Premier League Predictions GW8

The second international break has finally come to an end, but loathingly not the final one. With the World Cup edging closer, players throughout the division will be hoping their performances will be up to scratch to make the World Cup squads for their respective nations. So, with that in mind, let's take a look at a weekend full of football.

Nottingham Forest hosting Chelsea will get us kicked off on Saturday with the early slot (12:30PM GMT). Then we'll have five fixtures at 3PM. First up will be Brighton taking on Newcastle, Burnley up against Leeds, Crystal Palace welcoming Bournemouth, Manchester City will host Everton and Sunderland versus Wolves will be the last of the five. Later in the evening we'll see Fulham against Arsenal at 5:30PM. On to Sunday and we'll see Tottenham Hotspur battling Aston Villa at 2PM and the heavyweight clash of Liverpool and Manchester United to close off the two games on Sunday, kick off will be 4:30PM. To end this game week will be a Monday night fixture of West Ham against Brentford.

Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea

Chelsea will be the happiest of the two sides entering this clash as they were able to see off Liverpool with a last minute winner in the last game week. This leaves them in a respectable position of 7th in the league table, five points off the leaders. Form has been patchy for the London side, but that victory against Liverpool will give the squad a massive boost. For Forest, it's been nothing short of a disaster since Ange Postecoglou took the reigns. They linger just above the relegation zone clinging to the one and only victory they've had that came under the former manager. For Ange the last five games has seen them lose four and draw once which makes for awful viewing.

Forest and Ange are desperate for a win and they have a perfect opportunity to make a statement to the league that they're not to be messed with. Chelsea have an absolutely blitzed squad and that will take its toll, not to mention Enzo Maresca being suspended for this tie. The workload placed onto those who have remained fit will have an effect soon. I'm looking at players like Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella and Reece James. Three crucial players that need their minutes managed, especially James. I do just feel like this could be Ange's weekend to start the arc of his redemption, a win at home will lift the mood exponentially.

Predicted Score: Forest 2-1 Chelsea

Notable absentees:

Forest: Ola Aina, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Douglas Luiz.

Chelsea: Benoit Badiashile, Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Liam Delap, Enzo Fernandez, Reece James, Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, Andrey Santos, Dario Essugo.

Brighton vs Newcastle

These two sides have been about as middle of the pack as you can get, with form mirroring one another. In the last five games both teams have won twice, drawn twice and lost once. If I'm being picky then I'd have to say Brighton are ever so slightly ahead of Newcastle in terms of form, having not lost in three games. These sides occupy 11th and 12th in the league so they will be looking to use this fixture to break into the top 10. Newcastle still have a slight issue putting the ball into the back of the net, but are having a very good time keeping it out. Brighton, on the other hand, are scoring for fun and conceding for fun. So, will attack be the best form of defence?

Brighton seem quite settled in the team they've become, whereas Newcastle are still finding their feet after Isak's departure. It has to be said that Nick Woltemade has been impactful, but he's scored 50% of Newcastle's goals in the league. Eddie Howe is going to have to find a way to get the rest of his team more involved, an off day for the new German sensation will seemingly prove devastating for the Tyneside club. A stalemate is a fair reflection of proceedings.

Predicted Score: Brighton 1-1 Newcastle

Notable absentees:

Brighton: Adam Webster, Solly March, Joel Veltman, Jack Hinshelwood, Kaoru Mitoma.

Newcastle: Jacob Ramsey, Lewis Hall, Lewis Miley, Tino Livramento, Yoane Wissa.

Burnley vs Leeds

A battle of the newly promoted sides. Two differing seasons in which one team are looking more accustomed to Premier League football and the other are looking more and more inept as the season rolls on. However, there is still time for Burnley to turn the tide and begin churning out results. That can start against a team they know all too well from their previous campaign. Leeds have had a mixed start to life, but ultimately have looked quite good. A loss last time out to Tottenham Hotspur, but were left ruing their missed chances in a game that could've gone either way. Scott Parker will be desperate for a win having lost four of his last five, but will take comfort from the fact they have one of the most in form players in the league, Jaidon Anthony.

Last season saw Burnley edge the head-to-head engagement, which is something that Scott Parker will take confidence from. In addition to this, the only win that Burnley achieved was against the other promoted side. I ultimately believe that Leeds' quick adaptation to the Premier League will see them through this tie.

