A local derby.

An out-of-form champion.

A returning-to-form former champion.

The bsence of David Silva.

The return of Wayne Rooney.

This Manchester City and Manchester United Barclays Premier League (BPL) game has the lot and more!

Our soccer analysts are on hand to give you their views and predictions of all the 10 BPL fixtures and of course the Super Sunday clash in the City of Manchester!

Welcome to BPL preview.

NEWCASTLE V LIVERPOOL

Sunday, your team’s clashes with Liverpool have produced more goals (129) than any in the history of the Barclays Premier League. Do you see another goal-fest?

Sunday: (Sheaths his sword) I think Newcastle will cause Liverpool some trouble but with Mario Balotelli ending his goal drought in midweek, the Merseyside club should halt Newcastle’s false alarm of a winning run. 1-2

Aisha: Newcastle got a surprise but deserved away win over Tottenham Hotspur last week to finally get themselves off the relegation zone. Liverpool, on the other hand, played out an uninspiring goalless draw with Hull at Anfield. I can’t see a winner in this game but I expect plenty of drama. 2-2

Kayode: Can Balotelli choose this game to shine and become the huge threat to BPL teams that the headlines envisaged when he joined the Reds? He looked sharp and threatening in the last game but Liverpool need a win to attempt a return to the top four position before the ship leaves them. However, the job of winning an away match can’t be made more difficult than meeting an improving Newcastle who are hitting form under coach Alan Pardew, whom the fans had threaten to sack before his team started stabilising. They beat Manchester City in the Capital One Cup, their first win against City in nine years, and they will want to come up better than sitting at the 14th position. But how consistent can they be? 1-1

ARSENAL V BURNLEY

Arsenal have won their last three home matches in all competitions against Burnley and are unbeaten in their last 22 home league matches, winning 14 and drawing eight. Kayode, do you see the Clarets pulling the rug out from under the Gunners?

Kayode: Burley are under pressure to survive in the big boys league after not winning in the last nine games and scoring a miserly four goals, which puts coach Sean Dyche on the spot. Arsenal are however not spared the pressure with their inconsistent showing so far, in spite of the win over a stuttering Southampton last week. Arsenal should win this to create some stability. A win for the Gunners should push them into a comfortable top four position while a loss for Burnley will sink them deeper into the relegation nightmare where they are already bottom of the table. 2-0

Sunday: I am tempted to go for a tennis-like score but knowing well that Wenger and his players cannot be fully trusted, I’d stick with a routine win. Burnley are definitely on the ropes and waiting to be knocked out cold to the Championship. Alexis Sanchez to continue his good scoring form. 3-0

Aisha: Arsenal didn’t play particularly well against a very poor Sunderland side but won 2-0. Burnley have been abysmal this season so I will go for a comfortable win for the Gunners like others have said. 3-0

STOKE CITY V WEST HAM

Aisha, the Hammers nailed champions Man City in their last league game. Stoke should face similar fate. No?

Aisha: West Ham played their best game of the season beating City 2-1. Although Stoke lost to Southampton, I expect them to get at least a point against the Hammers. 2-2

Kayode: Can Stoke City repeat their 3-1 win against West Ham in the team’s last meeting in March? This will be a tight game, with Stoke attempting to improve on their 12th league placing, while West Ham will want to consolidate on their top four position as things get tougher at the top. The Hammers are in dream land and deserve it; they are playing the best football in years and are really capable of an away win at formidable but inconsistent Stoke City. 1-2

Sunday: I was extremely unhappy at Stoke’s last-minute loss to Southampton. The team is really good and highly unlucky. So, I tip them to carry that hunger into this tie against the Hammers. Sam Allardyce’s men are playing free-flowing attacking football but the artistry of Stoke coupled with their rugged defence will win the day for the Potters. 3-1

EVERTON V SWANSEA 

Romelu Lukaku has scored in three of his five league appearances against Swansea. Aisha, do you see him scoring in this game?

