Chelsea vs Arsenal is the biggest game on the weekend
Bournemouth & Brighton kick-off an early Friday night game
Roy Hodgson begins his Crystal Palace reign against Southampton at Home
Liverpool take on Burnley after their mid-week Champions League disappointment
Its 4th vs 2nd as Watford take on Man City
Spurs take on Swansea City after 2 consecutive wins in all competitions
Gameweek 5
The Premier League returned last week after the international break in stunning fashion as teams managed to score 28 goals, as 9 teams managed to pick up wins. Among the notable wins was Brighton's first ever top flight win. The only draw was Stoke City's hard fought point against Man United.
Crystal Palace have also announced the first managerial causality of the season after sacking Frank De Boer; suffering 4 straight defeats. The next day, former England manager Roy Hodgson was appointed as his successor.
In the mid-week European games; Chelsea, Tottenham and both Manchester clubs picked up wins as Liverpool drew in the CL. In the Europa League, Arsenal got a comeback win, but Everton lost 3-0 away at Atlanta. Now, let's focus on the upcoming weekend fixtures stretching across 3 days.
Matchday 3
Fixture 9
On Sunday afternoon, a mammoth clash awaits at Stamford Bridge as the PL Champions Chelsea take on their fierce London rivals Arsenal with both the squad coming into this game, high on form and confidence.
After Chelsea's opening day loss, they have responded in stunning fashion, winning their next 3 PL games, most recently their 1-2 victory against Leicester City. Midweek in the CL, they completed a 6-0 thrashing of Qarabag. Chelsea sit in 3rd place on 9 points in the PL table.
They rested most of their players midweek and have a full fit squad for their London clash. Danny Drinkwater misses out this weekend due to injury. Front men Alvaro Morata & Eden Hazard will start to further boost the side's attack.
Arsenal on the other hand have 2 wins in their last 2 games in all competitions; 3-0 in the PL against Bournemouth & a 3-1 comeback win against FC Koln in the CL. They currently sit in 11th place on 6 points.
They have most of their first team players available for selection including their defense. Alexis Sanchez could also start after putting in an impressive performance last night. However, Francis Coquelin & Santiago Cazorla are out.
Both teams have a superb attacking unit with plenty of talent all round the pitch, but when it comes to defense, Chelsea's is much more solid compared to Arsenal's and home advantage will also be in Champions favor.
Prediction:
Chelsea (3-1) Arsenal
Morata, Hazard & Sanchez to score
Fixture 10
The final fixture to round of GW 5 in the Premier League is a quite memorable one for two players; Wayne Rooney & Romelu Lukaku who face their former sides as leaders Manchester United take on Everton at Old Trafford.
Wayne Rooney; Man United's record goal scorer will make an emotional return back to face his former side for the first time. His 13-year spell with the Red Devils will not be forgotten by the fans and will give him a warm reception on his return.
Former Everton front-man Romelu Lukaku who made the move to Man United for 90 Million pounds this summer will also mark his first return against his former side. He had scored 87 goals in 3 seasons with the Toffees.
Man United's last PL game ended in a 2-2 stalemate against Stoke City to disrupt their perfect PL start, still keeping them top with 10 points level with Man City. However, the put in an impressive display in their 3-0 CL win midweek.
The victory came at a price as Paul Pogba got injured in the first half and is expected to miss up to 6 weeks. Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo & Zlatan Ibrahimovic all remain long term absentees. Marouane Fellaini also faces his former side after scoring in the CL midweek along with Ander Herrera who could start alongside Matic in midfield.
Since their opening day win, Everton have faced Man City, Chelsea & Tottenham, picking up just one point, sitting in 16th place on 4 points. Their disappointing midweek 3-0 loss to Atlanta was a further blow to their confidence level.
With no recent injury concerns, Seamus Coleman, Ramiro Funes Mori, Ross Barkley & James McCarthy all remain long term absentees. Wayne Rooney is expected to start as also is Morgan Schneiderlin to face their former side.
This weekend's fixture can go either way for both teams; Everton are looking for their first win since the opening day & Man United want to bounce back from their last week's PL draw. Wayne Rooney is a favorite to find himself on the score sheet. But, even with Pogba's absence, Lukaku may guide Man United to victory.
Prediction:
Man United (3-1) Everton
Lukaku, Rashford & Rooney on target
Matchday 1
Fixture 1
This weekend's PL action kicks-off with an early Friday night fixture at the Vitality Stadium as win less Bournemouth welcome Brighton who marked their first memorable top flight win last weekend.
Bournemouth are 19th after suffering 4 consecutive PL losses are still searching for their first win. They could be without midfielder Ryan Fraser along with long term absentees Callum Wilson & Junior Stanislas.
Brighton picked up their first ever top flight win last season and come in high on confidence this weekend. Izzy Brown has returned back to training, but long term absentees include Steve Sidwell, Sam Baldock & Beram Kayal.
Bournemouth's last home fixture was against Man City and they performed extremely well only to concede an injury time winner. This weekend, they may just register their first win of the season.
Prediction:
AFC Bournemouth (2-0) Brighton
Defoe & King on the score sheet
Matchday 2
Fixture 2
New Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson begins his managerial reign with a visit from Southampton in front of the Selhurst Park fans.
Crystal Palace are rock bottom after their 4th consecutive loss of the season, prompting the sacking of Frank De Boer. Roy Hodgson may be the perfect manager to replace him but will be without attackers Wilfried Zaha & Conor Wickham. Palace may also opt for a formation change, ditching the unsuccessful 3-4-3.
Southampton were beaten by Watford at home last week. They now sit in 13th on 5 points and will be without midfielder Peirre-Emile Hojbjerg due to personal reasons. But Virgil Van Dijk may be set for a return to the central defense.
