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Crystal Palace vs Stoke City

Mark Hughes was sent to the stands as Stoke City were powerless against Tottenham, losing 4-0.

The Potters boss has experienced a frustrating start to the season, with his side rooted to the bottom of the table and just a single point attained from their four matches. They haven’t played well but I don’t imagine any talks of Hughes getting the sack coming anytime soon because I think (and Stoke fans will agree with this) Hughes is the right man to bring the squad together and eventually work towards improvement.

Stoke come up against Crystal Palace this weekend, who were pretty much going through the same winless spell before their victory at Middlesbrough last weekend. I think continuing that form at Selhurst Park will be vital for them and former Reds striker Christian Benteke getting off the mark can only be a boost in their attempts to do that.

I’m going to back them to earn a second successive win here. Stoke are just going through a rough patch, which I do think they will recover from, but I don’t think that will happen at Palace. Alan Pardew’s men will just be too determined for that first home win of the season.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-0 Stoke City

Southampton vs Swansea City

I think Swansea City’s display in their two-all draw against Chelsea was decent enough.

They got lucky, with a few decisions going their way and weren’t defensively brilliant but the Swans have got a good attacking unit. If they can sort things out at the back, they can more than challenge for a place in the top half of the table this year.

Southampton, on the other hand, will come into this fixture full of vigour after their 3-0 victory over Sparta Prague in the Europa League and I fancy them to grab a home victory.

I think we will witness a very open and entertaining game given the attacking nature of these two sides and I’m going to predict a Saints victory.

Prediction: Southampton 3-1 Swansea City

Everton vs Middlesbrough

I wouldn’t say Everton were top class against Sunderland on Monday night – and admittedly, that’s just the Liverpool fan in me speaking – because the Black Cats just made it way too easy for them.

But, I will say this, Everton fans, I’ve been very impressed with the Toffees’ unbeaten start to the season under Ronald Koeman and think they will be a real challenge for a place in Europe as the season progresses (phew! That took some doing.)

Either way, I can only see that good form continuing here. It’s a tough one for Boro, who have played well in most of their fixtures this season but I think Everton at Goodison Park will just be too strong for them.

Prediction: Everton 2-0 Middlesbrough

Watford vs Manchester United

It’s funny how fast things change sometimes.

Up until the point when Odion Ighalo scored the first of Watford’s four goals in their comeback victory over West Ham, it had looked like Walter Mazzarri’s men were set for a long and hard season in the bottom half of the table. However, they changed their fortunes and earned their first win of the season and plenty of confidence will be taken from that clash ahead of this one against Man United.

The Red Devils lost their opening match in the Europa League and knowing already that boss José Mourinho doesn’t fancy these Thursday night fixtures, it could have a bad effect on his players mentally, as the competition progresses. I think it has been proven in the past that it’s always the sides who don’t take the competition seriously that are most likely to get knocked out because if the manager doesn’t fancy it, the players will surely not play as if they do.

This match at Vicarage Road is going to thoroughly test their fitness levels and their ability to win after playing on a Thursday. I think now we will get to see just how strong they really are.

I fancy Watford to make it an uneasy Sunday afternoon for them but I’m going to back Man United to just edge this one. I just can’t see Mourinho’s men losing three games on the spin.

They will be driven by the need to bounce back and against the top teams, that can be a difficult aspect to compete with.

Prediction: Watford 1-2 Manchester United