FRIDAY:
BRIGHTON V SOUTHAMPTON
There was once a time where Brighton were arguably the worst team on the South Coast, now they're the best team on the South Coast and have been for the last few years.
They were a good team to watch during those last few years, and they're enjoyable to watch again this season under Fabian Hurzeler, who had them in 6th place.
Southampton surprised me with their performance against Liverpool last weekend, where they put in a good shift. But defensive errors cost them once again.
Young Tyler Dibling stood out in that game as he caused Liverpool a few problems. I can see him follow in the footsteps of some of the academy graduates who came before him.
Brighton have been good at home this season, and I can see them keep up that record with another win in this one, against a Southampton side who I think will again get punished for playing out from the back.
PREDICTION: 3-1
SATURDAY:
BRENTFORD V LEICESTER
Brentford will not lose this game and the reason for it is because they're at home, where the majority of their points have come from.
Their home games have also been entertaining to watch and especially their last three: 5-3 against Wolves, 4-3 against Ipswich and 3-2 against Bournemouth. I can see another one happening this one.
Leicester sacked Steve Cooper last weekend which was a decision that surprised me as I didn't see it coming. I also felt that he deserved more time as the Foxes are outside the relegation zone and if you're outside the relegation zone, you still have a chance of staying up.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy is set to take over and it's unclear as to whether he'll be in charge in this one. But in terms of his potential appointment, it could be a good one as the Foxes players might suit his style of football better than they did Cooper's.
The Foxes might respond here whether they have Van Nistelrooy in charge or not, as that is what usually happens in their first game after their manager has been sacked.
But with Brentford being the home team here, I think the Bees will come out on top here in another entertaining game.
PREDICTION: 3-2
CRYSTAL PALACE V NEWCASTLE
Crystal Palace put in an encouraging display against Aston Villa last weekend and Olivier Glasner will want his side to build on it in this one.
There have been encouraging signs from some of their games this season and especially during the early weeks of the season. But they haven't been able to turn them into winning performances and wins are what Palace need because of where they are in the league.
Newcastle will have been kicking themselves for the chances they missed against West Ham on Monday, and those missed chances came back to bite them.
The Magpies will be without Bruno Guimaraes for this one after he limped off on Monday and his absence is a massive blow for Eddie Howe's side.
Having Callum Wilson back is a big bonus, after he made his return on Monday against West Ham, but without Guimaraes, Newcastle aren't the same side and the stats can back me up on that.
I think Palace will put in another encouraging performance here and especially with Newcastle not having Guimaraes available. But I think they'll fall short yet again.
PREDICTION: 1-1
NOTTINGHAM FOREST V IPSWICH
Nottingham Forest have hit a little bump in the road recently following back to back defeats to Newcastle and Arsenal. But Nuno won't be worried about that at all as his side are having a great season so far.
Forest are likely to again be without talisman Morgan Gibbs-White for this one due to injury, but they should have Chris Wood back in the starting line-up after starting on the bench against Arsenal, after arriving late back from international duty.
Ipswich are showing signs that they're starting to look like a Premier League side and their last two games against Spurs and Man United showed that.
They probably deserved more than what they got against United last weekend as they had the better chances and were the better side on the day.
Their performance that day will give them confidence heading into this one, but will they be able to repeat it as some teams can play well against top sides but play below par against the lesser ones.
I think they'll be given a reality check in this one and especially with Chris Wood back in the Forest team.
PREDICTION: 3-1
WOLVES V BOURNEMOUTH
Wolves have some much needed confidence on board following back to back wins over Southampton and Fulham, and I think they'll be safe now.
Their next batch of games are winnable and they have an in-form forward in Matheus Cunha, who has 4 goals in his last 4 games.
Bournemouth played well against Brighton last weekend where they ended the game the strongest. But they weren't able to salvage a point despite having an extra man.
I haven't predicted many wins for Bournemouth this season, which might upset some Bournemouth fans who read my posts.
