Premier League predictions: Gameweek 8
- Final weekend of Premier League action before October international break
- Arsenal host Manchester City in standout fixture of brilliant round
- Liverpool visit Brighton in Super Sunday opener
Savour it, folks, because you know what's around the corner...
However, before we enjoy the dreariness of another international break, Premier League schedulers have treated us to a tantalising round of action.
The second slate of European group stage fixtures in midweek means Sunday will enjoy a healthy dollop of action this weekend, and what an exciting dollop it is! The two televised fixtures should certainly live up to their 'Super' billing.
Here's how 90min believes the weekend's fixtures will play out in the Premier League.
Premier League predictions: Week 8
Gameweek 9 begins at Kenilworth Road as Luton Town play host to Ange Postecoglou's high-flying Tottenham. Luton fell to a crushing home defeat to Burnley in the week but will be hoping Spurs suffer from some bad karma following last weekend's victory against Liverpool - even if they had no control over the VAR debacle.
There are just three games under the cloud of the 3pm watershed this weekend, with both Chelsea and Manchester United in action. The Blues, fresh off a much-needed win at Fulham, will be looking to secure their third consecutive win in all competitions at Burnley on Saturday. The Clarets are yet to win at Turf Moor this season but secured a huge win at Luton on Wednesday.
As for United, it just keeps getting worse for Erik ten Hag. After their Champions League defeat at home to Galatasaray, the Red Devils play host to a Brentford side that are winless in five Premier League games. Ten Hag is desperate for some respite.
The other 3pm encounter arrives at Goodison Park and it's a big one for both Sean Dyche and Andoni Iraola as Everton and Bournemouth face off. The Toffees undid their good work at Brentford by losing at home to Luton last weekend, while the Cherries have underwhelmed under Iraola so far. The Spaniard will be looking for a win to ignite his reign, while Everton just need a home victory.
Date | Kick-off Time (BST) | Fixture | Prediction |
---|---|---|---|
07/10/23 | 12:30 | Luton Town vs Tottenham | 1-3 |
07/10/23 | 15:00 | Burnley vs Chelsea | 0-1 |
07/10/23 | 15:00 | Everton vs Bournemouth | 2-2 |
07/10/23 | 15:00 | Fulham vs Sheffield United | 2-0 |
07/10/23 | 15:00 | Manchester United vs Brentford | 1-1 |
07/10/23 | 17:30 | Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest | 2-1 |
08/10/23 | 14:00 | Brighton vs Liverpool | 1-2 |
08/10/23 | 14:00 | West Ham vs Newcastle | 1-2 |
08/10/23 | 14:00 | Wolves vs Aston Villa | 1-3 |
08/10/23 | 16:30 | Arsenal vs Manchester City | 1-3 |
Then we delve into the really good stuff on Sunday. The continental travails of Liverpool, Brighton, West Ham and Aston Villa mean they all get an extra day off, and it's Brighton's clash against Liverpool which starts Sunday's action.
The Seagulls enjoyed their duels with the Reds at the AMEX last season, winning both, but Jurgen Klopp's men will be determined to return to winning ways this weekend after their unjust defeat in north London.
West Ham host a buoyant Newcastle at the same time in another intriguing match-up. The Magpies could be a little hungover from their magical European night against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, but they'll be aided by a Hammers side that travelled to Germany on Thursday.
The first Black Country derby of the season will go untelevised in the UK with Wolves welcoming Villa to Molineux where City succumbed last weekend. Wolves were disciplined and efficient in their victory over the champions and might need to produce a similar performance on Sunday after Villa dismantled Brighton 6-1 at Villa Park.
The weekend's action concludes in north London as last season's top two pit their wits against each other at the Emirates. Arsenal are yet to beat a Pep Guardiola-led Manchester City in the Premier League and will have their work cut out this weekend if both Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are absent. Nevertheless, a cracking contest is in store.