It’s weird that we’re heading into gameweek six of the new Premier League season and there hasn’t been an international break, but it’s certainly great for momentum.
The first midweek round of matches threw up some shocking results and performances, and that trend could easily continue this weekend.
There’s a Merseyside derby to look forward to and an old rivalry with new blood to wrap up the next ten fixtures.
Here’s 90min’s predictions for another fun weekend of Premier League football.
Everton vs Liverpool
Liverpool make the short journey across Stanley Park to Everton for the first Merseyside derby of the season.
The Reds have bounced back from their dismal start to the season with a 9-0 thrashing of Bournemouth and a late-as-you-can-get win against Newcastle United.
Frank Lampard’s Toffees are starting to look more and more competitive – especially with Anthony Gordon staying – but they are still searching for their first Premier League win of the season. It probably won’t come on Saturday, sorry lads.
Prediction: Everton 1-2 Liverpool
Brentford vs Leeds United
Leeds return to the site of their dramatic Premier League survival act last season as they travel to Brentford.
Jesse Marsch and his men were predicted to struggle this term after losing Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips in the summer, but they’re going strong so far.
Similarly, the Bees were half-written off after Christian Eriksen’s departure, but Thomas Frank’s side have lost just once in all competitions so far this season.
Two teams who love to attack. Expect another belter.
Prediction: Brentford 3-2 Leeds United
Chelsea vs West Ham United
Thomas Tuchel is still waiting for Chelsea’s season to spark into life, and they’ll hope a win against London rivals West Ham will ignite their campaign.
The Blues have taken just seven points from their opening five games and are struggling to leave last season’s woes behind.
David Moyes would have felt annoyed that his men didn’t take all three points from Wednesday’s boisterous clash with Tottenham, but the Hammers are now unbeaten in two and head across the capital full of confidence again.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 West Ham United
Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace make the long trip north on Saturday to face a Newcastle team who have just had their hearts shattered.
Eddie Howe’s charges looked to have done enough to have earned a valuable point at Anfield on Wednesday, before Fabio Carvalho’s 98th-minute sucker-punch saw them leave Merseyside with nothing.
Patrick Vieira’s boys were also dealt a late blow in midweek, conceding to Brentford’s Yoane Wissa with stoppage time looming and seeing Rico Henry and Ben Mee’s last-gasp efforts denied.
It should be an entertaining and tightly-fought clash at St James’ Park.
Prediction: Newcastle United 1-1 Crystal Palace
Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth
Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth will both view their matchup at the City Ground as the perfect opportunity to arrest their respective slumps in form.
Steve Cooper’s Reds were dealt a harsh Premier League reality check at Manchester City in midweek, but the manager-less Cherries showed their resolve to earn a vital 0-0 draw against Wolves following their Liverpool mauling.
Bournemouth did the double over Forest last season which helped them secure automatic promotion, but expect Saturday’s hosts to get their revenge.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Bournemouth
Tottenham warm up for their Champions League return with a London derby at home to Fulham.
Spurs’ weaknesses came racing to the surface in Wednesday’s draw at West Ham, and Antonio Conte has now insisted his squad is some way off competing for major honours.
Fulham have shown a lot more promise in the last month than they ever did in their last two Premier League seasons and have already made life tough for Arsenal and Liverpool – Tottenham will need to be at their absolute best to take the points.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Fulham
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Southampton
Wolves’ search for an elusive first Premier League victory of the new campaign continues against a spritely Southampton.
After being torn apart by Tottenham on the opening day, Ralph Hasenhuttl has brought the Saints together again and there is now fresh optimism for the year ahead.
Bruno Lage will be over the moon that Wanderers were able to bring another goal scorer in the form of Sasa Kalajdzic in before the transfer deadline. With so many technical players around him, the Austrian should thrive at Molineux – but their wait for a first win will probably go on for another week.
Prediction: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-2 Southampton
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
Saturday’s late kick off comes from the West Midlands as Manchester City look to pile even more pressure on Steven Gerrard and Aston Villa.
The former England midfielder is yet to see his side win a league match this season and the mood looks to have quickly soured at Villa Park.
Pep Guardiola and his champions probably won’t have appreciated Villa’s role in almost denying them last season’s Premier League title. They should stroll to victory this time around.
Prediction: Aston Villa 0-3 Manchester City
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Leicester City
Brighton and Leicester meet on Sunday having endured completely different openings to the season.
While Graham Potter’s Seagulls have been getting the positive results their performances have long deserved, Brendan Rodgers has been down on the Foxes’ summer and beginning of the new campaign after a tough summer in the transfer window.
It seems as though this match can only go one way.
Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 Leicester City
The biggest game of the Premier League weekend is the last one, as old rivals Manchester United and Arsenal go head to head at Old Trafford.
After such an embarrassing start to the season, Erik ten Hag has managed to turn United’s fortunes around, recording three successive wins.
The Gunners will face their biggest test of their campaign so far as they look to make it six wins from six games, an unthinkable prospect since the peak glory days of Arsene Wenger.
Prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal
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