SATURDAY:
WATFORD V LIVERPOOL
Watford's sacking of Xisco Munoz probably surprised a lot of people as not many saw it coming. I'm starting to think that they don't give their managers a chance because of the amount they've had since the Pozzo family took over. The appointment of Claudio Ranieri was an interesting one and he'll need a good start because of how ruthless the owners can be.
The Hornets ended Liverpool's long unbeaten run when the two sides last met in this fixture two seasons ago and they once again have the chance to end another one here. But repeating that will be tough because of the form Liverpool are in and this game being the Hornets first one under a new manager.
Liverpool are the only unbeaten team left in the league this season and will go top with a win in this one as long as current leaders Chelsea don't beat Brentford. The reds are yet to be talked about as serious title contenders this season and that could turn out to be an advantage for them because going under the radar has been a strength of theirs in the past.
They could have Trent Alexander Arnold back for this one having had the last two weeks to recover from the injury he picked up before the international break. Alisson and Fabinho may miss this one as they're arriving late back from Brazil duty but with Trent back the reds should get something from this game.
I've got to go with a Liverpool win here because of the form they've been in so far this season. Ranieri will want to get off to a good start as Watford manager but with Liverpool looking very strong I think they'll win this one rather comfortably.
PREDICTION: 0-3
ASTON VILLA V WOLVES
Aston Villa are having a decent season so far as they currently lie in 10th which is where they should be. They look strong in all areas of the pitch and because of that I can see them staying in and around where they are now.
They'll have the majority of their key players available for this game which will be a massive boost for them but they could be without keeper Emi Martinez as he's arriving back late from Argentina duty. Minus the keeper Villa will pretty much be at full strength for this midlands derby.
Wolves are beginning to pick themselves up under Bruno Lage following back to back wins over Southampton and Newcastle before the international break. They're looking much better in the final third following the newly formed partnership of Raul Jimenez and Hwang Hee Chan in attack which has given a team a much needed boost.
I can see this one being a very close game as they're both decent to watch and have good players at their disposal. But I don't think they'll be a winner as I can see both teams cancelling each other out. They'll both go for it but in the end I'm going for a draw.
PREDICTION: 1-1
LEICESTER V MAN UNITED
Both sides go into this one not in good form and without one or two key players. Especially in defence.
Injuries have played a major role in Leicester's poor start to the season with both Jonny Evans and Wilfred N'Didi being big losses. N'Didi for me has been the bigger miss because he makes them more solid defensively with the work he does at the base of their midfield. His absence has been one of the main reasons for the Foxes' not looking themselves at the back along with the absence of Evans.
Man United will be without both of their first choice centre backs for this one in captain Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane who are also set to be out for the games that follow. Having them both out is not ideal and especially when you have a tough run of games coming up. Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly who are expected to step in have rarely convinced as a pair which makes me worry about United from a defensive point of view.
With both sides not in great form and missing key players in defence, I'm predicting this one to be a draw. They both have attacking players in form which is a plus and with that and their weakened defences, I can see there being goals.
PREDICTION: 2-2
MAN CITY V BURNLEY
Man City were brilliant for much of their draw with Liverpool before the international break in a game they really should've won. They battered them for most of the first half and if James Milner was awarded that second yellow card, they might've won the game and gone top.
They've won this fixture 5-0 for the last three seasons and it wouldn't surprise me if they did it again because of the players they have and the fact that Burnley are still without a win this season. They might be without Ederson and Gabriel Jesus as they may be late back from Brazil duty but I still expect City to win this one without too many problems.
Burnley are still without a win this season and they were in the same situation this time last season. Their main issues have been seeing games out and scoring goals which they need to address fast if they're to get that all important first win. I still think they'll stay up, but they need to start winning games in order to get their season up and running.
I've got to go with City here because I think they'll be too strong for Burnley. They've won this fixture handsomely for the last few seasons and I can see them win it handsomely again by the same score line.
PREDICTION: 5-0
NORWICH V BRIGHTON
Norwich looked resolute in their last game against Burnley before the international break which got them their first point of the season. They're still yet to win a game but that point could give them something to build on so they can get the results to push them off the bottom and out of the relegation zone.
Brighton felt that they should've won against Arsenal before the international break because of the amount of possession and chances they had in the game. It was similar to their performances from the majority of last season in that they created a lot of chances but didn't take them.
The Seagulls have been one of the surprise packages this season along with Brentford because of their strong start to the season. They're 6th in the table and have put in some very good performances which have got them the results they deserve. Another good showing here should guarantee them another three points.
I'm going for a Brighton win here because I think they'll have more than enough to win the game. They've made a good start to the season and I can see them keep up that good start with another win here.
PREDICTION: 0-2
SOUTHAMPTON V LEEDS
Southampton are still winless this season and it won't be long till the fans start worrying unless they can start getting results. Their main problem has surely been scoring goals because I can't see where they're going to come from based on what I've seen from them this season.
They weren't too bad in their defeat to Chelsea where the sending off of James Ward Prowse changed the game. Without him for this one, I can't see the Saints creating many chances because he's their most creative player and they no one else like him in their team.