Under new manager Roy Hodgson, Crystal Palace are sure set to regain their lost form and try to get their first win of the season and they might edge towards it this weekend if their attack co-ordinates well.
Prediction:
Crystal Palace (2-2) Southampton
Benteke, Dann, Redmond & Gabbiadini on target
Fixture 3
Newly promoted Huddersfield Town saw their unbeaten run ended last week and now face former PL Champions Leicester City at home.
Huddersfield sit in 6th place on 7 points and will want to preserve their unbeaten home record. They will have late fitness tests for Martin Craine, Jonathan Hogg & Colin Quarner. But midfielder Kasey Palmer is out. Steve Mounie is available who will lead the forward line.
Leicester City endured a difficult start to the campaign after losing out to Arsenal, Man United & Chelsea most recently last week. They sit in 17th place on 3 points and do have Vicente Iborra & Kelechi Ihenacho back for selection. Cristian Fuchs & Matty James both remain doubtful.
On paper, Leicester have a much better attack compared to Huddersfield. This may be the game Leicester to finally kick-start their campaign and hand Huddersfield their first home loss.
Prediction:
Huddersfield (1-3) Leicester City
Vardy & Mahrez to score
Fixture 4
After a disappointing mid-week draw at home to Sevilla in the CL, Liverpool look to get back to winning ways with Burnley's visit to Anfield.
Liverpool suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat against Man City last week, finishing with 10-men and now sit in 8th on 7 points. Sadio Mane will begin his 1st of 3 PL suspensions. Nathaniel Clyne & Adam Lallana both remain long term absentees. Liverpool's fitness levels will be put to the test just 3 days after their CL draw.
Burnley suffered a huge blow last week after goalkeeper Tom Heaton suffered a shoulder dislocation and is expected to be out for several months. Midfielder Jeff Hendrick is available for selection. After last weekend's win, Burnley sit in 7th, one place above their opponents this week.
Liverpool's attack will be too much for the Burnley defense to handle and the home side is expected to get back to winning ways.
Prediction:
Liverpool (3-1) Burnley
Firmino & Salah to score
Fixture 5
Newcastle United return back to St. James' Park high on confidence to face a Stoke City side who are also in good form.
Newcastle United managed to pick up their 2nd consecutive win last week away at Swansea and now sit in 10th place on 6 points. Defenders Chancel Mbemba is a doubt, along with long term-absentee Paul Dummett. Striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is suspended.
Stoke City made an emphatic attacking display against Man United last week at home, now sit in 12th place on 5 points. They will be without defender Geoff Cameron who picked up an injury last week with captain Ryan Shawcross, another doubt.
Both sides have an evenly matched attack and defense and either side could go in for the win or the game could end with honors even.
Prediction:
Newcastle United (1-1) Stoke City
Ritchie & Jese on target
Fixture 6
Two of the PL in-form teams, Watford & Man City face off against each other at Vicarage Road as they put their undefeated record to the test.
Watford registered a fantastic away victory at Southampton last week, now sit in 4th place on 8 points. Their defense has also kept 3 consecutive clean sheets.
Right back Kiko Femenia has recovered from injury and is available for selection. However, defenders Craig Cathcart, Sebastian Prodl & Younes Kaboul remain absent through injury & Miguel Britos remains suspended.
Man City have scored 9 goals in their last 2 games in all competitions; a 5-0 demolition of Liverpool in the PL last week & an Away 0-4 victory at Feyenoord in the CL. Now they sit handsomely in 2nd on 10 points.
Goalkeeper Ederson is expected to start after recovering from a nasty kick from Sadio Mane last week along with Raheem Sterling after serving his one match suspension. Vincent Kompany remains the only absentee through injury.
Kevin De Bruyne was City's catalyst in midfield last week along with Leroy Sane who came on to score a brace are all expected to start. This time around they may opt for one striker and Gabriel Jesus could be given the nod in attack.
Prediction:
Watford (0-3) Man City
Jesus & De Bruyne to score
Fixture 7
After suffering defeat to Brighton last week, West Brom look set to return back to winning ways as they face an in-form West Ham United side, fresh from their first victory of the season.
West Brom suffered their first defeat of the season last week now sit in 9th place on 7 points. Defender Gareth McAuley could be set to make his first start, along with winger Oliver Burke after impressing last weekend. However, Nacer Chadli may still not be selected.
West Ham registered their first win of the season last Monday and now sit in 18th on 3 points. They will have Marko Arnautovic back available after serving his 3-match suspension. However, Mark Noble & Manuel Lanzini are out with injury.
It a very solid home defensive side taking on an equally impressive offensive side. The game depends on which side gets the first goal on the night. If that team is West Ham, then they can go on to win the fixture.
Prediction:
West Brom (0-1) West Ham United
Antonio on target
Fixture 8
After 2 wins on the spin, Tottenham look forward to continue their impressive form with a visit from Welsh side Swansea City at Wembley Stadium.
Last time out in the PL, Spurs put in a convincing performance against Everton beating them 0-3. They put in yet another convincing CL performance against Borussia Dortmund mid-week beating them 1-3. They sit in 5th place on 7 points in the PL table.
Tottenham will be without Victor Wanyama, Danny Rose & Erik Lamela who will all miss out through injury. Striker Harry Kane has scored 4 goals in his last 2 performances and is set to begin firing once again. Dele Alli is also expected to start after missing out the mid-week CL game through injury.
Swansea's new summer signings failed to perform at home last week and now sit in 15th place on 4 points. They will be without defender Kyle Bartley & midfielders Ki Sung-yeung & Nathan Dyer. Wilfried Bony may be given his first start ahead of Tammy Abraham.
Prediction:
Tottenham (4-0) Swansea City
Alli & Kane to score a brace each
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