Caveat Emptor is in effect for this column. Buyer Beware, things have not gone well thus far. We won’t be throwing in the towel by any stretch but after this weekend we get a couple of weeks to regroup due to the first international break.
One trend to keep in mind is through 30 Premier League games this season road teams are 13-11-6.
This should correct itself but there is a visiting team I like right off the bat.
Arsenal v. Newcastle
It’s called the Arsenal trap because it usually happens at home. But after the disappointing result they always seem to play well and earn the 3 points. Case in point, after their disappointing home opener loss to West Ham, the Gunners went to Selhurst park and won a hard fought match against Crystal Palace. They now head on the road again to St. James after failing to win at home. If you need something to feel good about Arsenal have beaten Newcastle 7 times in a row. Though keep in mind that Mertesacker and Koscielny are doubtful again for this one.
Pick: Arsenal (-170)
![Conor Coady and Harry Kane during 2012 UEFA Euro U-19 in Estonia. Catherine Kõrtsmik [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_16,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/3dfb88dd1ade50fe95c026e42aaac1b456c554963e1de2312b617e768f6b0d7d.jpg "Conor Coady and Harry Kane during 2012 UEFA Euro U-19 in Estonia. Catherine Kõrtsmik [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons")
Tottenham v. Everton
Tottenham have won the last 3 games in this fixture. Pochettino’s men arguably outplayed Man United at Old Trafford, they held leads late in the 2nd half v. Stoke and Leicester and have 2 points to show for all of it. Maybe they are not that good, maybe they have just been a little unlucky, but in any case they are in a good spot here.
Most of Everton’s first team played all 120 minutes of a capital one cup win at Barnsley on Wednesday. They have 2 days now to recover and, depending on what you want to believe, may not have John Stones available by Saturday kick off. Either way I like the Spurs to get their first win of the season. Where’s your precious Harry Kane?
Pick: Tottenham (Even)
Southampton v. Norwich
After 3 games the Saints also find themselves winless which, for a team who lost many key pieces, can be expected. They also had a Europa league clash in the Netherlands on Thursday. All that being said I also expect them to notch their first win of the season at home Sunday when the Canaries visit. Norwich play a refreshing wide open style and really go for it. Against a typically responsible team that plays well fundamentally this may be their undoing. Norwich will commit players forward and Sadio Mane, Tadic, Pelle and the likes will catch them on the counter.
Pick: Southampton (-110)
La Liga special: Sevilla v. Atletico Madrid
Sevilla were 13-5-1 at home last season. The only loss came to Simeone’s men. Atleti have not lost to Sevilla in 11 straight matches (5 wins, 6 draws). They kept a pair of clean sheets against them last season. Sevilla drew nil-nil with Malaga to open the season and now face the potential for another stalemate. I see another low scoring draw.
Pick: Draw (+210)
Serie A special: Roma v. Juventus
RANDOM FOOTY FACT Juventus just lost at home to open the season for the first time in 87 years
If you have nothing to do Sunday I would recommend watching this game as its always a good show. The reigning, defending Serie A champs may be in trouble. The Old Lady have lost Pirlo, Tevez, Vidal and now Llorente is off to Sevilla. You can’t just lose the heart an soul of your team and continue to roll on, as was evidenced by Juventus 1-0 home loss to Udinese in the season opener. Roma, who have real title aspirations this year, can’t afford to miss this chance to bury their competition early on.
Pick: Roma (+150)
Last week’s record: 0-4-1 (-5.35 units)
Overall: 3-10-1 (-10.3 units)
Next: Chelsea FC Predicted XI Against Crystal Palace