Last week’s games saw a few of the Premier League’s heavy hitters slip up, while the quality possessed throughout the league was on show through the performances of the likes of Brentford, Brighton, and West Ham. Here are our predictions ahead of the latest round of fixtures:
Chelsea vs Luton
Another summer of flamboyant spending unsurprisingly means that Chelsea are yet to look fully cohesive. Their 3-1 loss away to London rivals West Ham compounded some of their biggest issues, notably a misfiring attack and lack of defensive resolve. However unlike last season both of the performances against Liverpool and West Ham had enough in them to suggest brighter days are to come for the Blues. Raheem Sterling looked as sharp as his Man City days and Enzo Fernandez looks to be coming into his own in the Premier League.
Luton have predictably looked out of their depth and this match up will not provide much of a reprieve. Comfortably handled by Brighton, the Hatters will have to buck up their ideas and really focus on defensive solidity before all if they want a shot at taking points from this game.
Score Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Luton
Jesse Williams
Bournemouth vs Spurs
Bournemouth will have to lick the wounds of their 3-1 defeat to Liverpool with a bombastic Spurs side strolling into their neck of the woods this Saturday. After a back and forth first 45 the London side went on to dominate Champions League rivals Manchester United earning Ange Postecoglou his first win as Tottenham manager.
As for Bouremouth, while the result last time out was poor, they certainly caused Liverpool trouble especially early on in the game. That will be the key again – a fast start to knock the wind out of this bullish Spurs side. As for if they are capable of doing so, I am unsure. The tools for an upset are there but a safe bet would be to bank on Spurs doing just enough in the way of goals to leave with all 3 points.
Score Prediction: Bournemouth 2-3 Spurs
Jesse Williams
Arsenal vs Fulham
This London derby on the surface appears to be going only one way. Despite an opening-day win, Fulham were battered 3-0 at home by Brentford with the away side dominating in every department, despite having less possession. The goals have dried up with main man Aleksandar Mitrović now out the door and Raúl Jiménez failing to deliver so far. Add in the suspension of Tim Ream and the injured Willian, and it’s looking like a difficult task for the Cottagers.
Arsenal appear to be cruising with two wins from two, but they haven’t looked at their shining best. They narrowly beat Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace on Monday, getting the job done, but not in the manner you’d expect. The controversial red card for Takehiro Tomiyasu will be a blow to the defence and they are still missing the influence of Gabriel Jesus, who isn’t quite ready to return yet.
Fulham have never beaten Arsenal away from home and I don’t see them changing that on Saturday. Without an in-form centre forward, I expect another decent performance from the Gunners that will get them over the line. Without their leader and a goalscorer, Fulham won’t be able to keep Arsenal at bay for the full 90 minutes.
Score Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Fulham
Tom Atkinson
Brentford vs Crystal Palace
The Bees have had a strong start to the season despite the absence of Ivan Toney up top. Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo have deputised excellently, with Thomas Frank’s side excellent on the counter and resolute defensively. This has meant that the lack of an England international striker up top has not hurt Brentford as much as expected, although Toney’s appearance on Diary Of A CEO this week suggests he is already thinking about pastures new.
Palace put up a strong and aggressive performance against Arsenal on Monday but lacked the quality in front of goal to convert any chances. Still without a Premier League quality striker, Roy Hodgson will be looking to the likes of Eze and Ayew to unlock the Brentford defence.
I expect an entertaining game with little to separate the two sides. At this moment, Brentford look just a little bit sharper in front of goal so I can see them just edging this one.
Score Prediction: Brentford 2-1 Crystal Palace
Joe Simpson
Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest
Manchester United’s season so far has been at best underwhelming and at worst deplorable. Embroiled in a PR disaster surrounding disgraced former forward Mason Greenwood, the club have been in dire straits both in the boardroom and on the field. Erik Ten Hag has overseen two lacklustre performances, and the Dutchman can count himself lucky that he has three points to show for it.
Forest on the other hand have given a good account of themselves at the start of this season. With a dynamic quartet of Brennan Johnson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Anthony Elanga, Steve Cooper’s team are aggressive on the counter and have enough offensive flair to be a nuisance for most teams.
