As some teams move into double-digit matches played this weekend, we are starting to get a sense of what will characterise this year’s Premier League table. Among these seem to be the dominance of Manchester City and surprise package Arsenal, as well as struggles for Leicester City and Nottingham Forest, despite the languishing pair having had starkly opposing summer transfer windows. Even considering a couple of very impressive results, Liverpool have also not been on the pace this campaign, and currently sit in tenth place behind two of the three newly promoted sides, albeit with a game in hand on both of them. This matchweek, Last Word on Football once again provides our Premier League predictions, with the potential for some huge upsets.
Premier League Predictions Matchweek 11
Brentford vs Brighton and Hove Albion
Jamie Rooke: 2-0
Dan Hepburn: 0-2
Joe Blackburn: 1-3
Jordan Hackett: 1-3
Joseph Howes: 1-2
Both teams will be hoping to return to winning ways at the Gtech Community Stadium on Friday night. The hosts are coming off the back of their heaviest top flight defeat and Ivan Toney will be leading the line looking to impress ahead of the World Cup. Brighton, however, have started brighter this campaign and are just currently outside the European spots, with a game in hand. De Zerbi will breeze past the Bees with a comfortable away win.
Dan Hepburn
Leicester City vs Crystal Palace
Jamie Rooke: 1-1
Dan Hepburn: 0-1
Joe Blackburn: 1-2
Jordan Hackett: 1-2
Joseph Howes: 1-1
Leicester City may have beaten Nottingham Forest, but the Foxes remain below Steve Coopers’ side at the foot of the table. James Maddison is their only bright spark and next up for them is Crystal Palace, a very capable side on their day.Maddison may well shine but Leicester will have to settle for just a point in this one.
Jamie Rooke
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Nottingham Forest
Jamie Rooke: 0-1
Dan Hepburn: 1-1
Joe Blackburn: 0-0
Jordan Hackett: 1-1
Joseph Howes: 1-0
With both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest currently sitting in the relegation zone, this could turn out to be a vital game when we reach the business end of the season. Neither have been impressive this year, but Wolves’ fixture list has arguably been the more challenging despite neither having had it easy. This should be a tough fought battle, but with Wolves edging it 1-0.
Joseph Howes
Fulham vs Bournemouth
Jamie Rooke: 3-1
Dan Hepburn: 2-1
Joe Blackburn: 1-0
Jordan Hackett: 2-1
Joseph Howes: 0-1
It is a battle of the newly promoted teams at Craven Cottage and both are massively exceeding expectations. The pair are in the top half despite both having negative goal differences. Fulham being the better side here will shine through and overcome Bournemouth with relative ease.
Jamie Rooke
Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton
Jamie Rooke: 3-0
Dan Hepburn: 2-0
Joe Blackburn: 2-0
Jordan Hackett: 1-1
Joseph Howes: 2-0
The Lilywhites have looked very impressive this season and will search this weekend for their third win in a row following their European success mid-week. Son has begun to find his feet after a slow start. Everton sit bottom half of the table and despite their steady start to the campaign, Lampard’s side will crumble following their latest defeat. In front of an upbeat home crowd, Conte’s side should secure the victory courtesy of some sort of Kane and Son excellence.
Dan Hepburn
Southampton vs West Ham United
Jamie Rooke: 1-1
Dan Hepburn: 1-2
Joe Blackburn: 0-1
Jordan Hackett: 0-2
Joseph Howes: 1-1
Off the back of a 4-0 loss against Manchester City last weekend, Southampton will be keen to return to some form of normality this weekend, albeit against a rather in-form West Ham United. The Hammers have just hit a winning streak, having emerged victorious from six of their last seven outings, but Saints may surprise a few and frustrate them on Sunday. 1-1.
Joe Blackburn
Manchester United vs Newcastle United
Jamie Rooke: 1-2
Dan Hepburn: 2-2
Joe Blackburn: 1-2
Jordan Hackett: 3-2
Joseph Howes: 2-1
This can be expected to be a really close game between fifth and sixth. Newcastle have been piling the goals in lately – four v Fulham and five v Brentford – and there’s no reason why this won’t be high scoring. Erik ten Hag has got Manchester United on an upward curve though and can be fancied to take this by the one goal.
Jordan Hackett
Leeds United vs Arsenal
Jamie Rooke: 2-2
Dan Hepburn: 0-3
Joe Blackburn: 1-3
Jordan Hackett: 1-4
Joseph Howes: 0-3
In spite of fairly strong performances in the past few weeks, Leeds United haven’t won a match in quite a while. Meanwhile, Arsenal are flying high at the top of the table, and will stay that way at least until Manchester City face Liverpool. It’s hard to see past an Arsenal win, 3-1 to the North London side.
Joe Blackburn
Aston Villa vs Chelsea
Jamie Rooke: 0-2
Dan Hepburn: 1-2
Joe Blackburn: 0-3
Jordan Hackett: 0-2
Joseph Howes: 0-1
Down in 16th place, Aston Villa are not having the best of seasons with last week’s draw with then-bottom Nottingham Forest a particular low point. It’s hard to fancy them against a Graham Potter side that have won all but one of their games in all competitions since the former Brighton & Hove Albion boss took charge. Chelsea will take all three points at Villa Park.
Jordan Hackett
Liverpool vs Manchester City
Jamie Rooke: 2-1
Dan Hepburn: 2-4
Joe Blackburn: 1-4
Jordan Hackett: 1-3
Joseph Howes: 1-4
Manchester City continue with their march towards the top of the league with a trip to Anfield this weekend. Whilst the Anfield crowd hasn’t seen a Premier League loss in five years, Liverpool’s ailing defence and Haaland’s record of at least one goal contribution in every single competitive match for Manchester City could end that. 4-1 to Manchester City.
Joe Blackburn
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