Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 6

SATURDAY:

EVERTON V LIVERPOOL

Everton appear to be struggling to kill games off at the moment having gone ahead in their last two games but later conceding. Goals have been a problem for them this season which is understandable as they haven't had a clinical enough striker to lead their attack.

Liverpool will need to start well in this one having one behind in 8 of their last 9 league games. This is a worry for Jurgen Klopp's side going into this game but they are a team who are capable of turning games around as they've shown many times over the last few seasons. They showed it against Newcastle in midweek where they left it really late to win the game.

The reds will be boosted by the return of Darwin Nunez for this one with the Uruguayan back from his three game suspension. With this game being a derby and a feisty one at times, Nunez will need to keep his head cool so the reds don't lose him to another suspension.

PREDICTION: 0-0

I can see this one be a dull game because I think Everton are going to frustrate Liverpool. The reds will have Darwin Nunez back but with Everton being pretty solid defensively and this game being at Goodison, I can see them nick a draw here. But a goalless draw as goals are a problem for them.

BRENTFORD V LEEDS

Brentford have shown character in most of their games this season including their draw with Crystal Palace in midweek where they came from behind to snatch a draw. They're a side who never know when they're beaten and it's for that reason that they're going to avoid the second season syndrome this season.

This fixture last season was the one that sealed Leeds' fate as a Premier League with their 2-1 win securing their safety. This one won't be as much of must win game than the last one was but Leeds will still be looking to get something from it in order to keep up their strong start.

They put in a much better showing in the second half than they did in the first half against Everton in midweek as they asked more questions of the Everton defence. Losing Rodrigo will be a blow after the start to the season he's had but they did see Patrick Bamford return which will no doubt be a welcome boost.

PREDICTION: 2-2

I can see this one be a close game as both sides have made decent starts to the season. Leeds did win this fixture last season but with Brentford being a side that show character, I can see them nick a draw here.

CHELSEA V WEST HAM

Chelsea did not look at all convincing defensively against Southampton midweek with both of the goals they conceded being poorly defended. There was not enough closing down whenever they had to defend and Thomas Tuchel definitely had a point when he said after the game that his side were soft.

The blues could hand Wesley Fofana his debut in this one following his arrival from Leicester on Wednesday. He might've had just one season to properly prove himself having been injured for a lot of last season but he still looks like a very good signing for Chelsea as he's someone who they can build their team around.

West Ham will disappointed that they didn't come away with anything against Spurs in midweek as they had more than enough chances to win the game. They caused Spurs many problems in the second half especially and their performance overall was arguably their best one this season.

PREDICTION: 1-1

Both sides have had problems scoring goals this season and I can see those problems com to the fore in this one. They both look reasonably solid defensively on paper but going forward they haven't shown signs of being clinical in front of goal.

NEWCASTLE V CRYSTAL PALACE

Newcastle were in the game against Liverpool in midweek where Alexander Isak impressed and scored on his debut. I didn't think he would feature in that one with his VISA yet to be approved but in the end it was and he ended up having a good debut.

The Magpies are again going to be without Wilson and Saint Maximin for this one and quite possibly Bruno Guimaraes who is a doubt. They did ok without them against Liverpool but they won't want them out for too long because of how important they all are.

Crystal Palace sat back after going ahead against Brentford in midweek which is something that they tend to do at times. They did that in their game against Man City last weekend when they went 2-0 up before losing the game 4-2. They do play some good football but they need to stop sitting back when they're ahead.

PREDICTION: 1-1

I can see this one be a good and close game as they both play a similar way. Both sides will again go for it like they have done in most of their games this season but I think they'll cancel each other out here.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V BOURNEMOUTH

Nottingham Forest were taught a Premier League lesson by Man City in midweek and I reckon Steven Cooper would've learnt a lot from that game. He remained upbeat after that by saying that the result won't defy their season which is absolutely spot on because it was one game and any season is not decided on one game.

Bournemouth put in a much improved performance against Wolves in midweek by being more defensively organised. They needed to show a response to their thrashing by Liverpool and the performance they put in will give them a platform to build on.

I was very surprised with their decision to sack Scott Parker with it being very early in season and only four games being played. But I cam somewhat understand why after his comments after the Liverpool when he said that his side were unequipped to play in the Premier League which is not a good thing to say in public.

PREDICTION: 2-1

I'm backing Forest to win here because I think they have more quality in their side. Bournemouth did beat them to automatic promotion last season and I can see them use that as motivation to help them win this game.

TOTTENHAM V FULHAM

Spurs weren't really at their best against West Ham in midweek with their opponents having the better chances and arguably being the better side. They did have one decision go against them with that decision being the handball that wasn't given and Antonio Conte probably felt that decision was what cost his team the win.

They will however be happy with their start to the season as they're still unbeaten and 3rd in the league. They've shown a lot of encouraging signs this season and they're looking a much stronger team than they were last season.

