Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 4

SATURDAY:

SOUTHAMPTON V MAN UNITED

Southampton got off the mark last week with their win at Leicester which was massive for them as they had not won in a long time going into that game. They showed character to come from behind and win in that one and the result will hopefully give them the confidence to get more results like that.

The Saints drew both games with United last season 1-1 and have only lost this very fixture once in their last four games. This will give them some encouragement going into this game but they'll still be expecting a tough game. Especially after United's response on Monday night.

Man United looked a completely different team against Liverpool compared to the one we saw against Brentford the week before with their work rate and organisation being much improved. They were better in every department and that result will hopefully be a turning point in their season.

The signing of Casemiro should make a difference as he's someone they definitely needed. This transfer could go two ways but having someone of his quality and experience will be a massive boost for United and their season.

PREDICTION: 0-2

I'm going for a Man United here as they'll have a lot of confidence on board after their win over Liverpool and I think having Casemiro in their midfield will make a difference for them. The Saints will try and press them but I think Erik Ten Hag's side will come flying out the blocks in this one.

BRENTFORD V EVERTON

Brentford didn't look at all solid in their defeat to Fulham last weekend with the first two goals being poorly defended. They did however show some character to get back into the game and character is one of the key strengths they have.

Everton got their first point of the season against Nottingham Forest last time out in a game where they felt that they could've won. They created a lot of good chances towards the end of that game but they weren't able to make the most of them. They really need that striker.

If they are to get that striker they need to hurry up and get it now because there is less than a week till the transfer window closes. With Anthony Gordon potentially on his way out as well, the Toffees could be in for another tough season. Especially if they don't sign that striker.

PREDICTION: 1-0

I'm backing Brentford to win this one because they're strong at home and are looking the stronger team at this moment in time. With Everton still without Calvert Lewin and the Bees having Ivan Toney available, they should win this one.

BRIGHTON V LEEDS

It's been a very good start to the season for Brighton winning two and drawing one of their opening three games. I'm finally starting to appreciate the job that Graham Potter is doing there because of the team he has built and the way he has them playing. He's taken the Seagulls from being a side fighting to avoid relegation to a side that looks well established in the Premier League.

Leeds have also made a good start to the season and their confidence must be sky high after their win over Chelsea last Sunday. I had them down as one of my favourites for relegation in pre-season after losing Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips but if they can keep up their strong start, I might change my mind on them.

PREDICTION: 1-0

I'm going for a Brighton win here because I think they might just edge this one. They have been known as draw specialists and particularly at home but I still think they'll nick another win here.

CHELSEA V LEICESTER

Both sides have not had convincing starts to the season and will want to put things right with a good result in this game.

Chelsea's problems are well documented in that they need a striker who can put the ball in the net. Kai Havertz is a good player but is not a centre forward who will guarantee you goals on a regular basis. They create enough chances for him but for some reason he just can't take them. It's probably down to a lack of confidence.

Things are looking very worrying for Leicester at the moment and with the club yet to sign players and at risk of losing one or two key players with one of them potentially going to Chelsea in Wesley Fofana. I can't see him play in this one for that very reason as the speculation may have an effect on his performance.

PREDICTION: 2-2

Chelsea will be looking to respond after their defeat at Leeds last Sunday but I think Leicester could give them a game here. The Foxes' haven't got off to the best of starts but given that Chelsea can't finish teams off at the moment, I can see them nick a draw here.

LIVERPOOL V BOURNEMOUTH

It hasn't been a good start from Liverpool and I guess that number of their fans are starting to feel concerned. I have a feeling this season could be like the one they had in the 2009/10 season where they lost Xabi Alonso who they really struggled without. This season they've lost Sadio Mane and it looks like they're really missing him.

They have a lot of injuries at the moment which could be another reason for their slow start. If they can get those injured players back fit, maybe their season might turn itself around.

Bournemouth will be glad that this will be the last of their tough run of games after facing Man City and Arsenal before this tough clash against Liverpool. It hasn't been a nice start for them on their return to the Premier League and they'll be happy that they have a more favourable run in after this game.

PREDICTION: 2-0

Despite their poor start I think Liverpool will this one. Bournemouth aren't a team who are going to press like the reds' three previous opponents and because of that I think the reds should definitely respond and get the win here.

