FRIDAY:
NEWCASTLE V LEEDS
Both sides need to win this one in order to get their seasons up and running as they're both yet to win a game so far this season.
Newcastle look to be heading towards another relegation battle after their poor start and it's no surprise to see the fans turning on the manager. They've been on his back since the day he arrived and I can't see that changing any time soon.
I can't see the Magpies winning this one simply because they're going to be without Callum Wilson and for a number of weeks. They missed Wilson when he was out injured last season as they lacked that centre forward to put the ball in the net during his absence. With Allan Saint Maximin as their only serious attacking threat, I can see them struggle without Wilson once again.
Leeds appear to have been figured out this season which could be a reason for their poor start. I thought that would be the case for them this season as the second season can be difficult for some teams. They'll still be okay as they have a great manager and a good set of players. But they still need to start winning games so they can avoid the second season syndrome.
I'm going for Leeds to get their first win in this one because they have more attacking quality than Newcastle. With Wilson out for Newcastle and Leeds playing the way they do, I can only see this going one way with that way being a Leeds win.
PREDICTION: 0-2
SATURDAY:
WOLVES V BRENTFORD
Wolves got off the mark last weekend with their win at Watford where they finally got their first goals of the season. It felt like it wasn't going to happen for them with the amount of chances they had before they scored but they got there in the end and won the game which will give them confidence going into this game.
Brentford need to make sure that their good start doesn't fizzle out because promoted teams who have started well in the past have seen their form drop off at this stage of the season. Their unbeaten start was ended by Brighton last weekend and because of that they'll want to avoid suffering back to back defeats as it could really hit their confidence.
They really don't want to lose this one as they have Liverpool after this one.
I'm going for a draw in this one because I can see both sides cancelling each other out. Wolves have missed a lot of chances whilst Brentford have been really solid and I can see that being the case in this game. I think both teams will score, but I don't think there will be a winner.
PREDICTION: 1-1
BURNLEY V ARSENAL
Burnley are still yet to win this season but they should still be okay as they have a decent squad and a good manager. They started slowly last season and still managed to stay up so they should do the same again. Especially as they made a couple of crucial signings before the window closed.
Sean Dyche extending his stay is massive news for the club because without him they wouldn't be where they are now. He's done an excellent job at Burnley since he's been there and they'll hopefully have a few more years in the Premier League because of him signing that new contract.
Arsenal finally got off the mark with their win over Norwich last weekend where their performance was much better. They looked a threat whenever they went forward and they got the win they desperately needed and deserved based on the amount of chances they had.
Mikel Arteta will want his team to carry that performance and result into this game so they have some confidence to take into their next game which is the North London Derby against Spurs. They got their first win last week and now need to follow that with another win here so they can push themselves further up the table.
I'm going for a draw in this one because I can see Burnley make it really difficult for Arsenal. The Clarets are a tough team to beat and with their organisation and solidity, I can see them frustrate the Gunners.
PREDICTION: 1-1
LIVERPOOL V CRYSTAL PALACE
Liverpool got their Champions League campaign up and running in midweek with their win over AC Milan. They may have been given a scare at half time but overall they deserved to win the game because of the performance they put in and how they played.
The reds have looked back to their old best this season by pressing their opponents high up the pitch which is what they used to do when at their best. They haven't been talked about as potential title contenders unlike City, United and Chelsea but they could be soon if they keep up their strong start to the season. Especially with their attack back on form and Virgil Van Dijk back in their defence.
Crystal Palace have adapted to Patrick Vieira's methods pretty well since the Frenchman took over and they've done so quicker than I thought. Their win over Spurs last weekend backed that up and that result will give them plenty of confidence going into this one.
They looked a complete team in their win over Spurs and especially with a striker who can put the ball in the net in Odsonne Eduoard. The Eagles have lacked a clinical no.9 for the last few seasons and in Eduoard they appear to have found the missing piece in their jigsaw.
I'm backing Liverpool to win this one because I think they'll have enough to win the game. Palace playing open will suit them and with their high press they should win this one comfortably.
PREDICTION: 3-0
MAN CITY V SOUTHAMPTON
Man City showed their class in their entertaining win over RB Leipzig in midweek as they scored some brilliant goals and put in a dominant display. It was City at their best as they got their Champions League campaign up and running with a convincing win.
Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden returned to the side in midweek following time out injured and they'll both be expected to play in this one now they're back from their respective injuries. De Bruyne will probably start as he started in the win over Leipzig whilst Foden will probably make another cameo appearance from the bench as he's just come back.
Southampton are still without a win this season but their recent performances have been promising. They might not have got the results they wanted but the performances have been encouraging and they'll now look to turn those performances into wins. But I don't think it will start here due to the quality of opposition they're facing in City.
They've shown good character in their recent games and they'll need to show that again if they're to get something from this game which will be tough.
I'm going for a City win here because I can see them being too strong for Southampton. The Saints have been resolute over the last few games but with Kevin De Bruyne back for City, the champions should win this one rather comfortably.
PREDICTION: 4-0
NORWICH V WATFORD
With those tough games out of the way, Norwich can finally look towards winning some games with this one being a winnable fixture. They still have some tough fixtures coming up but this one is a great opportunity for them to get some much needed points on the board.
