Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 10

FRIDAY:

BRENTFORD V BRIGHTON

Brentford were punished for their own mistakes last weekend against Newcastle with two of the goals they conceded coming from poor decision making at the back. It was so unlike unlike Brentford be so poor defensively in that one as they're usually a team who are well organised in that department.

The Bees are pretty strong at home and have been this season with both of their wins against Man United and Leeds coming at home. They did lose their last home game against Arsenal but their form at home this season has still been decent and will give them confidence going into this game.

I thought Brighton were a bit sloppy against Spurs last weekend although there were promising aspects of their performance. They created a lot of chances going forward but they did give the ball away a number of times in possession and particularly at the back.

The Seagulls did the double over Brentford last season and will believe that they can do so again this season. They may have a different manager in charge in Roberto De Zerbi but the confidence and belief is still there.

PREDICTION: 1-3

I'm going for a Brighton win here because I can see them cause Brentford a lot of problems in the way they'll approach the game. They're a front footed team under De Zerbi as seen in their draw with Liverpool and I can see that approach giving them their first win under their new manager.

SATURDAY:

LEICESTER V CRYSTAL PALACE

Leicester's defensive problems came back to bite them against Bournemouth last time out with both of the goals they conceded being poorly defended. They were let down by individual mistakes which they need to snap out of if they're to push themselves up the league and kick-start their season.

They appeared to have some much needed confidence back after their win over Nottingham Forest the week before which was meant to be a turning point in their season. But it didn't turn out that way against Bournemouth and they're going to need to pick themselves up again for this one.

Crystal Palace picked up a much needed win last weekend against Leeds where they showed character to come from behind and win the game. Eberechi Eze was no doubt the star of the show and it's good to see him back on the pitch and playing well after an injury disrupted season last year.

It has been a tough start to the season for Palace with the fixtures they've had with four of them being against last season's top six. But with some winnable games coming up between now and the World Cup, their season will hopefully kick itself into life.

PREDICTION: 1-3

I'm going for a Crystal Palace win here because I can see them cause Leicester's flaky backline all kinds of problems. They have the players to do so in Zaha, Eze and Olise in particular and I can see those three cause a lot of damage here.

FULHAM V BOURNEMOUTH

Fulham could have Aleksandar Mitrovic back for this one which will no doubt be a massive boost for them. The Cottagers really missed him in their recent defeats to Newcastle and West Ham as they lacked a focal point up top and someone to put the ball in the net. With him possibly back for this one, the COttagers will be looking for a return to winning ways.

Bournemouth surely have to give Gary O'Neil the full time managers job soon after the form they've been in during his tenure. They've been difficult to beat and competitive in every game since taking over Scott Parker who claimed that they're not good for this level. O'Neill has certainly showed that they can be.

They're also a side who have character of which they showed in their win over Leicester where they came from behind to win the game. They showed that character in their over over Nottingham Forest last month and if they carry on showing it between now and the end of the season, they have a good chance of staying up.

PREDICTION: 1-1

These drew both fixtures in the Championship last season and I can see them do the same in this one. Fulham might have Mitrovic back but given the character that Bournemouth have showed under Gary O'Neil, I can see them nick a point here.

WOLVES V NOTTINGHAM FOREST

We may be 9 games in but this game will feel like a relegation six pointer with both sides struggling at the wrong end and needing a win.

Wolves' search for a new manager suffered a set back during the week with Julen Lopetegui turning them down and it looks like it could be a while till they have someone to fill the hot seat. There is no obvious favourite for the job in my opinion and that could make their task of finding someone even more challenging.

They got outplayed by Chelsea last weekend where again they failed to score. Goals are still an issue for them with just 3 scored so far this season. Whoever comes in needs to sort that out or they'll be in deep trouble.

Nottingham Forest put in a decent performance against Aston Villa on Monday night where they picked up a much needed point. They'll be disappointed that they threw away another lead but the result and performance will give them a lot of confidence going into this game.

Steve Cooper signing that new contract last week could be seen in two ways. He signed it to ease the pressure off him or he signed it as club have full faith in him to take them forward long term. The next month or two could tell us what they're thinking was behind the new contract.

PREDICTION: 0-2

Both sides have problems at different ends of the field with Wolves struggling to score goals and Forest struggling to keep them out. But with Wolves yet to appoint a new manager, I can see Forest take the points here as they have some confidence on board after their much needed point and performance against Villa on Monday.

TOTTENHAM V EVERTON

Spurs played some good stuff at times during their midweek win over Eintracht Frankfurt with their front three looking lively throughout. Son showed signs that he's getting back to his best with the goals he scored which was good to see and a lot of us will be expecting him to kick on now.

Everton lost this fixture 5-0 last season where they were at the time all over the place defensively. Their defensive transformation since then has been incredible as they go into this one with the joint best defence in the league.

The only positive thing I took out of the Toffees' defeat to Man United last weekend was the return of Dominic Calvert Lewin. He didn't make a big impact when he came on but having him back is still a massive boost for Everton. Once he's up and running fitness wise, the goals will surely start coming.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I'm backing Spurs to win this one because I think they'll have more than enough quality to win the game. Everton will try and make it difficult for them but with Son looking back to his best and Kane in good form I think Spurs will have no problems here.

