Our Premier League GW6 Predictions

The Premier League is heating up, with drama and tension creeping in amongst some of the big sides, and frustration at the bottom of the table. Here are our predictions ahead of another huge weekend in the top flight:

Crystal Place vs Fulham

Currently sat 9th and 10th in the table respectively, Crystal Palace host Fulham in a fixture that looks set to be a very tight contest.
With Palace having lost their last game to Aston Villa, Roy Hodgson’s men will be looking to bounce back from their defeat this weekend – however Fulham will be looking to continue to the form from a 1-0 win over Luton and start a streak.

Both attacking midfields for each side are very strong; whichever manager can reap the best out of their creative players is inevitably going to have the most joy in this game – however it’s tough to call who’s more likely out of the two to do so. Based on this and both teams having a shaky defence, my score predictions can’t be anything other than a draw.

Score Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-2 Fulham

Harvey Marwood

Luton vs Wolves

Luton are back at Kenilworth Road after a disappointing 1-0 loss to Fulham last weekend. The Hatters are desperate to get their first points on the board and the arrival of Wolves represents a golden opportunity.

Gary O’Neil is continuing to show that his in game management skills are lacking. There is no doubt that he is a strong tactical coach but after throwing away multiple two goal leads at Bournemouth, last week’s loss to Liverpool after dominating the first half has shown this has become a regular occurence.

Wolves undoubtedly have better players within their ranks, but there is not much to separate the two sides in terms of form and Luton will be eager to secure a victory. I expect an even encounter in which the home side battle to gain a point.

Score Prediction: Luton 2-2 Wolverhampton

Joe Simpson

Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest

Manchester City have carried on their imperious form into the new season. After a some shaky starts in their last two games, their overall quality across the park has outshone their opposition even with Erling Haaland not yet reaching the heights of last year.

As always, Nottingham Forest have been busy in the transfer market, but their new front three has already shown positive signs. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga both look like they are good additions to the squad, while Taiwo Awoniyi has started the season in decent form.

City rarely lose at the Etihad and Erling Haaland plays his best football at home, so it is difficult to see anything other than a Manchester City win. Forest however can cause problems on the counter, and I can see the away side jumping out into an early lead before eventually being dispatched.

Score Prediction: Manchester City 4-1 Nottingham Forest

Joe Simpson

Brentford v Everton

The Gtech Community Stadium plays host to an intriguing clash between two sides with differing goals. Brentford have made a middling start to the season with their first defeat coming last week against Newcastle. Despite the loss of Ivan Toney, Bryan Mbeumo has stepped up to the plate to deliver the goods. Defensively, they have conceded a fair few goals, but Ethan Pinnock and Nathan Collins have been solid at the back.

Everton meanwhile have been very poor and are yet to win a game. They showed some improvements in their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, but again their lack of goals showed, with this being the 4^th game out of 5 they failed to score in the league. Jordan Pickford continues to be the shining light in this team, but they have lacked in every other area. This will be a close game, but Everton’s poor form will give Brentford the advantage who have plenty of goalscoring options on display.

Score Prediction: Brentford 2-0 Everton

Tom Atkinson

Burnley vs Manchester United 

Yet again Manchester United seem to find themselves in a bit of a crisis. Ten Hag’s men have hit a wretched patch of form, losing 3 games on the bounce and conceding 3 or more goals in all of them. Controversy mixed with startling performances has plagued the red side of Manchester in a vicious cycle this season. But much like the sky is blue, United will always remain a threat. 

When trying to fight off relegation, being an ideologist like Vincent Kompany is typically bad for your job security. The way he sets up his team is admirable but perhaps a little more pragmatism would serve him well, especially against the bigger sides. However, Kompany doesn’t strike me as the type to have wavering convictions, so it would be a safe bet to assume they’ll be as uncompromising in his system as he has been so far this season.

With both teams desperate to get their campaign moving in the right direction I can’t see anything other than a goal fest on Saturday. 

