Premier League Predictions GW5

As GW5 approaches, here's my take on the weekends action. It kicks off with the first Merseyside derby of the season as Liverpool host Everton at 12:30PM (GMT) on Saturday. That's then followed by four 3PM kick offs with Brighton at home against Tottenham Hotspur. We'll then see Burnley at Turf Moor again against Nottingham Forest, West Ham United will taken on Crystal Palace in a London derby and finally Wolves will welcome Leeds United to the Molineux. Manchester United will host Chelsea in the 5:30PM slot. To finish off the football on Saturday we'll see Fulham duel with Brentford in the West London derby. Sunday will see Bournemouth and Newcastle clash as well Sunderland vs Aston Villa. They'll both kick off at 2PM. To round off the football this weekend will be Arsenal against Manchester City at 4:30PM.

Liverpool vs Everton

The two Merseyside clubs will clash for the first time this season in an eagerly anticipated fixture. What makes this derby more intriguing than others in recent years is Everton's upturn in form. David Moyes has got the Toffee's playing some exciting football and they won't be afraid of Liverpool. The Reds still have their 100% win record intact, despite some late heroics in most of their games proving to be the difference. Everton don't have a 100% win record, but do find themselves 6th in the league with two wins, one draw and a loss to their name.

Alexander Isak featured midweek against Atletico Madrid, so a Premier League debut is on the cards against Everton. Despite drawing blanks against Atletico, Isak will be looking to hit the ground running. Arne Slot's men have been finding that late goals are the trend this season and my guess is it that it will be the case again this weekend. Everton have the personnel that can trouble Liverpool, but I'm not sure it'll be enough to completely overpower them.

Predicted Score: Liverpool 2-1 Everton

Notable absentees:

Liverpool: Curtis Jones, Stefan Bajcetic.

Everton: Jarrad Branthwaite, Vitaliy Mykolenko.

Brighton vs Tottenham Hotspur

An intriguing fixture between two teams that boast a brand of fast paced football. Brighton's form has been average, but they're always keen to throw a spanner in the works against a big six club. The evidence being the game against Manchester City which Brighton won. Speaking of beating City, Spurs also have that accomplisment to their name as well as a few more wins under their belts. They're third in the league with the kind of form that mirrors Arsenal, just with one less goal scored. One goal conceded in four games is certainly excellent form.

Brighton did the double over Spurs last season, but the London club are in a totally different space right now so it's unlikely we'll see a repeat of last season's results. Spurs were in action midweek which could give Brighton the edge in terms of fitness, but Thomas Frank knows how to tactically set a team up to not lose and I think Spurs will do just that.

Predicted Score: Brighton 1-1 Spurs

Notable absentees:

Brighton: Mats Wieffer, Adam Webster, Solly March.

Spurs: James Maddison, Dominic Solanke, Kota Takai, Radu Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissouma.

Burnley vs Nottingham Forest

Perhaps not the most thrilling of fixtures this weekend, but there's a lot for both teams to try and put right. Ange Postecogolou returned to Premier League management last weekend and he was thrown into the deep end with an away fixture to Arsenal. They were soundly beaten, but he'll perhaps be more frustrated that his team threw away a two goal lead in the Carabao Cup to Swansea. On the other hand, Burnley were left licking their wounds after conceding a 94th minute penalty to Liverpool that was dispatched by Mohamed Salah. 94 minutes of holding firm while the reigning Premier League champions sieged the goal ruined in a split second.

Burnley clearly know how to stand strong in the face of adversity, but they'll need more expression in how they attack. It's okay to camp in your own box for one game against a team like Liverpool, but against Forest, they'll need to show more. Forest also need to find some attacking flair as they had virtually nothing against Arsenal. I can't see this being a high scoring affair, honours even sounds the most apt of results.

Predicted Score: Burnley 1-1 Forest

Notable absentees:

Burnley: Connor Roberts, Lesley Ugochukwu, Zeki Amdouni, Jordan Beyer.

Forest: Ola Aina, Nicolas Dominguez.