Fulham already have 8 points from 5 games this season and no newly promoted side with that amount of points at this stage of the season has ever been relegated. That will give them confidence but they'll know that they have to keep up their good start in order to have a good chances of staying up.

The Cottagers have given it a good go in these sort of games this season as they went toe to with Liverpool on the opening day and gave Arsenal a good game last weekend. They'll definitely be looking to make it a tough afternoon for Spurs and their performances from those games will give them confidence that they can do that.

PREDICTION: 2-1

I think Spurs will win this one but I don't think it will be a comfortable game for them. Fulham will give it a good go like they did against Liverpool and Arsenal but with a striker like Harry Kane in good form and available for Spurs, I think they'll edge this one.

WOLVES V SOUTHAMPTON

Wolves are still without a win this season and I'm starting to worry for them. They have Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea in three of their next four games and I fear that they could really be in big trouble once those games have been completed.

They're currently sitting in the bottom three and they still have the same problems in scoring goals. Their draw with Bournemouth in midweek was another one of those games for them where they had a lot of chances but didn't take any of them. They need to do something about that issue very soon or they will be in big trouble.

Southampton have started the season pretty well with 7 points from 5 games which is a decent start for them. Their new signings have impressed since they've come in and they're beginning to prove some people wrong with many of them including myself tipping them to struggle.

They'll be full of confidence after beating Chelsea in midweek where they made the most of some poor defending. Both goals were well taken and their overall performance after going behind will give them a platform to build on for both results and performances.

PREDICTION: 0-2

I'm backing Southampton to win this one because I can see them make the most of Wolves' wasteful finishing. They were beaten twice by Wolves last season but with some confidence on board after their win over Chelsea, I can see them take the points here.

ASTON VILLA V MAN CITY

Aston Villa looked much improved against Arsenal in midweek and especially in the second half. They didn't look at all convincing defensively but their second half performance was encouraging and will be something that Steven Gerrard will want his side to repeat in this game.

The pressure will still be on Gerrard going into this game as Villa are now in the bottom three but they should still give him time to turn things around even if they lose here. They have some winnable games after this one which is where he is more likely to judged rather than this tough one against City.

Man City just can't stop scoring at the moment and their new no.9 is playing a key part in that. Erling Haaland has settled into the Premier League a lot quicker than most people thought he would with the amount of goals he's already scored and I have some feeling that he's going to break the record for most goals in a season which stands at 34 set by both Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole.

Haaland and City were ruthless against Nottingham Forest in midweek and particularly in the first half when he got his hat trick. They dealt those kind of thrashings during the early days of Pep's reign when they had Aguero up top and they're probably going to do the same this season now they have Haaland.

PREDICTION: 1-4

I've got to back to City to win this one because they can't stop scoring and I can see them be too good for Villa. Villa did put in a better performance against Arsenal but with Haaland in the form he's in, I can see City winning this one quite handsomely.

SUNDAY:

BRIGHTON V LEICESTER

Brighton saw their unbeaten start to the season come to an end in their midweek defeat to Fulham which was not one of their best performances. They won't dwell on it too much though as they've made a good start to the season and will be looking to regain the momentum they had before.

I really do fear for Leicester at the moment with the club now bottom of the league and yet to win this season. Some discontent is starting to creep in amongst the fans after some booing their team at the end of their defeat to Man United last night. There team isn't any stronger to last season which Brendan Rodgers admits and and it's possible that he'll be under a lot of pressure if his side don't win this game.

They finally got someone through the door in defender Wout Faes who could make his debut in this game. It has been a frustrating summer for the Foxes mainly because of the lack of signings but getting the defender in must've been a relief.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I'm backing Brighton to win here because they have more confidence on board and are looking a much better side. There is a lot of uncertainty around Leicester at the moment and with Brighton looking more choesive at the moment, they should win this one.

MAN UNITED V ARSENAL

Man United are beginning to turn their season around after three straight wins which have them in 5th having been bottom of the table just a couple of weeks ago. Ten Hag has really done something to his players since the crushing loss at Brentford and what he's done is clearly working.

United could give new signing Antony his debut in this one following his switch from Ajax but I don't think he'll start. He's more likely to come off the bench given that he's just arrived and Ten Hag will want to gradually integrate him into his team.

Arsenal are the only team still with a 100% record this season and this game will no doubt be their first proper test with it being against one of their top four rivals. They've shown a lot of promising signs this season in terms of their mentality and character which have played a big part in their strong start to the season. Both are about to be put to the test in this tough game.

The next few weeks will be testing for them as well with the European schedule being thrown into the mix. They benefitted not having European football last season and with the club back in Europe this season, both their character and strength in depth will be tested.

PREDICTION: 2-2

This fixture isn't the same as it was all those years ago but it is still a big game because of the two teams involved. I think it will be a close game with both sides in decent form going into it. United will be keen to carry on their improvement but I think Arsenal will show character to get a result. The Gunners will be without Martin Odegaard through injury, but they do have Emile Smith Rowe to come in who is more than capable of stepping up.