Gray and Keys: Premier League predictions

Sport360 staff 13:40 25/10/2014
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Huge task: Louis van Gaal faces his biggest match as Manchester United manager.

    Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United entertain Chelsea tomorrow in what will be a tough examination of the Dutchman’s progress at Old Trafford.

    Andy Gray and Richard Keys, who front beIN Sports’ EPL coverage, discuss what might happen.

    Andy Gray: With the greatest respect to the teams they have played so far Louis van Gaal has, in my opinion, had a reasonably soft introduction to being manager of Manchester United but that’s about to change. The fact this game is at Old Trafford will help him and  if Diego Costa doesn’t play, and Jose Mourinho is keeping us guessing, that will also be a bonus.

    If we take United first, the obvious vulnerability is their back four. They have had just two clean sheets this season against Burnley and QPR, the two poorest sides in the league and that isn’t good enough for players who should be equipped to cope with the demands of the Premier League.

    They have got Rafael, who is vastly experienced, Phil Jones, the same, Luke Shaw who played regularly for Southampton last season and Marcus Rojo, an Argentinian international. 

    The problem is they don’t have anyone who can step up to the plate as the leader, someone with authority who can inspire the players around him. This is an area of the pitch where consistency and communication is vital and on that alone, this is probably the poorest set of centre backs United have had since the Premier League started.  

    I go way back to Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister, two natural leaders and since then they have had Ronnie Johnsen, Jaap Stam, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.

    United’s defence also tends to be exposed too easily and that’s down to the fact that their midfielders don’t work hard enough when they don’t have the ball. It’s a different story at Chelsea. Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian have learned to chase back.  

    These are players who, last season, were reluctant to put in the hard graft but that has changed.  

    I really hope Mourinho doesn’t approach this game like he did last season when he wasn’t interested in taking the game to United, played with no centre-forward, and got a boring 0-0, one of the poorest games I have ever seen between these two clubs.  

    The big question is what he does up front if Costa doesn’t start. Loic Remy is also injured so he will probably go with Didier Drogba up front or he could play Hazard in that central role in the way that Lionel Messi does for Barcelona. Whatever he does, Chelsea should take this opportunity to go to Old Trafford to win, make a statement, and knock United out of contention for the title race which a Chelsea victory would do. 

    Chelsea are the better team but because this game is at Old Trafford, and I make this judgement on the assumption that Costa won’t play, I have a feeling United will get something out of this. 2-2.

    Richard Keys: It is almost exactly three months since Van Gaal’s first match in charge at Old Trafford. He invited us to give our verdict at the end of that period of time so here’s mine…C+.  

    During the same period last season after the same number of matches I would have given David Moyes a B. Van Gaal has one more point but he has not played Manchester City, Liverpool or Chelsea which Moyes had. Moyes was also top of his Champions League group and had put Liverpool out of the League Cup and Van Gaal has had £150m (Dh886m) to spend, so this is certainly a big test for him. 

    I think Costa will play in this match and that Mourinho has been stringing us along all week and if he does United are in trouble. Andy is right when he talks about United’s back four. They got badly exposed at West Brom last week and I am not sure Van Gaal fancies Luke Shaw at all. He is a youngster so he has got time to learn but to pay so much money for him at this stage of his career smacked a little bit of desperation.  

    I have never bought into Phil Jones because I don’t think he is good enough to play for Man United and the rest of them are average so they are not in great shape at the back.

    Mourinho he will be happy with a draw, but he will go there with the clear intention of winning and do what he did to Man City. He won’t be gung-ho because that is not his style but Chelsea can play within themselves and still win. They are better all over the park and if Costa plays United won’t know what to do with him. 2-1 away win.

    West Ham v Man City
    AG: City’s 4-1 against Spurs flattered them and they were poor in their midweek Champions League game so they need to reassert their authority. West Ham have done ok so far this season but their form can’t last .2-1 away win.

    RK: We have discussed Man City’s frailties many times and they were exposed again in midweek against CSKA Moscow. West Ham are good enough to ask a few questions. 1-1.

    Liverpool v Hull
    AG: Hull were unlucky not to win at Arsenal last week but Liverpool need to exorcise the ghost of the mauling Real Madrid gave them in midweek and because this is at Anfield they will win this 2-0.

    RK: Mario Balotelli was a bad buy, but you can’t blame him for what happened against Real. Collectively, Liverpool were woeful. Hull played really well against Arsenal and I think they can get a draw here. 1-1.

     

    Southampton v Stoke
    AG: The week after the Lord Mayor’s show for Southampton following that 8-0 win over Sunderland. Their home record is superb but Stoke are tough to beat. 1-1

    RK: The fixtures have fallen kindly for Southampton and the mood they are in, I can’t see anything other than another win. 3-1.

    Sunderland v Arsenal
    AG: The Sunderland players need to make amends for their pathetic performance at Southampton but the Gunners have more quality and I think they will nick this 2-1.

    RK: Gus Poyet was lucky not to lose his job after what happened at Southampton and if they get turned over again by Arsenal he might be out of the door. Arsenal are too good. 2-0 away win.

    West Brom v Crystal Palace
    AG: West Brom were lucky to get a draw against United but they are playing well and although Palace have been impressive under Neil Warnock they won’t get anything here. 3-1 home win.

    RK: Home advantage will give  the Baggies the edge over Palace who suffered a bit of a wheel wobble against Chelsea last week. 2-1 home victory.

    Swansea v Leicester
    AG: Swansea’s good start has evaporated with no wins in their last five. That needs to change and because Leicester’s early form has  deserted them I’ll 2-0 home win.

    RK: I was hugely disappointed with Leicester at Newcastle and if that’s all they have got to offer at this stage of the season they could find themselves in trouble. Good shout by Andy. 2-0.

    Burnley v Everton
    AG: I would like to see some light at the end of the tunnel for Burnley but I can’t.  Everton have found a bit of form. 2-0.

    RK: I would love to see Burnley win but the truth is they are not good enough for this league. Everton look to have got their act together so I fancy a 2-1 away win.

    Tottenham v Newcastle
    AG: Spurs had a terrific result in midweek and although half that team won’t play in this match I think they will have too much for Newcastle. 3-0.

    RK: Newcastle won this fixture last season but it won’t happen again. Tottenham to win 2-0.

    QPR v Aston Villa
    AG: I was impressed with QPR against Liverpool last week and if they can carry that sort of fighting spirit into this game they can win it. 2-1.

    RK: QPR did ok against Liverpool but let’s face it, Brendan Rodgers’ side are hardly on top of their game at the moment. However, I think Villa are on a downward slide so I agree with Andy, 2-1.

    Recommended