We’re back for matchweek 8 following the latest round of blatant extortion from FIFA to football fans. At the time of writing this, the list of big names to fall victim to injury due to the greed of FIFA has not yet lengthened, but it’s Monday, and I’m sure that there will be a further twist to the tale. Matchweek 8 sees a host of interesting fixtures, with the Liverpool-Chelsea headliner rounding out the list come Sunday. Settle in, grab a pint, and let’s get stuck into Matchweek 8.
Tottenham Hotspur vs. West Ham United
12:30, Saturday, October 19th, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Spurs and West Ham kick off the action in the lunchtime kickoff on Saturday afternoon. Big Ange and Spurs look to get back on track following a collapse of Evertonian proportions on matchday 7. West Ham will be striving to continue the momentum that they picked up in a 4-1 thrashing of Ipswich in the final game before the international break. Despite the result at Brighton last weekend, Spurs will be encouraged by the consistent output and recent form of Welshman Brennan Johnson; if he continues firing, it could turn into a long afternoon for West Ham. Julen Lopetegui will be desperate to build on the Irons’ last result; however, going on the road at Spurs may be a less-than-ideal way to do so. Spurs’ home form is typically consistent, particularly against middle-of-the-table opposition, and I believe Spurs will exercise the demons that spurned them at the Amex two weekends ago.
Prediction: 3-1 Spurs
First Goal Scorer: Brennan Johnson
Anytime Goal Scorers: Dominic Solanke, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski
Fulham vs. Aston Villa
15:00, Saturday, October 19th, Craven Cottage
The Villa travel to Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon in what could prove to be a tricky fixture. Aston Villa have now drawn two on the bounce to the likes of Ipswich and Manchester United and will be viewing Saturday as a must-win fixture if Unai Emery’s side wish to repeat their top-4 finish from a season ago. Fulham will be encouraged following a spirited 3-2 defeat at the Etihad two weekends ago, and while the Cottagers’ form has been all but consistent at times this season, they do possess quality in pockets that can hurt opposition of any level. While a low-scoring draw could be a reasonable prediction, I believe that Villa’s individual quality will get them over the line, just.
Prediction: 1-2 Villa
First Goal Scorer: Ollie Watkins
Anytime Goal Scorers: Morgan Rodgers, Adama Traore
Southampton vs. Leicester City
15:00, Saturday, October 19th, Saint Mary’s
The Foxes travel to the South Coast on Saturday afternoon in what may prove to be a relegation six-pointer in the coming months. Southampton put on quite the show at the Emirates for about 60 minutes before inevitably and spectacularly crashing and burning in the final 30. Leicester, on the other hand, put together an admirably complete performance at home against Bournemouth. The Foxes sit just 2 points off of Erik Ten Hag’s billion-dollar atrocity, and if the Foxes’ Saturday at Saint Mary’s goes to plan, they just may find themselves above United come Saturday evening. The Saints are still in search of their first win of the season, and with their fixture next weekend coming at the Etihad, there is a very grim possibility that the Saints may be well into November before notching their first win of the season—bring on the parachute payments.
Prediction: 0-1 Leicester
Only Goal Scorer: Jamie Vardy
Newcastle United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
15:00, Saturday, October 19th, Saint James’ Park
Newcastle United return to Tyneside following Anthony Gordon’s disappointment at Goodison two weekends ago. The Evertonian Public Enemy No. 1 had a gilt-edged opportunity to pile onto the Gwladys Street End’s misery, but in the end, an atrocious penalty saved by a grateful Jordan Pickford resulted in pantomime embarrassment for the Scouser. The Toon ultimately were unable to recover from the penalty miss, and proceedings ended all-square at the Grand Old Lady—two points dropped. Brighton enjoyed a weekend on the other end of the spectrum, coming from 2 down to stun Spurs at the Amex behind an offensive flurry in the second half. While the Seagulls come into the game in a better run of form than the Geordies, the great equalizer that is SJP will once again have a role to play—and once again will not disappoint. While this matchup certainly has the potential to produce fireworks, I think the goals will be at a minimum, with Newcastle and the power of SJP ultimately great enough to grind out a black-and-white result.
Prediction: 1-0 Newcastle
Only Goal Scorer: Harvey Barnes
Ipswich Town vs. Everton
15:00, Saturday, October 19th, Portman Road
The Tractor Boys welcome Everton to Portman Road on Saturday afternoon in what threatens to produce a game of football as aesthetically pleasing as a motorbike accident. If you enjoy long balls and two teams absolutely kicking the shit out of each other for 90 minutes, then you’ll definitely want to tune into this clash of similar shades of blue. Ipswich remains winless, despite scrapping to 4 draws over their first 7 played, and Everton are still celebrating their 0-0 victory over Anthony Gordon at Goodison Park two weekends ago. I genuinely do believe that this game will make for one of the most entertaining watches of the weekend, although the football on display has the potential to be thoroughly diabolical. Both sides are in desperate need of 3 points as they look to distance themselves from relegation’s creeping shadow, and while Ipswich has put on some solid displays at home this season, Everton have become experienced customers when it comes to grinding results against fellow relegation fodder. I expect the Toffees to walk away from this game with something, but I believe the masters of the draw will be walking away with a point as well.
