Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 6

SATURDAY:

BRENTFORD V MAN UNITED

Brentford have had a tough start to the season under new boss Keith Andrews which was probably expected after losing a few key players over the summer.

But they are unbeaten at home and it's at home where they're usually strong.

Man United got a much needed win last weekend against Chelsea and although their performance was improved, they were helped by Chelsea having a player sent off.

Whether that result will be a turning point for Ruben Amorim remains to be seen because you just don't know which United will turn up in this one.

The Gtech has been a difficult place for teams to go to in the past and with Brentford having a good record at home, I think they'll at least nick a point here.

PREDICTION: 1-1

CHELSEA V BRIGHTON

Chelsea were given a scare by Lincoln in midweek but they did show a reaction in the second half and turned the game around.

They'll bring their regulars back into the team for this one after resting most of them during the week, but there will be questions over Cole Palmer's fitness after going off with a knock against Man United last weekend.

Brighton scored some incredible goals in their Carabao Cup win over Barnsley in midweek and their four-goal hero Diego Gomez will no doubt be eyeing a start after the performance he put in.

The Seagulls haven't really got going this season with their win against Man City being their only positive result and performance so far.

Chelsea may again be without Cole Palmer for this one, but they have shown signs that they're not as reliant on him as they used to be and I can see them show that again in this one.

Brighton will score as the blues do look suspect defensively and in goal. But Enzo Maresca's side should still have enough to win the points.

PREDICTION: 3-2

CRYSTAL PALACE V LIVERPOOL

These two are the only unbeaten sides left this season so it should be a close game.

Palace have already got the better of Liverpool this season when they beat them in the Community Shield last month.

They did need penalties to win that game but their result from it will still give them more confidence heading into this one.

Liverpool haven't been anywhere near their best this season but they've still made a 100% start and got results which is all that matters.

They were hardly convincing against Southampton in midweek as well as Southampton had arguably the better chances and got in behind their defence on a number of occasions.

The reds have looked suspect at the back at times this season and I can see Palace make it an uncomfortable game for them as they have players who can hurt them.

The reds will still get a result here as I think they'll do enough to get something, but I think their 100% start will end as I think Palace will make it difficult for them.

PREDICTION: 1-1

LEEDS V BOURNEMOUTH

Leeds are yet to lose a game at home this season and they were very impressive in their win at Wolves last weekend.

It was good to see Dominic Calvert-Lewin get his first goal for the club in that game and if they can keep him fit, they might have a chance of staying up as he's a proven goal scorer in this league.

Bournemouth were off it a bit against Newcastle but I don't think Andoni Iraola will be concerned one bit because of the impressive start his side have made.

They will be in for another game here as Elland Road can be a tough to go to because of the atmosphere the fans generate inside the ground.

But I think the Cherries will come out on top here as I think they'll have enough quality to win the game and overcome the Elland Road atmosphere.

PREDICTION: 0-2

MAN CITY V BURNLEY

Man City showed a different side of themselves against Arsenal by being a bit more defensive instead of the free flowing side we've known them to be over the last few years.

A lot of people thought they parked the bus against Arsenal in the second half and whether they did or not, the tactic failed as they conceded deep into stoppage time.

Burnley have been given a fair few drubbings by City over the years and especially when they've come to the Etihad.

Scott Parker's side have looked competitive and difficult to beat since they got promoted just as I thought they would be after having such a good defensive record last season in the Championship.

They'll try and make it difficult for City in this game by being compact and difficult to break down just like they were against Liverpool a couple of weekends ago.

But I think City will find a way to win and come out on top because of the quality of players they have.

PREDICTION: 3-0

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V SUNDERLAND

Forest are still waiting for their first win under Ange Postecoglou and they come into this game off the back of playing Real Betis in the Europa League on Wednesday.

This game will be the first test of their squad depth and could determine if they have depth to compete on both fronts.

Sunderland showed fight and a togetherness after going down to 10 men against Aston Villa and both characteristics will be key if they're to stay up.

The Black Cats have been in all of their games this season and I'm expecting them to give Forest a tough game in this one.

But I think Forest will find a way and get their first win under Postecoglou.

PREDICTION: 2-1

TOTTENHAM V WOLVES

Spurs showed character to come from behind against Brighton last weekend and they deserve a lot of credit for it.

Spurs in the past have been known to collapse after going 2-0 down and for them to come back the way they did shows a new side to their team.

Wolves picked up a much needed confidence boost in their Carabao Cup win over Everton in midweek and they now need to carry that confidence into the league so they can get some points on the board.

It's been a grim start to the season for Wolves following five straight defeats and I even asked in my key points of the weekend post if they regret offering Vitor Pereira that new contract.

The club are clearly behind him and are confident in him turning things around, but he needs to get results and quickly so he can repay the faith the board have in him.

But I can only see their losing run extending here as I'm backing Spurs to win this one and fairly comfortably.

PREDICTION: 3-0

SUNDAY:

ASTON VILLA V FULHAM

Aston Villa finally got their first win of the season against Bologna last night in the Europa League, but it didn't sound like a convincing performance after reading the match report for the game.

The win will give them confidence as winning games of football does that, but they need to start playing like a team because they've looked disjointed so far this season and especially in attack.

Their attacking players just haven't clicked into gear yet as there is no connection between them and they're all yet to register a goal this season.

Fulham come into this game the more confident side following back-to-back wins over Leeds and Brentford.

They'll surely fancy their chances here knowing how flat Villa have been so far this season even though their record at Villa Park is not the greatest.

Marco Silva's side will make it difficult for Villa in this one, but I don't see them winning it as they're not great at holding on to leads and because if that I think the points will be shared here.

PREDICTION: 1-1

NEWCASTLE V ARSENAL

Newcastle have won their last three games against Arsenal at St James' Park including their 2-0 win in the Carabao Cup last season.

Those wins will give the Magpies confidence heading into this one as they'll believe that they can beat the Gunners again.

But they will be up against a stronger Arsenal side than the one they've beaten in recent seasons because of the Gunners' improved strength in depth.

Mikel Arteta was criticized for not being positive enough against Man City both in terms of his team selection and the way his side approached the game.

Not starting Eberechi Eze was a surprise as there was no one in their starting line up who could unlock defences that defend with a low block.

Arteta simply has to start him in this one and I'm sure he will as he will have hopefully learnt from the mistake he made by not starting him against Man City.

But whether he starts him or not, I still see Arsenal dropping points here as St James' Park has been a bogey ground for them in recent seasons and I can see Newcastle making it a tough game for them.

PREDICTION: 1-1

MONDAY:

EVERTON V WEST HAM

Everton don't have a good record in this fixture in recent times but they'll still go into this one as favourites because of the state and poor form West Ham are in.

This will feel like a big game for David Moyes as he'll feel that he has something to prove after he was let go by West Ham two seasons ago.

I sometimes wonder if anyone said to West Ham "be careful what you wish for" when they let go of Moyes because of what has happened to them since he left.

They got rid of him because they wanted a different brand of football and since he left, they've been a team without an identity who have gone backwards.

I mention in my key points of the weekend post that current boss Graham Potter is on thin and I'm actually surprised that he wasn't sacked during the week.

If he loses this game, he's surely going to get the chop and I think that's going to be the case because I can only see an Everton win here.

PREDICTION: 2-0