SATURDAY:
EVERTON V LIVERPOOL
A Merseyside derby to kick off the weekend after the international break. Everton are on fire and especially Dominic Calvert Lewin who scored on his England debut against Wales to continue his fine start to the season. They will be feeling confident going into this game because of the start they've had and Liverpool's high line can be exposed like it was numerous times against Aston Villa. Liverpool will want a reaction and Jurgen Klopp has had two weeks to analyse the Villa defeat to see what went wrong and how they can put the errors made right in this big game. The good news for Liverpool is that Mane will be back and Thiago will hopefully make his full debut after missing the Villa game due to positive COVID tests. Mane was a big miss in that game because he's the player that leads the press and puts chances away when given an opportunity. This should be an entertaining game because both teams have quality players going forward but can look suspect defensively with both keepers under fire after recent poor performances. I think Liverpool will put the Villa display behind them as they've had two weeks to kick it out of their system but I can still see Everton go at their defence. It'll be a great game and I'm going for a draw.
PREDICTION: 2-2
CHELSEA V SOUTHAMPTON
Chelsea will want to continue where they left off after their 4-0 win over Crystal Palace before the international break. Hakim Ziyech will be fit to make his debut after missing the first four games of the season plus Kai Havertz and Timo Werner linked up in Germany's 3-3 draw with Switzerland during the international break which will please Frank Lampard going into this one. Southampton were starting to pick up some results before the break with wins over Burnley and West Brom with Danny Ings scoring in both and he'll fancy himself to get on the score sheet in this one as Chelsea can be vulnerable defensively. I think Chelsea will win this one because they have too much going forward with Havertz and Werner looking to carry their international form into the Premier League and I think they'll be too strong for the Saints.
PREDICTION: 3-1
MAN CITY V ARSENAL
It's Master v Apprentice as Mikel Arteta comes up against mentor Pep Guardiola. City have key players out injured for this one in Kevin De Bruyne who was injured on international duty and Gabriel Jesus whose still out. Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva will be fit plus Sergio Aguero could feature after being out since the end of June. Arsenal on the other could have new signing Thomas Partey making his debut following his deadline day move from Atletico Madrid and I think he could be a player that Arsenal have lacked in their midfield since Patrick Vieira or Emmanuel Petit. I can see Arsenal win this one because City have a few key players missing through injury and they're not convincing defensively. I can see the likes of Aubameyang and Lacazette cause damage to City's backline which will be the difference as City may start another game without a recognised striker whether Aguero plays or not.
PREDICTION: 1-3
NEWCASTLE V MAN UNITED
This is a game United have to win if they want to get themselves going after a stuttering start. They've looked vulnerable defensively in all the games they've played with Harry Maguire receiving the most criticism. His confidence is in pieces after a poor start to the season followed by a red card for England against Denmark on Wednesday night. We'll have to see if Ole plays him in this one because of the poor start he's had and also he needs to make changes defensively after their 6-1 defeat to Spurs before the international break. Newcastle have had a fairly solid start to the season and Allan Saint Maximin has signed a new contract which should be great news for toon fans. I can see Newcastle win this one because I can see the likes of Wilson and Saint Maximin causing some damage to United's defence because of their pace and movement. Due to the form Harry Maguire is in, I can see Andy Carroll giving him a rough time with his strength and aerial presence which is difficult to defend against.
PREDICTION: 2-1
SUNDAY
SHEFFIELD UNITED V FULHAM
This is a must win game for both sides because they're yet to win a game this season. Sheffield United got their first goal of the season in the defeat to Arsenal and they'll now look to score more goals with the signing of Rhian Brewster from Liverpool. Fulham looked more difficult to beat in their defeat to Wolves which will please Scott Parker going into this game but they're still without a point and a clean sheet much like their opponents. I think this one will be a close game and I think it will be a Sheffield United win because they're better defensively than Fulham and with new signing Rhian Brewster, they should be more clinical in front of goal which is what they haven't been this season. Fulham will hopefully play like they did against Wolves but I can still see their defence make a mistake which is why I'm going with a win for the Blades.
