Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 5

jonjoward1998
Aug 30, 2022
9 min read

TUESDAY:

CRYSTAL PALACE V BRENTFORD

Crystal Palace were excellent in the first half against Man City on Saturday as they were organised and caused City some problems. They will of course be disappointed that they didn't hold on to the lead they had but their first half performance will give them plenty of encouragement.

There have been positives from all of Palace's games this season in terms of the performances they've put in. They might have one win to their name so far which is understandable given the tough fixtures they've had. But their performances have been encouraging and will give them a lot of confidence going into this game.

Brentford will be kicking themselves that they didn't beat Everton on Saturday simply because of the amount of chances they had. They missed a number of sitters among the many chances they had on the day and will feel that they should've won the game.

PREDICTION: 2-1

This one should be a close game as they're both very good teams to watch. I'm backing Palace to edge it though as they can be very strong at home. They might be without Zaha for this one but I still think they'll take the points here because of the other options they have.

FULHAM V BRIGHTON

Fulham played well in their defeat to Arsenal on Saturday like they have done in all their games this season. They've played like a Premier League side in all their games this season which is a very encouraging sign for them moving forward.

Brighton have made a very good start this season as they're 4th in the league and unbeaten. I like the way they play and I also like the manager they have in Graham Potter who has done a remarkable job ever since he's been there. They're looking like a well established Premier League side.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I fancy Fulham to win this one because I like the way they've approached all their games this season. They'll approach this one like they approached their game against Brentford and with Mitrovic in good form, I can see them win this one.

SOUTHAMPTON V CHELSEA

Southampton put in a good performance in their defeat Man United on Saturday as the put in a lot of effort and had some good chances to score. They'll feel that they should've got something from the game because of the effort they put in and they'll need to show more than that if they're to have a good season.

The Saints were beaten 6-0 in this fixture last season and will want show that they've toughened up defensively ever since that drubbing. Their performance against Man United will give them some sort of encouragement and they'll be looking to carry that performance into this game.

Chelsea responded well to their defeat to Leeds with a decent performance in their win over Leicester on Saturday and even after going down to 10 men they still looked like the team in control. The link up between Reece James and Raheem Sterling looks promising and it's possible we could see that take place with England at the World Cup.

PREDICTION: 1-1

I'm going for a draw here because I think both sides do have a tedency to miss a lot of chances. Southampton missed some great opportunities against United in their last game whilst Chelsea are lacking an out an out no.9 to put the ball in the net. The blues will be tough to beat defensively with Koulibaly back from suspension but I can see this being another game where they won't take their chances.

LEEDS V EVERTON

Leeds have won both of their home games this season against Wolves and Chelsea which will give them confidence going into this game. They did lose their unbeaten start to the season against Brighton on Saturday but as they're back at home for this one with a full crowd behind them, they'll still go into this one with some confidence on board after winning their opening two at Elland Road.

Everton finally ended their search for a striker a few days ago with the signing of Neal Maupay from Brighton. He may not score goals on a regular basis but he is someone who can step up when needed and he's definitely going to have to until Dominic Calvert Lewin is back fit.

Draws from their last two games against Nottingham Forest and Everton will hopefully give the Toffees a platform to build on as they look to get their first win of the season and push up the league. They do have some tough fixtures coming up but getting that first win here will certainly give them some confidence going into those tough games.

PREDICTION: 2-1

I'm backing Leeds to win this one because they've made a strong start at home and I can see them keep it up with another win in this one. Everton will cause them problems on the counter but with the home crowd behind them, I think Leeds will just edge this one.

WEDNESDAY:

ARSENAL V ASTON VILLA

Arsenal are still the only side with a 100% record this season and they really showed some character to come from behind at beat Fulham on Saturday. There is a stronger mentality at the club this season than there has been for many years and their win over Fulham showed us why in their way they came from behind to win the game.

It's been a poor start to the season for Aston Villa and I'm not sure that Steven Gerrard knows his best team yet. Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings in the same team doesn't work as their defeat to West Ham showed us and they would in my opinion be better off playing a 4-3-3 instead of the diamond formation they've used at times during Gerrard's reign.

The pressure is no doubt on Gerrard to get results especially with Man City coming up after this tough game against Arsenal. I do think the pressure on him is a bit unfair as Villa should be aiming for at least a top 10 finish which is still achievable. But he needs to get results and quickly.

PREDICTION: 3-1

I've got to go with an Arsenal win here because they have more confidence on board and have more in quality. Considering the state Villa are in at the moment, I can see the Gunners win this one reasonably comfortably.

BOURNEMOUTH V WOLVES

Bournemouth will be glad that their recent tough run of games has come to an end. But their 9-0 defeat at Liverpool on Saturday was a real confidence killer. They do have some winnable games coming up but recovering from that kind of score line will be very tough. Especially as they're a newly promoted team.