This really feels like a must win game for United if they wish to keep up with the pace at the top of the Premier League. Although I think Forest can cause them problems, the magnitude of this fixture for the home side should be enough to get some kind of a performance out of Manchester United.
Score Prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Everton vs Wolves
Both of these teams have had to endure turmoil off the pitch to start this season, which has more than likely effected performances on it. Everton are struggling to compete financially, and Sean Dyche’s men were embarrassed last time out against a quick, ruthless Aston Villa side.
Wolves on the other hand impressed in their opening game against Manchester United, but came back down to earth with a bump last week against Brighton. Matheus Nunes capitulated, picking up an unnecessary second yellow and setting the tone for his teammates in the process.
Gary O’Neil and Dyche will both have this fixture earmarked as an opportunity to pick up their first points of the season. With both sides lacking real offensive quality, I expect a low scoring game that the Toffees will just about sneak.
Score Prediction: Everton 1-0 Wolves
Joe Simpson
Brighton vs West Ham
Saturday’s evening kick off sees Brighton take on West Ham at home, and having started the season excellently, the Seagulls will be looking to make it three wins from three to keep themselves at the top of the league. Despite a moderately dry transfer window, West Ham haven’t looked too bad at all so far and I don’t expect this game to be as smooth sailing for Brighton as some might expect based on form.
Julio Enciso, who has looked a great threat so far for Brighton, has been ruled out for around half the season with a knee injury which may prove an issue in attacking depth for the Albion – however I expect based on previous performances the side should be comfortable enough to be victorious by the end of the 90 minutes.
Score Prediction : Brighton 3-1 West Ham
Harvey Marwood
Burnley vs Aston Villa
This Sunday Afternoon kick-off sees two teams in Claret clash in Lancashire. Burnley have had a break after their opening-day defeat to the champions and will be fresh and ready to face the Villains. Bringing in French youngster Wilson Odobert and former Villa player Aaron Ramsey is smart business, while Belgian international Hannes Delcroix brings European experience to the Turf Moor defence. A mid-week friendly win over Manchester United will also give them a boost going into this game.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa recovered from a poor display at Newcastle to compellingly defeat Everton, before ending their European tie with Hibernian in the first leg with a 5-0 win. A hat-trick for Ollie Watkins in mid-week will boost his confidence and Unai Emery will hope he will be firing again at the weekend. Italian international Nicolò Zaniolo is another great signing on loan, joining the stacked creativity in the midfield.
Villa have a lot of injuries and playing in the week will have an impact. Burnley have absentees also, but I believe they will get something from this game. I’m expecting an interesting game where the Midlands side will show their class, but injuries at the back and to Emiliano Martínez will make their goal open.
Score Prediction: Burnley 2-2 Aston Villa
Tom Atkinson
Sheffield United vs Manchester City
Sheffield United were unlucky not to have come away with a point against Notts Forest last time out, but a lack of quality in all areas of the pitch meant that they sit near the bottom of the table with no points from two games. Paul Heckingbottom has not got a squad capable of competing at the highest level at this point, but he has described the arrival of champions Manchester City as a ‘cup final’.
The implication of this phrase is that Sheffield United will view this game as a one-off, free hit fixture. Pep Guardiola will be absent from the touchline following back surgery, but City proved a resilience last week against a strong Newcastle side, with Phil Foden looking excellent in the first half.
If the Blades are able to frustrate City for the first hour of this game, the lack of Guardiola’s presence on the touchline may start to be felt. However, there is no doubting Manchester City’s personnel in any position, and the blue side of Manchester should take home all three points.
Score Prediction: Sheffield United 1-4 Manchester City
Joe Simpson
Newcastle vs Liverpool
A huge fixture so early in the season, Sunday’s 4:30 kick off comes in the shape of Newcastle against Liverpool. In what might be crucial in terms of the race for European football this year, both sides will be looking to get all three points here. Klopp and Howe will both be hoping their attacking men can find their feet and clinical touch up front; with midfield solidity now available for both sides the chances may not come as thick and fast.
Both teams have only won one of their opening two games, so going into this fixture the form is relatively similar. I can see this one being very intense and interesting, but I can’t see there being too much difference between the two sides despite all the new waves of signings in the transfer window.
Score Prediction : Liverpool 2-2 Newcastle
Harvey Marwood
