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Premier League Predictions: Matchday Four

Premier League predictions

Making Premier League predictions is never easy; it feels like playing the lottery at times. One week, Liverpool could blitz almost any team in the league. Meanwhile, the next, they could lose 7-2 to Aston Villa on the same day that Manchester United lose 6-1 to Tottenham Hotspur. Despite the difficulties, however, we, at LastWordonFootball, thought we’d give it a go and see how many we get right, probably not many, and how many we get wrong.

From a London derby with Crystal Palace vs Tottenham, to the replay of the Community Shield between Leicester City and Manchester City, you can see all of our predictions below.

Premier League Predictions: Matchday Four

Tottenham Hotspur Travel to Crystal Palace

If you told a Tottenham fan that they’d be top of the Premier League with the only 100% record in the division after three games, they would have laughed in your face before finally believing you when discovering Arsenal’s bottom-place position.

Despite all of the drama around the summer transfer window and the big questions surrounding Harry Kane’s future, Nuno Espírito Santo has got off to a flyer in north London, even ironically defeating Manchester City without Kane.

Against Crystal Palace, however, the new boss has a major selection dilemma. Not only will he likely be without Son Hueng-min, Ryan Sessegnon, Oliver Skip and Steven Bergwijn through injury, but also Cristian Romero, Davinson Sanchez and Giovani Lo Celso, who have to isolate after travelling for a chaotic international break, which included a meet and greet with the police in Brazil for Romero and Lo Celso.

As for Palace, looking to get their first win under Patrick Vieira, they could finally hand a debut to summer signing Michael Olise and a return to captain Luka Milivojevic. The game will mean more to Vieira than most as an Arsenal legend looking to get the best of Spurs.

It will be a tight and competitive affair, which could lead to plenty of excitement.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur 

Bottom of the Table Clash as Arsenal Host Norwich City

Arsenal fans wouldn’t have been expecting much this season, but even they, with their flying banners and camera implosions, wouldn’t have expected the Gunners to be bottom of the table with zero points, zero goals and nine conceded, keeping Norwich City company. Yet, here they are, in need of three points now more than ever.

The end of the summer transfer window saw the arrival of Takehiro Tomiyasu to finally hand Mikel Arteta a right-back, and the hope will be that a new back four can be formed alongside other newcomers. With much more options now back from injury, Arteta has no excuse to fall back. Arsenal must make a statement against Norwich.

As much as Arsenal are in need of a win, Norwich could also do with a jumpstart to the season, having also lost three from three. Their narrow loss against Leicester before the international break showed signs of improvement and they’ll look to take those positives into the clash with Arsenal.

It will be far from easy for Arsenal against an attack-minded Norwich side, but the need to win should see them gain a crucial three points.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Norwich City

Brentford Take on Brighton & Hove Albion

In perhaps the hardest Premier League clash to draw predictions from, Brentford take on Brighton & Hove Albion in what will be a match of styles. Both sides are examples of how the tide is changing in English football, with the style no longer all out defence. Instead, the style includes better, more fluid football, which takes the game to the opposition.

Both Brentford and Brighton have started the season superbly, with the latter on six points compared to Brentford’s five. The fixture, such is both side’s willingness to play with attacking intent, could quickly become a goal-fest.

As for team news, Brighton could hand a debut to £15 million signing Marc Cucurella, whilst Solly March, Joel Veltman and Danny Welbeck could all return to the squad. Similarly, Brentford manager Thomas Frank should be able to pick from a fully fit squad.

Prediction: Brentford 2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion 

Leicester City Welcome Manchester City in Community Shield Replay

In the game of the weekend, Leicester City host Manchester City in what is a replay of the Community Shield just before the season kicked off. Of course, if you cast your minds back to that game, it was the Foxes who came out on top, defeating Manchester City 1-0, courtesy of a late Kelechi Iheanacho penalty.

The fixture doesn’t arrive at an ideal time for either side following a tumultuous international break. Leicester are likely to still be without Jonny Evans and possibly Jannik Vestergaard, once again leaving the out-of-form Caglar Soyuncu as the only remaining natural central defender.

Meanwhile, Manchester City are one of the unfortunate victims of FIFA’s decision to impose sanctions on Brazilian players, who were prevented from travelling for international duty in the red zones. This means that they’ll be without Gabriel Jesus and Ederson, combining with Zack Steffan’s positive COVID-19 test, leaving Scott Carson to come in and make his Premier League debut.

With both sides disrupted by injuries or FIFA’s rightfully unpopular verdict, expect a cagey affair.

Prediction: Leicester City 0-1 Manchester City  

Ronaldo Return Set as Manchester United Host Newcastle United

The day Manchester United fans have been waiting so long for; have been dreaming of for years. The return of Cristiano Ronaldo. Nobody can quite believe it’s real, but it is and Newcastle United should be afraid. They are coming up against a United side in a better place than ever before without Sir Alex Ferguson; a side littered with stars; a side desperate for silverware.

Newcastle have had a start to the season that you’d expect from a side which progresses so little on and off the pitch. And the game at Old Trafford will likely only compile their misery. On paper, they don’t stand a chance. On the pitch, they might not, either.

Don’t be surprised to see Ronaldo steal the show on his return. He is a man made for the big occasion, the spectacle. And, best believe, this will be a show worth remembering. It could be one of the easiest predictions to make in the Premier League.

Prediction: Manchester United 4-0 Newcastle United

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