Score Prediction: Burnley 3-4 Manchester United

Jesse Williams

Liverpool v West Ham

While many would have expected this fixture to go one way at the start of the season, this is set to be a thrilling clash. Liverpool continue to be a rejuvenated side, but left it late to beat Wolves last week and came from behind in Europe as well. Liverpool’s attacking talent continues to delight with Mo Salah and Darwin Núñez shining, serving up 6 goals and 6 assists between them this season. The midfield also looks stacked, as Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch have fit right in. Defensively, the Reds still look a bit weak and Alisson’s mistake against Wolves shows they are vulnerable.

West Ham’s great start to the season was ended by a defeat to Manchester City, but they recovered to beat Bačka Topola in the Europa League. David Moyes has got his side back to their best, with James Ward-Prowse and Mohammed Kudus proving to be brilliant signings. Jarrod Bowen has also delivered up front, but they are yet to keep a clean sheet. This will be a thrilling tie between two teams who have been good but have weaknesses at the back. The red team from Merseyside has that bit more quality and that should get them over the line.

Score Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 West Ham

Tom Atkinson

Arsenal vs Tottenham

While Spurs may still be flying high from their last minute 2-1 victory against Sheffield, this weekend they line up against their fiercest rivals Arsenal. Tottenham will feel like they are a different prospect compared to last season with goals and good football already returning to N17 thanks to Ange Postecoglu. However, Spurs and those drinking the Spurs kool-aid should probably slow down. Anyone who watched Arsenal’s return to Champions League football on Wednesday would’ve seen how devastating the Gunners can be if afforded space.

Tottenham play a high risk high reward game and Arsenal are well equipped to exploit that. What will the opportunity cost be for Big Ange playing this way in an NLD game at the Emirates against an in-form Arsenal side? Looking objectively, Arsenal should be handing out a reality check especially considering the home team bias when looking at results in this fixture.

Score Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Tottenham

Jesse Williams

Chelsea vs Aston Villa

With the optimistic Chelsea fanbase crushed already by the opening results this season, if recent form is anything to go by, this game will be far from smooth sailing from the Blues.

Mauricio Pochettino thus far has failed to fully instil his tactical ideas to his team, and consequently performances have been lacking significantly. Aston Villa however on the other hand have picked up three wins from their opening five games – but running off the back of a 3-2 loss to Legia Warszawa in their European fixture midweek, there may be a case of tired legs in the Midlands ranks.

Unai Emery’s side however have managed to do successfully what Chelsea haven’t been able to do, and that’s get the full backs scoring goals and getting heavily involved with the attacks. Lucas Digne and Matty Cash have had multiple goal involvements within the opening games this season, and if they can get heavily involved in this one, I think Villa will edge this one.

Score Prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Aston Villa

Harvey Marwood

Brighton vs Bournemouth

Brighton will be reeling after a disappointing result in the Europa League in midweek. Roberto De Zerbi has deservedly been receiving plaudits after the Seagulls start to the season, but this will be the first real test of how Brighton can cope with the fixture congestion that comes with European football.

For any outsider looking in, it may well feel as if Andoni Iraola’s reign as Bournemouth manager has got off to a rocky start. However, the new Cherries boss has been hampered by injuries and is trying to implement a new playing style, which is slowly improving week by week.

Bournemouth will be eager to get their first victory of the season, but this trip down the south coast may be coming a few weeks too early. If Brighton get the first goal I believe they will win quite comfortably.

Score Prediction: Brighton 2-0 Bournemouth

Joe Simpson

Sheffield United vs Newcastle

The pressure has eased slightly on Eddie Howe after a defiant 1-0 win against Brentford last weekend and a solid point at the San Siro in midweek. Newcastle have lofty ambitions this season and need to string some wins together quickly if they are to keep up with the pace at the top of the table.

For Sheffield United this season, it has been a case of so near yet so far. Every game they have played this season has been hotly contested, with the Blades often falling short in the last few minutes of their ties after withstanding barrages of pressure.

Bramall Lane will be a tough place to go for every team in the Premier League this season, and Paul Heckingbottom has got his side well drilled and difficult to break down. Newcastle will have to be at their best to secure a victory in this one, but I think they’ll have just enough to get the job done.

Score Prediction: Sheffield United 1-2 Newcastle

Joe Simpson