Andy Gray & Richard Keys: EPL predictions – Week 8

Here Andy Gray and Richard Keys, who front Al Jazeera’s EPL television coverage, discuss whether the Saints can go marching on or if they will get a reality check at Old Trafford.

Andy Gray: I fancied Southampton to do well, particularly after the signings they made which showed ambition. However, it would be fair to say that they have had a pretty friendly start to the season. West Brom, Sunderland, Norwich, West Ham, Crystal Palace and Swansea is hardly a who’s who of big boys in the Premier League although they did go to Anfield and beat Liverpool which said a lot about them.

They came through that test with flying colours but going to the home of the Champions is an even bigger examination of Mauricio Pochettino’s side, even though they are growing in stature every week.

They have only conceded two goals so far this season but that does not surprise me. Their goalkeeper, Artur Boruc, looks impressive but the important thing is that they have strengthened the spine of the team with centre-back Dejan Lovren, Victor Wanyama from Celtic, a big strong lad who provides good protection for the back four, and Pablo Osvaldo from Roma who appears to have found his scoring boots for a team playing with an excellent work ethic.

David Moyes knows he has to start stringing some back-to-back wins together, something he has not managed so far. There have been signs that United are beginning to find their feet. Rooney is firing on all cylinders, and there are other United players who will be flying high after playing for England and booking their place in the World Cup finals. Robin van Persie is also due a good game.

Pochettino will encourage his side to get at United, playing with momentum and, in a way, they have nothing to lose. Even if they are beaten they will still be looking down on United in the table so there is no real pressure on them. They can go to Old Trafford, enjoy it and relax because, unless they get hammered, there is not a lot of damage that can be done. I think United will win 2-1.

Richard Keys: I’m sorry, but I can’t agree with Andy on this one. I am not surprised that Southampton are doing so well but perhaps I didn’t expect them to be four points clear of United. Do I think they will get a reality check at Old Trafford today? Absolutely not.

I have said before that this is going to be a tough season for United and I don’t think they will finish higher than fourth so it wouldn’t surprise me at all if Southampton come away from Old Trafford with at least a point.

I thought United were awful against West Brom and that is because the fear factor walked out of Old Trafford with Sir Alex Ferguson.

Rooney has been carrying United and Robin van Persie is due a performance but I honestly believe that this Southampton side, who are great to watch, will go and play good open football without feeling intimidated. 1-1.

ARSENAL V NORWICH

AG: After five consecutive wins and a draw Arsene Wenger has a side who are playing superbly. Norwich can’t score goals and I think it could be a tough day at The Emirates for them against the best side in the Premier League at the moment. I think Arsenal have too much quality for Norwich and will win 3-0.

RK: We are loving Arsenal at the minute. They had a bit of blip with their draw against West Brom but I expect them to sweep Norwich away. I liked what I saw from Norwich for half an hour against Chelsea, and they have enough to survive in the Premier League, but I am also going 3-0 to Arsenal.

CHELSEA V CARDIFF

AG: Cardiff might make life difficult for Chelsea but this is one of those games which is all about damage limitation for Malky Mackay. His players need to get stuck in and just try not to get hammered. 2-0 Chelsea.

RK: Cardiff will be resilient and Chelsea will have to fight to get a result but I don’t like what is going on off the pitch at the Welsh club. It looks to me as though there may be an effort to squeeze Malky out. I don’t know what effect that disruption will have on the team but Andy is right, Chelsea will win 2-0.

NEWCASTLE V LIVERPOOL

AG: It’s difficult to judge Newcastle because you never know what sort of performance you are going to get. Liverpool, with Suarez and Sturridge in tandem, have looked awesome in their last two games. They’ll fancy winning this but Newcastle’s Loic Remy is in good form so I’m going for a 2-2 draw.

RK: Sturridge and Suarez are a phenomenal partnership for Liverpool and you know what to expect from this team. The same can’t be said about Newcastle who have zero consistency. I think Liverpool will win 2-1 which leaves Pardew’s coat on a shaky peg.

EVERTON V HULL

AG: Having got a great result at Newcastle Steve Bruce might think he can do the same at Goodison but Everton are a different proposition. They have been going pretty well and their home form is good. My one worry is that they concede a few too many goals but with Romelo Lukaku in great form and the team playing well they have too much for Hull. 3-1 home win.

RK: Can’t see anything other than an Everton win. I have enjoyed watching them so far this season. They can be a bit vulnerable at the back and Hull will be dogged, as they usually are, but I think Everton will win this one 2-1.

WEST HAM V MANCHESTER CITY

AG: I thought West Ham would get battered by Spurs in their last game and look what happened! Not many would have predicted them winning 3-0 so they will be pretty buoyant. Man City know they must start winning away from home against teams like West Ham if they are to have any chance of winning the league and I expect them to make a statement this weekend with a 1-0 win.

RK: No, I’m going for a West Ham win after their great result at Tottenham. City have no away form and although they are, on paper, the better side I’m going to stick my neck out and say 2-1 home win.

STOKE V WEST BROM

AG: Stoke are dropping down the league and Mark Hughes is under pressure from the fans. They are up against a West Brom side who appear to have reversed their fortunes. They did some good business in the transfer window and the players have responded well with some brilliant results but because Hughes is so desperate for a result I am going for Stoke to win 2-1.

RK: Although I like Stoke they just lack a goal scorer and West Brom have found a rich vein of form. They were great against Arsenal and fantastic against Manchester United so I see no reason why they should slip up against Stoke. 1-0 away win.

SWANSEA V SUNDERLAND

AG: We had Gus Poyet on the show and I was very impressed with his attitude and the way he wants to play the game. He may have to sacrifice some of his beliefs on how football should be played because it will take more than silky football to get Sunderland off the bottom. Swansea are struggling at home so I think the new boss syndrome will kick in and Poyet will get a 1-1 draw.

RK: I would love to back Gus Poyet but I think he will make the mistake of trying to get Sunderland to play fancy football and I don’t think they’ve got it in them. 2-0 to Swansea.

ASTON VILLA V TOTTENHAM

AG: If Tottenham had beaten West Ham I would have no hesitation in saying they will win this one. But I think that result might knock their confidence. Villa are a bit of an unknown quantity but they have home advantage so I am going for a draw.

RK: This should be a great game. Tottenham should be favourites but maybe that result against West Ham was a sign that the wheels are coming off. All teams have a bad spell and this could be Spurs time after such a good start. Villa are a little bit unpredictable but I fancy them to nick a 1-0 win.

CRYSTAL PALACE V FULHAM

AG: Both managers need to get something out of this. Fulham don’t inspire me at all, there is not enough pace in the side and I think Palace will win it 2-1.

RK: Let’s be honest here, both of these sides are struggling a bit but Fulham in particular are in turmoil. An ageing creaking side from Craven Cottage will be out of luck and Martin Jol will be out of a job when his side lose 3-0.

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