Newcastle vs. Manchester City
Predicted winner: Manchester City
Newcastle United has had a positive start to the new season, winning three games and drawing one before a disappointing 3-1 loss to Fulham. It doesn’t get much easier for them to return to winning ways considering they’re facing the best team in the world in the next fixture. While Newcastle is usually imperious at home — being unbeaten in their last 10 home games — they have only beaten Manchester City once out of the previous 33 meetings. For City, they were happy to escape with a point against title rivals Arsenal, who set up in a low block after a Leandro Trossard red card. If Newcastle can get off to an early start and get St. James Park rocking, we wouldn’t be surprised by an upset. However, Manchester City is a different beast, and we think they will be the winners here.
Arsenal vs. Leicester
Predicted winner: Arsenal
Arsenal will certainly feel encouraged by the fact they almost pulled off the impossible: leaving the Etihad with all 3 points. While they may feel hard done by the referee, they can take solace in the fact that Mikel Arteta has the Gunners playing some serious football, which is the reason why many have picked them as the title favorites this season. Leicester, meanwhile, is still searching for their first win of the Premier League season, and their opponent has beaten them five times in the past five meetings. Leicester have both scored and conceded in every Premier League game this season, drawing a majority of their games. Arsenal will ultimately have too much for the Foxes to handle, and they should handily defeat them this weekend.
Brentford vs. West Ham
Predicted winner: Brentford
Brentford has had an interesting go of it so far this season. While their record is inconsistent — four wins and three losses in the last seven games — they actually have a 100% record at home this season. Though they suffered defeat in their last two Premier League games, both games were away to formidable opponents Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. Both teams sit close to each other in the table, with West Ham in 14th and Brentford in 12th. West Ham, meanwhile, are still trying to find their stride. They have won just five out of their last 24 games, and new manager Julen Lopetegui has a task on his hands to turn the ship around. So far, with just two wins in all competitions this season, West Ham need to find their identity — and quickly.
Chelsea vs. Brighton
Predicted winner: Draw
Speaking of new managers hitting their stride, it appears Enzo Maresca has found his. Despite concerning signs earlier in the season, Chelsea have outscored their last five Premier League opponents 16-3, winning four and drawing one. Chelsea will be further encouraged by the fact Romeo Lavia is available for selection again. However, do not sleep on Brighton this season. Alongside Arsenal and Manchester City, they are the only unbeaten team in the Premier League. These two teams are formidable and dynamic, and that is exactly why we can see them simply canceling each other out here.
Everton vs. Crystal Palace
Predicted winner: Crystal Palace
This could be the underrated match-up of the weekend. Both teams are in borderline crisis mode, each with zero wins in the Premier League. Everton have had a turgid start to the season, sitting in 19th, and look to be one of the relegation favorites this season. However, news of a financial takeover by the Friedkin Group could be a valuable boost to morale. Crystal Palace, while they are also without a win, won 4-0 against Norwich in the EFL Cup in their last game, and drew 1-1 against a formidable Chelsea side. They are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions. There are signs of life, and we think they will take this momentum to see past Everton this weekend.
Wolves vs. Liverpool
Predicted winner: Liverpool
Liverpool have proven that their disappointing 1-0 loss at home to Nottingham Forest was just a blip, bouncing back impressively by beating AC Milan 3-1 at the San Siro and then following it up with a 5-1 thrashing of West Ham in the EFL Cup. Arnie Slot has adapted to life at Liverpool fairly quickly, and we see them as a title contender this season. Meanwhile, 20th place Wolves have looked just as good as their league position suggests. While they have scored seven goals in their last five matches, they have also conceded the joint-most in the league, while also winning just one in their last sixteen matches, and that one victory was against a relegated Luton Town. Liverpool should be comfortably winning here.
Ipswich Town vs. Aston Villa
Predicted winner: Aston Villa
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa looks like they are here to stay. They have won every single game this season outside of a 2-0 loss vs. Arsenal, which has earned them a 3rd place spot in the Premier League table. They have also gotten off to a winning start to their Champions League companion, winning 3-0 against Young Boys. However, the majority of Aston Villa’s opponents in the league this season have been lower-half teams, with the start of their schedule being generous to them. Ipswich Town will be no different, as they are winless in their last five and are one of six teams in the league who are without a win this season.
Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Predicted winner: Draw
Both teams are almost dead even in the table. They each have two wins, one draw, and two losses — with Manchester United in 10th and Tottenham in 11th thanks to a +4 goal differential for United. Manchester United had an incredibly frustrating 1-1 draw vs. FC Twente in the Europa league, and will be looking to make amends. Tottenham, meanwhile, have attempted to get over the slump of losing to Newcastle and Arsenal by winning three out of their last three in all competitions. We could see a high-scoring draw in this affair.
Bournemouth vs. Southampton
Predicted winner: Bournemouth
The South Coast Derby will be one-sided, as Southampton looks lost. They have scored just two goals in the Premier League all season and have zero wins in the last eighteen games. They look destined to be relegated to the Championship unless fortunes change, starting with Bournemouth. The Cherries are coming off a 3-0 home loss to Liverpool and will look to bounce back at home, and what better time to do it than against your south coast rivals?