Predicted Score: Burnley 1-3 Leeds

Notable absentees:

Burnley: Connor Roberts, Jaidon Anthony, Jordan Beyer, Lyle Foster, Zeki Amdouni

Leeds: Daniel James, Lucas Perri, Wilfried Gnoto

Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth

There isn't many clashes outside the traditional 'big six' that grab my attention, but this fixture really does intrigue me. Two teams that are at the top of their games at the moment and have achieved it without spending a fortune. Palace were on an unbeaten run that spanned around 17 games, until it was ended by Everton in the last game week. Bournemouth are the flip side of that as they suffered their only defeat in the first game of the season and have been unbeaten since then. Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola deserve all the praise they can get for getting their sides in such good form.

In terms of this match up I believe it will be decided on who has the home advantage as I can't think of any other factor that could give an advantage. Fortunately for Palace they're the home side. The Eagles boast a sturdier back line whereas Bournemouth can brag about the superior form of their attack. It'll be a fantastic game full of tactical nuances that both sides have shown all season, but it'll be Glasner's men that will grab victory.

Predicted Score: Crystal Palace 2-1 Bournemouth

Notable absentees:

Palace: Chadi Riad, Caleb Kporha, Cheick Doucoure

Bournemouth: Julio Soler, Adam Smith, Enes Unal

Manchester City vs Everton

City are going through a resurgence and are very much a team in form. Doubters wondered how long it would take to transition from the era of Kevin De Bruyne and co, to the future. The answer is almost no time at all. After a shaky start they're now dispatching teams for fun and Everton are left with the task of halting their ascension. David Moyes had Everton playing very well, but it seems like form has taken a dip and this is not the ideal time to face a City side out to prove a point. Having said that, the Toffee's did overcome the challenge of Crystal Palace last time out in the league, ending their unbeaten run.

This won't be as straight forward as Pep Guardiola will want it to be. Clearly the form of Erling Haaland is essential to any plan to win the game, but of course City have winners all over the squad. For all of the talent going forward, Manchester City are still error prone at the back and Everton will have to try and expose the weaknesses. However, that won't be enough to win them the game or even draw it.

Predicted Score: Manchester City 3-1 Everton

Notable absentees:

City: Rayan Ait Nouri, Rodri, Abdukodir Khusanov

Everton: Jack Grealish, Nathan Patterson

Sunderland vs Wolves

It's hard to work out when Wolves will experience their first win. Every time they've looked close they couldn't seal the deal. They're the only team in the league that hasn't won a game yet while also being the team with the joint lowest number of goals scored. Very, very little for the Wolves fans to cheer for and Sunderland will hope to use the anger and frustration to force further misery on to the East Midlands side. Sunderland fans, on the other hand, have a lot to cheer for. They reside in 9th spot, winning three games and only losing once in the last five outings. Admittedly the loss did come in their last fixture as they were beaten by Manchester United.

As mentioned earlier, it's really hard to see Wolves picking up anything more than a draw and I don't even think they'll pick that up. Sunderland know how to beat a Premier League side and will utilise their skills to slay this wounded beast. We could see the newest managerial sacking soon and I wouldn't be surprised.

Predicted Score: Sunderland 2-1 Wolves

Notable absentees:

Sunderland: Ajibola Alese, Noah Sadiki, Omar Alderete, Dennis Cirkin, Leo Hjelde, Reinildo, Habib Diarra, Romaine Mundle

Wolves: Hee-Chan Hwang, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Matt Doherty

Fulham vs Arsenal

An all London affair will see North vs West. Arsenal are in great form, but will be wary of a trip to Craven Cottage due to their recent history being quite poor. They recently overcome bogey games against Newcastle and West Ham, so it's about time that the Gunners put it right this time out. Having entered the international break in top spot, Mikel Arteta will be reminding his team not to get complacent and do what they can to create some separation. Of course that will be out of his hands, but all he can do is maximise his teams chances of winning. Fulham will be hoping their home form will take centre stage as they haven't yet lost in the three games played. However, recent defeats to Aston Villa and Bournemouth will play on their mind.

Arsenal need to make sure they keep winning, it's as simple as that. It then puts pressure on Liverpool and other title chasers. However, Arteta's men notoriously come unstuck against sides that can successfully shut their midfield down. Fulham are brilliant at overloading the middle third of the pitch and then starting quick fire counter attacks. This is a different Arsenal team to the one that was beaten by Fulham last season and I think the variety at which the North London side can get at you will be crucial.

