The 2015/16 season got off to a stuttering start last week for Thomas. Philippe Coutinho’s late screamer for Liverpool ruined a 0-0 draw prediction against Stoke as our man got just three results out of 10 right, with no correct scores. See if he can do better this week.
Week 1: 10 games, 3 correct results
Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 1
Why? United had a stuttering start to the season with a fortunate 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, but Villa were also lucky to see off Bournemouth. Here you have two teams with plenty of new arrivals who are looking to find some fluidity. One promising sign for United was a much stronger looking midfielder and going up against Villa's blunt attack, they should win before bigger tests in the coming weeks.
Southampton 2 Everton 0
Why? Everton really struggled in the 2-2 draw at home to Watford and only bothered their opponent's goal once they put two up front and played in a more direct way. Southampton were strong at home last season and they should continue that form. They will be solid defensively and Graziano Pelle looks to have started the season on form up front, with goals in the Europa League and league already.
Sunderland 1 Norwich City 1
Why? These two had the worst opening day results, Sunderland losing 4-2 at Leicester and Norwich 3-1 at home to Crystal Palace. Dick Advocaat must be worried about Sunderland's backline after a woeful first half at Leicester and it's hard to see them keeping too many clean sheets this season. Norwich will fancy their chances of scoring and are a better side than the Palace display showed.
Swansea City 2 Newcastle United 0
Why? Swansea's was perhaps the most impressive opening day performance. They were causing Chelsea plenty of problems even before Thibaut Courtois was sent off. Bafetimbi Gomis was excellent as a lone striker and Andre Ayew is going to be an fine addition to the team. Newcastle lost 12 of 19 away games last season — a league high among teams who avoided relegation — and Steve McClaren has his work cut out to change that statistic.
Tottenham Hotspur 0 Stoke City 0
Why? Lost in the media glare focused on Manchester United last week was the fact that Tottenham, despite plenty of possession, were also fairly toothless up front. There is a risk that their two main weapons — Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen — will be neutralised by clever opponents. This could be one of those days, Stoke have some injury absences in defence, but they did not let Liverpool have a sniff on Sunday and could do nothing about Philippe Coutinho's long-range winner.
Watford 2 West Bromwich Albion 1
Why? West Brom may have record signing Jose Rondon available for the trip to Watford, but they seem to be a top heavy team. Rickie Lambert, Saido Berahino, Brown Ideye and Rondon ooze goals, but there are question marks around the rest of the side. Watford, unlucky not to take three points away from Everton, should offer plenty of goals this season and will look to make Vicarage Road a fortress.
West Ham United 2 Leicester City 0
Why? Don't be fooled by Leicester's opening day bonanza against Sunderland, they are likely to be fighting relegation this season. They conceded 33 times on the road last season, more than anyone except Newcastle and Queens Park Rangers. West Ham, on the overhand, will look to build on a brilliant 2-0 win at Arsenal. Major positives in that display were new boy Dimitri Payet and forgotten man Mauro Zarate. This is a side that seems to have goals in it.
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2
Why? Palace are going to be an interesting side to watch this season. They improved a great deal under Alan Pardew in the second half of 2014/15 and are in a position to step up another level after a clever summer of investment. But they lost 10 games at home last season, a record they simply must improve. This seems like a perfect situation for Arsenal to bounce back — Palace will attack and Arsenal will pounce on the break.
Manchester City 0 Chelsea 0
Why? Sorry to disappoint those of you hoping for a thriller, but we know how Jose Mourinho is likely to approach this game. Despite dropping points on the opening weekend, he will travel to City planning not to lose. Expect Ramires to come into central midfield, Cesc Fabregas to move further forward and a creative midfielder — Oscar most likely — to be dropped. If Sergio Aguero plays for City then he is their best hope of breaking Chelsea down.
Liverpool 3 Bournemouth 1
Why? It's hard to gauge much from Liverpool's win at Stoke. They were fairly solid, but lacking in attack. Coutinho's winning goal? We already know what he is capable of. One of the more interesting questions is how the likes of Christian Benteke, Jordan Ibe and Roberto Firminio will gel up front. The visit of Bournemouth is a perfect chance for Liverpool to hit the goals before next week's trip to Arsenal.