Wolves are yet to win a game this season but there were some good moments in their draw with Newcastle on Sunday. Pedro Neto's performance was pleasing as he caused Newcastle many problems and it's good to see him back on the pitch after many months out with an ACL injury.

They will however be kicking themselves for not taking their chances which happens quite a lot with them. Goals are still a problem for them and they need to sort it out quickly if they're to get some points on the board.

PREDICTION: 0-2

I'm backing Wolves to win this one because I think Bournemouth will be very low on confidence after their defeat to Liverpool. Bruno Lage's side do have problems scoring goals but I think they'll take their chances in this one.

MAN CITY V NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Man City really came out the blocks in the second half against Crystal Palace with Erling Haaland's hat trick no doubt at the heart of it. The Norwegian really came to life in that second half after a reasonably quiet first half and you have to say that he's settled into the Premier League pretty well after scoring 6 goals in his opening four games.

Nottingham Forest really went for it against Spurs on Sunday as they created a lot of very good chances which they unfortunately couldn't take. Steve Cooper will be more than happy with his sides' performance and he'll be hoping that his side can carry it into this game and their other games later in the season.

This one will no doubt be their biggest test of the season with it being against the defending Champions in Man City who are blessed with a lot of world class talent. Steve Cooper should learn a lot about the Premier League from this game in how ruthless it can be.

PREDICTION: 5-0

I'm backing City to win this one and comfortably because their quality is far superior compared to Forest. Steve Cooper's side will try and give it a go, but I think City will be too good for them. Especially with Erling Haaland being in the form he's in.

WEST HAM V TOTTENHAM

West Ham finally got themselves off the mark on Sunday with their win at Aston Villa in a game that was low on quality for the majority of it. But David Moyes won't care about that as he was more focused on his side getting their first win of the season and getting off the mark.

The Hammers have won this fixture for the last two seasons and will believe that they can do so again in this one. They will be up against a stronger Spurs team than the one they faced in those games but the Hammers will still back themselves to get another win against them at the London Stadium.

It's been a very good start to the season for Spurs but my only worry for them is that Heung Min Son is yet to get himself going. Harry Kane has started the seaosn in fine form as he's already got four goals to his name and he's going to need Son to step up soon as Spurs so have some tricky fixtures coming up.

Yves Bissouma could make his debut for Spurs in this one with Rodrigo Bentancur unlikely to feature after going off with a head injury during their win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Bentancur's good form has kept Bissouma on the bench this season and this game will be a massive opportunity for him to show the manager what he's capable of.

PREDICTION: 0-1

I'm backing Spurs to win this one because they've made a strong start to the season and I think they'll have enough quality to win this game. West Ham will try and make it difficult for them but with Harry Kane in good form and with a good record against West Ham, I can see Spurs edging this one.

LIVERPOOL V NEWCASTLE

Liverpool looked very much like their old selves against Bournemouth on Saturday which was a game that suited them in that Bournemouth didn't press them high like their other opponents did. The results and performance will give them confidence but they'll be expecting a tougher game in this one.

Newcastle will fancy themselves to get something here after giving Man City a good game couple of weeks ago. Their performance from that game will give them the belief and confidence that they can get results against the big teams and Eddie Howe will be looking to replicate that in this game.

The only thing stopping them however is that they'll be without Callum Wilson and possibly Allan Saint Maximin. They do have Chris Wood but he's yet to find his shooting boots as a Newcastle player whilst new signing Alexander Isak is waiting for his VISA to be approved.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I'm backing Liverpool to build on their win over Bournemouth here mainly because Newcastle will be without Callum Wilson. Wilson is someone who would make a difference in these kind of games like he showed against Man City. Newcastle will still go for it but with Liverpool having a strong home record alongside the fact that Newcastle will be without Wilson, the reds should have enough to win here.

THURSDAY:

LEICESTER V MAN UNITED

These are worrying times for Leicester mainly because they've made a poor start and are yet to bring in any players. Wesley Fofana is close to joining Chelsea which is a massive blow for them and I really can't see them bring in a replacement with just a couple of days left till the window closes.

I thought they played well in their defeat to Chelsea in that they created a lot of chances but didn't take them. They'll feel that they should've got something because of that and the fact that they had an extra player on the pitch. If they play like they did against Chelsea in this one, they might get something.

Man United are beginning to turn things around after back to back wins over Liverpool and Southampton which have given the team much more belief. They're looking more together as a team and are much more organised defensively with the partnership of Martinez and Varane making a massive difference.

I think they should let Cristiano Ronaldo leave because I think they're a better team without him. They're a better team with Marcus Rashford through the middle because he's someone who is willing to press high which is what Erik Ten Hag wants. He's certainly done that in the last two games.