SATURDAY:
CHELSEA V MAN CITY
Out of all the teams who could potentially fight for the title this season, I wouldn't be surprised if anyone said that Chelsea are the favourites. They're definitely looking like that because of the way they've started the season and how strong their team is in all areas.
They got the better of City three times last season and with their team looking stronger this season, they could beat them yet again. Especially with the confidence and form they're currently in following their good start.
Man City will without a doubt want revenge after losing to Chelsea in last seasons Champions League final where Pep got his tactics wrong by not playing a defensive midfielder. I'm sure he's learnt his lesson knowing the kind of manager he is and this game could show us if he has.
I was amazed that City only had one shot on target in their draw with Southampton last weekend which is due credit to their opponents in how they defended. It was a rather flat performance overall which you never really say about City and Pep will want a better showing in this one because of how big this game is.
I'm going for another Chelsea win here because they beat City three times last season and I can see them do it again. With their team looking much stronger and the game itself being at home, they should win this one.
PREDICTION: 2-1
MAN UNITED V ASTON VILLA
Man United were rather poor in their Carabao Cup defeat to West Ham in midweek with Anthony Martial once again failing to convince as a no.9. They were rarely a threat in attack due to the lack of movement and the only time they looked dangerous was when Mason Greenwood came on as he made runs in behind unlike Martial.
With Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes set to return to the starting line up you'd expect United to bounce back in this one because they'll play a much stronger team than the one they put out in midweek. With Paul Pogba also set to return, United should win this one because of the quality they'll have on show.
Aston Villa did go out of the Carabao Cup to Chelsea in midweek despite playing well, but their last performance in the league against Everton was brilliant. Leon Bailey impressed in his brief cameo and I started wondering if he could be their new Jack Grealish. But as he was only on the field for a few minutes, it was the wrong time to judge him.
I'm going for a United win here because I think they'll have enough to win the game. With most their big hitters back, I can't see a reason why they can't win this one.
PREDICTION: 2-0
EVERTON V NORWICH
Everton may see this one as a winnable fixture but with their best attacking players out injured in Richarlison and Dominic Calvert Lewin, they could struggle here. They really missed the pair of them in their defeat to Aston Villa last weekend as they rarely looked a threat in front of goal and it wouldn't surprise me if that as the case in this one.
It hasn't been a great week for the Toffees as their defeat to Villa was followed by a Carabao Cup exit at the hands of QPR on penalties. They did show character to come from behind twice in that game but they couldn't take their chances to see the game out.
I really can't see a case for Norwich staying up after their poor start to the season which sees them bottom of the table and without a single point. I do feel for them simply because they were handed a difficult start but after a limp display in their defeat to Watford, I can see them struggling once again.
They might have a chance of getting something from this game as Everton will be without their two best attacking players. It will still be a tough game for the Canaries because of the opponents they're facing but they could get something because of that very reason.
I can see this one being a draw as Everton are without their two best attacking players which will be a relief for the Norwich defenders. With that and the Canaries yet to fire in attack, I can see both teams cancel each other out.
PREDICTION: 1-1
LEEDS V WEST HAM
Leeds are still without a win this season but I think it too early to start thinking about a second season syndrome. Teams have figured them out this season like I thought they would but I still don't think we should be talking about a second season syndrome for them just yet.
West Ham put in a resilient display in their defeat to Man United last weekend before they got one over the same opponents in the Carabao Cup in midweek. They were better side in all departments and they got the result their solid performance deserved,
The Hammers will have Michail Antonio back for this one which will be a massive boost for them going into this game. They didn't miss him massively against United last weekend as Jarrod Bowen was able to step up but having him back for this one will give them a massive boost.
I'm backing West Ham to win this one because they won this fixture last season and I can see them win here again. With Leeds still waiting for their first win of the season and the Hammers currently playing well, it should be another 3 points for Davbid Mohyes' side.
PREDICTION: 0-2
LEICESTER V BURNLEY
Leicester's start to the season hasn't exactly been ideal as they've won just two of their opening five games. They were a bit unlucky in their defeat to Brighton last weekend as they had their equaliser wrongly disallowed and a penalty decision that went against them which was also wrong. The decisions in that game cost them.
After suffering back to back defeats in the league to Brighton and Man City, the foxes need to return to winning ways in this one in order to get their season back on track. They'll still be up there around the European places come the end of the season and for that to happen they need to return to wining ways in this game.
Burnley are still yet to win in the league this season but they should have some confidence on board following their 4-1 win over Rochdale in the Carabao Cup. It may have been against lower league opposition but the result and performance will still give them confidence going into this tough game.
They may not have started well, but the Clarets will still be safe for another season like I've always said. They have a good manager in Dyche along with a good squad and with some winnable games coming up for them, it won't be long till they get that first win.
I'm going for a Leicester win here because I believe that they will have enough to win this game. Burnley will make it difficult for them but with the pace Jamie Vardy up top and the quality of players they have in other positions, they should win this one.
PREDICTION: 2-0
WATFORD V NEWCASTLE
Watford missed a hatful of chances in their Carabao Cup defeat to Stoke in midweek and they must've been kicking themselves because of the amount they had on the night. They were guilty of the ones they missed and they paid the price for the amount they missed.
The Hornets have a good record against Newcastle in recent games with only 1 defeat from their last 8 league games against them. With their key players back after being rested in midweek, I can see them building on that record.
