SATURDAY:
NEWCASTLE V CHELSEA
Newcastle are inconsistent. The win one week and then play poorly the next. That's been the case in their last two games when they beat Everton and then lost to Southampton where they were poor. Fans are beginning to turn on Steve Bruce because of the consistency and the way they've played in the games that they've lost. They barely had a shot on target against Southampton before the international break and they created very few chances in that game overall. Bruce will be looking for a response from his team in this one and it won't be easy because Chelsea are in good form and Magpies striker Callum Wilson could be out for this one due to injury. Chelsea are finally looking like a team. Defensively they're much improved from their first few games and going forward they're starting to click. Hakim Ziyech has very much been a part of their new attack clicking because of the goals and assists he's registered to go with his good performances. He came from injury in good time and Chelsea look a better side going forward with him in it. If they can get Pulisic and Havertz back soon, Chelsea will be a match for anyone in the league.
I'm going for a Chelsea win here because they're in good form and Frank Lampard has finally found the right balance in his team. Thiago Silva may not play in this one after returning late from international duty, but the blues should still have enough in them to keep a clean sheet.
PREDICTION: 0-2
ASTON VILLA V BRIGHTON
After a good week with England, Jack Grealish will be feeling confident going into this one because of the performances he's put in this season and whilst on international duty. He was man of the match in England's 2-0 defeat to Belgium last weekend and was impressive in the other two games which has got him knocking on Gareth Southgate's door for a regular starting place. His partnership with Ross Barkley has been instrumental in the way that Villa have started the season and with Ollie Watkins scoring goals at the top end of the pitch, Villa are looking like a very good team to watch. Brighton are almost the opposite to Villa. They've put in some decent performances but haven't scored enough goals. That has been the case for them in recent games with only five goals scored since the beginning October and they haven't won since their 3-0 win at Newcastle in September. This is a must win game for them because they're three points off the relegation zone and they haven't won in six games which has drawn them towards the bottom of the table. If they don't win this one and the other teams around them win this weekend, Graham Potter could be under pressure of the their position and recent results.
I think this one will be a Villa win because they having a good season and they have more goals in them than Brighton. Villa may have lost their last two home games to Leeds and Southampton respectively, but I think they'll bounce back at home in this one because of the quality they have at the top end.
PREDICTION: 2-0
TOTTENHAM V MAN CITY
Spurs are in a good place at the moment. They're second in the league one point off leaders Leicester and they've played some decent stuff so far this season. This will be their first test to see whether they can challenge for the title after a good start because City are a top side and will be one of the teams to beat this season. Jose Mourinho will be happy that none of his key players got injured during the international break considering the amount of players that have picked up injuries over the course of the season. He'll need his best players available for this one as its a big game and you need your best players on the pitch if you're to stand a chance of winning it. City look like they've got a mountain to climb because they're 10th in the league and they need to pick up some more wins if they're to be up there challenging come the end of the season. They'll be happy that Sergio Aguero will be available for this one after missing the last few games due to injury and he'll be hoping to mark his return to the side with a goal as he has a good record against Spurs. Ferran Torres will be hoping for a start after scoring a hat trick for Spain in their 6-0 win over Germany during the international break which will give him a lot of confidence going into this one. He's been scoring goals for City in the Champions League and he'll want to bring that form into the Premier League as he's yet to score. He's looking like a good signing for City.
I think City will win this one because they have someone in Kevin De Bruyne who can create something from anywhere. Spurs don't have that player in their team and haven't had one since Christian Eriksen left back in January. Kane and Son may be creating chances for each other, but they don't have someone who can pick a pass out like De Bruyne. That along with Aguero being available alongside in form Ferran Torres, I think City will have enough to win this game.
PREDICTION: 1-3
MAN UNITED V WEST BROM
United have been poor at home this season with all their wins coming on the road. They've only picked up one point at home which was in their 0-0 draw with Chelsea last month with the rest of their home games ending in defeats to Crystal Palace, Tottenham and Arsenal. They need to start winning games at home if they're to move up the table with the club in 14th place and eight points behind leaders Leicester. After a shaky start, Harry Maguire is beginning to find his best form after impressing in the win at Everton before putting in some solid performances for England during the international break. He's beginning to put his pre season off pitch dramas behind him and he's showing that with his recent performances for both club and country. West Brom put in a decent display against Spurs before the international despite not winning the match. They're still yet to win this season and Slaven Bilic said after the defeat to Spurs that the Baggies can stay up if they can continue with performances like the one they put in at Spurs. The Baggies have taken four points off of Man United in their last two visits to Old Trafford and they'll be looking to take more points off of them in this one with United yet to win at home this season and their recent record at Old Trafford. If they can do that, they'll hopefully kick on. Especially if they win this one.