Leeds finally got off the mark before the international break with their win over Watford and the talk of a second season syndrome has surely disappeared. A few people were starting to think that was the case but with that first win out of the way, they'll hopefully be looking to build on that with another good result here.
The only downside for them going into this game is that they could be without both Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford. Phillips is always a miss for Leeds whenever he's unavailable as they have no one else like him in their team whilst without Bamford they lack that cutting edge in front of goal.
With both sides missing their best players I can't see either team win this one. They'll both try and play their way but without their respective key players, I can see this one being a dull affair.
PREDICTION: 0-0
BRENTFORD V CHELSEA
Brentford have really stepped up when they've taken on the big boys this season after beating Arsenal on the opening day and giving Liverpool a good game last month. Those performances and results will give them confidence going into this one because they know they can get something from this game having got similar results against opposition of Chelsea's calibre and stature.
Chelsea weren't fantastic in their win over Southampton before the international break but they did get the job done which was all that mattered to them. They'll be expecting more games like that between now and the end of the season which they'll need to win in a similar way because teams who have won or challenged for the title in the past have won those kind of games in that way.
They'll be expecting a tough game here because Brentford have proven that they're not an easy team to play against which both Arsenal and Liverpool found out. The blues should be aware of that and they'll go into this one not expecting it to be a walk in the park.
I'm going for a draw in this one because I can see Brentford get a result against another one of the big boys. They gave Liverpool a good game last month by pushing them all the way and I can see them do something similar in this one. But I don't think it'll be as exciting.
PREDICTION: 1-1
SUNDAY:
EVERTON V WEST HAM
Everton have looked impressive under Rafa Benitez and I can definitely say that the Spaniard has won the crowd over after a good start at Goodison Park. They got results in their last two against Norwich and Man United without their two best players in Richarlison and Dominic Calvert Lewin which is something I did not see coming.
They could have both Richarlison and Calvert Lewin back for this one which would be a massive boost for them because of how crucial they are to the team. They'll definitely need them in this game as they'll be up against a tough and competitive West Ham side.
West Ham have been decent so far this season and they should be happy with their start to the season. They may have lost to Brentford before the international break but they've still made a good enough start to the season.
David Moyes' only wins over Everton since leaving them have both been at West Ham with last seasons success in this fixture being one of them. The win here last season was Moyes' first at Goodison as an opposing manager having lost there when he was at Man United and Sunderland. He'll definitely want to win this one again but it won't be easy as Everton have started strongly and have crowd behind them unlike last season.
I think this one will be a close game as they're both competitive sides and have managers who have faced each many times before. It should be a great tactical battle but I can't see either side winning it as I think it is too close to call.
PREDICTION: 2-2
NEWCASTLE V TOTTENHAM
Newcastle fans have been buzzing over the last week or so because of the recent takeover but they shouldn't get too carried away because they need to first of all secure their Premier League status for next season. They're still waiting for their first win this season and if they can get that out the way, they can finally look ahead for the rest of the season.
This game could in fact be Steve Bruce's last one as manager with questions about his future still up in the air. A lot of people were expecting him to be removed following the takeover and could well happen after this game. Especially if Newcastle don't win.
Spurs got a much needed win and performance against Aston Villa before the international break which in turn eased the pressure off themselves and the manager. It's been a rather mixed season from them so far with the results they've had and that result against Villa will surely give them the momentum to get more positive results.
Spurs will be hoping that Harry Kane will finally get off the mark in this one as he's still without a goal this season. He did look rusty with England during the international break but I'm sure he'll put that behind him and finally get his first goal of the season in this one.
I'm going for a Spurs win here because I think they'll have enough to take the points. Newcastle fans will be buzzing in the crowd following their takeover, but I think Spurs quality will win them the game.
PREDICTION: 0-3
MONDAY:
ARSENAL V CRYSTAL PALACE
Arsenal were lucky not to lose in their draw with Brighton before the international break with the hosts having the better chances on the day. Their performance wasn't very convincing as Brighton saw more of the ball and Mikel Arteta will be hoping that his players put in a much better display in this one.
The Gunners are in a much better position than they were earlier in the season and the credit has to go to Arteta who recently won the Manager of the Month award for September. He's got them tight at the back with the introduction of Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks along with the returns of Gabriel and Thomas Partey which have been massive for them. With that security at the back along with the impressive youngsters in the side, things are looking up for Arsenal.
Patrick Vieira will be facing his old club for the first time as a manager in this game and I'm sure he's going to get a good reception because of the player he was during his time at Arsenal. He'll definitely want to win this one with Arsenal being one of his former clubs plus he also needs to get some result for his current club having not won since that brilliant display against Spurs last month.
Crystal Palace have adjusted well to Vieira's methods but there is still that feeling that they're still in transition. They haven't won any of their last three games since beating Spurs which tells me that they could still be adjusting to his style of play. They have looked promising going forward in the games they've played in, but they still need a bit more time for them to be the finished article.
I'm backing Arsenal to win this one because they're in good form and I can see them carry that form into this game. Palace will try and play their way like they have dine for most of the season, but I think Arsenal will have enough quality to win the game.
PREDICTION: 3-1
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