Beware a Kane unable to score in August
Well, the opening weekend was a slap round the face wasn’t it?
The Royal Gazette’s predictions, despite painstaking deliberation, were about as accurate as Harry Kane in August.
Yes, that’s right; the league’s top marksman can’t hit a barn door in the first month. No goals in ten matches in the Premier League during his career.
Luckily for Spurs, the Hurri-Kane tends to build up a head of steam as the season gets going.
Of course, having said all that, he’s now bound to get on the mark at Wembley on Sunday when Chelsea pay a visit to Spurs’s temporary home.
Chelsea were a little frazzled at Stamford Bridge last weekend, imploding in the face of a good Burnley performance.
The London derby should be an interesting, and feisty, marker for where these two ambitious clubs are right now. Just don’t put your house on Kane.
11am kick-offs unless stated
Tomorrow
Swansea City v Manchester United
8.30am
After their tepid 0-0 draw away to Southampton, and having waved goodbye to star man Gylfi Sigurdsson, Swansea do not look primed for an upset.
United were impressive and powerful in their demolition of a poor West Ham United side and Romelu Lukaku will fancy his chances of adding to his dream debut. Prediction: 0-2
AFC Bournemouth v Watford
Jermain Defoe is fit enough to be pushing for a starting role and Bournemouth will want to take advantage of Watford having not won their past seven away league matches going back to last season.
The Hornets have some injury issues on the back of their dramatic last-gasp point at home to Liverpool. Prediction: 2-1
Burnley v West Bromwich Albion
Stunning start to the season for Burnley at Stamford Bridge, and now they return to the home comforts of Turf Moor where they had such a fine record last season.
Fancy West Brom to dig in for a point, though. Prediction: 1-1
Leicester City v Brighton & Hove Albion
Leicester looked excellent going forward against Arsenal and will cause newly-promoted Brighton problems. For Chris Hughton’s men, they need to prove they can score goals at this level. Prediction: 2-0
Liverpool v Crystal Palace
Palace are still reeling from their home defeat to Huddersfield and, while they have won three of their past four meetings at Anfield, don’t look in great shape for this one with Wilfried Zaha injured.
They may get some joy against Liverpool’s defence but will they be able to contain the home side’s attacking threat? Prediction: 3-1
Southampton v West Ham United
Saints haven’t scored a home goal since April ... but this should be perfect opportunity to do so.
West Ham were abject against United and decisions are being questioned. For example, Robert Snodgrass, signed only in January, has been told he can leave. Slaven Bilic the first manager to be sacked? Prediction: 1-0
Stoke City v Arsenal
1.30pm
Stoke are no longer the Stoke of old, which should be a huge relief for Arsène Wenger. Jese’s arrival on loan from PSG is an interesting signing, but can he do it on a wet night in the Potteries? He’ll have to. Prediction: 2-3
Sunday
Huddersfield Town v Newcastle United
8.30am
Huddersfield are off to a flyer and this will be a glorious homecoming. The euphoria of playing top-flight football in front of their own fans will make this a tough test for Newcastle, who are desperate to get their season into second gear after the disappointment of the defeat to Spurs. Prediction: 1-1
Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea
12pm
Big questions remain. Can Spurs shake their Wembley hoodoo? Can they win without a Jonjo Shelvey brain freeze? Will Antonio Conte ditch the tracksuit? Can Chelsea regain their composure? Will Álvaro Morata start? Prediction: 1-0
Monday
Manchester City v Everton
4pm
City have launched a surprise bid to sign Jonny Evans from West Brom; a sure sign they are still not happy with their options at centre back. Could be a shrewd move. Going forward, City have riches beyond compare and they’ll need them against this new-look Everton, who can now boast the silky skills of Sigurdsson. Prediction: 2-1