SUNDAY:

ASTON VILLA V CHELSEA

I'm not sure that Aston Villa are going anywhere at the moment under Steven Gerrard based on their indifferent start to the season. Their fans are beginning to get frustrated and understandably so because they're yet to see a convincing performance from their team this season.

Goals have been a problem for Villa this season and it was again evident in their draw with Nottingham Forest on Monday night. They again had a lot of chances but couldn't take any of them and this has to be a worry for them and Steven Gerrard.

Chelsea have made a good start under Graham Potter under whom they're playing some good stuff. They picked up another comfortable win in midweek against AC Milan where they were dominant throughout and they'll be looking to put in another performance like that in this one.

The Blues have however been dealt a big injury blow with Reece James going off injured in midweek. James has probably been Chelsea's best player this season and his injury will be a concern for both Graham Potter and Gareth Southgate.

PREDICTION: 0-2

I've got to give Chelsea the win here because of the form they've been in under Graham Potter. They've been excellent in almost every game they've played under him and I can see them put in another convincing performance against an out of sorts Villa team.

LEEDS V ARSENAL

Leeds are not in great form going into this one having not won since that win over Chelsea in August. They've had their moments in recent games in that they've created a lot of chances and been dominant but they haven't been able to make the most of them.

Arsenal have been talked about as potential title contenders recently and especially after their win over Liverpool last weekend. I wouldn't talk about them as contenders just yet though as it's still early in the season plus there is the question on whether they can perform when the pressure is on them.

The fans have the right to feel optimistic because of how well they've started the season but there might be some who are not getting too carried away. The Gunners have been like that in the past and they've often disappointed so there might be some fans who may be little bit cautious.

PREDICTION: 0-3

I'm going for an Arsenal win here because they're in great form and I can see them keep it up in this one. They have players who can cause Leeds all kinds of problems and I can see them do exactly that in this one.

MAN UNITED V NEWCASTLE

I thought Man United responded well to their Manchester Derby defeat last weekend against Everton where they controlled the game pretty well after going behind. Casemiro proved what a difference he'll make for them during that game despite being responsible for the Everton goal whilst Antony is looking like a very good signing for them.

United have a very good record in this fixture and they'll no doubt be looking to keep it up with another win here. It will be interesting to see if Cristiano Ronaldo starts after coming off the bench to score the winner against Everton. He'll certainly want to because of the standards he sets but it wouldn't surprise me if he doesn't.

Newcastle were bottom of the league without a single win to their name at this stage of last season. One year later they already have three victories and are in the top six. The last year has been one incredible transformation both on and off the pitch and both the owners and manager deserve a lot of credit for the way they've turned the club around.

They're season has got up and running recently after back to back comprehensive wins over Fulham and Brentford. They'll be full of confidence going into this one as a result of those results and they'll no doubt be looking to give United a good game.

PREDICTION: 2-1

I'm backing United to win this one but I do think Newcastle will make it a close game. The Magpies will try and cause them some problems but I think United will find a way to win like they did against Arsenal last month who played well against them on the day.

SOUTHAMPTON V WEST HAM

Southampton find themselves one place and one point above the relegation zone going into this game making this one a must win game. The pressure is still on Ralph Hasenhuttl after four straight defeats and he needs a result in this one or his side could drop into the relegation zone itself.

West Ham are beginning to pick up some form after back to back wins over Wolves and Fulham. Getting players back from injury has helped a lot as has the return to form of some of their key players with Jarrod Bowen being the main example.

Gianluca Scamacca is looking like a good signing after impressing against Fulham where he scored a delightful goal and put in an all round good performance. He looks like the kind of player the Hammers have lacked for a number of years in a no.9 who can score goals on a consistent basis.

PREDICTION: 1-2

I'm backing West Ham to win here because they have more confidence on board and are gaining momentum. They don't have a great record at St Mary's but given the for they're currently in, I think they'll win this one.

LIVERPOOL V MAN CITY

These two sides met in the Community Shield back in July with Liverpool winning convincingly. Many thought Liverpool would kick on this season after that result but for some reason it hasn't turned out that way. Their high press hasn't been there at all whilst defensively they have not looked watertight.

The reds will be without both Trent Alexander Arnold and Luis Diaz for this one which is a massive blow for them going into a game like this one. They did well without them in midweek against Rangers but with this game being against better opposition, they could really do with them both.

Man City had a rare off day in midweek against Copenhagen where nothing went their way at all. They had a goal wrongly disallowed and has a penalty saved alongside having a man sent off. Erling Haaland being on the bench was surprising but I can possibly see why he was with a game like this in mind.

City have a poor record at Anfield having won just twice there over the last 20 years. This will probably be the first time in a long time that they'll be going into this fixture as clear favourites which is arely the case due to their poor record there. But given the form they've been in this season and Liverpool currently looking out of sorts, you have to say that they're the clear favourites here.

PREDICTION: 1-3

I've got to back City here because they're in much better form and are the much better team at this moment in time. With Liverpool struggling defensively and City having a certain striker in great form, I can see them win this one fairly comfortably.