Prediction: 1-1
First Goal Scorer: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Anytime Goal Scorer: Sammie Szmodics
Manchester United vs. Brentford
15:00, October 19th, Old Trafford
14th-placed Manchester United return to action against a Brentford side who failed to score in the first minute in their last match, breaking a streak of 3 games on the bounce of this anomaly occurring. The Bees were, however, able to find the back of the net in the second minute—keeping this insane trend alive. Additionally, Thomas Frank’s side found the net on 4 more occasions during the 5-3 thrashing of Wolves, surely giving Brentford supporters a better feeling about a somewhat inconsistent start to the campaign. United mercifully prolonged Ten Hag’s reign with a 0-0 draw at Villa Park two weekends ago in a wholly unappealing and uninspired performance—but hey, he’s won two domestic cups, so nothing else matters. I’d pay good money to see Bryan Mbuemo wheeling away in celebration 30 seconds into Saturday’s match; however, I don’t believe the deposit will be necessary with Johnny Evans slated to start at left-back.
Prediction: 1-1
First Goal Scorer: Bryan Mbuemo (‘1)
Anytime Goal Scorer: Rasmus Hojlund
Bournemouth vs. Arsenal
17:30, Saturday, October 19th, Vitality Stadium
Arsenal will still be celebrating their heroic come-from-behind victory over titans Southampton at the Emirates two weekends ago when they travel to the South Coast on Saturday evening. Bournemouth are coming off a rather deflating defeat at the hands of Leicester City in their last match, and while the Vitality is certainly not known as a fortress by any stretch of the imagination, it will certainly be up for it come Saturday. Arsenal have made a habit of starting slowly this season, so an early goal for the hosts is certainly conceivable; however, I do believe Arsenal will once again show their powers of recovery against inferior opposition. I admire the Cherries’ start to the season thus far, and would love them to take something from this game; I just can’t see it happening.
Prediction: 1-2 Arsenal
First Goal Scorer: Evanilson
Anytime Goal Scorers: Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Manchester City
14:00, Sunday, October 20th, The Molineux
Wolves’ atrocious start to the season certainly will not get any easier come Sunday. While Wolves defeated City at the Molineux last season, I genuinely believe that finding definitive proof of the man who shot JFK before this game kicks off is more likely than this instance recurring. Will I even turn this game on? Probably. Will it be off in the first 10 minutes? For sure. It’s a recurring theme with City if you haven’t noticed, and pending the results of the court case, I don’t think it will be changing anytime soon.
Prediction: 0-3 City
First (and only) Goal Scorer: Haaland (x3)
Liverpool vs. Chelsea
16:30, Sunday, October 20th, Anfield
Arne Slot’s top-of-the-table Reds host Chelsea at Anfield in the late Sunday kickoff. Chelsea’s offensive performances have seemed to mask their defensive misgivings on multiple occasions thus far this season, and this is something that I hope we can exploit come Sunday evening. Liverpool will be without Alisson, as is customary for essentially every Chelsea fixture in the last 3 seasons; but Caoimhín Kelleher has proven himself to be Chelsea’s kryptonite when it has mattered most. Apart from Ali’s absence, the side should be close to full strength, pending the players’ return from the international break. Virgil and Ibou have been in fine defensive form, conceding just two goals in the league this season, and I look forward to watching them operate against a Chelsea attack that has shown itself to be potent in recent weeks. Chelsea at Anfield has produced some spectacular matches in years gone by, and I expect Sunday to be no different. It will be bouncing, and I cannot wait.
Prediction: 3-1 Liverpool
First Goal Scorer: Cole Palmer
Anytime Goal Scorers: Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota (x2)
Nottingham Forest vs. Crystal Palace
20:00, Monday, October 21st, The City Ground
Forest look to be back to their gritty effectiveness after grinding out a result at Stamford Bridge two weekends ago. Nuno’s side is consistently well-drilled, well-prepared, and it has shown consistently through the first two months of the campaign. Palace fell at Selhurst Park to Liverpool before the break, and while the Eagles weren’t a consistent threat going forward for the full 90, they certainly had their moments. Given the recent run of form of both sides, and the way that they seem to want to play, I expect them to cancel each other out for long periods—and quite honestly, this may become a complete snoozefest. Forest at the City Ground is never an easy trip, but I believe that Palace may begin to turn their fortunes by taking a point this weekend.
Prediction: 1-1
First Goal Scorer: Chris Wood
Anytime Goal Scorer: Eddie Nketiah
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