Predicted Score: Fulham 0-2 Arsenal

Notable absentees:

Fulham: Kenny Tete, Antonee Robinson, Rodrigo Muniz, Sasa Lukic, Samuel Chukwueze

Arsenal: Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus

Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa

Aston Villa are experiencing an uptick in form and will be hoping to continue that against a stuttering Spurs side. Despite ending last game week with a win, Thomas Frank will be wary about the fact that it could've gone either way with Leeds United missing a number of chances. Draws to Wolves and Brighton compound the fact that Spurs are there for the taking if you take your chances. If you don't they will punish you. Villa have now made it four games without a loss, better yet the previous two games have been wins. That kind of form will give Unai Emery confidence that his team are finally turning the screw.

This game will depend upon which Spurs side turn up. If they play like they did against Wolves or Bodo/Glimt then they'll suffer, but we know they're capable of beating anyone. They're third in the league and for good reason, but game statistics have not been on their side. They surrender a lot of chances, but just haven't faced a team that can truly punish them. Thomas Frank will have to work out a way to stop his side leaking chances.

Predicted Score: Spurs 1-1 Aston Villa

Notable absentees:

Spurs: Ben Davies, Dejan Kulusevski, Dominic Solanke, James Maddison, Kota Takai, Radu Dragusin, Randal Kolo Muani, Yves Bissouma

Villa: Emi Buendia, Jadon Sancho, Ollie Watkins, Tyrone Mings, Youri Tielemans

Liverpool vs Manchester United

What was once the heaviest clash in the Premier League. The two giants of English football that have turned down different paths over the last decade, but still with that bitter rivalry. I'd say this rivalry is larger than the Merseyside or Manchester derby. Emotions aside, this is clearly a huge game for both sides. Liverpool have had a rocky few weeks since they were beaten by Crystal Palace. They've suffered two defeats on the bounce with goals conceded in the 96th minute, they weren't even able to redeem themselves in the Champions League as Galatasaray edged past them. For United, the good follows the bad and their form represents that. A win one weekend will be a loss the next and unfortunately they won last time out. Ruben Amorim knows his side are dangerous on their day, but can still get put to the sword by a superior side as they found out against Manchester City.

Arne Slot needs to make a statement to the league that his side are still very much favourites for the title. Goals for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak will be much needed and will give them the confidence to kick on. On the flip side, Amorim knows that a win against this Liverpool side could be one of those transformative results. The kind of win that makes the team fearless, we can beat anyone kind of confidence. I do think we'll see more of what Liverpool are capable of than United, but it won't be a large margin.

Predicted Score: Liverpool 3-1 Manchester United

Notable absentees:

Liverpool: Alisson, Giovanni Leoni, Ibrahima Konate, Stefan Bajcetic, Wataru Endo

United: Ayden Heaven, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui

West Ham vs Brentford

To round off this game week it's another all London affair, this time it's East vs West. However, as London derbies go, this isn't the blockbuster that others carry. West Ham haven't yet adjusted to life under Nuno Espirito Santo as he's lost one and drew one of his opening games. In fairness they were both away fixtures to good opponents, so the real test will be how he manages against an opponent on a similar level. Brentford are languishing just above the relegation zone and can certainly see West Ham when they look over their shoulder.

This game has all the makings of a tedious draw that doesn't really tell us much of where either team are heading. Keith Andrews will certainly be the happier of the two managers, but I'm sure even he's worried about what a defeat might do to the morale of his squad. Nuno will be hoping to use this game as a catalyst to propel West Ham up the table and I can certainly see them doing it.

Predicted Score: West Ham 1-0 Brentford

Notable absentees:

West Ham: George Earthy, Jean-Clair Todibo, Niclas Fullkrug

Brentford: Aaron Hickey, Gustavo Gomes

That's my predictions for this game week. I hope you enjoy reading it and seeing how I think your club will fare this weekend. As always, don't take the 'Notable absentee' section as fact because that's just the information provided at the time of writing. The international break often sees more injuries, so take that into account too.

Here's my predictions from GW7

Bournemouth 2-0 Fulham - Correct result!

Leeds United 2-2 Spurs - Incorrect result

Arsenal 4-0 West Ham - Correct result!

Manchester United 2-1 Sunderland - Correct result!

Chelsea 1-3 Liverpool - Incorrect result

Aston Villa 3-1 Burnley - Correct result!

Everton 1-1 Palace - Incorrect result

Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham Forest - Correct result and score!!

Wolves 1-1 Brighton - Correct result and score!!

Brentford 1-3 Manchester City - Correct result!

7/10 correct result

2/10 correct score

3/10 incorrect result