This weekend marks the start of Premier League Matchday 8, and on Sunday, two of the most thrilling games imaginable will take place after a thrilling match between Brighton and Liverpool.
Those games are title contenders Arsenal and Manchester City versus each other.
Arsenal is currently tied on points and goal differential with rival Tottenham, who are ahead of City at the top of the table.
Brighton is in sixth place, followed by Liverpool in fourth.
Let’s attempt to predict the unpredictable lineup of games this weekend.
Luton versus. Tottenham.
Tottenham are second for a reason, so it would be amazing if Luton managed to upset Ange Postecoglou’s high-flying Spurs.
After an unexpectedly quiet 2022–23 season, Son Heung-min has found his best form thanks to James Maddison, who has been mesmerizing since moving to London from Leicester City.
The unsettling thing is that, after serving as Everton’s savior for years, Richarlison might even make Tottenham even better.
Spurs score three against Luton.
“Manchester United vs.Brentford.
Erik ten Hag, who is involved in a costly and unnecessary feud with winger Jadon Sancho, has recently been the subject of questions, which has caused Manchester United to stumble.
Sancho, particularly now, could benefit the team’s creativity, width, and player-taking abilities.
This appears to be another instance of dropped points because of United’s inconsistent play and their lack of conviction even when they win.
Brentford hasn’t been particularly impressive this season either, and it appears that they are regressing after a fantastic 2022–23 campaign.
But the Bees, despite being in 14th place, appear to be an equal match for THIS United.
I’m going with Manchester United 1, Brentford 1.
Fulham and Sheffield United
The Fulham and Brentford teams that threatened to make the European playoffs last season and were among the favorites to win the 2022–23 Premier League have both appeared to have completely changed.
In Aleksandar Mitrovi’s absence, the Cottagers have struggled mightily as no player has scored more than one goal.
Mitrovi is headed to the Saudi Pro League.
In what might be the most unpleasant match of the weekend, they will be able to steal a point from Sheffield.
Watch this one if you enjoy defensive football.
The score will be Fulham 1, Sheffield 0.
Burnley and. Chelsea.
Every week Chelsea disappoint and appear disorganized, so how can anyone have faith in them?
The Blues do indeed still appear to be a mid-table team, just like they did the year before.
They don’t take their chances, they don’t create enough chances, and they exhibit a genuinely disorganized appearance in the middle of the field.
However, since Mauricio Pochettino’s appointment, there has been quiet development below the surface.
the appropriate No. Chelsea has the potential to compete in the Europa League.
Chelsea’s experience in London isn’t entirely negative.
But they will lose on the road to a tenacious Burnley team that will fight tooth and nail and sacrifice everything to get a win in front of their supporters.
They will eke out an unexpected victory that hopefully prevents Chelsea from escalating its overreaction.
Expectation: Burnley 1, Chelsea 0.
Everton and Bournemouth.
After a humiliating loss to Luton, Everton appears to be headed for another one against a Bournemouth team that is more talented than their 19th-place start to the 2023–24 season would suggest.
At the end of the 2022–23 season, Bournemouth displayed impressive tenacity.
With Dominic Solanke, Philip Billing, Marcus Tavernier, and Luis Sinisterra, Bournemouth have a potent attacking quartet ready to go at any moment.
On paper, the Toffees continue to be underwhelming.
Expect the Cherries to secure a significant victory at Goodison Park to cause a ripple at the bottom of the Premier League standings in what could be yet another exciting relegation battle.
Everton will win, Bournemouth will lose.
Aston Villa vs. Manchester City.
There are some parallels between Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest. Both are competent, able to put on a strong defensive display, and decisive when it counts.
This was demonstrated in Palace’s outstanding 1-0 victory over Manchester United, which was a defensive masterclass.
Although the Eagles will play well, Forest will perform well enough to earn a point in this game.
This season, Taiwo Awoniyi has already tallied three goals and two assists. The ex-Union Berlin player may serve as Nottingham Forest’s “great equalizer” in some ways.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1, Nottingham Forest 0.
Brighton versus. Liverpool.
The two most thrilling and successful teams in the Premier League are Brighton and Liverpool. Both have a strong chance of qualifying for the Champions League, with the Reds once again appearing to be serious title contenders following a disastrous 2022–23 season.
It’s unlikely that they will defeat Manchester City for the championship.
However, the fact remains that they do have a chance now that they have added Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis MacAllister to strengthen their midfield.
While they will dazzle on the road against the Seagulls on Sunday, this thrilling game will only result in a split of the spoils.
Brighton simply had THAT good of a match for Liverpool, not because Liverpool wasn’t brilliant.
The Reds will give it their all but still lose because Brighton proved they can compete with the best in the Premier League by coming back from a disastrous performance.
Liverpool 3, Brighton 3 is the prediction.
West Ham and. Newcastle.
Two of the top teams in the Premier League are West Ham and Newcastle.
Heck, both can argue that for European football in general given that Newcastle recently destroyed PSG 4-1 and the Hammers recently won the Conference League.
It’s actually difficult to choose between these teams, especially with the Hammers being at home, despite how dominant the Magpies were in the Premier League against PSG and Sheffield United.
With Jarrod Bowen and James Ward-Prowse, West Ham appear to be such a formidable force.
Since the beginning of the 2023–24 season, both have been two of the Premier League’s top players.
The score will be West Ham 1, Newcastle 1.
Wolf vs. Stoke City.
Another close game, but Aston Villa is 10 places higher than Wolves in the table because they have significantly more talent.
Moussa Diaby and Ollie Watkins will be the driving forces for Unai Emery’s Clarets in this match, and Villa will perform well enough to earn the three points.
Watkins has already contributed to seven goals in the Premier League, whereas Diaby has quickly become one of the top attacking players in English football.
That comes as no surprise given that he spent the previous two seasons playing at that exact level in the Bundesliga.
Aston Villa will likely finish second to Wolves.
Gunners vs. “Manchester City.”.
Despite being a strong team and still having a chance to win the Premier League, Arsenal appears to be levels behind Manchester City.
Although the team’s attacking reliance on Bukayo Saka is beginning to show, the signing of Declan Rice was a crucial move that will pay off.
Arsenal’s performance without Saka is under scrutiny.
Erling Haaland, the best striker in the world, is not the only player on whom City can always rely.
Based on what we have seen this season, Julián Lvarez is legitimately not far off in terms of quality, while Jérémy Doku would be a club-changing signing for just about anyone else.
He is a game-changer for City as well, further solidifying their position as the best team in the Premier League.
In all honesty, this game will never be in doubt.
This one is going to Manchester City.
Following this outcome, Arsenal and Mikel Arteta in particular WILL NEED to respond.
Prediction: Manchester City 3, Arsenal 1.
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