Aisha: He could. Lukaku and Samuel Eto’o are beginning to find their rhythm and I believe the Toffees will be too much for Swansea. Everton to win this 2-1

Kayode: A game of two teams not threatened by relegation but who desires to climb up more? Everton are in the 9th position and would love to swap that with their opponent’s sixth position. This will surely be a very open game. Finishing counts for both attacks. 1-2

Sunday: Everton at home are formidable, while Swansea will play the pretty football they are known for, but they switch off at the back to let the opposition in. Eto’o and Lukaku are looking good together and Ross Barkley is nearing full fitness. Despite Bonny and Sigurdsson’s fine form, Swansea should have no swansong against a Toffees side coming together for a good run of form. 2-1

HULL CITY V SOUTHAMPTON

Southampton have won their last four league games against Hull and lost just one of the last 16 in all competition. Southampton are second on the log while Hull are 10th. Away win, Sunday?

Sunday: I doubt it! Trust Steve Bruce when a job is to be done, he gets it done! After posting good results against Arsenal and Liverpool in the past two weeks, the Tigers will bring Southampton’s winning run to a grinding halt in this fixture. Like I said last week, expect a haphazard run of form for Ronald Koeman’s side henceforth. 2-1

Kayode: At the start of the season, some predicted a relegation fight for the Saints but alas they are in a dream second position with the attendant pressures but coach Ronald Koeman is coping just well thank you. The 8-0 thrashing of Sunderland sent a clear message plus the 4-0 thumping of Newcastle. All beware! (“Has he switched allegiance?” Aisha whispers to Sunday) The team’s ability to go for goals, on and off the ball is exemplary and dangerous to any opponent. Hull will be wary of Saints because they have struggled thus far though they are in a respectable position on the table. 1-2

Aisha: Many consider Southampton to be the team of the season so far with good reason. But Steve Bruce’s Hull City are usually a tough nut to crack. I’ll settle for a 1-1 draw.

Our soccer analysts expect a comfortable win for Arsenal but who wins the Manchester ‘war’?

Findout after this commercial break.

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CHELSEA V QUEENS PARK RANGERS

Sunday, Chelsea have failed to score in three of the last four league games against west London rivals QPR. Surely, you don’t see this happening on Saturday?

Sunday: West London derby eh? Say something else please. Chelsea to trample on ‘Arry Redknapp’ and his team of under-performers. Drogba is showing peak form and Hazard is starting to mesmerise again. Throw in the return of Azpilicueta and Ivanovic from suspension, QPR are in for a long evening. 3-1

Aisha: Jose Mourinho and his Chelsea players must be kicking themselves for not holding on for a win against Manchester United at Old Trafford (still has her Chelsea cap on). However, the Blues will be looking to make amends when they host QPR. With Diego Costa expected back, this should be a stroll in the park for Chelsea. 3-0

Kayode: Diego Costa is available for Chelsea, like Aisha mentioned, and that’s bad news for QPR. I smell a whitewash! 5-0

LEICESTER CITY V WESTBROM

The Foxes have failed to score in three of their last four league games while the Baggies have scored just four goals in their last nine away games in the league, firing blanks in five of these games. Aisha, a boring draw right?

Aisha: Yeah, because there isn’t much to choose between these two sides right now so it’s safe to bet on a draw. 1-1

Sunday: Leicester need a win and they need it fast. No win since humiliating a defensively-shambolic Man United is testament to their poor form. West Brom however look like a team in good form and they’d‎ battle it out to earn at least a draw in the tie. 1-1

Kayode: Saido Berahino has scored in West Brom’s last four league matches. I have a feeling he will emulate our own Osaze Odemwingie, the last WBA player to score in five successive league games, and grab a goal. I go for 1-1 as well.

MANCHESTER  CITY V MANCHESTER UNITED

Aisha and Kayode, the spoils were shared when your sides met in the ‘El Clasico’. A mini-Clasico beckons. What’s your take?

