Premier League predictions for this weekend: Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City solidify title challenges while Man United take step backwards
Focus returns to the Premier League this weekend. Here are our predictions...
After another manic midweek of European action, the Premier League returns this weekend with some mouthwatering fixtures on the schedule in week nine.
Having been written off following last Sunday’s defeat to Manchester United, Liverpool bounced back in emphatic fashion with a 5-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt while there were also Champions League wins for Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Newcastle.
Let’s take a look at what we have coming up over the next few days as domestic action takes centre stage and offer up our weekly Premier League predictions.
Table of Contents
FRIDAY
Leeds v West Ham (8pm)
West Ham were a disorganised mess against Brentford on Monday night. It finished 2-0 but the visitors could, and should, have been more emphatic winners.
A repeat of that performance at Elland Road will see a similar outcome.
Leeds have made a solid return to the Premier League but their long-term fate will be decided in games like this.
Prediction: Leeds 2-1 West Ham
SATURDAY
Chelsea v Sunderland (3pm)
Sunderland have been the pick of the Premier League newboys so far but a trip to Chelsea represents their first clash with a title-contending team.
The loss of outstanding summer recruit Omar Alderete due to concussion protocols is a major blow for the Wearsiders, who have to find a way to stop free-scoring Chelsea.
Enzo Maresca’s side have notched 10 goals in their last three games in all competitions, including Wednesday night’s 5-1 hammering of Ajax.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Sunderland
Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)
Newcastle performed well in beating Benfica in midweek, a welcome return to form after last Saturday’s defeat at Brighton. In Nick Woltemade, they have a man in form and Fulham’s first task will be to stop the free-scoring German.
The Cottagers have lost their last three league games and it’s tough to see them emerging with anything here.
Prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Fulham
Manchester United v Brighton (5.30pm)
Have Manchester United finally clicked under Ruben Amorim? That’s the million dollar question. The victory at Liverpool was the first time they had won back-to-back league games under the Portuguese but most punters will need more convincing.
It’s unlikely Amorim would have picked Brighton as their next opponents as he tries to build momentum. The Seagulls have won on each of their last three league visits to Old Trafford.
Prediction: Man United 1-2 Brighton
Brentford v Liverpool (8pm)
The depth of the Liverpool squad was on full display against Eintracht as Arne Slot made five changes to his starting XI and then watched them run amok in Germany.
The big question ahead of the game is what he does with Mohamed Salah. Will the Egypt star be restored to the starting XI or spend another evening watching on from the bench.
Brentford looked very good against West Ham, even taking into account the standard of opposition, and won’t be a pushover.
Prediction: Brentford 1-2 Liverpool
SUNDAY
Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest (2pm)
This looks a different game now than it did a week ago. Forest looked more organised and more disciplined in the 2-0 defeat of Porto in the Europa League last night and the feeling is they will be harder to beat under Sean Dyche than they were under Ange Postecoglou.
That said, Bournemouth have the ability to carve open any side. And with Antoine Semenyo in sparkling form, we fancy the Cherries to get the job done.
Prediction: Bournemouth 1-0 Nottingham Forest
Arsenal v Crystal Palace (2pm)
Can Palace stop the Arsenal juggernaut? They’ll need to play better than they did in losing 1-0 to Cypriot side AEK Larnaca last night if they are to stand any chance of causing an upset at the Emirates.
Even if they perform at their best it may not be enough against a Gunners side that appears strong all over the pitch. And in Viktor Gyokeres they may have found the number nine they have been missing in previous failed title attempts.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace
Aston Villa v Manchester City (2pm)
Like Palace, Villa were surprisingly beaten in Europe last night. Unai Emery’s men went to the Netherlands on the back of five straight wins but couldn’t get past the Go Ahead Eagles.
A repeat of that performance will see a similar result against Manchester City.
City need a few more wins to truly convince that they can mount a serious challenge for the title, and this would be a good place to start.
Prediction: Aston Vila 1-2 Manchester City
Wolves v Burnley (2pm)
Is this too early to be described as a relegation six-pointer? Probably not as it’s tough to imagine either of these sides dragging themselves out of trouble with a long winning run.
Burnley certainly enhanced their chances of staying up with an excellent win over Leeds last weekend while Wolves were again disappointing in losing at Sunderland.
A draw helps neither side, so…
Prediction: Wolves 1-1 Burnley
Everton v Tottenham (4.30pm)
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to know what to make of Thomas Frank’s Spurs. Poor against Villa last weekend and equally lacklustre in a midweek draw at Monaco. Indeed, the win at Leeds on October 4 is their only victory in the last five games.
Everton have yet to lose at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium home and David Moyes is building an effective, if slightly uninspiring, team that will give little away this season.
Prediction: Everton 1-1 Tottenham