PREDICTION: 2-1
CRYSTAL PALACE V BRIGHTON
Palace will want to get back to winning ways after losing their last two games to Everton and Chelsea respectively. They were unlucky against Everton because of the penalty decision that went against them and against Chelsea they didn't turn up. Brighton on the other hand will want to get a run of results going with one win and three defeats to their name so far this season. Their performances haven't been that bad, they just haven't had the right results to go with the performances. I think this M25 Derby clash will be a Palace win because they're stronger than Brighton in most areas and if you have Wilfried Zaha in your side, you have every chance of getting a result and I think he'll score in this one to continue his good start to the season and get Palace back to winning ways.
PREDICTION: 2-0
TOTTENHAM V WEST HAM
Spurs are on a good run of form and they'll be feeling very confident after their 6-1 win at Man United before the international break. They're looking like a really good side with Kane and Son linking up well in attack, Pierre Emerick Hojbjerg looking like a great signing in midfield plus Gareth Bale could make his return in this game. Exciting times ahead for Spurs. West Ham have started to pick up some momentum with big wins over Wolves and Leicester with David Moyes not being in the dugout after being tested positive for COVID-19. I think Spurs will win this London Derby because they're in great form and have more quality than West Ham. West Ham are also in good form, but they can look vulnerable defensively at times and I think Spurs have the quality of players to cause some damage.
PREDICTION: 3-1
LEICESTER V ASTON VILLA
This fixture last season was the last game before lockdown with Leicester winning 4-0. A lot has changed since then for both clubs with Leicester missing out on Champions League football and Villa looking more solid defensively which wasn't the case back then. Villa's confidence will be sky high after demolishing Liverpool 7-2 before the international break with Ollie Watkins scoring a hat trick and Ross Barkley impressing on his debut alongside talisman Jack Grealish. Despite the 3-0 defeat at home to West Ham, Leicester have started the season well with three wins from four games. Their squad will be tested between now and Christmas with their Europa League campaign kicking off on Thursday so they'll want to get this one out of the way before their fixture pile up begins. This will be a great game to watch because both sides play attacking football and with the players they have in attacking areas, there should be plenty of goals. It will be close, but I'm going with a sore draw.
PREDICTION: 2-2
MONDAY:
WEST BROM V BURNLEY
Last time West Brom were at home they went 3-0 up but ended up drawing the game 3-3 against Chelsea. They'll want to make sure that doesn't happen in this one because if they're to stay up this season, they'll need to win their home games starting with this one on Monday night. Burnley need to start getting results because they're yet to earn a point in any of the three games they've played this season. It hasn't been helped by the club not signing many players and having key players out injured which has frustrated Sean Dyche and he'll want to get something out of this game to get Burnley's season up and running. I think West Brom will win this one because they're at home and I can't see them blowing another lead because Burnley are different to Chelsea in that they're not a team who turn around big goal deficits. I think the Baggies will hold on and win the game comfortably with Pereira and Diangana both scoring.
PREDICTION: 3-1
LEEDS V WOLVES
This game should be a cracker. Leeds have probably been the most exciting team to watch season because of their style of play and Wolves on their day are a great team to watch as well. Leeds are a bit like Wolves when they came up because they really go at the big teams. They put in a good shift against Man City before the international break and they gave Liverpool a real scare on the opening day. Wolves were fairly similar as they beat Chelsea, Arsenal, Man United and Spurs when they first came up two seasons ago. Both teams have excellent players going forward and they both play attacking football which should make it a great game. I'm going for a Leeds win here because they play at a high intensity and I don't think Wolves will know how to deal with it because of the movement of Leed's forward players. Wolves will score but I think Leeds score more.
PREDICTION: 3-2
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