Aisha: Manchester United celebrated their last-gasp draw against leaders Chelsea like a win. A loss would have surely have ended any faint title hopes that they might still harbour. But their perennial rivals City are in need of redemption after a shocking loss to West Ham. This is perhaps the most difficult game to predict this week, but I will go for a Man City win (winks at Kayode). 2-1

Kayode: The game of the week, coming for United at a time they can capitalise on the exemplary draw against league leaders Chelsea, while City are going through a rough patch with the additional Capital One Cup struggle and lots of rumours of in-house unrest. City should be wary of dropping points and letting Chelsea run further away in the lead and it’s difficult to underrate a United team looking to build on the last stabilising game against Chelsea with the prospects of Wayne Rooney returning. 2-2

Sunday: Tie of the round. Silva is injured for City, therefore Yaya Toure will have to do it alone in midfield due to Fernando and Fernandinho’s poor form. The return of Nasri is welcome but he is still rusty and is no Silva. Coupled with a shaky defence, this should give United the incentive to smell a win here. Wayne Rooney is back and Falcao too, and Fellaini is playing his best football since joining. De Gea would be expected to bail out the maligned defence. As usual, let the goals rain! 1-2

ASTON VILLA V TOTTENHAM

Aston Villa have become the ninth different side to lose five successive Barclays Premier League games without scoring a single goal. The record is seven by Ipswich Town in 1995. Kayode, do you see them breaking that record after this game and beyond?

Kayode: Aston Villa are struggling and 15th position is an embarrassment for them. The pressure increases for coach Paul Lambert. They hit the ground running at the start of the season but with five straight loses they should be really worried. But opponents Spurs are also not in great form right now too, maybe a draw here will do. 0-0

Aisha: Aston Villa’s recent run of results has been poor but Spurs haven’t been fantastic themselves. I’ll call this a 2-2 draw

Sunday: Aston Villa and Tottenham both need to stop the rot. Villa will count on home advantage and the return of Benteke, while Tottenham’s coach is holding the team back due to his undue pragmatic approach. A draw is on the cards here. 1-1

CRYSTAL PALACE V SUNDERLAND

Sunderland have not won any of their last 20 league matches on a Monday (D8 L12). Their last win on that day in the league was against Leicester City in April 2002 (2-1 at home). Sunday, surely, the Monday hoodoo should end against Palace.

Sunday: The troubles are not about to end for Sunderland, absolutely NOT. More trouble as they face a Palace side full of energy and surprises. Coupled with the combative nature of their coach, Gus Poyet’s boys are about to be shaken to their boots by the vociferous Palace crowd. (Brandishes a placard with #SackGusPoyet written on it) 2-1

Aisha: Sunderland are so low on confidence at the moment that it is difficult to see where they will get motivation from. This should be a Crystal Palace win. 2-1

Kayode: Battle of two relegation candidates hoping to climb into the comfort zone of mid table. Sunderland needs it more and life has not been easy for them with terrible losses to Southampton where they were thumped 8-0 and Arsenal who beat them 2-0, both losses seeing Sunderland’s defence in its most calamitous performance. The Black Cats’ serious lack of confidence might again cost them this. The home team are yet to win their last three games but have the strikers sharp enough to do the magic in the likes of Wilfred Zaha, Jason Puncheon and Yannick Bolasie. 2-0

Join us for another exciting hour of BPL preview.

Bye for now!

WEEK 9 PREDICTIONS

MATCH	KAYODE	AISHA	SUNDAY	RESULT
West Ham v Manchester City	2-3	2-3	1-3	2-1
West Brom v Crystal Palace	1-1	2-1	2-1	2-2
Sunderland v Arsenal	1-3	1-1	0-2	0-2
Southampton v Stoke City	2-1	2-1	2-1	1-0
Liverpool v Hull City	3-2	2-1	3-1	0-0
Swansea v Leicester City	2-1	2-1	2-0	2-0
Burnley v Everton	1-1	1-2	2-1	1-3
Tottenham v Newcastle	2-1	2-2	3-1	1-2
Manchester United v Chelsea	2-3	1-2	2-1	1-1
QPR v Aston Villa	2-1	2-2	2-1	2-0

 

 PUNDITS LEAGUE TABLE

PUNDITS	WK 9 CORRECT RESULT (1PT)	WK 9 CORRECT SCORE (2PTS)	WK 9 TOTAL POINTS	CUMULATIVE POINTS
Sunday Omeike	4	4	8	51
Aisha Falode	3	0	3	46
Kayode Tijani	5	0	5	38