In what has come to be one of Barclays Premier League’s (BPL) biggest fixtures, Liverpool will take on league leaders Chelsea at Anfield.

Both teams are fresh from the labours of continental competition.

Liverpool left the Bernabeu empty-handed after losing 1-0 to Real Madrid, and Chelsea returned from Slovenia with a single point after their draw with Maribor.

It sets up a fascinating encounter and our soccer analysts are on hand to give their verdict on this game and the other nine fixtures.

Welcome to BPL preview.

BURNLEY V HULL CITY  

Burnley have scored only five goals in the BPL, which is the joint lowest alongside Aston Villa. Sunday, where will the goals come from?

Sunday: Is this the weekend Burnley get the elusive win? Will Hull finally show the form their talented squad warrants? We are about to witness if grit and determination only (Burnley) or creativity in Hull’s attack is what is needed to grind out a win. Steve Bruce needs a result and fast, while Sean Dyche’s Burnley, although consigned to the prospect of relegation so early in the season, will keep looking for the elusive first win. 1-2

Kayode: Bottom-of-the-table Burnley are in desperate need of a first league win since their return to the English top-flight after five years. But Steve Bruce’s 14th-placed Hull will hardly make for an easy opposition. I smell a draw. 1-1

Aisha: It’s still early days but it’s already hard to see how Burnley will survive this season. Hull have not been in terrific form either but they should win this. 1-2

MANCHESTER UNITED V CRYSTAL PALACE

Sunday, United have not lost to Palace in their last 12 league meetings. With Palace in haphazard form, surely an upset is out of the cards?

Sunday: Something more annoying about Palace than their haphazard form is the attitude of their coach, Neil Warnock. The former Sheffield United gaffer is a handful on any day and he contests every referee decision, whether for or against his side! LvG is the exact opposite and he should steer his side to their first of a winning streak to start. Puncheon and Bolasie are presently off form, with Zaha in top form. But he won’t feature against his parent club, therefore Rooney and co to do the job. 3-0

Aisha: Manchester United lost narrowly to bitter rivals Manchester City last weekend but their performances have improved of late. This should be an easy win for the Red Devils at Old Trafford. 3-0

Kayode: A struggling Palace at home is the perfect fixture for United heading into the international break. But the visitors will fancy their chances at Old Trafford against a back four that simply cannot stop conceding cheap goals. United strike force will make the difference eventually. I go with a 3-0 score line like the others.

SOUTHAMPTON V LEICESTER CITY

Aisha, the last two meetings between the two sides ended with Leicester winning. The Saints are in fine form at the moment but do you think the Foxes can make it three wins out of three?

Aisha: The Saints are marching on! Pundits keep expecting them to falter but Ronald Koeman’s boys have been flying high and I don’t see Leicester City slowing them down. Southampton to win this 2-0

Sunday: I can’t think of any superlatives to describe Southampton run or their coach, that’s for another day/season. Being second place as an outsider is good for the BPL and the Saints should ride their tide against a steeply-falling Leicester side. Pelle to score again? 2-1

Kayode: Southampton are in fantastic form at the moment, and I don’t see Leicester spoiling their fun.  Last season’s good start was derailed mainly by injuries so if they avoid it they will be in the top six by May. Leicester are in poor form and it’s tough to see the Saints dropping points at home. I go with Sunday’s prediction. 2-1

WEST HAM UNITED V ASTON VILLA 

Sunday, this game pits one of the most complemented sides of the season against one of the most criticised – in-form West Ham host a limping Aston Villa. Who carries the day?

Sunday: Aston Villa are in deep trouble; when do they halt their downward slide? And without their talismanic forward, Benteke, how do they do it? With just four goals scored and tons shipped, the Villians look a sharp contrast to Allardyce’s Hammers. The Londoners are posting wins and what more, Steward Downing has been a revelation in the middle of the park as opposed his wing days. A home banker on the cards at the Boleyn Ground. 3-1

Kayode: If West Ham can recreate the form they showed in their last home match against Manchester City, then Villa should expect a hiding in London! 3-0

Aisha: West Ham displayed grit to come from two goals down against Stoke City. The Hammers have been in good form this season while Aston Villa have been out of sorts. I think West Ham will win this 2-1

QUEENS PARK RANGERS V MANCHESTER CITY  

Aisha, this fixture is most famous for being the one in which City won their first title in 44 years three seasons ago with Aguero scoring a 94th minute winner. Will he and City smile afterwards yet again?

