PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS (WEEK 4)
Normal service has resumed in the Premier League with four of ‘the big six’ occupying places in the top five and the three promoted sides placed 17th-19th. As glad as we are to have the top-flight back in full flow, after this weekend we come to a screeching halt for an international break (sigh).
Every week we’ll be previewing and predicting every match featured in our Pick 10 league along with any other big fixtures - will you take our advice?
Sheffield United vs Everton
Having lost their opening three games back in the Premier League, it hasn’t been easy sailing for Sheffield United - but it could’ve been very different had they held Manchester City last weekend. The Blades went behind against Pep Guardiola’s men in the second half but went level though Jayden Bogle’s 85th minute strike. Sadly for the home fans, a Rodri rocket just three minutes from time ended any hope of a comeback. A defiant defensive display should encourage Paul Heckingbottom but his side will need points on the board sooner rather than later.
It has been a catastrophic start to the season for Sean Dyche and Everton. Three games, three defeats, zero goals scored should make grim reading for the blue half of Merseyside - worse yet, two of those were home defeats to Fulham and Wolves. Everton have yet to discover their identity with disconnect within the midfield, individual mistakes and a lack of leadership compounding issues. Portuguese striker Beto has been signed from Italian side Udinese, but nothing short of victory in Sheffield will alleviate early season fears.
Prediction: Sheffield United 1-0 Everton
Brentford vs AFC Bournemouth
Brentford have maintained their unbeaten start to the season but were denied victory last weekend as Crystal Palace battled back for a point at the Gtech Community Stadium. Thomas Frank has seen his side adjust without Ivan Toney with Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo amongst the goals in their opening two fixtures, but against Palace they lacked a necessary focal point. It could be a minor setback, but Frank may need to look to the transfer market if Toney does indeed push for a move come January.
Bournemouth have been handed a tough start to the season having already lost to both Liverpool and Tottenham with fixtures against Chelsea and Brighton to come following the international break. Getting a result in West London this weekend becomes necessary having only gained one point so far holding West Ham to a 1-1 draw on the opening weekend of the season. The Cherries have been active in the transfer market with new additions in Tyler Adams and Adam Scott, there is a clear sense of direction under new manager Andoni Iraola, but the Spaniard has already seen his squad snakebitten by injury.
Prediction: Brentford 2-0 AFC Bournemouth
Burnley vs Tottenham
Burnley have only played twice so far in their return to the Premier League due to Luton’s Kenilworth Road refurbishment. Vincent Kompany has seen his side concede six goals against Man City and Aston Villa, but there are signs that the Clarets could find greater success in fixtures against teams lower down the table. The defence is an issue, the losses of Beyer and Ekdal have been a blow for Kompany who has also yet to establish a centre-half partnership. This weekend will be a tough ask against a progressive Spurs side, they then face Manchester United after the international break.
The Ange Postecoglou hype train is in motion despite an early EFL Cup exit to Fulham in the week. Spurs are unbeaten in the league and own a statement victory over Manchester United, Postecoglou has his team playing the sort of football Tottenham fans had hoped to see following his arrival from Celtic. Moreover, further signings could be made before the end of the transfer window with moves touted for Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher and Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson - if the duo arrive before 11pm on Friday there could be a renewed belief in a top four finish.
Prediction: Burnley 1-2 Tottenham
Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest
Chelsea managed to avoid a stuttering start to the season by easing past Luton Town after a reality check defeat to West Ham. Having to content with injury setbacks, four separate managers and a hugely disrupted campaign, Raheem Sterling looks primed to take centre stage for the Blues returning to form. Romelu Lukaku has once again left the club to join Roma on loan, but Cole Palmer is set to swap Manchester for London in an eyebrow-raising move. Mauricio Pochettino should settle this Chelsea squad, the hierarchy will do well to sit back and let the former Tottenham boss get to work.
Taiwo Awoniyi's goal got Forest off to a flyer at Old Trafford last weekend, and when Willy Boly doubled the lead on four minutes, fans could scarcely believe their eyes. Disappointingly for Steve Cooper, Manchester United completed a comeback victory – meaning their quest for a first away win since January goes on. Forest will need to pick up results on the road this season, they won just once away from home last year against Southampton. Keeping Brennan Johnson will be paramount before the end of the transfer window with Tottenham circling.
Chelsea Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Nottingham Forest
Manchester City vs Fulham
That’s three wins in three games so far this season for Manchester City which puts them at the top of the Premier League, despite the absence of a number key players - and, of course, Pep Guardiola, who is recovering from back surgery. Grinding out results is a good sign for a side looking to win their sixth league title in seven years. City appear to be active in the transfer market before the window closes with Cole Palmer and Joao Cancelo set to depart, though a deal has been agreed to sign Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes. Expect a comprehensive victory over a poor Fulham side this weekend.
The Cottagers have experienced a topsy-turvy start to their Premier League season with one win, one defeat and a draw. Their most positive outing came last weekend at the Emirates where they held Arsenal to a 2-2 draw, and despite leading for most of the game, Joao Palhinha’s late equaliser showed plenty of resilience and fight in this side. Aleksandar Mitrović is long gone and Marco Silva has work to do before the end of the window to regenerate his team, goals will be an issue unless addressed as it the general depth of the squad.
Prediction: Manchester City 4-0 Fulham
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Newcastle United
There weren’t many who predicted West Ham to comfortably ease past Brighton at the Amex last Saturday as the home side were undone by a clinical counter-attacking display. The Seagulls finished the match with 79% of possession but, despite scoring four goals in each of their last two matches, were devoid of end product. Last weekend highlighted areas of which Brighton need to improve, but teenage midfielder Carlos Baleba has been signed from Lille to replace Moises Caicedo and Barcelona prodigy Ansu Fati is close to completing a loan move to the South Coast.
Newcastle started their season with a resounding win over Aston Villa but have lost to Manchester City and Liverpool in back-to-back games. They didn’t trouble City at the Etihad Stadium with just one shot on target against the Champions, but their defeat to Liverpool last weekend was an entirely different state of affairs. Having taken a 1-0 lead, and watched their opponents go down to 10 men, Newcastle could have had it wrapped up, and they should have had it wrapped up. But Liverpool completed an unlikely smash and grab to the dismay of Eddie Howe. Fortunately the Magpies have seemingly completed their transfer business, but lessons will need to be learnt.
Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Newcastle United
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