The big European competitions kicked off this week, and with the football coming thick and fast, we’ll add to that with this weekend’s Premier League Predictions Week 7.
Each week our preview includes just enough quick and barely interesting stats to help you decide a winner. Plus an alternative tipping method based on some obscure football stat or something even less relevant.
Following on from the first batch of European midweek games, we’re using each team’s form after the first European midweek as a method to decide winners.
Enjoy the long Premier League Predictions Week 7 and preview.
MORE READING: EPL FIXTURE DIFFICULTY WEEK 7
FANTASY PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW – GAMEWEEK 7
Premier League Predictions Week 7 2019-20 – v Post League Cup Round 3
Points per game in brackets.
LIVERPOOL (2.5) to beat Sheffield Utd (1.0)
SPURS (2.1) to beat Southampton (1.7)
DRAW – Wolves (1.4) v Watford (1.4)
ASTON VILLA (1.5) to beat Burnley (1.4)
BOURNEMOUTH (1.2) to beat West Ham (1.1)
CHELSEA (1.6) to beat Brighton (0.8)
NORWICH (2.3) to beat Crystal Palace (2.1)
MAN CITY (2.2) to beat Everton (1.8)
LEICESTER (1.1) to beat Newcastle (0.8)
MAN UTD (2.0) to beat Arsenal (1.8)
TIPS BACKGROUND: This one is easy. We’ve taken 10 seasons of stats, and worked out how each team does after the third round of the League Cup where all of the Premier League sides have joined. Well, the ones that weren’t kicked out in Round 2.
The higher the average points, the more they are likely to win, so they get the selection. Easy.
The record of each side is below too.
2019-20 Premier League Predictions Week 7 – GAME BY GAME PREVIEW
Here’s our match by match review and our own Premier League Predictions Week 7. With loads of stats as below. But keep in mind the following…
All stats are based on the last 10 years of Premier Leagues fixtures,except where stated. Our Match Rating is out of 20, and is explained at the end. Last 5 matches are Premier League fixtures only. The graphic stats are all Premier League only, except where both teams played in the Championship.
The barely interesting fact is just that, barely interesting. But takes in all competitions.
And we’ve added the new 2019-20 stat pack this week.
SHEFFIELD UTD v LIVERPOOL
SATURDAY 12:30pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH RATING (out of 20)
| Match | Rivalry | lnterest | Currrent Form | Klassiker Style | Total |
| Sheffield United-Liverpool | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 13 |
H2H STATS
These teams haven’t met in the league for over 10 years, so miss out on the fancy graphic.
Unsurprisingly, Liverpool lead the Head to Head by 59-41 (31 Draws).
Of more interest is the more recent record of the Blades v Liverpool which will offer up in the Barely Interesting stats below.
2019-20 FORM
THOUGHTS
Liverpool got the job done against Chelsea to maintain their perfect start. Far from perfect but going OK is Sheffield United who are doing a great job and sitting 10th. They have only conceded one goal more than Liverpool, but certainly miss out on the additional goals that Liverpool have scored.
Final Say:
Sheffield United 0 Liverpool 3
Barely Interesting Stat:
Going back to 1992-93 season the record is Liverpool 5 – Drawn 2 – Sheffield Utd 3.
Even better, the Blades have never been beaten at home by Liverpool in the Premier League (from 1992-93 only).
Going further, Sheffield Utd have not lost a league home game to Liverpool in the past five matches.
SPURS v SOUTHAMPTON
SATURDAY 3:00pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH RATING (out of 20)
| Match | Rivalry | lnterest | Currrent Form | Klassiker Style | Total |
| Tottenham-Southampton | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 10 |
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM
THOUGHTS
The two teams head into this game with differing League Cup form – one team smashed their third division local rivals 4-0 (Southampton v Portsmouth) and the other couldn’t beat or sore against a fourth tier side (Spurs v Colchester).
Of course League Cup probably means bugger all in the grand context of Spurs’ season, but with their depth already low, it doesn’t look great that the second string can’t beat a fourth tier side, no disrespect to Colchester as a friendly Ipswich Town fan.
Spurs haven’t had a consecutive result this season yet, which is good leading into this week after losing to Leicester last weekend when they should have won.
Southampton are 2/3 away.
Showing just how tight the table is – these teams are 1 point and 6 positions apart.
Final Say:
Spurs 3 Southampton 0
Barely Interesting Stat:
The last Saturday game @ either Spurs home ground was in 2013, where Spurs won 1-0.
There have been 17 goals in 4 games @ Spurs, with each team scoring on each occasion.
WOLVES v WATFORD
SATURDAY 3:00pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH RATING (out of 20)
| Match | Rivalry | lnterest | Currrent Form | Klassiker Style | Total |
| Wolves-Watford | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM
THOUGHTS
You could predict both sides would have gone a little backwards this season after over achieving last season, but hard to believe that these two sides would be meeting in Week 7 in the bottom two.
Watford were lucky to be beaten 8-0 last weekend, such was City’s dominance.
Neither of these teams have won a game so far this season, so one team is guaranteed to be winless after this weekend.
The worry for Wolves is the home side have lost three of the last four clashes between these sides. Plus one draw.
Final Say:
Wolves 1 Watford 1
Barely Interesting Stat:
The home side last one this fixture 6 games ago back to 2012.
A worry for Watford is the FA Cup curse (of sorts) for teams outside the big six that make the final. Since the 2010 version, every side outside the big six (bar one) that has made the FA Cup final has been relegated. Only Crystal Palace (2016) haven’t. In four of the five cases of relegation, the side was relegated either the same year or next. Worries for Hornets, given their current status.
