Player Picks Week 10

Welcome to Week 10! Once again, be wary of teams travelling from their Champions League or Europa matches, in particular Manchester United (from Moscow) and Chelsea (Ukraine).

This week I'm trying out a different format. This time around, I’ll look at each match-up in turn, make a prediction and pick out the 2 best possible picks.

1. Aston Villa vs Swansea

As bad as Swansea are at the moment, Aston Villa are worse. However, despite only scoring 2 goals at home so far, with Sherwood under increased pressure, I can see Aston Villa at home attack more and thus leave gaps. Score draw.

Grealish to open his account, Gomis to break his drought.

2. Leicester vs Crystal Palace

Both teams have an attacking philosophy which should not change, I don’t expect clean sheets either. It’s a high scoring match with Leicester nicking it. Mahrez WILL start by the way. 3-2

Mahrez over Vardy this week.  Jason Puncheon to score at least one of the goals, possibly a penalty.

3. Norwich vs West Brom

Norwich should win this one, there’s enough attacking talent to just about breach West Brom’s defences, but it’ll be tough. It could also be a boring game. 1-0.

Mbokani to be the one to breach West Brom’s defences. With my predicted scoreline, I have no pick for West Brom.

4. Stoke vs Watford

Stoke haven't scored that many goals, but they have been quietly getting results, clocking up 3 wins in a row. This is a team that is slowly clicking into form after their problematic start to the season. This week they come up against a team that, Arsenal last week aside, are defensively quite solid. Goalless draw!

Butland and Gomes, the impenetrable keepers. There might even be a saved penalty in here.

5. West Ham vs Chelsea

This is actually a very tough one to call. Chelsea have shown some marked improvement  after  a) being forced to not play Ivanovic (unintentional) and b) dropping Hazard from the starting lineup (intentional). The latter proves that Mourinho will now do what it takes to win, and as such that’s what Chelsea will do. 1-2

Lanzini with the consolation goal. Hazard to score (the controversial call!)

6. Arsenal vs Everton

I can seriously see Arsenal losing here, they’ll be a touch complacent after the win against Bayern Munich. The loss of Ramsey will be key. Martinez to get his tactics spot on. 1-2 to Everton.

Sanchez again for the Gunners. Ross Barkley to be the matchwinner for the Blues.

7. Sunderland vs Newcastle

This is the big one. Sunderland have run the roost over Newcastle in the last few derbies but Newcastle’s momentum from last week will win them the game. 1-3 to Newcastle.

Lens will be back and show why he’s key to Sunderland’s survival. Wijnaldum to continue from where he left off last week.

8. Bournemouth vs Tottenham

Bournemouth are in serious trouble. With one key player injured after another, they're doing all they can to assemble a decent team. Spurs, despite their problems going forward, should have no problem scoring in this one. 1-3 to Spurs.

Glenn Murray can't stop scoring, while Erikssen will likely be involved in all of Spurs goals.

9. Manchester United vs Manchester City 

Like the Arsenal game, this is a game where Manchester United will be found out, both in attack and defense. Rooney will be a liability again Manchester United’s problems at left back will be exploited by City, and although they managed to solve the problem against Everton , against the speedy Navas and Sterling it’s a totally different story. De Gea will need to be in top form. Narrow win for Manchester City, though, 1-2.

Juan Mata will be back. Kevin De Bruyne to continue his strong form.

10. Liverpool vs Southampton

Another tough one to call. Liverpool are still a work in progress, and there’s uncertainty over how they’ll line up with players like Sturridge and Benteke returning from injury. Southampton are good in attack but have shown they can get careless. I’ll go for a low score draw, one all.

Coutinho will belt one in. Mane ahead of Pelle.

Do remember to check for injury news.

My team as it stands:

I have 9.4m in funds to play with, I will definitely use my transfers to get one, or maybe two Manchester City players in. My bonus transfer will most likely be for Erikssen. I honestly have no idea who to Captain though, so I might go with the ‘safe’ Lewandowski’ pick.

That’s it, good luck! Don’t get too distracted by the Malaysian Budget 2016 announcement, we only get 145 million pounds as our budget, so spend wisely!

For this and my other football articles, please visit unknownworlds.blogspot.com..