Watford also need to start winning games after losing their last three since beating Aston Villa on the opening day. They haven't scored since that day as well as win and goals are something I can see them struggling with this season. Even though they do have one or two decent attacking players in their squad.
They did the double over Norwich last season which will hopefully give them some much needed confidence because they know they can beat them having beaten them twice last season. If they can get it right in front of goal, they have a good enough chance of beating them again.
I'm going for a Norwich win here because I have a feeling that they're going to nick this one. They have a great opportunity to get some points on the board and with Watford in a rut following three straight defeats, I can see the Canaries get off the mark.
PREDICTION: 1-0
ASTON VILLA V EVERTON
Aston Villa put in a decent display in their defeat to Chelsea last time out as they had a lot of good chances. They might've lost by a big margin but they should still be proud of the performance they put in. If they can take their chances in this one, they have a chance of getting a good result.
Everton continued their strong start under Rafa Benitez on Monday night by beating Burnley where they showed great character to come from behind and win the game. Burnley rattled them for the majority of the first half as they got balls in the box and played a lot of long balls. But once Everton got the equaliser, they turned the game on its head by scoring three times in six minutes.
Demarai Gray has probably been their best player so far this season as he's scored in almost every game he's played in this season. He would love another goal in this one as he's a former Birmingham player and if he carries on the way he is, an England call up could come for him.
I'm backing Villa to win this one because they beat Everton last season and I can see them beat them again in this one. With the Toffees without Calvert Lewin and Villa having both of their strikers available, they should win this one.
PREDICTION: 2-1
SUNDAY:
BRIGHTON V LEICESTER
I had Brighton down as one of my three teams to go down but after their good start I think they'll be fine. It's been their best start to a top flight season for many years and if they can keep it up they should be safe from any relegation threat. Especially if they can take their chances as that was a problem of theirs for the majority of last season.
Leicester coped well with the Thursday-Sunday schedule last season and they'll be expected to again because of how strong their squad is. They won most of their games following a European tie last season as they had players who could step in and do a job for the team. With their squad arguably looking stronger this season, they should once again deal with it well because it's big enough and good enough to cope with the schedule.
They have have been hit psychologically after letting a two goal lead slip against Napoli in midweek but I still think they'll come back from that and get something here. With the majority of their key players available and some good players on their bench, I'm sure they'll put in a good display to put that result in midweek behind them.
I'm backing Leicester to win here because I think they'll have enough quality to win the game. Brighton may have started the season well, but I can't see them being a match for the Foxes>
PREDICTION: 0-2
WEST HAM V MAN UNITED
West Ham will be without Michail Antonio for this one following his red card at Southampton last weekend which is a massive blow for them. They coped well without him at times last season but as he's started the season so well and the Hammers have no other recognised strikers in their squad, they may lack that focal point up top. With this being their first tough game of the season, I can't see them get a result without their top goal scorer.
After getting their Europa League campaign kicked off in midweek, the Hammers' season is about to be tested because dealing with the Thursday-Sunday schedule is not easy. Clubs who are new to playing in Europe have struggled to deal with it in the past as they haven't had big enough squads and you need a big enough squad to deal with it. As the Hammers' squad isn't the biggest, they may struggle to deal with the schedule because of the amount of travelling involved along with the lack of recovery time.
Cristiano Ronaldo got off the mark last weekend by scoring twice on his return debut against Newcastle and he followed that up with another goal in their defeat to Young Boys in the Champions League. It's been a good start from him and it wouldn't surprise me if he scored again in this one because of the standards he sets himself.
They had a day to forget in midweek following their defeat to Young Boys in the Champions League where the manager got his tactics wrong by bringing off both Ronaldo and Fernandes. The sending off did change the game but Solskjaer will still feel that he takes the responsibility for the loss because of the decisions he made.
I've got to go with a United win here because they're looking like title contenders and will have more than enough to win the game. With West Ham without Antonio and possibly feeling a bit tired after playing in the Europa League, I can see United win this one without too many problems.
PREDICTION: 0-3
TOTTENHAM V CHELSEA
Spurs had their 100% record ended by Crystal Palace last weekend where they didn't really turn up. They did have a player sent off which did give Palace the upper hand but their performance overall was still poor. Son was clearly a miss as they lacked intensity in their game as well as an attacking threat which is what he brings to the table when he's available.
With Son likely to be out of this game as well, I can't see Spurs getting anything here because he always makes a difference in these kind of games. With Chelsea looking very strong as well, I can see Spurs struggle once again.
It was job done for Chelsea against Zenit in midweek as they got their Champions League defence off to a winning start. The performance wasn't pretty as Zenit made it difficult for them at times but they did what had they to do which was to win the game and get their campaign off to a winning start.
Chelsea have won at Spurs for the last two seasons with Jorginho's penalty winning the game for them last season. They have a very good record against them in general and I can see that good record carry on in this one because of how strong they're looking at the moment. They have a solid defence and a striker in Lukaku who can score goals which they didn't have last season.
I've got to go for Chelsea here because Spurs are without Son and the blues look stronger in all departments. With Lukaku in good form and the defence looking solid as always, I can see them keep a clean sheet as well as win the game.
PREDICTION: 0-2
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