ASTON VILLA v BURNLEY
SATURDAY 3:00pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH RATING (out of 20)
| Match | Rivalry | lnterest | Currrent Form | Klassiker Style | Total |
| Aston Villa-Burnley | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM
THOUGHTS
Aside from being swept aside by Liverpool a few weeks ago, Burnley have put in a decent start to the season – beating or drawing with opponents they should, and being competitive against the big teams.
Aston Villa look better than their third last position suggests, but such is the harsh reality of being the third promoted side.
Both of these sides don’t look great on the road this season, as their stats prove, which is much better news for Aston Villa than Burnley.
Final Say:
Aston Villa 2 Burnley 0
Barely Interesting Stat:
The last four Saturday matches between these teams have ended in draws.
BOURNEMOUTH v WEST HAM
SATURDAY 3:00pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH RATING (out of 20)
| Match | Rivalry | lnterest | Currrent Form | Klassiker Style | Total |
| Bournemouth-West Ham | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 11 |
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM
THOUGHTS
Two teams sitting next to each other on the tables, and we admit Bournemouth are a surprise after arrogantly claiming they were relegation candidates in our season preview. Bournemouth have done extremely well, as they have had the tougher of the two draws between these sides, as the Avg Opposition Pos. data field above shows.
West Ham haven’t lost since being beaten by Man City in Round 1, which is no shame after seeing Watford’s punishment last weekend.
Bournemouth have scored in every game so far.
Final Say:
Bournemouth 2 West Ham 2
Barely Interesting Stat:
West Ham have only been behind at Half Time once this season – v Man City in Round 1.
West Ham have a hit an miss record on the South Coast. They haven’t won in three at Bournemouth or Brighton, but are 2/3 at Southampton.
CHELSEA v BRIGHTON
SATURDAY 3:00pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH RATING (out of 20)
| Match | Rivalry | lnterest | Currrent Form | Klassiker Style | Total |
| Chelsea-Brighton | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM
THOUGHTS
Brighton have started off brightly enough this season, but are sliding towards the bottom three after no wins since their opening day victory over Watford. Although one wonders that we think it is better because they were so dull to watch last season.
Chelsea’s younger than usual side is doing the job overall this season, and probably wrote off the Liverpool result in advance. Better to think back to the big Wolves win two weeks prior, and to Brighton’s visit which always results in wins.
Final Say:
Chelsea 2 Brighton 0
Barely Interesting Stat:
Brighton have visited Stamford Bridge 5 times for a record of five losses, 12 goals conceded and 0 scored.
CRYSTAL PALACE v NORWICH
SATURDAY 3:00pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH RATING (out of 20)
| Match | Rivalry | lnterest | Currrent Form | Klassiker Style | Total |
| Crystal Palace-Norwich | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 9 |
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM
THOUGHTS
Looking at all the H2H stats, it doesn’t look great for Norwich based on past results from both of the top two divisions.
Not many goals at Selhurst Park this weekend, but the total goals per game is rising in a neat pattern. 0, 1, 2, so then that means three goals for sure this weekend. Or perhaps not as Crystal Palace are the equal worst team in the EPL this season so far for goals scored. If they can’t score against Norwich, who are the second worst defensive team, then they are problems ahead.
Norwich have had a few off days this season so far, and both have come against sides playing in claret shirts. Thankfully for Norwich fans, and there appears to be a few after the weekly Pukki parties, Crystal Palace play in Red and Blue.
Final Say:
Crystal Palace 0 Norwich 2
Barely Interesting Stat:
Crystal Palace have a terrible record in the Premier League against Norwich. The record for the eight Premier League meetings between the two clubs is Norwich 4 Draw 4 Palace 0. Crystal Palace’s record is much better in the Championship where they are at 50% win rate.
EVERTON v MAN CITY
SATURDAY 5:30pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH RATING (out of 20)
| Match | Rivalry | lnterest | Currrent Form | Klassiker Style | Total |
| Everton v Man City | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 13 |
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM
THOUGHTS
Well Manchester City could scored about 15 last weekend against Watford, so Everton, who weren’t great last weekend may be a little worried. At least Man City are away from home where they are marginally less effective.
Pep is under fire for the second week in a row from FPL fans, by benching one of his better players. Although it worked out for teams with De Bruyne as captain and no Sterling.
Everton are also throwing away a relatively easy start to the season too.
Final Say:
Everton 1 Man City 4
Barely Interesting Stat:
Man City have only won three of seven games on the road against Everton.
LEICESTER v NEWCASTLE
SUNDAY 4:30pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH RATING (out of 20)
| Match | Rivalry | lnterest | Currrent Form | Klassiker Style | Total |
| Leicester-Newcastle United | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 9 |
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM
THOUGHTS
Leicester claimed a big scalp last weekend, and are on the way to disrupting the big six again. Although you’d think they’ll fall short of a second Premier League title.
Newcastle aren’t going quite as bad as more than a few thought at the start of the season, but are still equal lowest scorers and in 17th place.
Leicester actually have the equal best defensive record this season with Liverpool.
Final Say:
Leicester 3 Newcastle 0
Barely Interesting Stat:
The home side has lost 4 in a row.
These sides haven’t met on a Sunday since 1994.
MAN UTD v ARSENAL
SUNDAY 4:30pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH RATING (out of 20)
| Match | Rivalry | lnterest | Currrent Form | Klassiker Style | Total |
| Manchester United-Arsenal | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 15 |
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM
THOUGHTS
Rounding the weekend off with the most high profile match.
This game could go either way. Will Man Utd turn up like their 4-0 thrashing of Chelsea first week? It would want to better than last weekend’s stinkfest against West Ham.
Final Say:
Man Utd 1 Arsenal 1
Barely Interesting Stat:
The home side has lost just once this decade.