I think this one will be a United win because Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has had the international break to analyse the recent home games and see what his side can do to get their first points at home. West Brom will make it a close game if they can play like they did against Spurs, but I think United should have enough to claim their first home win of the season.
PREDICTION: 2-1
SUNDAY:
FULHAM V EVERTON
Will Scott Parker pick Ademola Lookman after his terrible penalty at West Ham before the international break. His attempted panenka was the worst penalty I have ever seen and he did not look confident when he took it hence why he scuffed it. Fulham have put in some better performances since their opening three games by being more secure at the back and more resolute as a team which is what you need to be if you're to stay up. I still think they'll go down but if they can continue being resolute like they have been since the beginning of October, they may have a great chance of staying up come the end of the season. Everton will be desperate to get their season back on track after losing their last three games to Southampton, Newcastle and Man United which has dropped them down to 7th. Richarlison was a huge miss in those games and they'll be happy that he's back from suspension following his red card in the Merseyside Derby. The missed the Brazilian's pace and creativity during that run with Dominic Calvert Lewin not getting enough service during those games. With Richarlison now back, Everton will hopefully start winning games again like they were at the start of the season.
I think this one will be an Everton win because the likes of Richarlison, Rodriguez and Digne will be available. They were all missed when they were out of the side and with those three all available, I think Everton will be too strong for the Cottagers. Fulham will be resolute like they have been in recent weeks but the toffees will still have enough to win the game.
PREDICTION: 0-2
SHEFFIELD UNITED V WEST HAM
This time last year Sheffield United were 5th in the Premier League. One year later they find themselves bottom with one point from eight games. They haven't been scoring goals and they haven't been as secure at the back as they were last season. John Fleck and Jack O'Connell have both been a massive miss for them with injuries and both of them were key to their success last season. Manager Chris Wilder has hopefully used the international break to look back at his sides performances and see what he can do to get them winning football matches again. If he's done that, we could see a change in fortunes for the blades. West Ham could have Michail Antonio back for this one after missing the last few games due to injury and that would be a huge boost for them. He makes a huge difference when he plays because he causes teams problems with his pace and strength which is what you want from a striker. They missed him in their last match on the road against Liverpool as the Hammers missed a host of chances which Antonio might've put away if he was on the pitch. After beating Fulham last time out, David Moyes will be looking to follow that up with a win in this one to get some consistency going in this team so they can push themselves further up the table with some fairly winnable games coming up.
I think this one will be a win for West Ham because Sheffield United don't look like scoring goals at the moment. The Hammers look reasonably solid at the back and decent going forward which has served them well in recent weeks. Because of that I think they'll have enough to beat the blades.
PREDICTION: 0-2
LEEDS V ARSENAL
Leeds have lost a bit of momentum recently after a good start. They've lost three of their last four games and were cut open in their last two against Leicester and Crystal Palace. They were looking fairly comfortable in the top half not that long ago and they now find themselves in 15th place because of their recent results. Kalvin Phillips could be back for this one after a month out injured and he's been a miss for them. They've missed the protection he gives the defence and what he brings to the midfield which was so influential in the opening games of the season. Leeds' recent results could be seen as a blip or a wake up call considering the position they currently find themselves in. Mikel Arteta took responsibility for the defeat to Villa before the international break where Arsenal did not turn up. They've not been scoring many goals in recent weeks which is strange considering the talent they have at the top end. Lacazette has only managed three goals this season whilst Aubameyang has not been the same player since signing that new contract. They're looking solid in midfield and at the back but going forward they're struggling at the minute. Arteta has hopefully used the international break to find solutions on how to get the best out his attacking players so they can score more goals to help the team win games.
