Another International break looms to interrupt the Premier League, so best we sneak in our Premier League Predictions Week 8 before we forget.
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.
Given Daylight Savings is about to end or begin around the world, why not use the sunshine as a method to decide winners.
Enjoy the long Premier League Predictions Week 8 and preview.
Further Reading….
Week 8 Premier League Fixtures Difficulty Rating
Premier League Predictions Week 8 2019-20 – v Daylight
Hours of daylight in brackets.
BRIGHTON (1888) to beat Spurs (1682)
EVERTON (1567) to beat Burnley (1416)
LIVERPOOL (1567) to beat Leicester (145)
NORWICH (1682) to beat Aston Villa (1364)
WATFORD (1682) to beat Sheffield Utd (1445)
DRAW – West Ham v Crystal Palace (1682)
SOUTHAMPTON (1888) to beat Chelsea (1682)
MAN CITY (1416) to beat Wolves (1364)
BOURNEMOUTH (1888) to beat Arsenal (1682)
NEWCASTLE (1445) to beat Man Utd (1416)
TIPS BACKGROUND: Daylight Savings is about to start in Australia for those lucky enough to be in a smart state, and will stop in the UK at the end of October, so before the “extra hour of sunlight” stops, how about using the daylight hours of UK cities to determine winners.
The theory is the more sun, the happier the fan and players are, so the better they play and the more they win. Simples.
2019-20 Premier League Predictions Week 8 – GAME BY GAME PREVIEW
Here’s our match by match review and our own Premier League Predictions Week 8. 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.
BRIGHTON v SPURS
SATURDAY 12:30pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH PREVIEW RATING (out of 20)
| Match | Score |
| Rivalry | 1 |
| lnterest | 4 |
| Currrent Form | 2 |
| Klassiker Style | 3 |
| Total | 10 |
Interest will be high after Spurs 7-2 mauling by Bayern in the Champions League. And the early kick off helps. No rivalry, and recent form is not much better.
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS
Just a draw to show for Brighton against Spurs in their 2 seasons of Premier League so far, but they’ve yet to be flogged and have at least drawn at home once.
Brighton have one just the one game this season, and a few draws have them hovering just above the bottom three.
Most eyes will be on Spurs though, after their huge Champions League loss during the week.
Final Say:
Brighton 1 Spurs 2
Barely Interesting Stat:
The last three games between these sides on a Saturday have ended 2-1. Two wins for Spurs and one for Brighton.
BURNLEY v EVERTON
SATURDAY 3:00pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH PREVIEW RATING (out of 20)
| Match | Score |
| Rivalry | 2 |
| lnterest | 2 |
| Currrent Form | 3 |
| Klassiker Style | 2 |
| Total | 9 |
A real middle of the road game getting the classic Saturday 3pm time slot.
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS
Quite the 50-50 this game, and surprising given Everton’s relatively easy start to the season that they are down in 15th. Two points and four places behind Burnley, whi have lost just twice this year – to Arsenal and Liverpool.
With three strikers capable of scoring goals, it gives Burnley a real advantage of extending the gap.
We still hold out hope that Moises Kean will break through soon and dazzle the Premier League like he did in Serie A. Perhaps this weekend?
Final Say:
Burnley 1 Everton 1
Barely Interesting Stat:
Burnley have not lost at home on Saturday to Everton since 1970. (Three wins and two draws)
LIVERPOOL v LEICESTER
SATURDAY 3:00pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH PREVIEW RATING (out of 20)
| Match | Score |
| Rivalry | 2 |
| lnterest | 5 |
| Currrent Form | 5 |
| Klassiker Style | 5 |
| Total | 17 |
No great rivalry, but everything else ticks our boxes.
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS
Leicester’s draw at Liverpool last season effectively cost them the title, but a draw is as good a result as Leicester have got at Anfield in the last 10 seasons. They haven’t beaten Liverpool on a Saturday in the same period.
Liverpool keep powering on, but were forced to grind out a win the last few matches, so let’s see how they handle to pulsating counter attack of Leicester. The worry is Leicester’s effort against Man Utd a few games ago.
Final Say:
Liverpool 2 Leicester 1
Barely Interesting Stat:
People that think that Leicester aren’t capable of finishing top four because they’ve had an easy start to 2019-20 may need to consider the following. Since Brendan Rodger’s arrival at Leicester, the 34 points amassed is more than every other team except Liverpool and Man City. The closest is Chelsea with 33 points, and surprisingly Crystal Palace with 30.
NORWICH v ASTON VILLA
SATURDAY 3:00pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH PREVIEW RATING (out of 20)
| Match | Score |
| Rivalry | 3 |
| lnterest | 4 |
| Currrent Form | 2 |
| Klassiker Style | 4 |
| Total | 13 |
Rivals from the Championship and potential rivals to avoid relegation this year. Both sides are hit and miss and in the bottom half of the table, but do play with enough abandon to make this match interesting in general.
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS
For teams in 17th and 18th, they really haven’t been going that bad. Sure, neither are going to win best defensive, but you can certainly enjoy the attack. The dynamic duo of McGinn and Grealish for Villa, and the Pukki party for the Canaries.
Norwich seem to be a little off at the moment, and most are hoping they can return to their Man City conquering ways.
11th is the best position either of these sides have been in on the Premier League ladder so far this season. Aston Villa is pointless away this season.
Aston Villa Opposition Position Average of 7.7 is the second lowest score for this season’s EPL, which means Aston Villa have faced the second toughest start to the season.