Aisha: I feel sorry for QPR that their next match after the 2-1 loss to Chelsea is against champions Man City. But going by City’s poor showing in the Champions League on Wednesday, and QPR’s performance against Chelsea, I think the home side have a chance. 1-1

Kayode:   QPR may have the second worst record in the league right now, but they will know there is no better time than now to take on the champions of England. City are in shambles at the moment and I see them losing this game. 1-0

Sunday: City anger for failing in Europe will be vented on ‘Arry’s pitiful rangers. Aside a certain reputable Charlie Austin, the home side have fallen stars and that sums up their story. City are not going to find it easy however due to Silva’s absence and a disjointed and underwhelming midfield. Aguero should however help them close the gap on leaders Chelsea. 0-2

Our soccer analysts unanimously predict a 3-0 win for Manchester United. But who wins in Anfield?

Find out after this commercial break.

We are back! And we begin the second half of the show with the star match of the week.

LIVERPOOL V CHELSEA

Kayode, Brendan Rogers rested key players against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champion League with this game in mind. Will this move pave way for a home win?

Kayode: Rodgers will be hoping he made the right decision to rest several of his players against Real on Tuesday in an attempt to get his side’s league season back on track this weekend. After their 1-0 loss to Newcastle last week, the Reds are in seventh place but are only three points behind Arsenal in fourth. A win this weekend would keep them in the race for the UCL spots. Last season in Anfield, Steven Gerrard’s slip handed Chelsea the opener and win, against Liverpool. But they will beat the league leaders this time around. 2-1

Sunday: Two teams just off Champions League activity but Liverpool have had a day more to rest. However, Liverpool suffer more from the post-midweek stress. Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea is an iron-willed side and will resist the prospect of defeat. In terms of quality, Chelsea have the upper hand at both ends, while Liverpool will need a strong performance from Sterling, Balotelli and Henderson. Gerard cannot be solely relied upon. A draw on the cards. 1-1

Aisha: For an inexplicable reason, Chelsea seem incapable of keeping clean sheets this season. Liverpool on the other hand have found it difficult to score and are even worse defensively. This will be a cagey affair full of drama. I’ll go for a 1-1 draw.

SUNDERLAND V EVERTON

Sunday, Everton have drawn five games this season in all competitions and Sunderland are the draw specialists of the league. Should we expect a stalemate then?

Sunday: Sunderland’s season is a given and are only bidding their time due to the level of mediocrity on display by teams such as QPR, Burnley and Aston Villa. So they are bang relegation candidates. However, they got a vital win at Crystal Palace on Monday and this should boost their drenched confidence level against a stubborn and effective Everton. The Toffees are unbeaten in five games and are on some form but coming into this from Europa league action on Thursday means things could change, albeit slightly. 1-1

Aisha: Sunderland’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace was a huge boost. Everton fired blanks last time out but I expect this to be a more exciting affair. 2-2

Kayode:  After the 8-0 defeat they suffered against Southampton, Sunderland went on to gift two goals and lose against Arsenal in their next game. They played with some real class against Crystal Palace, winning 3-1. Sunderland are the draw specialists in the league, having achieved stalemate on 5 occasions, and I think they may get something out of this game. Everton have lost almost every game they’ve played in just after a Europa League game. They won’t relish the trip up to Sunderland on Sunday. But I also think the game will end in a draw. 0-0

TOTTENHAM V STOKE CITY 

Spurs’ form at home reads played 5: won 2, drawn 0, lost 3. The three losses have all come on the back of European midweek games. They play Stoke after the Europa League match with Asteras from the Greek Super League. Sunday, a win for the visiting Stoke?

