SATURDAY:
FULHAM V MAN UNITED
Fulham are having one of those seasons where they go under the radar as they haven't really been talked about a great deal.
They don't score many goals but they are a resilient side as they stay in games when they're behind and they deserve credit for that.
Man United are an absolute mess at the moment both on and off the pitch. On the pitch they lack an identity and have done for years whilst off the pitch, they're not being well run. That has also been the case for years.
It's been a bad week for Erik ten Hag's side following back to back 3-0 defeats to Man City and Newcastle where the players didn't look up for it in either game. That says a lot about their character.
I don't see a reaction from them here as they haven't been convincing all season. Even in the games they won.
Fulham may not score many goals, but I do think they can win this one as they have a clear identity and players who can chip in.
PREDICTION: 2-0
BRENTFORD V WEST HAM
Brentford have every Premier League game against West Ham since they got promoted and I fancy them to bag another one against them here. Especially as they're beginning to find some form following back to back wins over Burnley and Chelsea.
West Ham picked up a much needed win against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup in midweek which will hopefully reinstall some much needed confidence.
But I don't see them carrying it into this one because of their poor record against Brentford and the fact that they're playing at Brentford who are usually strong at home.
PREDICTION: 2-0
BURNLEY V CRYSTAL PALACE
I'm starting to worry for Burnley a bit as they're showing no signs of improving at this level. They're always being caught out defensively and are making the same mistakes they've made all season.
The Clarets have lost every game at home this season where they've also conceded 16 goals. But I have a feeling that might change here as Palace are without their two best players in Eze and Olise.
Without those two players on the pitch, I don't see Crystal Palace offering much of a goal threat. They've scored just once without them this season with that sole goal coming last week against Spurs.
The Eagles are better defensively than Burnley and they do have players who can chip in. But I have a sneaky feeling that the Clarets will get something here.
PREDICTION: 2-0
EVERTON V BRIGHTON
Everton got hammered 4-1 in this fixture last season which was a game that depicted where both clubs were at the time both and off the pitch. But they did hammer the Seagulls 5-1 at the AMEX and they'll be looking to replicate their performance from that game in this one.
The Toffees' home form has been poor this season with just one win at Goodison all season. I can see their poor form at home continuing here
They did win convincingly against Burnley in the Carabao Cup in midweek but in this one they'll be up against a much stronger opponent.
Brighton have struggled for results in recent weeks mainly because of the amount of games they've had to play already. Being in Europe is definitely taking a toll on them and it's what I thought would happen to them at some point during the season.
I do think they'll bounce back here though as they didn't play in midweek which will have given them more time to recover and prepare for this game. I think they'll start on the front foot and cause Everton a lot of problems like they did in this fixture last season.
PREDICTION: 1-3
MAN CITY V BOURNEMOUTH
Man City taught United a lesson in the Manchester Derby last weekend which showed how big the gap is between the two sides.
City have given Bournemouth many battering's over the years and I can see them hand out another one here with the quality and firepower they have.
Bournemouth finally got off the mark last week against Burnley which was a result they needed with it being their first win under Andoni Iraola and the fact that they have some tough games coming up starting with this one.
The win over Burnley will give them confidence to help them through the tough games, but I think City will be too strong for them here.
PREDICTION: 4-0
SHEFFIELD UNITED V WOLVES
Sheffield United look good as gone after picking up just 1 point from their opening 10 games which is the worst start made by any side in Premier League history. It equals their record from their last season in the top flight in 2020-21.
One thing you can praise them for is how patient their board is as most clubs might've sacked their manager had they made as bad a start. They kept Chris Wilder in charge after their disastrous start a few seasons ago and appear to be doing the same with Paul Heckingbottom despite the pressure he is under.
Blades have scored the fewest and have conceded the most goals this season and I'm not sure that is going to change any time soon given how low on confidence they are.
Wolves don't score many either and are set to be without Pedro Neto for a while after he pulled his hamstring against Newcastle. This will undoubtedly be a massive blow to Gary O'Neil's side as Neto has been their best player this season.
But I still think Wolves will win this one without him as I don't see the Blades threatening their goal at all.
PREDICTION: 0-1
NEWCASTLE V ARSENAL
Newcastle head into this one full of confidence after their comfortable win over Man United in midweek which was never in doubt.
They'll expect a much tougher test here as Arsenal are in good form and will field out their strongest 11 after resting their big hitters in midweek against West Ham.
I was surprised that Arsenal rested the likes of Saka, Odegaard and Martinelli against West Ham in midweek and I thought they would've taken the Carabao Cup a bit more seriously. They had to wait till they were 3-0 down to bring them all on which was also baffling.
The Gunners are yet to lose this season but with Newcastle being the home team and having such a good record at home, I think Eddie Howe's might just edge this one.
PREDICTION: 2-1
SUNDAY:
NOTTINGHAM FOREST V ASTON VILLA
Nottingham Forest have carried their strong record at home from last season into this season with Steve Cooper's side still unbeaten at home. But they're without a win in six games and are only five points above the relegation zone.
I think they're unbeaten start at home will come to an end here because Aston Villa are absolutely flying at the moment.
They're just a point outside the Champions League places and are a team that are well drilled and full of confidence.
I can see them carry that confidence into this one.
PREDICTION: 1-3
LUTON V LIVERPOOL
Luton have lost every game they've played at home this season and they really didn't want their next one to be against a team like Liverpool.
Liverpool have been a team reborn this season and are looking like a side who have their identity back. Their midfield has been reenergised with the signings they've made who have all brought the energy it lacked in there last season.
With that and the firepower they have in attack as well, I can see them being too strong for the Hatters.
PREDICTION: 0-3
MONDAY:
TOTTENHAM V CHELSEA
Mauricio Pochettino returns to Spurs for the first time since they sacked him in 2019 and I'm hoping that their fans give him a good reception. He might have betrayed them by becoming Chelsea boss but he still deserves a good reception from the home fans because of the job he did during his five seasons at the club.
Spurs lost their identity after Pochettino left and have very much got it back under Ange Postecoglou who has made an excellent start. His side are sitting two points clear at the top and playing some excellent football.
Spurs' win in this fixture last season was their only win over Chelsea at their new stadium and as Postecoglou has a very good record at home, I can see his side bag another win here.
Especially as Chelsea aren't the most clinical team in front of goal. They've struggled to score goals for much of the season and against Brentford they did everything but score.
I can see them draw another blank in this one because of their lack of cutting edge.
PREDICTION: 2-0
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