As the international break comes to a close and players start returning to their clubs to prepare for this Premier League weekend, I thought we could take a look at the fixtures this weekend and talk about predictions, predicted line-ups and players to watch.
Arsenal VS Nottingham Forest - 12:30 PM KO
The first game of the weekend is set to be an exciting one with manager Ange Postecoglou taking charge of the Nottingham Forest team for the first time. It is fair to say that it will be a tough test for the Aussie Manager. Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is set to miss out as he continues to recover from the hamstring injury he picked up away at Leeds.
Predicted Lineups
Arsenal: (4-3-3) David Raya, Gabriel, Mosquera, Calafiori, Timber, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Rice, Eze, Madueke, Gyokeres
Nottingham Forest: It is hard to predict what Ange will do in his first game in charge for the club.
Prediction
I am unsure about how Ange's first outing is going to go for Nottingham Forrest however I know that an away game at Arsenal is very tough for any side in the League therefore I will predict 2-0 Arsenal.
Bournemouth Vs Brighton - 3:00 PM KO
Two very good sides meet this weekend both coming off the back of massive wins. Bournemouth won away at spurs last time out and Brighton came back to beat Manchester City at home. This should be a great attacking game of football and one that I am excited for.
Predicted Line-ups
Bournemouth: (4-1-4-1) Petrovic, Senesi, Diakite, Truffert, Smith, Adams, Kluivert, Scott, Semenyo, Brooks, Evanilson
Brighton: (4-2-3-1) Verbruggen, Dunk, Van Heckle, De Cuyper, Wieffer, Hinshelwood, Baleba, Mitoma, Minteh, Gruda
Prediction
As mentioned before it will be a very competitive game therefore I am going to go for a 2-2 draw
Crystal Palace vs Sunderland - 3:00 PM KO
Crystal Palace have also been in fine form undefeated so far this season. Sunderland have been good at home, however as they lost 2-0 away to Burnley.
Predicted Line-ups
Crystal Palace: (3-5-2-1) Henderson, Guehi, Lacroix, Richards, Mitchell, Munoz, Lerma, Hughes, Kamada, Devenny, Mateta
Sunderland: (4-3-3) Roefs, Ballard, Mukiele, Reinildo, Geeruida, Xhaka, Sadiki, Diarra, Le Fee, Talbi, Mayenda
Prediction
Crystal Palace should win comfortably therefore I am going to go for a 2-0 win.
Everton vs Aston Villa - 3:00 PM KO
This game shapes up to be another competitive game with Everton starting the season well and Aston Villa not getting off to the start they would have wanted. Villa will be looking to bounce into form after the international break and this is a good opportunity for them to do so.
Predicted Line-ups
Everton: (4-2-3-1) Pickford, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, O'Brien, Gueye, Garner, Grealish, Nidaye, Dewsbury - Hall, Beto
Aston Villa: (4-2-3-1) Bizot, Torres, Konsa, Digne, Cash, Tilemans, Kamara, Rogers, Malen, McGinn, Watkins
Prediction
I think Aston Villa are due a win therefore I am going to go for a 2-1 win for Villa. Everton are playing some good football at the moment however I think Villa win this one.
Fulham vs Leeds - 3:00 PM KO
Fulham vs Leeds is another good game however I can see Fulham trying to make a statement at home especially after the controversial loss at Chelsea last week.
Predicted Line-ups
Fulham: (4-2-3-1) Leno, Bassey, Anderson, Robinson, Tete, Berge, Lukic, Iwobi, Wilson, King, Muniz
Leeds: (4-3-3) Perri, Struijk, Rodon, Gudmundsson, Bogle, Gruev, Stach, Longstaff, Gnonto, James, Nmecha
Prediction
Like I said I can see Fulham trying to make a statement here so with that being said I am going 3-0 Fulham.
Newcastle vs Wolves - 3:00 PM KO
Wolves make the trip to Newcastle this weekend for what is shaping up to be a tough outing at St James Park. Wolves will be looking to make a statement and spoil the party as Newcastle hope to showcase the last of their summer signings.
