It’s not even the end of August and the first midweek programme of Premier League fixtures is already upon us as all 20 clubs play again from Tuesday to Thursday.
Somehow there have already been four rounds of games played so far this season, which is sure to zip by as a result of the squeezed calendar accounting for the winter World Cup.
In gameweek five, see how 90min expects the results to go…
Crystal Palace vs Brentford
West travels south in the first of two more London derbies in the Premier League this week, with Brentford meeting Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
These two sides have the potential to do well this season if things go right for them, but both are currently still looking for a second win after only one victory each in four games so far.
Palace couldn’t hold onto a 2-0 half-time lead over Manchester City at the weekend, while Brentford grabbed a late equaliser against Everton.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Brentford
Fulham vs Brighton
Fulham have made a decent start on their return to the Premier League this season and have only just suffered their first defeat of the campaign – even then, they still gave Arsenal a scare.
But in Brighton they meet one of the league’s most in-form teams. Graham Potter’s Seagulls sit fourth in the table with three wins and 10 points from their opening four games.
Aleksandr Mitrovic will pose the main threat for Fulham, but Brighton have the best defensive record in the Premier League thanks to three clean sheets and only one goal conceded.
Prediction: Fulham 0-1 Brighton
Southampton vs Chelsea
Full preview: Southampton vs Chelsea: How to watch on TV live stream, team news, lineups & prediction
It hasn’t been plain sailing for Chelsea so far this season, heavily beaten by Leeds earlier this month and forced to dig deep to win with 10 players against Leicester on Saturday.
But that win, which saw Raheem Sterling score his first two goals for the club, showed a level of steel that will have pleased Thomas Tuchel, who can now return to the touchline after suspension.
Reinvigorated this season, Southampton ran Manchester United close on Saturday and had taken four points from their two games prior to that against Leicester and Leeds.
Prediction: Southampton 0-1 Chelsea
Leeds vs Everton
Jesse Marsch might just have been right in his pre-season assertion that Leeds are ultimately better off without former stars Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips, having been able to reinvest in the squad.
From surviving relegation on the final day of last season, Leeds have turned it around big time and only Brighton’s mean defence kept them at bay to inflict a first defeat of the season on Saturday.
Everton, who were also in real danger of relegation last season, haven’t been so fortunate. They have continued to struggled despite significant summer spending and are winless after four games.
Prediction: Leeds 2-1 Everton
Bournemouth vs Wolves
Bournemouth must lick the wounds of their record-equalling 9-0 defeat against Liverpool without Scott Parker, who was relieved of his duties as manager on Tuesday. Gary O’Neil has been left in temporary charge.
The Cherries host a Wolves side who are yet to record a Premier League win this season but still boast the best defensive record of any club outside the top seven.
Wolves’ inability to score goals has been problematic, but given the turmoil at Bournemouth, they still head into this one as narrow favourites.
Prediction: Bournemouth 0-1 Wolves
Arsenal vs Aston Villa
Full preview: Arsenal vs Aston Villa: How to watch on TV live stream, team news, lineups & prediction
With four wins on the bounce and counting, Arsenal are having their best start to a Premier League season since the 2004/05 campaign when they were last defending champions.
The Gunners kept their winning run going with a gritty victory over Fulham on Saturday evening and have shown they are more up for the fight this season than in a decade or more.
Aston Villa were beaten on Sunday by a West Ham side that were yet to score or take any points this season prior to kick-off. That was a second straight defeat and wasn’t great preparation for this.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa
Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest
For 45 minutes on Saturday, Manchester City looked as though their season was falling apart, 2-0 down at half-time to Crystal Palace a week after dropping points against Newcastle.
But Pep Guardiola’s side turned things around, eventually winning 4-2 thanks in no small part to Erling Haaland’s hat-trick. But the Norwegian could well be rested this week to preserve his fitness.
Few will back Nottingham Forest to take anything from this game. They have averaged only 0.5 goals per game since promotion, with 19 news signings perhaps still lacking familiarity.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-0 Nottingham Forest
West Ham vs Tottenham
Another London derby, as north travels east.
West Ham finally got their first goal and first points of the season at the fourth time of asking with Sunday’s narrow victory over Aston Villa. They will hope it is the catalyst for better things.
But in Antonio Conte’s Tottenham they face an opponent in good form. Although not as prolific as Manchester City or Arsenal, Spurs have made a good start without really hitting their best level.
Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Tottenham
Liverpool vs Newcastle
Liverpool blew off the cobwebs with a Premier League record-equalling 9-0 win over Bournemouth at the weekend to finally land their first win of the new season. The sorry Cherries simply caught the wrath of Liverpool frustrations.
Newcastle will back themselves to put up a fight at Anfield. Eddie Howe’s team are seventh in the table and remain unbeaten. Wins have been hard to come by, however, with only one so far.
This fixture has been a Premier League classic in the past and could be again.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle
Leicester vs Manchester United
Full preview: Leicester City vs Manchester United: How to watch on TV live stream, team news, lineups & prediction
Manchester United are another who seem to have put a poor start to the season behind them. Erik ten Hag’s vision is taking more shape after back-to-back wins over Liverpool and Southampton.
The Dutchman has shown no mercy in his team selections for those wins, dropping Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo and sticking to his principles. It seems to be working.
Leicester are having a nightmare start. The Foxes had a golden chance to beat Chelsea on Sunday after playing with a player advantage for over an hour but still lost and are bottom of the table.
Prediction: Leicester 0-1 Manchester United
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