I'm afraid that I'm going to upset them even more as I'm backing Wolves to win this one due to the form they're in.
PREDICTION: 2-1
WEST HAM V ARSENAL
West Ham got a crucial win on Monday against Newcastle which will no doubt give them a lot of confidence. Could it also be a turning point for Julen Lopetegui?
That is a question waiting to be answered and we could find the answer to that in a few weeks time?
Arsenal are beginning to look like the side they were last season and the reason behind that is the return of Martin Odegaard. He's shown how big a loss he was since his return from injury with his creativity, leadership and calmness on the pitch.
The Gunners battered West Ham 6-0 in this fixture last season and I can see them dish out a similar hammering in this one.
The Hammers will have some confidence on board following their win at Newcastle, but I think Arsenal will put the pressure back on Julen Lopetgui with another convincing win.
PREDICTION: 0-4
SUNDAY:
CHELSEA V ASTON VILLA
Some social media platforms were asking if Chelsea were title contenders last weekend after their win at Leicester. I later asked that very question in my key points of the weekend post, and said no as they're not at that level yet.
They're a much better team than they were last season because they're more of a team. Maresca has been very consistent with his team selections and that is helping the blues be more cohesive as a group.
Aston Villa were very unfortunate against Juventus in midweek as their winning goal was wrongly chalked off. There was contact on the goalkeeper in the lead up to Rogers' goal, but it was very minimal.
Unai Emery's side are on their longest run without a win since he took over two years ago and their draw in midweek extended his side's winless run to seven game.
They've only won once after playing in Europe in midweek and I can see Chelsea pounce on that here.
PREDICTION: 2-0
MAN UNITED V EVERTON
Ruben Amorim will have learnt a lot about his Man United side from his first game in charge against Ipswich, where they were second best for most of the game.
One of the things he will have learnt was that it's going to take time for him to get United both playing his way and getting them to where they want to be.
Everton might be beginning to look over their shoulders with the tough run of games they have coming up, and especially as they're only a couple of points above the drop zone and without a win in five games.
Some fans were calling for Sean Dyche to go after their draw with Brentford last weekend and I can under stand why. But he's still right man for them in the short term as he knows what it takes to stay in the Premier League, which is Everton's objective this season.
I think they'll make it tough for United here as they're a tough team to beat, and United are still adjusting to Amorim's way of playing.
They won't create loads like Ipswich did, but I do think they'll make it uncomfortable and give Amorim more to learn about his new side.
PREDICTION: 1-1
TOTTENHAM V FULHAM
Spurs were brilliant against Man City last weekend, but will they follow it up with another win in this one?
They'll probably lose here and they've been a side recently who win one game then lose the next. That's been the pattern in each of their last seven league games.
Fulham have a good record in London derbies and are unbeaten in their last seven games against teams from the capital.
Their last game away from home was against a London rival in Crystal Palace, who they beat 2-0. But that was only their second win on the road this season and it's on the road where they do struggle.
Spurs may be inconsistent and have players out injured, but as Fulham aren't as strong away as they are at home, I think Ange Postecoglou's side will take the points here.
PREDICTION: 3-1
LIVERPOOL V MAN CITY
There were many great games between these two sides when Klopp and Pep were up against one another. With those great game continue between Pep and Slot? We're about to find out.
Liverpool will in some peoples eyes be the favourites because of the form they're in compared to Man City, who look all over the place at the moment.
Man City did put halt to their five game losing streak against Feyenoord in midweek, but their defensive frailties were again exposed like they have been all season.
The good news for them is that they have Ruben Dias back fit and he's someone who can certainly steady the ship back there with his leadership, which has been sorely missed.
But I still think their problems will continue here as I can see Liverpool really punish them with the space and quality they have in attack. Especially in Mo Salah and Luis Diaz.
The reds put in a controlled performance against Real Madrid in midweek, and I can see them put in another against this City side, who are struggling to control games without Rodri.
PREDICTION: 3-1
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