Premier League predictions: Frustration for Man United, Liverpool and Arsenal this week but joy for Man City
It's matchweek six in the Premier League. Here are our predictions...
The Premier League is starting to take shape with Liverpool and Arsenal already establishing themselves as the early contenders.
At the bottom, Wolves and West Ham have just one win between them.
It’s a bumper fixture list this weekend. Here are our predictions for round six.
SATURDAY
Brentford v Manchester United (1230)
Manchester United made hard work of seeing off a Chelsea side reduced to 10 men in the opening minutes last weekend. Casemiro’s stupidity saw the numbers evened up but the visitors could only conjure up a Trevoh Cahlobah goal in response to earlier efforts from Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro himself.
Ruben Amorim’s men remain somewhat of a mystery. They hint at progress only to take several steps backwards and it may be the latter we see at the Gtech Stadium.
Brentford have suffered three defeats on the road in the Premier League but remain strong at home with four points taken from games against Aston Villa and Chelsea.
Prediction: Brentford 2-1 Manchester United
Chelsea v Brighton (1500)
Robert Sanchez returns from his one-game suspension following his red card at Old Trafford and will likely start alongside several other former Seagulls, including Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, Joao Pedro and Facundo Buonanotte.
It adds spark to a fixture that is important for both sides.
Chelsea need a win to bounce back from the disappointment against United while Brighton need to kick-start their season after one win from their first five games.
Question marks remain about Chelsea’s defence but their firepower should be enough to see them over the line in this one.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Brighton
Crystal Palace v Liverpool (1500)
Liverpool head to Selhurst Park looking to make it six wins from six.
Last weekend’s victory over Everton – and the midweek defeat of Southampton in the EFL Cup – continued the trend of the Reds emerging victorious without playing particularly well and boss Arne Slot will be looking for an improved display in South London.
Alexander Isak got off the mark against the Saints and he may start with Hugo Ekitike suspended.
Palace were impressive winners at West Ham last time out and seem likely to enjoy another impressive season. They beat Liverpool on penalties in the Community Shield and we think they may get something here as well.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Liverpool
Leeds v Bournemouth (1500)
Bournemouth continue to thrive under Andoni Iraola with the Cherries a well-drilled outfit with pace to burn on the break.
The Elland Road crowd will settle for nothing less than to see their side pour forward which may open up spaces on the counter for the likes of Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert.
Bournemouth won at Spurs in their last Premier League game on the road and we wouldn’t be surprised to see a repeat here and end Leeds’ unbeaten home record.
Prediction: Leeds 1-3 Bournemouth
Manchester City v Burnley (1500)
City have shown signs they may be edging back towards the force they once were in recent weeks. A 3-0 defeat of Manchester United showed promise but the nature of their 1-1 draw at Arsenal, ruined by Gabriel Martinelli’s last-gasp equaliser, displayed a more pragmatic approach from Pep Guardiola.
That is unlikely to be on display again when Burnley visit the Etihad.
The Clarets’ promotion was built around a watertight back four but they have struggled to replicate that in the top flight.
It *should* be tailor made for Erling Haaland to continue his goal-laden start to the season for club and country.
Prediction: Manchester City 4-0 Burnley
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Nottingham Forest v Sunderland (1730)
Forest were frustrated in midweek, Antony’s late goal for Real Betis denying them a victorious return to European football in Seville.
It would have been a welcome first win for Ange Postecoglou, who is starting to implement his ideas.
Sunderland have not proved the whipping boys many had predicted with Regis Le Bris’ side losing just one of their first five games. And their determination in grabbing a point against Aston Villa last weekend despite playing for almost an hour with 10 men was impressive.
The Wearsiders are solid and defensively sound but need to add more creativity to their performances.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Sunderland
Tottenham v Wolves (2000)
Thomas Frank’s side showed grit in hitting back from 2-0 down to take a point at Brighton last time out, another sign that Spurs will be no pushovers under the Dane.
Their summer recruitment has added depth to a squad that was always a few injuries short of serious problems and they should be able to balance domestic and European commitments with a degree of confidence.
They ought to be too good for a Wolves side already starting to worry about their top-flight status.
Vitor Pereira’s men will get better but the improvement won’t start this weekend.
Prediction: Tottenham 3-0 Wolves
SUNDAY
Aston Villa v Fulham (1400)
Villa were woeful at Sunderland last weekend and were a touch fortunate to emerge with a point.
Players and coach Unai Emery have been quick to dismiss talk of a crisis but they need a first win and quick otherwise their season could be over before it has really begun.
Fulham are tricky opposition and, having won successive home games against Leeds and Brentford, will arrive at Villa Park hoping to make it an uncomfortable afternoon for the home side.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Fulham
Newcastle v Arsenal (1630)
The game of the weekend sees the often bitter rivalry between Newcastle and Arsenal rekindled.
Mikel Arteta has been accused of a negative approach in key games this season and his set-up for this one will be fascinating.
Newcastle possess the physicality to trouble anyone, even a team such as Arsenal who also have power in abundance.
Defeat for Arsenal would increase the murmurs around Arteta while a win would sharpen the focus on Eddie Howe and his expensively assembled team.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-2 Arsenal
MONDAY
Everton v West Ham (2000)
Monday Night Football comes, for the first time, from the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton’s new home has already shown signs of becoming a fortress with four points from games against Brighton and Villa.
West Ham show no signs of improvement under Graham Potter and another defeat here could spell the end for the former Chelsea boss.
Prediction: Everton 2-0 West Ham