Bournemouth vs. Fulham
20:00, Friday, October 3rd, Vitality Stadium
Bournemouth currently sit 6th after scraping a draw at the death at Elland Road last weekend, while Fulham were massively underwhelming in a 3-1 defeat at Villa Park. The Cherries have enjoyed a bright start to the season, and I can’t see that changing, particularly against a Fulham side seemingly stuck in second gear to this point.
Prediction: 2-0 Bournemouth
First Goal Scorer: Antoine Semenyo
Leeds United vs. Tottenham Hotspur
12:30, Saturday, October 4th, Elland Road
Despite how the game looks at times, Leeds continue to find ways to pick up points. They were seconds away from snatching all three last weekend against Bournemouth, but they’d probably have taken a point at kickoff. Spurs scored in the dying embers to spare their blushes against a winless Wolves side, but Frank and co. would agree they should have taken three points from that game, especially at home. This one may be tight, but Spurs should pull away in the closing stages.
Prediction: 2-0 Spurs
First Goal Scorer: Richarlison
Manchester United vs. Sunderland
15:00, Saturday, October 4th, Old Trafford
United’s latest embarrassment came at the hands of Caoimhín Kelleher and the Bees last weekend in West London. Amorim’s record in the league is now 34 points from 33 games, and evidently, laying off the kitchen staff and club custodians has had no effect on results on the pitch. Sunderland are in dreamland at the moment. They sit 5th in the table and, even though this may be wildly unsustainable, they may as well enjoy it while they can.
Prediction: 1-1
First Goal Scorer: Bruno Fernandes
Arsenal vs. West Ham United
15:00, Saturday, October 4th, The Emirates
Coughing baby vs. Hydrogen bomb.
Prediction: 5-0 Arsenal
First Goal Scorer: Gabriel (from some sort of set piece)
Chelsea vs. Liverpool
17:30, Saturday, October 4th, Stamford Bridge
Let’s be honest—it hasn’t been great from either of us of late. Chelsea seem to keep finding ways to drop points, and we’ve just been atrocious outright. The last-minute dagger at Selhurst Park last weekend was fully deserved, as those on the pitch simply didn’t play well enough to earn a point. Both sides come into this game plagued by injury: Chelsea are missing Cole Palmer and all 12 centre-halves on the books, while Liverpool are set to be without Alisson, as he’s picked up his annual six-week hamstring strain. No idea what’s going to happen here, but I’m not particularly looking forward to it.
Prediction: 2-2
First Goal Scorer: João Pedro
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Brighton
14:00, Sunday, October 5th, Molineux
Wolves finally showed signs of life last weekend at Spurs, picking up their first point of the campaign; while Brighton’s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde tendencies were further solidified, after walking into Stamford Bridge and beating Chelsea 3-1, powered by the evergreen legs of Danny Welbeck. If any appendage of Dr Jekyll turns up on Sunday, Brighton should be fine.
Prediction: 2-1 Brighton
First Goal Scorer: Yankuba Minteh
Newcastle United vs. Nottingham Forest
14:00, Sunday, October 5th, St James’ Park
Newcastle will feel hard done after losing to Arsenal last weekend at the death, especially after watching the man who scored the winner volleyball-spike a cross in the box about ten minutes prior. Forest under Ange are exactly what you’d have expected when the appointment was made: bad. If Newcastle find an early goal it may get ugly quickly.
Prediction: 3-0 Newcastle
First Goal Scorer: Nick Woltemade
Everton vs. Crystal Palace
14:00, Sunday, October 5th, Hill Dickinson Stadium
Everton looked great against West Ham last weekend—until the second half kicked off. The Toffees then reverted to their old ways and promptly dropped points to a side in turmoil since the arrival (and subsequent sacking) of Graham Potter. We all know what Palace did last weekend; no need to revisit it. They’re a very good side.
Prediction: 2-1 Palace
First Goal Scorer: Jean-Philippe Mateta
Aston Villa vs. Burnley
14:00, Sunday, October 5th, Villa Park
These two sides have combined for a total of 10 goals in 12 matches, with three of those coming in Villa’s 3-1 victory over Fulham last weekend. In short: it hasn’t been great. Burnley were pulverised by City last weekend, and with Villa seemingly having gathered momentum, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the same again on Sunday.
Prediction: 3-0 Villa
First Goal Scorer: Ollie Watkins
Brentford vs. Manchester City
16:30, Sunday, October 5th, Brentford Community Stadium
Brentford and Caoimhín Kelleher shone brightly last weekend in the Bees’ victory over United. The Irishman saved a Bruno Fernandes penalty to preserve the 2-1 lead before Keith Andrews’ side killed the game off in stoppage time. Unfortunately for Brentford, the blue side of Manchester are far superior to those in red—and more Kelleher heroics may be needed to keep this one close.
Prediction: 2-0 City
First Goal Scorer: Erling Haaland
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