Brighton vs Tottenham
Sat 5/10 at 12:30
Brighton welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the Amex Stadium in the early kick-off on Saturday. The Seagulls, without a league win since the opening day, will be confident of getting a result this weekend against a Spurs side who have lost 17 of 39 games in 2019.
In Brighton’s last outing, they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at the Bridge, with Jorginho and Willian both on the scoresheet. Albion briefly rallied and Dan Burn’s header hit the crossbar, but the Blues deservedly won to make it nine wins of out nine league games against Brighton.
The visitors have continued to struggle, domestically and abroad, since the summer break. Despite a howler from Hugo Lloris and a sending off for Serge Aurier, 10-man Tottenham managed to secure a 2-1 victory over Southampton.
After a dramatic exit from the Carabao Cup to Colchester away, and an embarrassing 7-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the week, the upcoming games for Pochettino’s men are of vital importance.
In terms of team news, Brighton are boosted by the return of Solly March, Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Leon Balogun from injury. Davy Propper is again doubtful with a hamstring issue, and Leandro Trossard, Shane Duffy and Bernardo all remain absent.
Tottenham will be without banned right-back Serge Aurier after his sending off against Southampton last Saturday. Ryan Sessegnon suffered an injury setback in training and remains sidelined, as does Giovani Lo Celso.
Liverpool vs Leicester
Sat 5/10 at 15:00
Liverpool host Leicester City this Saturday afternoon and it’s expected to be the most anticipated game of the weekend.
The Reds will be looking to continue their impressive league form against the Foxes and maintain their 100% winning start to the season. With Leicester currently sitting third in the table, on 14 points, they are likely to pose a significant threat through players such as Jamie Vardy and James Maddison.
Last time out, Liverpool won 1-0 away to Sheffield United courtesy of a “lucky” Georginio Wijnaldum goal. Klopp’s side were far from their best in South Yorkshire – and left thankful that the hosts could not find a way through in a game where they matched the European champions in many respects.
At the King Power Stadium, the Foxes were rampant and dispatched Newcastle with a dominant 5-0 victory. Brendan Rodgers has managed the team to 4 wins this season, only losing once at Old Trafford which moves them back into third position. Only Liverpool and Man City have achieved more points than Leicester since Rodgers’ appointment back in February.
Joel Matip missed the win over Salzburg after suffering a knock last weekend and remains a doubt to face the Foxes. Xherdan Shaqiri is also struggling with a calf injury while Nathaniel Clyne remains a long-term absentee.
At the other end, James Maddison missed the victory over Newcastle, but the Leicester playmaker should be in contention to return at Anfield, according to Rodgers.
Arsenal vs Bournemouth
Sun 6/10 at 14:00
Arsenal host Bournemouth in one of four Sunday afternoon fixtures.
The Gunners have experienced an inconsistent start to the season which has been mostly due to the ever-present defensive issues and tactical failings, the latter being a responsibility of the manager, Unai Emery.
However, after a home 4-0 win over Standard Liege in the Europa League, Arsenal should have enough confidence and quality to overcome the Cherries on Sunday.
In their last fixture, Arsenal played out a less than impressive 1-1 draw with fellow mid-table giants Man Utd with Aubameyang and McTominay on the scoresheet. Both of these players have been shining lights for their respective clubs in otherwise fairly dark and depressing times for two previous Premier League giants.
Meanwhile, the Cherries sit in seventh place in the league table, level on points with their opponents having played an extra game.
Last weekend, they entertainingly drew 2-2 with West Ham Utd, where Callum Wilson spurned a great chance to make it 3-1 before Aaron Cresswell volleyed home to deny Bournemouth a third straight Premier League win. AFC Bournemouth will need to be in inspired form if they are to take any points away from the Emirates, which has so often been a fortress for Arsenal.
Emery is likely to go slightly more attacking against Bournemouth so Dani Ceballos could be given a start over Lucas Torreira in midfield. Bukayo Saka, Rob Holding and Kieran Tierney may all feature. Star striker Alexandre Lacazette is yet to return to full fitness.
There are no fresh injury concerns for Eddie Howe’s side and therefore the Cherries may line-up similarly to last weekend.