MAN CITY V CRYSTAL PALACE

Man City were given a good game by Newcastle last time out where Kyle Walker was given a tough time by Allan Saint Maximin. He may have another tough game in this one as he'll be up against Wilfried Zaha who is like Saint Maximin in that he's quick and has a lot of tricks in his locker.

Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira has never lost against Man City and his side took four points of them last season including a 2-0 win in this fixture. This will definitely give his side confidence going into this game but this he'll be up against a much stronger City side. Especially with Erling Haaland leading their attack.

PREDICTION: 2-2

I fancy Palace to get something here as they have the pace in their attack to cause City problems. They caused Liverpool problems a couple of weeks ago with the pace of Eze and Zaha and I can see them do the same here. City will still play their usual game but I think Palace will give them a game here with the pace they have in their attack.

ARSENAL V FULHAM

Arsenal are the only side with a 100% record so far this season winning all three of their games so far. Gabriel Jesus has obviously been a good signing after the start he's made plus the team itself is looking strong in all areas.

I do think they'll be tested when the Europa League games come around but for now the signs are looking very good and there is finally a feel good factor about them. There is more positivity around them now than there has been for the last many years.

Fulham have made a decent start to life back in the Premier League and they're showing signs of improvement from their last couple of spells at this level. They're going into games with the right mind-set which is something they they didn't do enough of in their recent spells and they're also learning from the mistakes they made during those two spells.

They're seeing less possession of the ball than they did in the Championship and they're not as open defensively as they were in the past. This was the case in their win over Brentford last weekend and they'll have to do the same here if they're to get a result from this game.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I'm going for another Arsenal win here because I can see them keep up their good start with another win from this game. Fulham will try and unsettle them like they did to Liverpool on the opening day but I think the Gunners will still have enough to win the game.

SUNDAY:

ASTON VILLA V WEST HAM

Both sides haven't had the best of starts to the season and will both have a point to prove going into this game.

Aston Villa started strongly in their defeat to Crystal Palace last week but couldn't build on it as they wasted a number of opportunities. Most of those opportunities came in the first half where they were arguably the better side and they might've got something if they took those chances.

West Ham have got off to a surprisingly slow start this season where they're yet to pick up a single point. They have had injuries and particularly in their backline but I was still expecting them to have some points on the board.

They looked low on energy and flat against Brighton last Sunday with playing in Europe possibly playing a part. They can't used tiredness as an excuse as it's still very early in the season but playing in Europe could again have an effect on their performances like it did towards the end of last season.

PREDICTION: 0-0

This fixture is rarely a classic and both sides are not in fantastic form going into it. West Ham will probably again feel slightly off the pace after playing in Europe in midweek whilst Villa will respond but won't play particularly well.

WOLVES V NEWCASTLE

Wolves played well in the first half against Spurs last weekend but weren't able to make the most of their advantage. Bruno Lage would've been encouraged by the performance but will be disappointed that his side couldn't take their chances. Goals still appear to be a problem for them.

Having Raul Jimenez back will be a massive boost after the Mexican marked his return from injury with a goal against Preston in the Carabao Cup in midweek. He might not be the player he was before his horrific injury a couple of years ago but having him back will still be a big boost for Wolves.

Newcastle were outstanding against Man City last Sunday and I have a strong feeling that they'll play like that whenever they take on the big teams. They caused City all kinds of problems by getting in behind their full backs which not many teams can do and their performance will give them a lot of confidence going into those kind of games.

The signing of Alexander Isak is for me a statement signing for them because he's going to bring a lot of quality to that Newcastle side. He may not have had his best season last season but with the potential he has and the promise he's already shown, he'll be seen as someone who can take Newcastle onto another level.

PREDICTION: 0-2

I fancy Newcastle to win this one because they have more confidence on board and are looking the stronger side in every department. Wolves are again struggling to score goals whereas the Magpies look the more clinical side which is what will give the edge in this game.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V TOTTENHAM

Nottingham Forest have made an ok start to life back in the Premier League which Steve Cooper will be more than satisfied with. He would take that kind of start any day of the week and it will hopefully give his side a platform to build on for the rest of the season.

Spurs weren't at their best for much of their win over Wolves last time out but they did find a way to win which is something the majority of top teams do. I'm not saying that they're going to challenge for the title but winning that game in the way they did shows that they have the ability to win games when they're not at their best.

PREDICTION: 0-3

I'm going for a Spurs win here because I think they'll have more than enough to win this game. They're far superior in quality compared to Forest and because of that I can see them win this one reasonably6 comfortably.