Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 8

SATURDAY:

ARSENAL V TOTTENHAM

This will be another big test for Arsenal with this game being against a top four rival in Spurs as well as it being a North London Derby. They failed their first big test against Man United some weeks ago but their performance in that one wasn't that bad given the fact they lost 3-1.

Their record in this fixture will certainly give them confidence as they haven't lost at home to Spurs since 2010. With this and the performances they've put in this season, they might be favourites for this one.

Spurs really dismantled Leicester before the international break and it was good to see Heung Min Son back on the score sheet with his hat trick. His form was beginning to become a worry for Spurs going into that game but his hat trick off the bench will give him a lot of confidence going into this game and the rest of the season.

Spurs' record at the Emirates is dreadful as to is Antonio Conte's. The Italian never won at Arsenal during his time at Chelsea and has only beaten them just once. With the start his side have had to the season and the form they're currently in, they have a good chance of breaking that curse in this one.

PREDICTION: 2-1

I'm backing Arsenal to come out on top here because of their record in this fixture as well as the way they're playing at the moment. Their mentality is a lot stronger than what it used to be and as they're also very strong at home, I can see them edge this one.

BOURNEMOUTH V BRENTFORD

This will be the first meeting between these two sides in the Premier League and have both been on incredible journeys to get here. Both were playing in the lower divisions of the Football League a decade ago and not many people thought they would be facing each other in the top flight.

Bournemouth have steadily improved under Gary O'Neil by being more difficult to beat and more resolute as a team. O'Neil deserves a lot of credit for this because they looked down and out after their 9-0 drubbing by Liverpool and the way his side have performed since then have given him a chance of getting the managers job full time.

Brentford never looked in the game against Arsenal before the international break with the away side having the better chances and seeing more of the ball. Thomas Frank won't be at all concerned about that as his side have started the season well and are not going to play teams like Arsenal every week.

I was disappointed that Ivan Toney never got to make an appearance for England during the international break but I could understand why he wasn't involved. He'll now want to show Gareth Southgate that he should've been given some minutes on the pitch between now and the World Cup.

PREDICTION: 1-1

Given the way that Bournemouth have improved since their defeat to Liverpool, I can see them nick a draw here. Brentford do have more goals in them but with the character that the Cherries have shown in their last few games, I can see them carry that into this game.

CRYSTAL PALACE V CHELSEA

Crystal Palace have played some good stuff at times this season but haven't been able to turn those performances into wins. They only have one victory to their name which came against Aston Villa in August and have dropped 7 points from the three games they went ahead in.

Patrick Vieira's side haven't played for three weeks and they have hopefully used these three weeks to look back at those games and see how they can hold onto those leads they've let slip. Given that they haven't played for three weeks, they should be well prepared for this game.

Chelsea haven't made the best of starts this season but it's not the kind of start that is enough for a manager to get sacked. I was very surprised that they sacked Thomas Tuchel but I could understand why they made the decision after a poor showing against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.

Graham Potter is in charge now and I was very surprised that they went in for him instead of a big name. Potter did deserve a top job but I didn't think he was ready for one at the time. This is because I think he should've taken Brighton a bit further in order for him to get one of those top jobs.

PREDICTION: 1-1

Palace have given it a good go when they've taken on the big teams this season and I can see them do the same here. I don't think they'll win as they're struggling to see teams off at the moment but I do think they'll have enough to get a draw as Chelsea are also not clinical enough and finding their way under Graham Potter.

FULHAM V NEWCASTLE

Fulham have looked like a Premier League side ever since they got promoted and they're certainly showing it with their results and performances. They're strong in all areas which is something they haven't been at this level in the past and they know how to set themselves up in each game they play.

The Cottagers could be without talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic for this one after he picked up a knock wilst on international duty with Serbia. I really do hope he's fit enough to play as he'll want to show Newcastle why they shouldn't have let him go.

Newcastle are still without a win since the opening day of the season and they were not at their best last time out against Bournemouth. It was a rather flat performance from them in that game as they lacked a real spark and quality in their attack.

They're missing Allan Saint Maximin as he's the one who provides that spark to their attack and gives them that extra bit of quality. The Magpies have really missed that in recent games and they need to get their fancy Frenchman back soon so they can get some wins on the board.

PREDICTION: 0-0

With both sides missing arguably their best players, I can see this one be a game low on quality. They both have a good set of players but with their respective talismanic figures likely to be unavailable, I can't see either side winning here.

LIVERPOOL V BRIGHTON

Liverpool are yet to get going in the league this season but the performance in their last game against Ajax will give them something to build on. They were a much improved side to the one that got hammered by Napoli the week before as they started the game on the front foot and looked a lot more assured.

Jurgen Klopp has hopefully used the last couple of weeks to look back at some of the reds' performances and see where they need to improve. If he can address the issues they've had on the training field, we could see a change in fortunes for the reds.

