The end of the international break has finally arrived, much to many Premier League fans delights and the return of domestic football will resume this weekend – with Everton and Liverpool kicking off proceedings at Goodison Park for the first Merseyside derby of the season.
I personally enjoy international football, and it was a welcome break from the crazy and unpredictable league football that we have seen the past month – I mean, Everton are top of the table? Yes, I know we are only four games in but still, Everton are top!
But, with the new game week on the horizon, it comes that time again to make our predictions for the world most unpredictable league once again – and if things are going to continue the way they have been and the results and scores are as high flying and surprising as they have been so far, well, it’s going to be a very long season…
So, let’s tuck into those predictions, shall we? Be sure to make your predictions on Premier Picks ahead of the deadline, and good luck!
Everton 1-3 Liverpool
As I have said, Everton have had a great start to their campaign, and are one of only two clubs with a 100% record alongside Aston Villa – and I’m certain that the Everton fans couldn’t have asked for a better time to play the Reds, with Jurgen Klopp’s side coming off the back of a 7-2 defeat to the aforementioned Villa. Despite the Toffees’ run of form and Liverpool’s stumble during GW4, I still feel the Reds will take the three points again against Everton, and I’m going for a 3-1 victory for Klopp and his team, with Mo Salah likely to get on the scoresheet again.
Chelsea 2-1 Southampton
It has been a strange start to the season for the Blues, with two wins from four, and a 3-3 draw against West Brom. Frank Lampard’s new signings are yet to all feature for the club, with Ben Chilwell making his debut during GW4, capping it off with a goal, an assist, and a clean sheet against Crystal Palace. The Saints have also had a mixed start, with 2 wins and 2 defeats – with GW4 resulting in a 2-0 victory over West Brom. I can’t see Chelsea losing this one, however, and I’m going for a 2-1 victory in favour of Lampard’s side.
Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal
Mikel Arteta has impressed me with what he has managed to do with Arsenal in such a short space of time, with them winning the FA Cup and Community Shield in the past few months. This season, the Gunners have 3 wins and 1 defeat from their first four, with their only loss coming against Liverpool. Manchester City have had a poor start compared to the usual standards we have become accustomed to seeing in a Pep Guardiola side, with 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss in their opening three games. I personally see this being a tight affair between the former colleagues, and I’m going for a 2-2 draw and a point apiece.
Newcastle United 2-1 Manchester United
Before the abuse starts coming from the United fans who find it absolutely impossible that they could lose to Newcastle, let’s just take a deeper look into things. Out of their last 5 meeting’s Newcastle have won two and lost three, with the stats falling the other way for United. Last season, the Magpies won this fixture at home 1-0 thanks to a goal from Matty Longstaff – and I feel the result will fall the same way again for Steve Bruce’s men, hence my prediction of a 2-1 win for the Toon Army. Manchester United haven’t looked on their A-game so far this season, and I feel it would be a great opportunity for Newcastle to take advantage of that.
Sheffield United 1-0 Fulham
It has been a difficult start to life back in the Premier League for Fulham, with the Cottagers failing to win in any of their first four fixtures, conceding 11 goals in the process. Sheffield themselves haven’t had the greatest of starts and have also lost their first four fixtures, and only just managed to score their first goal of the campaign last game week in a 2-1 loss to Arsenal. With both sides in poor form, it is anyone’s guess as to who comes out on top at the end of this game, but I’m going for a 1-0 win for the Blades due to their recent experience of the league, and that I feel it won’t be long until they start to find their form from last season.
Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Palace enjoyed one of their best starts to a season for a long time, with back to back opening wins against Southampton and most notably Manchester United, who they beat 3-1. Since then, their form has dropped off slightly, and have lost their last two. Brighton may only have one win in their opening four games, but they have looked a strong side playing some great football and have been unlucky not to pick up more points if it wasn’t for such tough opponents such as Chelsea, Manchester United, and Everton. With both sides looking strong this season, I feel this one will play out in a draw, and I’m going for 1-1.
Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 West Ham United
Spurs are coming off the back of a dominating performance against Manchester United, with saw Jose Mourinho’s side come out 6-1 victors over the Red Devils at Old Trafford during GW4.
Along with some of the club’s new signings, Spurs have a really strong team this season and can see them going on to have a great campaign. West Ham started their season slowly, with defeats to Newcastle and Arsenal, but have won their last two fixtures against Wolves and Leicester with two dominating performances resulting in a 4-0 and 3-0 win respectively.
Despite the Hammers return to form, I feel Tottenham will be too strong for this one, and with Harry Kane and Heung-min Son fit, and the imminent return of Gareth Bale to the Tottenham front line after 7 years away, I’m going for a 3-0 win for Mourinho’s side.
Leicester City 2-0 Aston Villa
It was a great start to the campaign from Brendan Rodgers’ side, with them winning their opening three fixtures including a big 5-2 victory over Manchester City – but during GW4 the Foxes lost 3-0 to West Ham at home, a shock defeat given their strong start.
Villa themselves have had an incredible start to their season, winning their opening three games, including a 7-2 hammering of Premier League champions Liverpool to round off GW4. Despite Villa’s strong start, I feel Leicester will grind out a victory in this one, and I’m going for a 2-0 win in their favour.
West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Burnley
The Baggies have struggled since their return to the top division, losing three of their opening four fixtures, and blowing a 3-0 lead over Chelsea to draw the game 3-3.
They have shown glimpses of the talent their squad possesses, and I am sure a result will make their way soon, but I don’t see it being this one. Burnley have struggled too, losing their opening three fixtures, and I also don’t see them winning this one either – hence why I am going for a 1-1 draw, as neither side have produced the type of results yet to suggest they have any winning edge.
Leeds United 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Marcelo Bielsa and his team have had a good start to life back in the Premier League after their 16-year absence. An opening day defeat to Liverpool wasn’t enough to dampen their spirits, and since then have won two against Fulham and Sheffield United and drawn their last game against Manchester City 1-1.
Wolves have struggled, with two wins and two defeats, narrowly winning their GW4 fixture against Fulham 1-0. It will be a great matchup between two great managers, but I see Leeds’s resilience putting them clear in this game after their impressive performance against City, and I’m going for a 2-1 win for Bielsa’s men.