Charlie Nicholas’ Premier League predictions – 18th October

Charlie Nicholas has given his predictions for all of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures and it’s fair to say there are some eye-catching scores.

The former Celtic, Arsenal, Aberdeen and Scotland footballer currently works as a pundit for Sky Sports and most every weekend appears on the Soccer Saturday show to commentate on games and get involved with debates. See what he went with below and on the next few pages…

CRYSTAL PALACE v MAN CITY

The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 1-5

He said on Sky Sports’ website: “We say it is a decent start to the season because of the points Crystal Palace have. Are they doing well? They have not been outstanding. Two weeks ago Wilfried Zaha had a cracker.

“He may have got over the transfer saga, but why has it taken him so long? The Arsenal and Everton deals were dead, but did he want to leave? Of course he did! He is stuck here so that is why he is giving his best.

“He is the best player at Crystal Palace but it shows how individual it can become. Roy Hodgson has done brilliantly to piece it all together. Man City will know Liverpool have a tough game though and will be wondering whether they can take advantage, which they will.”

 

MAN UTD v LIVERPOOL

The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 1-1

He said on Sky Sports’ website: “I think because of the desire from Man Utd, an average team at the moment, and given the chance to turn it on and knock Liverpool’s chances of winning the league, they may well do that.

“Why does it take this for them to become motivated? If they draw do they take credit from that? As an Arsenal fan, this always used to be the game for them and was the one I was always intrigued by.

“It was always at Old Trafford where the great games were. Anfield was more atmospheric and vibrant, but this was always the test for Liverpool, as they have never won the Premier League.

“They have battered them on a few occasions and Man Utd still won the title, but this is do or die for United and a day of credibility for them to try and get a point, which I think they will do. They will scrap and sit in, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows that – they will not play expansively here.

“Man Utd will not want to get beat and walk away. This is a ‘parking the bus’ kind of game, in which they cannot take a risk. If they get beat and Liverpool embarrass them, then it could spell even more danger for Solskjaer. I feel Marcus Rashford will offer something here.”

 

SHEFFIELD UTD v ARSENAL

The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 2-3

He said on Sky Sports’ website: “It is a cracking test. I am a big fan of Chris Wilder. I like their energy and dynamic. They have very good variety going forward, while Arsenal defensively are vulnerable too. It is an awkward one.

“Alexandre Lacazette will be on the bench which is a good sign. I would like to think Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney should start.

“Arsenal should be targeting third place with how they have been. They are liable to the counter-attack and you cannot trust the defence, but I expect Arsenal to win.

“Sheffield United do not have a lot of goals in them, but they will score. It will be a very exciting on Monday night.”

 

ASTON VILLA v BRIGHTON

The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 3-1

He said on Sky Sports’ website: “The last couple of weeks with the international football, I have found myself looking at the stats, and I am not a stats man! With Aston Villa, John McGinn has done well, Jack Grealish has the quality, Wesley will and has scored if given the service, and they play wide men.

“There is a lot that I like about Villa. Defensively they are vulnerable, but they will be safe. Graham Potter is wondering if he can change or make it different. He has changed the structure and it has not really worked, although they were fantastic against Tottenham.

“It is attacking and it can work. Jose Izquierdo and Anthony Knockaert always played wide and they were the out ball. It wasn’t always successful but it was a relief, but they don’t have that now. I see a comfortable Villa win.”

 

BOURNEMOUTH v NORWICH

The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 4-1

He said on Sky Sports’ website: “This is a good test for Norwich. Teemu Pukki scored two through the week. Bournemouth are strong at home and these are the games which cement their credibility in Premier League.

“Everyone was talking about Norwich’s result against Manchester City, but they cannot defend and this is why they are in the bottom three. Josh King is coming back from a decent international break, while Callum Wilson will be fresh too.

“There are goals in this team and I see this unfolding again. If this was my game at the weekend, I would be quite pleased.”

 

Take a look at more of his predictions on the next page.

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