Final Say:
Norwich 3 Aston Villa 2
Barely Interesting Stat:
Norwich’s last win over Aston Villa on a Saturday was in the first year of the Premier League in 1992. Norwich had the best of the recent Championship battles, winning three from four, and with 16 goals goals coming in those games.
WATFORD v SHEFFIELD UTD
SATURDAY 3:00pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH PREVIEW RATING (out of 20)
| Match | Score |
| Rivalry | 2 |
| lnterest | 2 |
| Currrent Form | 2 |
| Klassiker Style | 2 |
| Total | 8 |
Another pair of teams who will battle it out in the bottom half of the ladder, and this game is the lowest rater for the week. Interest is if / when Watford turn it around.
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS
Been a while since these sides met, and not in the Premier League for a longer time. Watford have won the only game in October between these sides, but everything else looks a nice 50-50 split.
Both teams were on the end of losses last weekend. Sheffield Utd look to their 1-0 loss by Liverpool with positives, but Watford couldn’t beat second last place last weekend.
Sheffield Utd are winning enough to stay up this year, the same can’t be said for Watford, who are still looking for their first win.
Final Say:
Watford 1 Sheffield 2
Barely Interesting Stat:
Sheffield Utd won both legs the last time these two teams were in the Premier League together (06-07 – both games game 1-0)
WEST HAM v CRYSTAL PALACE
SATURDAY 5:30pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH PREVIEW RATING (out of 20)
| Match | Score |
| Rivalry | 3 |
| lnterest | 3 |
| Currrent Form | 4 |
| Klassiker Style | 3 |
| Total | 13 |
A nice London rivalry featuring two teams outside the big six, but punching well this season. Both are going nicely and play decent enough football. And Wilfried Zaha looks to be turning the corner, so entertaining football awaits.
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS
The later kick off and month of October seems to suit West Ham more than Crystal Palace.
West Ham have only lost once in the league this season, Crystal Palace have lost twice, but the big difference this season is the various form against London clubs, West Ham are perfect, Crystal Palace haven’t got a point yet.
Final Say:
West Ham 1 Crystal Palace 1
Barely Interesting Stat:
Crystal Palace have failed to win any games of their last eight v West Ham.
SOUTHAMPTON v CHELSEA
SUNDAY 2:00pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH PREVIEW RATING (out of 20)
| Match | Score |
| Rivalry | 1 |
| lnterest | 3 |
| Currrent Form | 3 |
| Klassiker Style | 3 |
| Total | 10 |
Rivalry aside, there’s some decent, medium interest into this game.
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS
Southampton are currently going much better away from home than at St Mary’s, so a visit of Chelsea won’t help. No matter how many youngsters Chelsea will play.
Chelsea have a slightly better away record than home, and they are slowly tracking towards the top four. They have a decent points return v non Big Six teams.
Southampton have had the hardest run of any side so far in terms of opposition ladder position so far.
Final Say:
Southampton 1 Chelsea 3
Barely Interesting Stat:
Southampton have never beaten Chelsea on a Sunday. (3 Draws 5 Losses)
MANCHESTER CITY v WOLVES
SUNDAY 2:00pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH PREVIEW RATING (out of 20)
| Match | Score |
| Rivalry | 1 |
| lnterest | 4 |
| Currrent Form | 3 |
| Klassiker Style | 4 |
| Total | 12 |
Despite no real rivalry (which could grow in time) this is a game worth following for the neutral. If only for Kevin de Bruyne and his midfield pals.
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS
A welcome return to winning ways for Wolves over Watford last weekend, coincidentally Wolves’ opponent this weekend is Man City who thrashed them 8-0 in the week before.
Man City hold the advantage in a lot of comparisons in the past ten seasons, except for October which is split 50-50.
Final Say:
Man City 4 Wolves 0
Barely Interesting Stat:
Wolves last win at Manchester City was back in the Championship days, when it was called Division 1 back in 1999.
ARSENAL v BOURNEMOUTH
SUNDAY 2:00pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH PREVIEW RATING (out of 20)
| Match | Score |
| Rivalry | 1 |
| lnterest | 3 |
| Currrent Form | 3 |
| Klassiker Style | 3 |
| Total | 10 |
Another match with a decent level of interest for the neutral, just no rivalry.
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS
Bournemouth are doing slightly better than we thought they would, but their record this season is not great against the big six sides.
Arsenal’s record against the non big six is great with an average point score of 2.5.
The question is whether they will meet in the middle.
Final Say:
Arsenal 3 Bournemouth 0
Barely Interesting Stat:
Bournemouth have never beaten Arsenal away.
NEWCASTLE v MANCHESTER UTD
SUNDAY 4:30pm
OUR R.I.C.K. EFFECT MATCH PREVIEW RATING (out of 20)
| Match | Score |
| Rivalry | 3 |
| lnterest | 3 |
| Currrent Form | 2 |
| Klassiker Style | 2 |
| Total | 10 |
A Meh way to end your weekend.
H2H STATS
2019-20 FORM COMPARISON
THOUGHTS
Newcastle were truly dreadful last weekend v Leicester and have earned their position in the bottom three.
The Magpies have only scored four goals this season also.
Manchester Utd are slowly slipping into top 6 irrelevance, but at least hold the advantage over Newcastle,
Final Say:
Newcastle 0 Man Utd 0
Barely Interesting Stat:
It is Manchester United’s worst start to a season in 30 years.
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