Sunday Premier League Predictions: Expect Newcastle and West Ham to win

Greg Lea

5 November 2022

The penultimate round of pre-World Cup fixtures continues on Sunday, with a bumper five Premier League matches in total - here’s how Greg Lea sees four of them playing out.

Aston Villa v Manchester United

Kick-off: 2pm Sunday

Unai Emery will take charge of his first match as Aston Villa manager when Manchester United come to town on Sunday. The Spaniard inherits a team that sits just one point above the relegation zone, despite beginning the campaign with European aspirations.

The visit of United makes for a tough start to Emery’s second spell in the Premier League. But despite the former Arsenal manager’s reputation as a conservative tactician, he will be keen to make a positive first impression at Villa Park by overseeing a front-footed, proactive performance from his new charges.

United’s counter-attacking prowess means they will pose a threat going the other way, so goals could be on the cards in this one.

Premier League prediction: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals @ 2.12

Southampton v Newcastle

Kick-off: 2pm Sunday

Newcastle are looking like genuine top-four contenders. Eddie Howe’s side have taken 16 points from the last 18 available, while they have still only lost once this term – a last-gasp 2-1 defeat by Liverpool.

Most impressive is Newcastle’s defensive record. No team in the division has conceded fewer goals, with the Magpies’ backline having been breached on just ten occasions.

Southampton’s young team has a tendency to blow hot and cold, and an in-form, confident Newcastle side could prove too strong on the south coast this weekend.

Premier League prediction: Newcastle to win @ 1.98

West Ham v Crystal Palace

Kick-off: 2pm Sunday

David Moyes has expressed his frustration that West Ham have not got more points on the board this season, and it is hard not to sympathise. Just as they played well at Anfield and lost recently, the Hammers were unfortunate not to draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend.

The underlying statistics provide further evidence that West Ham have been a little unlucky. Taking xG both for and against, Moyes’ men have the joint-sixth best record in the Premier League. Yet they head into this London derby in 13th place, three positions below their upcoming opponents.

Crystal Palace have struggled on the road this term, failing to win any of their five games away from Selhurst Park. Most of West Ham’s regular starters were rested in the Europa Conference League on Thursday, so I fancy the hosts to triumph at the London Stadium.

Premier League prediction: West Ham to win @ 1.98

Tottenham v Liverpool

Kick-off: 4.30pm Sunday

This is a crunch clash for both teams: Tottenham cannot afford to fall too much further adrift of top spot if they are to challenge for the title, while Liverpool will be desperate to close the gap to the top four before the World Cup break.

An injury to Son Heung-min, together with the continued absence of Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison, means Tottenham will be without three of their four first-choice attackers this weekend. We can therefore expect Antonio Conte to instruct his side to keep things tight and look to nick a goal on the break or from a set-piece.

Liverpool have a wretched away record this season: remarkably, no team in the Premier League has collected fewer points at opposition stadiums. This could be a low-scoring affair.

Premier League prediction: Under 2.5 goals @ 2.28