SATURDAY:
LIVERPOOL V EVERTON
The gap between these two sides is as big as it has been in a very long time. It was pretty close about a decade ago but with Liverpool being where they are and Everton now a side fighting relegation,
Liverpool should definitely get something here as they're at home and they rarely lose at home. And especially in this fixture where they have such a good record.
Everton picked up a massive result before the international break against Bournemouth which should definitely give them a lot of confidence. But I don't see it being a turning point in their season.
The Toffees also won their last game on the road against Brentford. But because of their poor record in this fixture, I think the reds will win this one rather comfortably.
PREDICTION: 3-0
BOURNEMOUTH V WOLVES
This is a must win game for Bournemouth who are still searching for their first win under Andoni Iraola. This game and their one against Burnley next week are games whey need to get wins from otherwise the pressure will really build on Iraola.
Wolves boss Gary O'Neil returns to Bournemouth for the first time since the club sacked him in the summer and he'll come into this game with a point to prove.
Wolves have actually started the season reasonably well despite all the problems they had in the summer. They're 14th in the league and for them to be in that position at this stage represents a decent start. Especially with all that happened in the summer.
I don't expect to see many goals here as both sides don't score many. But I do think there will be a winner and I think Bournemouth will be the team to get it. Especially as they're at home where they were strong at the back end of last season.
PREDICTION: 1-0
BRENTFORD V BURNLEY
Brentford were unlucky to lose to Man United before the international break and the way they lost was so cruel.
It's been a tough season for the Bees so far with just one win to their name all season and the club sitting just three points above the relegation zone. I do think they'll ok but they need to start winning games if they're to get their season up and running.
Burnley have had a very tough start to life back in the Premier League but there have been some positives for them to take despite their lack of results.
The fixtures certainly haven't helped them as they've had some very tough games. But they do have some winnable ones coming up which should give them a chance to get more points on the board.
The only points the Clarets have picked up this season have been away from home in a draw at Nottingham Forest and a win at Luton. I can see them take another point here with Brentford not exactly firing at the moment.
PREDICTION: 1-1
MAN CITY V BRIGHTON
Man City will have Rodri back for this one after completing his 3 match suspension and his return is a much needed welcome boost. He's been a big miss for City and had he still been suspended for this one, I'm not sure they would've got something here.
Brighton will definitely go for it here as they're a high energy side who like to go toe to toe with teams. But I do think they'll leave themselves exposed defensively as their style of play has both its risks and rewards.
City come into this one off the back of two straight defeats to Wolves and Arsenal where in the latter they had a rare off day in attack. But with Rodri back in their midfield, I think they'll win this one and get their attacking mojo back.
PREDICTION: 3-1
NEWCASTLE V CRYSTAL PALACE
Newcastle have recovered well from a tricky start after winning 3 of their last 4 league games which have got their season up and running.
They were however a little bit off the pace against West Ham before the international break and it was probably because of their European exertions. There might be many games where that might be the case.
Crystal Palace have had a steady season so far as they currently sit comfortably in 9th. But they're without arguably their two best players in Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze through injury.
With Roy Hodgson's side not having those two available, I think Newcastle will claim the win here. Especially as they're at home where they were very strong last season.
PREDICTION: 2-0
NOTTINGHAM FOREST V LUTON
Nottingham Forest were at the foot of the table this time last season and Steve Cooper was facing the sack. One year later they're sitting comfortably in mid-table and looking more like a team.
The club deserve credit for sticking by Steve Cooper who has done an excellent job ever since he walked through the door.
Luton signed Andros Townsend during the international break and he could make his debut in this game. He'll bring a lot of Premier League experience to Rob Edwards' side which is something they don't have a lot of.
The Hatters have put in some decent displays since getting thumped by Brighton on the opening day which shows that they're adapting to Premier League football.
But they've missed a number of big opportunities in games which is something they need to address if they're to stay up.
Forest should definitely get something here as they're at home where they're very strong and I'm backing them to win here for that very reason.
PREDICTION: 2-1
CHELSEA V ARSENAL
Chelsea began to find some form before the international break in recording back to back wins over Fulham and Burnley which will have given them a lot of confidence. But whether they'll be a turning point in their season remains to be seen.
Mauricio Pochettino never lost a home game against Arsenal during his time at Spurs and having a record like that will certainly give his side some belief here. But it's still going to be a tough test for him and his side as he'll well know.
Arsenal delivered a statement of intent with their win over City before the international break which is a result that will give them a great deal of confidence. They even managed to win that game without Bukayo Saka who missed the game through injury.
Saka 's injury also ruled him out of the international break and he will have hopefully used that break to get himself fit ahead of this game. He could be back for the Gunners here and his return would be a massive welcome boost for Mikel Arteta's side.
Whether Saka plays or not, I still expect the Gunners to come away with the points here as I think they'll have enough at both ends to win the game.
PREDICTION: 0-2
SHEFFIELD UNITED V MAN UNITED
Sheffield United are the only newly promoted side yet to win a game this season and I don't see where they're going to get it from. They don't have many goals in their team and I'm not sure that they have enough quality to compete at this level.
The Blades were dealt a major blow before the international break with Chris Basham picking up a horrible injury in their defeat at Fulham. That injury looks to have ended his season given the severity of it and I wish him a speedy recovery.
Man United have had problems of their own this season and were lucky to come away with a win against Brentford before the international break. A game I thought they would lose.
They were dealt a major blow behind the scenes with the Qatari's pulling out of a deal to take over the club. The ownership saga has definitely had an impact on their on-pitch performances and the club need to get the situation sorted ASAP.
They should definitely win this one and I'm backing Marcus Rashford, fresh from scoring for England against Italy on Tuesday to score again here.
PREDICTION: 0-2
SUNDAY:
ASTON VILLA V WEST HAM
This one will definitely be close as both sides have made reasonably good starts to the season and are both tough to beat defensively.
Aston Villa have a strong record at home under Unai Emery and have every game at Villa Park so far this season. But their recent record against West Ham is rather poor.
The Hammers have had more joy in this fixture in recent seasons winning 5 of the last 6 games against Villa. They've also won this very fixture for the last two seasons.
As well as being rigid defensively, both sides also offer a threat on the counter and especially West Ham.
I think they'll both score, but I don't see either team getting it over the line.
PREDICTION: 1-1
MONDAY:
TOTTENHAM V FULHAM
Spurs currently sit at the top of the table but could find themselves off the top heading into this game depending on what results the teams around them get.
It's been their best start to a season in the Premier League era and some people before the international break were asking if they are title contenders. For the time being, I will say no because it's too early in the season and they have in the past failed to deliver under pressure.
Fulham's open style of play might suit Spurs and they too like to play on the front foot as we've seen many times already this season.
It will definitely be an open game and I think it will be a straightforward win for Spurs as they have more in the final third.
PREDICTION: 3-0
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