forest, so that’s a big plus point for Postecoglou there. He’s classy on the ball and gets about the pitch really well. As for leaving, I don’t know. He’s only just got to Forest. But it was a real coup to get him.

Prediction

They got that draw last night, didn’t they, in Betis? There might be a little bit of fatigue. They’ll come back from Spain today and feel good, even though they let it slip at the end. At home, I think they might just edge it, 2-1 to Forest.

Nottingham Forest 2 – 1 Sunderland

Bruno Mbeumo’s Impact at United

I did the game against Chelsea at the weekend, and he was one of United’s best players. He’s not been overawed, intimidated by the size of the club and the challenge, and wants the ball. So he’s done well. Some others, the likes of Šeško, seem as if they have been a little bit overawed by the situation, but he’s an experienced player in Mbeumo and he’s doing well. I think Amorim will be pleased with him.

Prediction

It’s a tough one to predict, but I’m gonna go 1-1 for this.

Brentford 1 – 1 Manchester United

Crystal Palace vs Liverpool

Well, Palace, some have been unbeaten so far. They got that great win against West Ham, didn’t they, a couple of weeks back? And Glasner’s side they are tough to crack. So that’s going to be a tough test for Liverpool, but I think they’ll get something out of it.

I think they will get a win because they’ve got so much quality, Liverpool. So it could be Palace’s first defeat of the season, and 2-1 to the visitors.

Crystal Palace 1 – 2 Liverpool

Leeds vs Bournemouth

I didn’t see that Leeds win coming at Wolves the other day. They’ve been struggling to score goals. So that will give them a bit of confidence. 2-2.

Leeds 2 – 2 Bournemouth

Manchester City vs Burnley

City, maybe just warming up a little bit. So many good players. It looks like Foden’s going to have a good season. Got a goal, another goal in the Carabao last night. So I think they will be too much for Burnley at home. 3-0 to City.

Manchester City 3 – 0 Burnley

Tottenham vs Wolves

Wolves got a good win in the Carabao, but they’re up against it this season, and I think Spurs at home with the players that they’ve got. I think it’ll be too much for Wolves, so I’m going 3-1.

Tottenham 3 – 1 Wolves

Aston Villa vs Fulham

Villa, it’s a bit of a sob story, isn’t it, for Villa fans. It’s been the worst possible start. They haven’t had much money to spend. Monchi, the recruitment guys are leaving. They got a goal last time out, finally, in the league. Fulham, they’re not the team you want to be facing. But I think it’ll be 1-1 at Villa Park.

Aston Villa 1 – 1 Fulham

Everton vs West Ham

David Moyes got a bit of stick for resting players in the Carabao, and they got knocked out, but they’ll all be back – Jack Grealish, Ndiaye, Beto and the like. I think they’ll come roaring back to a certain extent in front of their own fans.

West Ham have been in all sorts of trouble, haven’t they? Under Graham Potter. I don’t know how long that relationship’s going to last. Not too much longer if things continue. And I don’t see things getting better up on Merseyside. I think it’d be 1-0 to Everton.

Everton 1 – 0 West Ham