Brighton will have a new manager in the dugout for this one in Roberto De Zerbi. He is a proven manager after winning titles with Shakhtar Donetsk and it will be interesting to see how his Brighton side will set up and what style of play they'll adopt.

The Seagulls have made an excellent start to the season with the club currently in the top four. They might have a different manager in charge but their strong start will still give them a lot of confidence going into this game and the rest of the season.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I'm backing Liverpool to win here because the international break and the short pause following the Queen's death has given them an opportunity to look back at their games and see how they can put things right. With plenty of time spent on the training field during that time, I can see them put in a performance here.

SOUTHAMPTON V EVERTON

Southampton have a good record in this fixture from recent seasons winning five of their last six meetings with Everton at St Mary's. This will definitely give them confidence going into this game as they'll believe that they can beat Everton because of the recent record they have against them.

The Saints have had an up and down start to the season in that they look good one week and average the next. They have picked up some good results like the win over Chelsea for example but they need to find that consistency if they're to push up the league.

Everton got their first win of the season last time out against West Ham which will give them a lot of confidence and something to build on. Their good performances were finally rewarded with a result they deserved and now they can look to push up the league.

What has impressed me about Everton this season is how strong they are defensively. They've struggled defensively over the last few seasons and now they've finally addressed it with the solid partnership of James Tarkowski and Conor Coady.

PREDICTION: 1-0

I fancy Southampton to win here because of their recent record in this fixture being very good. Everton will make it difficult for them defensively but as they're not as strong away from home, I think the Saints will edge this one.

WEST HAM V WOLVES

West Ham appear to be struggling to find the right balance to their attack as they're chopping and changing it game after game. David Moyes has to find the right balance and quickly because his side are currently in the relegation zone and need results in order for them to get out of it.

I get that feeling that Wolves are the new Brighton in that they are good to watch but can't score. They had this problem last season and it's clearly carried on into this season. Whenever I write about Wolves I always mention their lack of cutting edge in front of goal as it's the only thing I associate with them.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I'm going for a West Ham win here because I think David Moyes will finally find the right balance to his attack after having two weeks to work it out. With Wolves likely to be wasteful in front of goal again, the Hammers should have enough to win this one.

SUNDAY:

MAN CITY V MAN UNITED

Man City walked all over United in both fixtures last season and particularly in this one where they showed how far ahead they are of their rivals. They will expect a tougher game here given United's recent improvement but they'll still go into it looking to show how far ahead they are.

This will be Erik Ten Hag's first proper test as Man United boss as his side are taking on the team who they want to topple. They did beat Liverpool earlier in the season which was seen as a big test but that Liverpool side they faced was unconvincing and out of form. This City side is at the moment unstoppable and filled with superstars.

One of United's main objectives going into this derby will surely be to stop Erling Haaland. They will of course focus on stopping their team as a whole but if they can prevent Haaland from scoring, they can feel satisfied with themselves. Especially if they come away with a result.

PREDICTION: 3-0

I've got to back City here because I think they'll be too strong for United. United have improved a lot since their opening two games but with the form City are in and the form Erling Haaland is in, I can see United going back to square one here.

LEEDS V ASTON VILLA

Leeds are unbeaten at home this season which will give them a lot of confidence going into this game. Jesse Marsch may be suspended after his red card in their previous game against Brentford but the players will still know what their jobs are and look to keep up their strong start at home.

Aston Villa picked up a much needed win before the international break against Southampton which will give them some much needed confidence. They're yet to get going this season but that result will surely give them something to build on and plenty of belief that their results will improve.

PREDICTION: 2-2

Both sides will start on the front foot as that is how they set themselves up but I don't see either of them winning here. Leeds may be unbeaten at home but I think not having Jesse Marsch in the dugout might affect them. Villa have some much needed confidence on board as a result of their win over Southampton, but Leeds' unbeaten start at home should be enough for them to get a draw.

MONDAY:

LEICESTER V NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Leicester got run over by Spurs before the international break and I'm quite surprised that Brendan Rodgers is still in charge. I thought they were going to sack him during the international break after suffering a result like that but the board clearly believe that he can turn things around as he's got some credit in the bank.

Rodgers has hopefully used the international break to watch back his sides' performances and come up with ways to help his side improve. Defensively is their main area of concern as they're conceding goals from pretty much any where on the pitch both from open play and set pieces.

Nottingham Forest thumped Leicester in the FA Cup last season and they'll fancy themselves to beat them again given the struggles the Foxes have had this season. They will expect a tougher game this time round as Leicester will field a stronger side but Forest will still back themselves like they did last season.

Steve Cooper's side have let leads slip in their last two games against Bournemouth and Fulham both of whom they came up with. They can't afford to let any more leads slip because of how ruthless this league is and it could be something that costs them come the end of the season.

PREDICTION: 2-2

I can see both sides go for it here and they need to because they both need to start picking up points. I think we will see some sort of improvement from Leicester after having a couple of weeks on the training ground to address their issues but I do think Forest will get something as well as they have players who can hurt them. Both teams will score and I think it will be a score draw.