Newcastle put in a spirited display in their draw with Leeds last Friday with Allan Saint Maximin coming to their rescue. The Frenchman was their main attacking threat throughout the game and if it wasn't for him the Magpies would've probably lost that game.
The fans still want Bruce to go after chanting exactly that during their draw with Leeds and they won't stop until he's gone. They'll probably carry it on during this game and it wouldn't surprise me if they did because they're not happy with his style of play plus their still searching for their first win of the season.
I'm going for a Watford win here because they have a good record against Newcastle and I think they'll have enough in them to win this game. They did waste a lot of chances in midweek but with the pace of Ismaila Sarr out wide, I can see him cause the Magpies all kinds of problems from those areas.
PREDICTION: 1-0
BRENTFORD V LIVERPOOL
Brentford have looked like a Premier League side since their promotion and their win over Wolves last weekend proved that. They were solid in defence, disciplined in midfield and going forward they always looked a threat like they have done in most of their games this season. They've adapted well to life in the top flight.
This one will be their first proper test since promotion as they'll be facing a potential title challenger in Liverpool. Their few games will in fact look challenging as they face West Ham, Chelsea and Leicester in their next three after this one. Their Premier League credentials are about to be tested with those tricky games coming up for them.
Liverpool haven't really been talked about as title contenders but their good start to the season is starting to put them in the conversation. Their first 11 obviously looks strong but they also have some decent players on their bench who can come in and do a job with their last two games against Crystal Palace and Norwich in the cup being examples. Their squad depth will be crucial if they're to challenge.
They could have both of their main full backs available for this one after Robertson was rested and Alexander Arnold was out through illness for their last two. The players who stepped in did a decent job but having both of their first choice back will be a massive boost for them.
I'm going for a Liverpool win in this one because they're in good form and I think they'll be too strong for Brentford. The Bees have started well and will give this one a go, but I think Liverpool's quality will be too much for them.
PREDICTION: 0-3
SUNDAY:
SOUTHAMPTON V WOLVES
Southampton have looked solid in their recent games and especially in their draw with Man City last weekend. I was worried about them defensively going into this season as they let in a lot of goals last season and lost Yannick Vestergaard to Leicester during the summer. But they have proved me wrong by being organised and tough to beat in all their games since their opening day defeat to Everton.
They may still be without a win but their recent performances will give them confidence going into this game with the hope that their first win will finally come. Another good performance here will surely guarantee that all important first victory.
Wolves have been struggling for goals this season and their defeat to Brentford last weekend was another example of their problems in the final third. They had no shots on target in that game and they need to address that issue fast or their season will be made more difficult than it already is.
They showed good character to come from behind to get a draw against Spurs in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night where they eventually went out on penalties. They'll need to show more of that character in their next few games so they can get themselves up the table.
I'm backing Southampton to win this one because their recent performances have been encouraging and I can see them finally get the result their performances deserve. With Wolves currently struggling for goals, I can only see this result going one way with that way being a win for the Saints.
PREDICTION: 1-0
ARSENAL V TOTTENHAM
Arsenal are starting to turn their season around following back to back wins over Norwich and Burnley which will give them confidence going into this game. Having Thomas Partey back is massive for them because he gives the defence the protection it didn't have in their opening three games which he showed in their win over Burnley. He'll be crucial for them in this one.
This game could show us how much Arsenal have improved since losing their first three games with this one being their first test since those losses. Their recent performances have been much improved and this game could show us how much better they are compared to the opening few games of the season.
After winning their opening three games Spurs have dropped off after suffering back to back defeats at the hands of Crystal Palace and Chelsea with Harry Kane looking anonymous in both. He hasn't looked the same player we know he is as he has at times dropped too deep but knowing the player he is he'll surely get off the mark soon as he's had slow starts to seasons in the past.
This game will be a good one for Kane to get off the mark because of the record he has in this fixture. He's the record goal scorer in North London Derby's with 11 and because of that he'll surely be up for this fixture. If he can stay at the top end of the pitch and get the service he hasn't had this season, he'll hopefully bag another one in this fixture.
I'm going for an Arsenal win here because they have a good record against Spurs at home and are in decent form after winning their last two games. Their performances have been much improved since the opening weeks of the season and I can see them put in another decent showing here.
PREDICTION: 2-1
MONDAY:
CRYSTAL PALACE V BRIGHTON
Crystal Palace were taught a lesson by Liverpool last weekend despite making a decent start to that game. They had some good chances to score early on until Liverpool later grew into the game and won comprehensively.
They'll see that one as a free hit as they weren't expecting to win it but in this one they'll be expected to get something and they'll want to as it is a derby. With the home crowd behind them like it usually is, the Eagles will hopefully get something.
I'm surprised by Brighton's good start as I had them down as one of my tips for relegation at the start of the season. Because they've started so well and their performances are getting the results they deserve, I think they'll be fine. They've been good to watch and are taking their chances which they struggled to do for most of last season.
The Seagulls don't have agreat record in this fixture when they've met Palace in the Premier League as they've won just twice. They haven't lost many games against them which is a plus but because they haven't picked up many wins against them, they'll want to put that right by getting a win here.
I'm going for a Palace win here because I think they'll have just enough to win the game. It will be a close game as both sides play decent football. But I think Palace will just come out on top.
PREDICTION: 2-1
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