Our Premier League GW10 Predictions

A quarter of the way into the season, the Premier League is beginning to take shape with a surprise leader at the summit of the table. Here are our predictions ahed of the weekend’s fixtures:

Crystal Palace vs Tottenham

Tottenham have enjoyed an unprecedented start to the season thanks to new manager Ange Postecoglou’s expansive playing style and calm demeanour. The north London side find themselves atop the Premier League table, with James Maddison and Heung Min Son impressing in particular.

Their opponents at Selhurst Park have performed as expected, finding themselves in the middle of the pack. Roy Hodgson has a defensively resilient side, but still at times lacks a top class striker to put the ball in the back of the net.

While the form book suggests a Spurs win, their unbeaten run does have to come to an end at some point. Despite my admiration for Big Ange, I can see the Palace faithful getting behind their team and the home side stealing all three points.

Score Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-0 Tottenham

Joe Simpson

Chelsea vs Brentford

Another week, another London derby, and this should be interesting. Chelsea showed up against the big boys in a thrilling 2-2 draw with Arsenal. Cole Palmer looks like an excellent signing and Mykhailo Mudryk getting on the score sheet will hopefully see him kick on. Robert Sánchez’s mistake showed his shakiness and defensively they still look exposable. Their form is picking up though and Mauricio Pochettino looks to finally be getting his side clicking.

Brentford looked formidable against Burnley last week, cutting them open with ease. The combination of Neal Maupay, Bryan Mbeumo, and Yoane Wissa looked deadly, and their pace and shooting will be a match for any team. Defensively they were not really challenged, and Chelsea will certainly provide that. They failed to hold out against the likes of Manchester United and Mark Flekken has not entirely convinced me as the new no. 1. The performance of him could be key to this result.

Chelsea looks like a more formidable outfit now and should be a match for most sides. However, they are not impenetrable, and The Bees’ outstanding offense will cause issues. I see this being an entertaining game with the points shared at the Bridge.

Score Prediction: 2-2

Tom Atkinson

Arsenal vs Sheffield United

Although Arsenal are very much in the race for the Premier League title this year, they have yet to find the same rhythm that saw them claim top spot for so long last season. Last week’s result against Chelsea saw a spirited comeback, but even the most optimistic Gooner will tell you that they flattered to deceive.

Saturday however offers Mikel Arteta a chance to put things right as they face bottom of the table Sheffield United. Still winless this season, things are looking bleak for the Yorkshire side. I expect Arsenal to win this one comfortably, with a few players finding their form and some confidence.

Score Prediction: Arsenal 4-1 Sheffield United (Kai Havertz to score)

Joe Simpson

Bournemouth vs Burnley

Last week provided similar stories for these two sides with poor defending, sending-offs, and silly mistakes costing either side. The Cherries are still without a win this season and Andoni Iraola is very much under pressure. Despite showing some good attacking play, they lost the Gary O’Neil derby to Wolves. Their opponents’ attack exposed their defensive weaknesses, with Neto’s mistakes and the silly sending off Lewis Cook costing them a point. The likes of Dominic Solanke and David Brooks have looked decent when given the opportunity, but chances come few and far between for the Seaside club.

Burnley didn’t put up much of a fight against Brentford and were easily dispatched of. James Trafford is a competent goalkeeper, but his passive defence needs to show some strength and solidarity. Vincent Kompany has tried to play an expressive style of play, but with The Clarets being torn apart week in, and week out, a change of system may be needed. There is attacking talent in this Lancashire side, but outside of a few moments, they’ve failed to shine.

This is a must-win game for both sides, in particular for Bournemouth. The pressure is very much on Iraola, but his side has that little bit more quality within them. This will be the breakthrough that home side needs and will secure their first victory of the new regime.

Score Prediction: Bournemouth 2-0 Burnley

Tom Atkinson

Wolves vs Newcastle

Gary O’Neil must have been enjoying himself this week. Beating his former club, Bournemouth, followed by a Monday Night Football masterclass as to how he did it certainly would have felt good after losing his job this summer. He takes on another former Cherries manager, Eddie Howe, at Molineux on Saturday evening.

Newcastle are beginning to find the form that secure Champions League football last season, but a loss to Dortmund this week and a storm cloud around Sandro Tonali could well set them back. I expect a tight game as O’Neil likes a compact set up against better opposition, but I do think the Geordies will just edge this one.

Score Prediction: Wolves 1-2 Newcastle

Joe Simpson

West Ham vs Everton

The David Moyes derby is set to be in full swing on Sunday afternoon as the Toffees take on the Hammers. West Ham lost their first European game in 17 on Thursday night after playing well but being outclassed by Aston Villa last weekend.

In a difficult week for Everton after the passing of Bill Kenwright, there is still a quiet sense of optimism around Sean Dyche’s side. A difficult start to the season has been steadied and despite losing to Liverpool last week, the blue part of Merseyside are less worried about the prospect of relegation than in previous seasons.

I expect a close game here but West Ham have more quality players and should have enough to pick up a victory.

Score Prediction: West Ham 2-1 Everton

Joe Simpson

Aston Villa vs Luton

Aston Villa really are flying at the moment under Unai Emery. Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby are terrorising defenders with their ability to get in behind, while John McGinn is playing some of the best football of his career.

Luton are proving more difficult to beat than many expected and currently sit just outside the relegation zone. Any place above 18th would be an amazing achievement for the Hatters, but this feels like too big of a task to come away from Villa Park with anything.

Score Prediction: Aston Villa 2-0 Luton

Joe Simpson

Fulham vs Brighton 

Fresh from making club history in Europe on Thursday, Brighton will host Fulham at the Amex on Sunday. Fulham have been one of the bigger disappointments this season having narrowly missed out on European football last year. The impact of losing star man Aleksandr Mitrovic to Saudi Arabia has been live in effect, with neither Carlos Vinicius or Raul Jimenez able to take on the goalscoring burden. 

Brighton will be looking for back to back wins and to end a four game losing streak in the league. It’s hard to assess Brighton because any result is possible with them – a team that can go toe to toe with Liverpool but also hold six to Villa. Despite that I’m expecting them to ride the wave of their first ever European victory and collect all three points. 

Score Prediction: Fulham 1-4 Brighton

Jesse Williams

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest

Liverpool are starting to find their feet this season thanks to the brilliance of Mohamed Salah and a midfield that is growing in stature game by game. After a comprehensive victory in the Europa League on Thursday, confidence will be sky high as they take on Forest.

Steve Cooper’s side have impressed with their direct attacking style, but have failed to convert decent performances into wins over their last five games. Forest’s front four will definitely cause Liverpool’s back line problems, but the home team have too much offensive firepower to let a game like this slip.

Score Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Nottingham Forest

Joe Simpson

Manchester United vs Manchester City 

Having been around for the Fergie years, to now see the state both Manchester clubs find themselves in before their first encounter of this season is very amusing. Ironically, heading into the match both teams will be feeling a level of self imposed pressure. While Ten Hag is fighting for his job and United trying to keep pace with the other top 5 contenders, City will simply be looking to maintain their near perfect standards as a club.

It feels like a routine spanking from City is inevitable and a big loss is not what United need at all right now. However, I find it pertinent to remind everyone that derbies must be viewed in a vacuum. Trying to predict based solely on current form can often see you make a fool of yourself.

Ten Hag’s desire to lean into chaos and Pep Guardiola’s addiction to control is a dynamic that should lead to at the very least an entertaining Sunday spectacle.

Score Prediction: Manchester United 0-3 Manchester City

Jesse Williams