Predicted Line-ups
Newcastle: (4-3-3) Pope, Burn, Schar, Hall, Livramento, Tonali, Ramsey, Guimaraes, Barnes, Elanga, Woltemade
Wolves: (3-4-3) Sa, Gomes, Agbadou, Bueno, Moller Wolfe, Tachatchoua, Gomes, Andre, Arias, Munetsi, Hwang
Prediction
A tough game for Wolves and a huge test on one of the tougher away days of the season. Unfortunately I don't think it will be a very positive outing for them. 3-1 Newcastle with Woltemade scoring on debut.
West Ham vs Tottenham - 5:30 PM KO
This huge London Derby shapes up to be a very interesting game with the Hammers coming off the back of a 3-0 win away to Nottingham Forest and Spurs losing at home to Bournemouth.
A London derby always delivers and this game should live up to that expectation. It is yet to be seen weather or not new Tottenham star Xavi Simons will start but I am excited for his Premier League debut.
Predicted Line-ups
West Ham: (4-2-3-1) Hermansen, Kilman, Maropanos, Diouf, Walker-Peters, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Fernandes, Bowen, Paqueta, Fullkrug
Spurs: (4-3-3) Vicario, Van de Ven, Romero, Spence, Porro, Palhinha, Bergvall, Sarr, Johnson, Kudus, Richarlison
Prediction
I think West Ham will come out of the gates strong however Spurs will be too strong. West Ham have the quality to hurt Spurs and if they start well it could be a tough game but I think Spurs win 3-1.
Brentford vs Chelsea - 8:00 PM KO
Chelsea go away to Brentford this weekend looking to continue there strong start to the season and remain undefeated. Brentford will need to be at their best if they want to take something away from this game.
Predicted Line-ups
Brentford: (4-2-3-1) Kelleher, Collins, Van den Berg, Lewis-Potter, Kayode, Henderson, Yarmoliuk, Schade, Outtara, Damsgaard, Thiago
Chelsea: (4-2-3-1) Sanchez, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella, James, Caicedo, Enzo, Garnacho, Neto, Estevao, Joao Pedro
Prediction
I can see Chelsea just being too strong for Brentford this weekend. As I said before Brentford will have to be perfect to try and take something from this game and I can't see it happening. 2-0 Chelsea.
Burnley vs Liverpool - Sunday 2:00 PM KO
Liverpool take a trip to Burnley this weekend looking to continue their fine start to the season and build on a crucial win at home to Arsenal last time out. It will be interesting to see how many minutes new signing Alexander Isak plays after joining the reds for a record breaking fee.
Predicted Lineups
Burnley: (5-2-2-1) Dubravka, Esteve, Ekdal, Sonne, Hartman, Walker, Ugochukwu, Cullen, Anthony, Mejbri, Foster
Liverpool: (4-2-3-1) Alisson, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Gakpo, Salah, Wirtz, Ekitike
Prediction
I think Liverpool continue their fine start to the season with a win away at Burnley and it should be a comfortable win too. 3-0 Liverpool.
Manchester City vs Manchester United - Sunday 4:30 PM KO
Saving the best till last, the weekend of fixtures come's to an end with a huge Manchester Derby on Sunday afternoon. Both sides need to win and both sides are looking to make a statement. This game deserves its own feature article because for both teams it is one of the biggest games of the season if not the biggest.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester City: (4-1-4-1) Donnarumma, Dias, Kushanov, Ait Nouri, Lewis, Rodri, Reijnders, Silva, Doku, Bobb, Haaland
Manchester United: (3-4-2-1) Bayindir, Yoro, Maguire, De Ligt, Dorgu, Amad, Ugarte, Casemiro, Fernandes, Mbeumo, Sesko
Prediction
This game in particular is really hard to predict with both sides looking to make a statement and it being a must win for both. In recent times Manchester United have done well away to City however, I think City will be at their best this weekend making it really tough for United. 2-1 City.
Summary
This weekend is shaping up to be a really exciting one in the Premier League. New signings looking to make an impact and massive games all throughout the weekend. With a couple of days before the games it is hard to correctly predict all of the line-ups and they are of course subject to change as the week goes on because of injuries however this gives fans an insight into what Clubs might do in anticipation of the games this weekend.