This should be a close game and I'm going for Arsenal to edge it. Leeds will play the way they play but their have been a few gaps in the defence which have been exploited in recent weeks and that could serve Arsenal well. The Gunners have players who can hurt any defence on their day and I think they'll turn up for this one because of how vulnerable Leeds can be defensively.
PREDICTION: 1-2
LIVERPOOL V LEICESTER
Jurgen Klopp is probably thinking about the January transfer window already because of the amount of injuries he has and especially in defence. Joe Gomez is set to miss a huge chunk of the season after injuring his knee on England duty and Virgil Van Dijk as we all know is set to be out for the season which leaves Joel Matip as the only first choice centre back available to them. They need to buy a centre back in January because of the lack of options they have available. They've also lost Jordan Henderson to injury after picking up a knock for England against Belgium during the international break whilst Mohamed Salah has tested positive for COVID-19 which is a huge blow to Liverpool's attack. The reds do have options in Jota and Shaqiri who can both play on that right hand side but what Salah brings to the team could be a huge miss for the reds. Leicester are flying at the moment. They're top of the league and Jamie Vardy is still coming up with the goods. Wesley Fofana has been an excellent signing so far and at 19 years old, he look s set for a great future in the game. Brendan Rodgers has managed his squad well despite the amount of injuries Leicester have had as well as the Europa League being thrown into the mix as well. They have a good strength in depth with players like Mendy and Under coming and doing a job plus Youri Tielemans has been among the goals of late which shows that they're not always relying on Vardy. With the amount of injuries that Liverpool have, the foxes feel that they could get something from this one.
This should be a great game to watch because of the talent that both teams have. I'm going for a draw because Liverpool are missing key players through injury and Leicester can use that to their advantage because of the personnel Liverpool will use. Both teams have goals in them and even without Salah, I still think Liverpool will get something.
PREDICTION: 2-2
MONDAY:
BURNLEY V CRYSTAL PALACE
Burnley are still without a win this season and manager Sean Dyche has hopefully used the international break to look back at recent performances and see what Burnley can do to get their first three points of the season. Ben Mee is back from injury and impressed against Brighton before the international break alongside fellow partner James Tarkowski. The Clarets are a better team when those two play together because they both make Burnley a better team defensively. with the skipper back in the team, Burnley will hopefully get some points on board because they have their main two centre backs back and they've got a couple of striker who know where the back of the net is. Crystal Palace have looked more adventurous this season and that was shown in their win over Leeds before the international break where they won 4-1. Eberechi Eze got his first Palace goal in that game and that will give him confidence going into this game because goals give players confidence. Especially if its their first for a new club. With him and Wilfried Zaha in the same side, Palace look like a dangerous side in attack because of the pace they both have and what they can both offer in the final third of the pitch. If Palace can find a consistent no.9, they'll look more dangerous in attack because they'll hopefully have more goals in the team if they find a reliable centre forward whocan score goals.
I think Burnley will get their first win in this one because they've got Ben Mee back from injury and that will give the defence the solidity it's lacked whilst he's been injured. With Mee back I think Burnley will keep a clean sheet and get back to the Burnley we know.
PREDICTION: 2-0
WOLVES V SOUTHAMPTON
Wolves have changed the way they play slightly by being a more possession based team instead of a counter attacking team which is what they've been since they got promoted. Its working well for them because they've picked up some good wins playing that way and despite losing Doherty and Jota, their squad is still strong. Podence has impressed since coming into the side along with Neto plus the wing backs are still dangerous going forward like they always are despite the departure of Doherty and the absence of Jonny. Southampton just can't lose a game at the minute. They've looked reasonably solid in defence and going forward they don't give defenders a moments peace due to the way that the forward players press. Their pressing game is key to the way they play and has been since Hasenhuttl came in. Danny Ings may be out injured, but the saints have someone in Che Adams whose capable of stepping in when their talisman is unavailable. He scored in the win over Newcastle before the international break and is growing into a Premier League player after a slow start when he arrived from Birmingham last summer. He's been a key player for the Saints this season because of what he's offered in terms of goals.
Southampton are on a good run, but I think Wolves will edge this one because they have a bit more firepower. Southampton will play their way, but I think Wolves will nick it because they have a striker in Raul Jimenez whose more clinical in front of goal and I think that will be the difference between the two sides.
PREDICTION: 2-1
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