Charlie Nicholas’ Premier League score predictions (20th September)

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…

SOUTHAMPTON v BOURNEMOUTH

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

He said on Sky Sports’ website: “It is little Bournemouth against mighty Southampton as they used to say. Bournemouth tend to travel but do not truly believe that the system is the right one for them. Eddie Howe doesn’t always have a plan B. They won easily against Everton and you want them to believe a bit more. I think that frailty defensively always puts that seed in their head. Do they overcommit in attack, which then leaves them vulnerable? It will be a good watch.

“Che Adams needs a goal for Southampton. With the lack of strikers they have, he should expect pressure – that is what comes with being a Premier League striker. They have to prove themselves. He has lacked chances and that is always a worry for me. I have a feeling on Friday that it could be his day.

“It will be nice and open, which encourages Bournemouth to attack. I did fancy Southampton last week, but the problem they have is their limited numbers. Ralph Hasenhuttl has something they can deliver.”

 

LEICESTER v TOTTENHAM

The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 2-1

He said on Sky Sports’ website: “Leicester will be rattled after last week as they should have got something at Manchester United. You feel as though Leicester are one of the teams that can kick on, but when is that going to happen? People talk a lot about Harvey Barnes and James Maddison, but when are you going to get that controlled situation from these players? It is only bits and pieces at the moment, which is not enough to threaten the top six.

“Barnes has not played as much and should be trusted more. Jamie Vardy’s pace and movement always gets goals. Do they have enough at the back and in midfield? Hamza Choudhury and Wilfried Ndidi are young, energetic and enthusiastic. I do not see them being overly balanced though. Sometimes you need to get it into Vardy earlier rather than overpassing.

“Tottenham, we were told, have calmed down after the Crystal Palace game. Christian Eriksen stays put and they have their private chat, but I don’t think that is the case. I don’t think Danny Rose is happy – how long will it be until he comes out and says he is not happy? Will Eriksen stay in the team now that Dele Alli is back? Does Heung-Min Son edge out Lucas Moura? There are so many questions.

“I think Leicester could turn them over. With the aggression and passion, they can control the passing and keep the ball, sit back and counter-attack if needs be. Barnes needs to grow, but needs the opportunity to grow, and this could be the game for him.”

 

BURNLEY v NORWICH

The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 2-0

He said on Sky Sports’ website: “Norwich are a good watch – they like to attack. Daniel Farke does not believe that injuries will change his philosophy. Teemu Pukki and Todd Cantwell are not a pair but they link up so well. It suits them both and gives a nice edge to Norwich on the counter-attack. Even with fit players, you do not know who they will play. Away from home is where the problems lie for me. They want to play on the front foot but cannot quite change it.

“Ashley Barnes is delivering for Burnley and Chris Wood needs to start doing the same. Burnley have got their honesty back. They will be saying, ‘This is how we set up and how we play, and this is why we are a Premier League team’. It will be a pretty comfortable afternoon for Burnley.”

 

EVERTON v SHEFF UTD

The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 1-0

He said on Sky Sports’ website: “I am not convinced by Everton. They are two bad results from sacking Marco Silva. They supported him in the market, but I was not quite sure where he was going with it. It is his responsibility to start getting results. Is he going to play Moise Kean or Dominic Calvert-Lewin? The latter is not going to get you goals. You need goals.

“Richarlison is guaranteed a dozen or so a season. I would break it down and play Kean, Richarlison, Sigurdsson and Calvert-Lewin all together. That is a decent front four in terms of pace, movement and creative ability. Everton’s defence has started the season OK but has been average since. It doesn’t fit right, but this is probably a game where the crowd could get on their back. It is about easing that feeling and helping the manager out.

“When we mention top-six threats, we do not mention Everton, we say Leicester and Wolves. They will just have enough to stumble over the line here. Sheffield United are still trying to adjust to the right system that suits them. I do not see a lot of goals for them. I expect Everton to snatch a winner later on.”

 

MAN CITY v WATFORD

The score Charlie Nicholas has predicted for this game is: 1-0

He said on Sky Sports’ website: “At the moment, Man City have defensive frailties and injuries. Fernandinho can play there and is comfortable doing so, Rodri could play there if needed, but Kyle Walker played as a back three for England and Guardiola could be tempted with him. I would fancy Walker to play there ahead of Nicolas Otamendi sometimes, but his passing at right-back is sometimes average.

“Watford got out of jail against Arsenal, and that was from living off mistakes. I do not see Manchester City being upset by the way Watford play. I think a few may get a rest, but City will be angered by last weekend and will want to close the gap quite quickly, with Liverpool having a tough game this weekend.”

 

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

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