West Ham vs Crystal Palace

East vs South London. A battle that could have significant implications for one manager. The Hammers haven't started the seasom very well at all and that was compounded last weekend when they came up against Spurs. They lost 3-0 and thoroughly deserved it, if not more. They also reside in the relegation zone on goal difference, which is currently the joint worst in the league. Graham Potter will need something against Palace, but Oliver Glasner has his men playing some good football. The only problem is that Palace can't turn the good play into wins. They're one of three teams that are still unbeaten in the league, but it's three draws in four games for the South London club.

I managed to watch the first half of West Ham against Spurs and I'm surprised it took so long for the North London side to score. It was a rotation of corners and crosses which West Ham failed to clear. I'd argue that Palace play a better brand of football than Spurs and I think that Glasner will get a second win over the line.

Predicted Score: West Ham 0-2 Palace

Notable absentees:

West Ham: Tomas Soucek, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, George Earthy.

Palace: Eddie Nketiah, Walter Benitez, Chadi Riad, Caleb Kporha, Cheick Doucoure, Ismaila Sarr.

Wolves vs Leeds United

Following on from discussing West Ham, we have another relegation contender. Wolves have been less than impressive this season, and are still rock bottom of the league table without even so much as a point. However, they're up against a fellow Premier League struggler in the form of Leeds. Despite winning on the opening weekend, they've only picked up a singular point since. Both clubs will be in desperate need of a win.

Wolves have been knocking on the door of a point in the last three games as they've only lost by a single goal difference. This shows that they're capable of keeping up with their opponents, but just can't prevent the eventual loss. Leeds are in a similar boat, they can keep the pace with their opponents (Arsenal game aside), but have only turned in a win once. They almost grabbed a point at Fulham, but a bizarre own goal late on left them reeling. I actually think Wolves will pick up at least a point in this one, they're going to have to at some point.

Predicted Score: Wolves 1-0 Leeds

Notable absentees:

Wolves: Ki-Jana Hoever, Enso Gonzalez, Jorgen Strand Larsen.

Leeds: Lucas Perri, Daniel James, Joel Piroe, Wilfried Gnoto.

Manchester United vs Chelsea

An old school heavyweight clash. One team are very much enjoying the season so far, the other not so much. Ruben Amorim will be hoping to make a statement against Chelsea this weekend after facing a battering against their rivals last weekend. However, they're going to have to try and beat a team that haven't yet lost in the league. Enzo Maresca will be happy with his teams performances, but a few results will be playing on his mind. The draws against Palace and Brentford were avoidable, but it's the result in the Champions League that will have The Blues the most concerned. A 3-1 loss at the hands of Bayern Munich has tarnished their almost spotless record.

After watching a few of United's games, I can see there's some attacking intent and are reasonably close to clicking into place. The loss of Matheus Cunha has been damaging given the form of Benjamin Sesko. It's felt like Bryan Mbuemo has put the whole United attack on his shoulders and is struggling. Chelsea have Cole Palmer back and anything is possible with him in the team, but I think Amorim will get something from this one. What will be fascinating is Alejandro Garnacho returning to Old Trafford, he'll have a point to prove.

Predicted Score: Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea

Notable absentees:

United: Tyrell Malacia, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez

Chelsea: Benoit Badiashile, Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, Romeo Lavia, Levi Colwill.

Fulham vs Brentford

The West London derby, well one of them anyways. Fulham enter this engagement as the slightly more inform team. Only a point separates these two London clubs, but both will be hoping to record their second wins of the season. Fulham only just about scraped through against Leeds which will concern Marco Silva, as mentioned earlier a freak own goal decided the outcome of that game. Brentford are looking to build on a couple of positive results, the first of which was pinching a draw against Chelsea. The next was knocking Aston Villa out of the Carabao Cup after winning 4-2 on penalties. Despite not recording direct wins, Keith Andrews will be delighted with the mental strength of his players.

Fulham are always tough to play at home, but they're only just doing enough to decide games. With only three goals scored in the league so far, they'll be pinning a lot of their hopes on the form of their new signing, Kevin. He looked promising against Leeds, but they'll need far more from their current attackers if they're going to pick their form up. Brentford aren't struggling for goals as they've scored in every match they've played this season, but it's their leaky defence that needs rallying. So it's a leaky defence against a blunt attack, or a solid defence against a free scoring attack. I suppose your answer will decide if you're a glass half full or empty kind of person. I can see it being a game of cancelling each other out.

