MY ACCOUNT
With eight games taking place in the Premier League on Saturday, here we run down our expert writers’ best predictions for each game.
Everton vs Liverpool (Saturday, 12:30pm)
Liverpool will fancy their chances of overcoming an Everton team that have rarely troubled them in recent seasons, having won only one of the last 29 derbies.
But it could be quite tight and history suggests a draw is the most likely outcome with eight of the last 10 games at Goodison Park finishing all square.
Brentford vs Leeds (Saturday, 3pm)
Leeds could struggle without Rodrigo and if Patrick Bamford is restricted to a second-half substitute role, there will be a lot of pressure on the young shoulders of Joe Gelhardt.
The Bees will not be at full strength either but in Ivan Toney, they have a potential matchwinner that will be a real handful for the visitors’ back four.
Chelsea vs West Ham (Saturday, 3pm)
West Ham put in a spirited display against Tottenham in midweek to earn a draw and beat a dismal Aston Villa side 1-0 in the match beforehand.
N’Golo Kante’s absence is once again seriously undermining Chelsea, who are nothing like the same team without the Frenchman and a fully-fit Mateo Kovacic patrolling the midfield.
None of Chelsea’s back-up options come close to offering the same level of control and if Thomas Tuchel must again field a makeshift midfield then hard-working West Ham pair Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek could ensure this is a scrappy encounter in which the visitors earn a point.
Newcastle vs Crystal Palace (Saturday, 3pm)
Although Newcastle could be without Allan Saint-Maximin and Bruno Guimaraes once again, there is enough belief and confidence within the squad that they can chalk up their second victory of the campaign and get themselves back on the right track.
The Eagles have failed to score in four of their last six games at St James’ Park and it would be no surprise to see Newcastle come out on top with a clean sheet in front of a raucous home crowd.
Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth (Saturday, 3pm)
While the narrative around the two clubs is very different, the levels of both Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth are largely similar and that could be reflected in a City Ground stalemate.
Tottenham vs Fulham (Saturday, 3pm)
The Cottagers have yet to win away this season and they are preparing to take on a side who have secured a maximum six points from six at home so far, so all the signs are that this will end in another victory for Tottenham.
The visitors can play their part and Aleksandar Mitrovic will again be a major goal threat on the break in a game that should see both get on the scoresheet.
Wolves vs Southampton (Saturday, 3pm)
Wolves have lacked a killer touch so far this season, but Sasa Kalajdzic’s arrival could change all that and it will be interesting to see if he gets any joy against Southampton’s defenders this weekend.
However, both sides may have to settle for a share of the spoils on Saturday with defences likely to be on top.
Aston Villa vs Manchester City (Saturday, 5.30pm)
City are likely to prove too strong in all departments for Villa, who do not seem to be playing with the confidence required to land what would be the biggest upset of the season.
An away win looks likely and City should be able to triumph by at least a couple of goals.
