Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 8

SATURDAY:

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V CHELSEA

Ange Postecoglou's future at Forest was up for discussion before the international break after failing to win any of his first seven games in charge.

He's definitely under pressure and if he loses this game, that could well be it for him as there are rumours that the club are thinking of replacing him with Sean Dyche.

Chelsea got a much needed win before the international break against Liverpool which will have given them a great deal of confidence heading into the international break.

The blues however do have a long list of injuries with the most likely reason for them being a lack of pre-season due to their involvement in the latter stages of the Club World Cup during the summer.

But despite their long list of injuries, I'm still backing them to win this game as they should have enough quality to do so. Even without Cole Palmer.

PREDICTION: 0-2

BRIGHTON V NEWCASTLE

Brighton are still unbeaten at home this season and are unbeaten in this very fixture in the Premier League - winning 3 and drawing 4 of their seven league games at the AMEX.

That record might just make them favourites here as Newcastle are still waiting for their first points and goals on the road this season.

The Magpies will definitely end their goal duck in this one as Brighton can be got at defensively.

But I can only see a share of the points here because of Brighton's unbeaten start at home and record in this fixture.

PREDICTION: 1-1

BURNLEY V LEEDS

The only points Burnley have picked up this season have come at home in their win over Sunderland at the start of the season and their draw with Nottingham Forest last month.

It's at home where they've been the most competitive but they have had games on the road where they've competed well including their defeat at Man United.

Leeds are faring better that I thought they would this season by staying in games and being less open at the back.

But they are struggling to convert their chances and need to get Dominic Calvert-Lewin fit and firing if they're to stay up.

Burnley have also struggled to score goals and have the same amount as Leeds with 7 a piece.

But I think the Clarets will come out on top here as they're home where they've fared much better.

PREDICTION: 2-0

CRYSTAL PALACE V BOURNEMOUTH

These two have been the surprise packages this season and have both lost just once so far this season.

Palace suffered their first loss of the season before the international break against Everton which was a game of two halves with Palace being the better team in the first before tiring in the second.

Their squad depth is set to be tested between now and the next few weeks as they have games in midweek every week between now and the next international break.

Bournemouth's start has arguably been the more impressive as they lost almost their entire defence in the summer but are still reasonably sound in that department.

Andoni Iraola deserves a lot of credit for the job he's done and I think he's an early contender for manager of the season along with Glasner.

Both teams will definitely score here as they both have goals in them and are both attack minded teams.

But I think they'll cancel each other out as I can't pick a winner between either side.

PREDICTION: 2-2

MAN CITY V EVERTON

Man City have shown signs of their olds selves in a few of their games this season including their last home game against Burnley which they won rather comfortably.

Pep Guardiola's side will be without Rodri for this one meaning that they won't risk him like they did in their last two games where he went off early in both.

Nico Gonzalez will step up in his place but there have been doubts about him as to whether he can step up in Rodri's absence.

Everton will be without Jack Grealish for this game because of him being on loan from City and his absence will be a big blow for them because he's been brilliant since he joined them in the summer.

The Toffees got a draw in this fixture last season and will look to make it difficult for City again in this one as they're a side who are competitive and difficult to beat.

But I think City will still have enough to beat them here and especially with an in-form striker like Erling Haaland up top. I can only see him bag another goal here.

PREDICTION: 2-0

SUNDERLAND V WOLVES

Sunderland might have been a lot of people's favourites to go down at the start of the season and myself was one of them.

But after watching them start the season the way they have done they should be more than ok as they've played like a Premier League side ever since they got promoted.

Wolves have replaced them as one of my relegation picks as they're still chasing their first win and are struggling at both ends of the pitch.

They did pick up a couple of draws before the international break which will hopefully give them something to build on, but they were ahead in both games before conceding late on.

Sunderland are still unbeaten at home this season and I can see them extend that run with another win in this one.

PREDICTION: 2-1

FULHAM V ARSENAL

Fulham usually compete well against the so-called big teams and they've taken points off Arsenal in this fixture in each of the last two seasons.

Arsenal will be without Martin Odegaard for at least a couple of weeks due to an injury he picked before the international break against West Ham. But his absence won't be as big a blow as it used to be because of the strength in depth the Gunners now have.

Eberechi Eze will probably step up in his place as he's almost a like for like replacement for him in that he's a creative player who can unlock defences.

But I do think Fulham will make it difficult for them as they have done in the past and I can see them nick another draw here despite the Gunners having a strong squad.

PREDICTION: 1-1

SUNDAY:

TOTTENHAM V ASTON VILLA

Spurs have to work to get results in recent games and it shows a different side to them in that they're able to win games without being at their brilliant best.

They've been a team who have played with more control this season and having this new controlled way of playing has been key to their strong start.

Aston Villa began to find some form before the international following back-to-back wins over Fulham and Burnley where hey also look more connected as a team.

They'll be without Ollie Watkins for this one after he picked up an injury on England duty and his absence will be a big blow for them. Especially as he was beginning to find some form.

Whether he was available or not, my prediction would've been the same either way because I'm backing Spurs to edge this one.

The game itself will be close, but I think Spurs will have just enough quality to see themselves over the line.

PREDICTION: 2-1

LIVERPOOL V MAN UNITED

Liverpool went into the international break out of form and with a list of problems and especially in defence which has looked vulnerable all season.

The international break came at a god time for them as it will have given Arne Slot the chance to look back at his side's recent performances and see what went wrong and how they can improve on it in training.

Man United went into the international break off the back of beating Sunderland which will have done their confidence the world of good.

But I don't see them following it in this one because Ruben Amorim never wins two games in a row.

Both teams do have their issues and are not in the best of form coming into this game.

But I think Liverpool to show a response and get the win with Mo Salah back among the goals.

PREDICTION: 3-1

MONDAY:

WEST HAM V BRENTFORD

West Ham are still waiting for their first points at home this season and this might be the perfect game for them to get off the mark at home as they're facing a Brentford side who are yet to earn any points on the road.

But their record against the Bees isn't very good as they've one just one of their eight Premier League games against them.

The international break came at a good time for Nuno Espirito Santo as it will have given him the chance to properly work with his players in training and get the playing the way he wants them to.

Brentford were comfortably beaten by Nuno's Nottingham Forest on the opening day of the season after which many people feared that they could be in a relegation battle.

They are pointless on the road, but the Bees so far are having a fairly decent season considering the players they lost in the summer.

Both teams need to win this one for obvious reasons and if this game was played a few weeks ago, I might've gone for a Brentford win.

But with Nuno having two weeks to work with his West Ham players, I can see them show a response here.

But I don't see them winning the game though as I think the Bees will do enough to get a result as well.

PREDICTION: 1-1