In the standout fixture of matchweek 5, Chelsea travel to Tottenham on Sunday. The Blues have a perfect record in the Premier League at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, beating the North London club 1-0 in the same fixture last season, just Thomas Tuchel’s third game in charge.
Manchester United also travel to West Ham on the same day, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men looking to bounce back from their 2-1 Champions League defeat to Young Boys in midweek.
Before predictions for those games can be given, however, there are a host of other quality matches that must be judged…
Newcastle vs Leeds
Both of these teams have endured a difficult start to the season.
Newcastle have one point from four games and were well expectedly beaten by Manchester United at Old Trafford last time out.
Leeds seem to be suffering from second season syndrome, picking up just two points from their four games and being well beaten at home to Liverpool last weekend.
The Yorkshire club possess greater quality than their Geordie opponents, however, and should condemn Steve Bruce’s men to yet another defeat.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-3
Wolves vs Brentford
Wolves finally scored their first goals of the new season last weekend, seeing off Watford at Vicarage Road to also pick up their first win and first points of the season.
Bruno Lage’s men have played some good football across their opening four games, and should arguably have picked up more points than they have.
Brentford, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat since being promoted from the Championship after conceding a late goal at home to Brighton. Like Wolves, they were wasteful with the chances they created.
With both teams playing attacking and exciting football, this should be a good game to kick off Saturday’s action.
SCORE PREDICTION: 2-1
Burnley vs Arsenal
Burnley were in control for the first 60 minutes against Everton on Monday night, before being blown away in a six-minute spell.
It was the story of the Clarets’ season so far, playing some good football and creating chances but being unable to take more than one of them.
They will fancy their chances of victory this weekend, however. Despite their win against Norwich last Saturday, Arsenal still look fragile, and probably won’t be up to the physical battle at Turf Moor.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-0
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace
Liverpool were excellent in their victory at Elland Road last Sunday, creating so many chances that the 3-0 score line flattered Leeds.
Crystal Palace enjoyed a similarly brilliant performance – and the exact same score line – in their win against Tottenham, new signing Odsonne Edouard coming off the bench to score two goals on his debut.
They will pose a threat to the Reds on the counter. Unfortunately for them, they will also play into Liverpool’s hands when they try and play out from the back.
SCORE PREDICTION: 3-1
Manchester City vs Southampton
Manchester City secured an important win away at Leicester last weekend, before backing this up with a 6-3 win at home to RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday. That result took their goal tally at the Etihad this season to a quite incredible 16 goals from three games.
Their opponents this weekend are yet to win, but have picked up three points in their last three games after consecutive draws.
They will do well to continue that streak this weekend.
SCORE PREDICTION: 4-0
Norwich vs Watford
Even at this early stage in the season, this game is a six pointer.
The only team without a point so far this season, Norwich continue to be plagued by finishing problems, creating some good chances but being unable to put the ball in the back of the net. Get beaten by Watford this weekend and their losing streak will extend to 15 games, just five behind Sunderland’s record of 20 between 2003 and 2005.
The Hornets have a good record against Daniel Farke’s Norwich, winning all four games while the German has been in charge.
They have struggled since their brilliant opening day victory against Aston Villa, however, losing their last three games without scoring.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-1
Aston Villa vs Everton
Despite suffering a 3-0 defeat at Chelsea last weekend, Aston Villa presented a good account of themselves, especially in the first half where they took the game to the Blues and would have scored but for Edouard Mendy.
Everton extended their brilliant start to the season at home to Burnley on Monday night, new signings Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray both getting on the scoresheet as they continue to impress.
Two evenly matched teams, it should be a good game at Villa Park.
SCORE PREDICTION: 2-2
Brighton vs Leicester
Brighton’s excellent start to the season continued last time out, the Seagulls taking their third win in four games after Leandro Trossard’s late goal at Brentford. By comparison, it took Graham Potter’s team 19 games before they won three fixtures last season.
Despite suffering defeat at the hands of Manchester City last weekend, Leicester have also enjoyed a solid start to the season.
They won’t have it all their own way but, having won on their last visit to the Amex Stadium, the Foxes should have enough quality to do the same again.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2
West Ham vs Manchester United
How will West Ham cope with their first Thursday-Sunday of the season? The Hammers enjoyed a brilliant win away to Dinamo Zagreb as they got their Europa League campaign off to a perfect start but, with a relatively thin squad, they might soon become stretched.
They will also be missing Michail Antonio, a real blow for David Moyes’ team after the striker’s excellent start to the season.
Manchester United will also be looking to bounce back from Tuesday’s chastening defeat to Young Boys in the Champions League.
Expect Ronaldo to get on the scoresheet for the third game running as United inflict West Ham’s first defeat of the season in a closely fought game.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2
Tottenham vs Chelsea
After being the only club to win their opening three Premier League games, Tottenham crashed back down to earth with an almighty bang at Crystal Palace last weekend, being outplayed and comprehensively beaten.
Following this up with a laboured 2-2 draw at Rennes in the Europa Conference League on Thursday, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men will have their work cut out against Chelsea, especially with personnel missing in defence.
Spearheaded by Romelu Lukaku, the Blues are in ominous form and have a squad stacked with talent. They should therefore secure a comfortable victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