Man City vs Wolves
Sun 6/10 at 14:00
Manchester City welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Etihad in another Sunday afternoon kick-off. Wolves have struggled to translate their Europa League form into the Premier League where they have only won one of their opening seven matches, and this was last weekend against Watford. A Matt Doherty strike followed by a Daryl Janmaat own goal either side of half- time was enough to secure the three points.
Currently 13th in the league, and only two points above the relegation zones, Wolves will be desperate to get a result in Manchester. Meanwhile, City had to work hard to see off a spirited Everton side and stay five points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool. Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling both netted in the final 20 minutes to give City victory, but they needed two excellent saves by Ederson to hold off the Toffees.
It was Raheem Sterling’s 100th goal in club football and he is likely to feature heavily again in this fixture. The introduction of Fernandinho into the backline alongside Nicolas Otamendi appears to have stabilised Man City’s defensive frailties since the injury to Aymeric Laporte. This, coupled with their wealth of attacking options, is likely to result in another thumping home victory.
In terms of team news, Pep is optimistic that Kevin De Bruyne could return to the starting line-up following a groin problem, however, Leroy Sane, Aymeric Laporte and John Stones are unlikely to feature in this match.
Wolves are expected to select a similar squad to the one that featured against Besiktas in the Europa League, where they scored an injury-time winner thanks to centre-back Willy Boly. Bruno Jordao and Diogo Jota still likely to be unavailable though.
Southampton vs Chelsea
Sun 6/10 at 14:00
Southampton welcome Chelsea to the south coast as Frank Lampard’s side look to climb back into the Premier League top four.
The Blues head into the weekend just a point behind fourth place Arsenal, emboldened after winning their third game on the bounce in the Champions League against Lille on Wednesday. Since that 4-0 thrashing at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season, Chelsea have won all of their games on the road, heading to St Mary’s where Saints have only won once this season.
Last weekend, Southampton suffered a narrow defeat to Tottenham despite an impressive effort by Danny Ings in the 39th minute. Aurier’s red card and Lloris’ howler saw the momentum swing in Southampton’s direction yet, after Kane had restored Tottenham’s lead, the visitors found themselves frustrated by the goalkeeper’s fine performance in the second half.
Lampard’s men “needed the win” last time out against Brighton where there had been 25 goals in their opening six league games, but more against than for – and they had not won at home in three top-flight matches.
Lampard has the worst record of any Blues manager this millennium after nine games in all competitions, with no clean sheets. Despite conceding many goals, the energy and passion in the youth players, particularly from Tammy Abraham has left Chelsea just outside the top 4 and they will expect to move into the Champions League places with a win at St. Mary’s.
With regards to the team selections, N’Golo Kante will be hoping to make just his second start in the league this season after completing 90 minutes against Lille back in France. Callum Hudson-Odoi will also be pushing for a start, having come off the bench to provide an assist in each of his two cameo appearances since returning from injury.
The Saints are believed to have no new injury concerns and therefore will be expected to submit a similar squad to that of last weekend.
Prediction: 3-2 Chelsea
Newcastle vs Man Utd
Sun 7/10 at 16:30
Newcastle host Man Utd at St. James Park in the late kick-off on Sunday afternoon.
United made it 10 games without an away win with a goalless draw with AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League – also failing to register a single shot on target. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have mustered just seven goals in nine games since putting four past Chelsea on the opening day of the season and will be desperate to address that slump on Tyneside.
Newcastle were taken apart by Leicester at the King Power Stadium last Sunday, where a 43rd-minute Hayden sending off condemned the Magpies to defeat with City scoring four goals thereafter. Although, as Alkmaar and Rochdale have shown in recent weeks, United are not a side to be feared at the moment and Steve Bruce’s men will be confident of a home result.
United last triumphed away from Old Trafford in the remarkable Champions League comeback at Paris Saint-Germain on March 6 and have not gone this long without an away success since 1989.
Man Utd’s team news includes the absences of Paul Pogba due to continued treatment for an ankle injury, and more recently, Jesse Lingard who sustained a suspected hamstring injury – pulling up in the final minutes of United’s Europa League stalemate. Anthony Martial (thigh), Luke Shaw (hamstring) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (illness) are also expected to sit out the Newcastle game.
Newcastle United head coach Steve Bruce will have both Jonjo Shelvey and Dwight Gayle in contention for the encounter against Manchester United. However, the game comes too early for Matt Ritchie who is still out with an ankle injury.
Prediction: 0-0 draw