Sunday: It’s not a usual thing to see Spurs dodgy at home but this has been caused by their misfiring strikers and a shaky defence. Also, several average players litter the squad while Pochettino is too pragmatic for the usual entertainment-seeking Spurs crowd. Stoke will always impress, it’s just the end product that’s lacking and this being an away game, will be same story. Harry Kane to score again? 2-1

Aisha: Tottenham and Stoke have both been unpredictable this season – one week brilliant, the other woeful. Spurs are at home so I give them a slight advantage. 2-1

Kayode:  Stoke threw a two goal lead away last week to draw against a West Ham team that had just two shots on target the whole game. They won’t have that luxury against Spurs at White Hart Lane. I see a goal-fest here and our man, Victor Moses, should be among the scorers. 3-2

WEST BROM V NEWCASTLE UNITED     

West Brom who are unbeaten in six games face a resurgent Newcastle who can’t stop proving everyone, including Sunday Omeike, wrong! So, Sunday what do you expect in this game?

Sunday: West Brom are on a high, so also is their red-hot striker, young Saido Berahino. The England U-21 striker is developing into a good striker and his goals have been vital to Alan Irvine’s team’s rise since a bad start marred his reign. Newcastle are also on an unbeaten run, so its shaped up to be a tasty encounter in which something has to give. Berahino to net the winner? 2-1

Aisha: Newcastle have turned the corner. Alan Pardew’s job is safe for now (brandishes a Pardew Stay banner to the chagrin of Sunday). West Brom will be tough at home. Both sides recorded impressive wins last weekend. This will be a tight one. 1-1

Kayode: Newcastle come in to this game full of confidence. Their away form before this game is not quite impressive with one victory and two loses in five games. The latest victory against Liverpool, though impressive, didn’t hide the fact that Liverpool dominated possession. West Brom score an average 2 goals a game at home and I expect them to score in this match. 2-1

SWANSEA CITY V ARSENAL

Swansea’s home form this season reads – played 5: won 3 (Burnley 1-0, West Brom 3-0 and Leicester 2-0), drawn 1 (Newcastle 2-2) and lost 1 (Southampton 1-0). Scored 8 and conceded 3. A victory would overtake Arsenal and possibly land them in that top four position. Kayode, do you see this happening?

Kayode: I don’t because Jack Wilshere is set to make his Arsenal return against Swansea and that’s good news for the Gunners. He missed last Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Burnley and Tuesday night’s disappointing 3-3 Champions League draw with Anderlecht because of illness. He could galvanise his team to a win at the Liberty Stadium. 1-2

Aisha: Arsenal gunned down Burnley 3-0 in the Premier League but threw away a lead to draw 3-3 in the Champions League. I think that result will affect their performance against Swansea. 2-2

Sunday: Wilfried Bony v Alexis Sanchez first, other things to follow. Arsenal suffered a crunching reminder of their defensive failings in midweek against Anderlecht. How Bony would love to feast on them! (General laughter) Swansea are not particularly angelic at the back also but Arsenal are worse off, therefore both teams’ creative players should make the two defences look like crap. Wilfried Bony and Alexis Sanchez to score! 2-2

WEEK 10 PREDICTIONS

MATCH	KAYODE	AISHA	SUNDAY	RESULT
Newcastle v Liverpool	1-1	2-2	1-2	1-0
Stoke v West Ham	1-2	2-2	3-1	2-2
Leicester v West Brom	1-1	1-1	1-1	0-1
Hull City v Southampton	1-2	1-1	2-1	0-1
Everton v Swansea	1-2	2-1	2-1	0-0
Chelsea v QPR	5-0	3-0	3-1	2-1
Arsenal v Burnley	2-0	3-0	3-0	3-0
City v United	2-2	2-1	1-2	1-0
Aston Villa v Tottenham	0-0	2-2	1-1	1-2
Crystal Palace v Sunderland	2-0	2-1	2-1	1-3

PUNDITS LEAGUE TABLE

PUNDITS	WK 10 CORRECT RESULT (1PT)	WK 10 SCORE (2PTS)	WK 10 TOTAL POINTS	CUMULATIVE POINTS
Sunday Omeike	2	2	4	55
Aisha Falode	4	4	8	54
Kayode Tijani	3	0	3	41

 

That’s our package for today.

Join us in two weeks’ time for another interesting edition of the BPL preview.