Predicted Score: Fulham 1-1 Brentford

Notable absentees:

Fulham: N/A

Brentford: Gustavo Gomes.

Bournemouth vs Newcastle

This fixture fascinates me a lot and it's one that I'll tune into watch. Andoni Iraola has got The Cherries in fine form despite having his squad ripped apart, something I've touched upon a few times. Bournemouth look like a team strong enough to beat the toughest of opponents and this has earned Iraola recognition across Europe. They currently sit 4th in the league, level on points with Arsenal and Spurs. They've won their last three games in the league and only lost against Liverpool in the curtain raiser, who needed late goals. Newcastle have had a topsy turvy season to date, but beat Wolves in their last outing to lift them into 10th. However, a midweek defeat to Barcelona will leave a sour taste in the mouth of Eddie Howe who will now have to figure how to beat Iraola's men.

I mentioned above that Bournemouth look a very good team and a huge part of that success is through Antoine Semenyo, he looks an unstoppable force. Newcastle were torn apart by a tricky winger on Thursday night so they'll be looking to find a way of controlling the Bournemouth winger. However, The Geordie's will be looking to deploy a weapon of their own in the shape of Nick Woltemade, who scored on his debut. I do think the exhausting nature of Thursday night will have repercussions for Eddie Howe's men and Iraola will take the spoils of war.

Predicted Score: Bournemouth 3-1 Newcastle

Notable absentees:

Bournemouth: Bafode Diakite, Adam Smith, Ryan Christie, Enes Unal.

Newcastle: Anthony Gordon, Fabian Schar, Kieran Trippier, Jacob Ramsey, Yoane Wissa.

Sunderland vs Aston Villa

An over-performer against an under-performer. The Stadium of Light has witnessed two wins out of two in the league and will be hoping to add a third. In fact Sunderland have only lost once in four games, a record that Regis Le Bris would've bitten your hand off for at the start of the campaign. Unai Emery would bite your hand off now for that kind of form in their next set of fixtures. Villa haven't recorded a win all season and were even knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Brentford in the week just gone. Something needs to change for Emery and with immediate effect.

Given Sunderland's form at the Stadium of Light, I can't see Villa damaging their 100% win record. Villa look lost at the moment and a tough away fixture is not what they needed, especially considering the fact they haven't even scored away from home yet. Le Bris and his men will give Emery and his men a tough afternoon and the fallout could be huge for the Spaniard, let alone Villa.

Predicted Score: Sunderland 2-0 Aston Villa

Notable absentees:

Sunderland: Daniel Ballard, Enzo Le Fee, Ajibola Alese, Daniel Ballard, Dennis Cirkin, Leo Hjelde, Romaine Mundle, Luke O'Nien.

Villa: Amadou Onana, Andres Garcia, Ross Barkley, Victor Lindelof, Youri Tielemans.

Arsenal vs Manchester City

These two heavyweights of British football delivered two of the most entertaining games last season. A controversial 2-2 at The Etihad followed by a 5-1 drubbing in Arsenal's favour at The Emirates. It's fair to say there's bad blood between the two clubs and a few wrongs will be looked to put right this weekend. Arsenal are in great form, having only lost to Liverpool this season, and recording a solid 2-0 win in their opening Champions League fixture midweek. City have struggled to get going, but looked to have found some rhythm in the last past two games. Pep Guardiola will be happy that his team have somewhat clicked into place despite a raft of injuries throughout the squad.

The last couple of seasons have given us some unpredictable games between the two and this one is no different. On paper, Arsenal look the most ready to claim all three points, but Pep knows how to win better than anyone and he'll have some tricks up his sleeve. I do think Arsenal win the fixture, but it won't be anywhere close to the 5-1 battering they inflicted last season. But, when you have Erling Haaland in your team, a goal is never far away.

Predicted Score: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester City

Notable absentees:

Arsenal: Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Ben White.

Manchester City: Rayan Cherki, Mateo Kovacic, Kalvin Phillips, John Stones, Rayan Ait Nouri, Omar Marmoush.

That's it for my predictions, I hope you enjoy and good luck to whoever your team is (unless you're Manchester City).