IT was no shot in the dark that earned Zlatan Ibrahimovic a one-year extension on his Man United contract this week, it was the 59 of them that has seen the Swedish totem top the goal attempts list in the Premier League.
A healthy return of six league goals has helped convince boss Jose Mourinho that Ibrahimovic still has a big appetite for the game. He could well improve those statistics when he returns from a one-match suspension to face a toothless West Ham on Sunday.
All the summer transfer talk from the Irons was of bringing in a £25million world class hit man, yet there hasn’t been a single league goal scored by a West Ham striker.
We could be on for a late, late show at Old Trafford as both teams conceded 89th-minute goals last weekend. Man United allowed Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud to head a powerful equaliser, consigning Jose Mourinho’s men to a third home draw on the bounce.
West Ham’s collapse was more spectacular as a 2-1 lead at Tottenham became a 3-2 defeat thanks to a quickfire double by Harry Kane. The Irons would have moved to 14 points with a win, level with 11th placed Southampton. It’s that tight in the bottom half of the table. Instead, they are flirting with the bottom three.
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Saturday, November 26
Burnley v Man City (12:30pm)
After a tidy run of seven points from three games, Burnley were thumped 4-0 at West Brom on Monday evening. Man City have won their last two away games in the league and benefited from a two-goal contribution from the returning Yaya Toure in the 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace last weekend. Jim’s prediction: Away win
Hull City v West Brom (3pm)
Hull have conceded more goals than anybody in the Premier League – 27 in 12 games – while the 10 they’ve scored is a joint low in the division with Middlesbrough. The Baggies are buoyant after a 4-0 win over Burnley last time out and have scored at least once in five of their six away games this season. Jim’s prediction: Score draw
Leicester v Middlesbrough (3pm)
Home is where the heart and determination is for Leicester, with 11 of their 12 points being earned at the King Power Stadium. Boro’s last win at Leicester was in September 2001 (2-1) but this season they have picked up more points away from home than on their own turf, with one win and four draws from six games. Jim’s prediction: No score draw
Liverpool v Sunderland (3pm)
Sunderland’s mini revival faces a fierce test at the Premier League’s top scorers. Victor Anichebe has been a beast in Sunderland’s front line, plundering three goals in back to back wins at Bournemouth and home to Hull. Liverpool have four players who have contributed four or more goals to the 30 they’ve bagged in 12 games. Sadio Mane leads the way with six, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino have five apiece while James Milner has four. Jim’s prediction: Home win
Swansea v Crystal Palace (3pm)
Could well be the last game on Match Of The Day come Saturday evening. Swansea haven’t won in the Prem since the opening game of the season, but were just a minute away from nicking victory at Everton last weekend. The wheels have come off for Alan Pardew’s Palace who have lost five in a row, conceding 13 goals in the process. Jim’s prediction: Away win
Chelsea v Tottenham (5.30pm)
Diego Costa is the most efficient striker in the Premier League right now, his 10 goals coming from 40 shots. Tottenham’s Harry Kane has scored four goals in the three league and cup games he’s played since returning from injury, but Spurs were fortunate to scrape a late win over West Ham last Saturday and crashed out of the Champions League after a 2-1 midweek defeat in Monaco. Jim’s prediction: Home win
Sunday, November 27
Watford v Stoke City (12pm)
Watford appear to have landed a gem in Roberto Pereyra, the £11million signing from Juventus who curled home a beauty in the 2-1 win over Leicester last weekend. Stoke steadied the ship with three straight wins in October but the clouds gathered again in a 1-0 reverse at home to Bournemouth last time out. Jim’s prediction: Home win
Arsenal v Bournemouth (2.15pm)
Which Emirates version of Arsenal will show up, the free flowing 3-0 conquerors of League leaders Chelsea, or the shot shy draw specialists? The Gunners are unbeaten in 18 matches in all competitions but have no league wins in November. Jack Wilshere will return but as a spectator with his loan club Bournemouth. They registered a first away victory at Stoke last weekend but haven’t won back to back league games all season. Jim’s prediction: Home win
Man United v West Ham (4.30pm)
See above for details of Coral’s exciting new customer offer. Jim’s prediction: Home win
Southampton v Everton (4.30pm)
The Saints have managed just six goals in their six home games in the league and failed to score in their past two Prem games at St Mary’s against Chelsea (0-2) and Liverpool (0-0). Former boss Ronald Koeman instilled some fire in new club Everton at the start of the season, with a five-match winning streak in all competitions. They’ve registered just one win in eight since and suffered a 5-0 thumping by Chelsea on their last away day. Jim’s prediction: Score draw
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