Finally, the dreaded international break is over… until November…
However, let’s not get into that just yet and be glad that two of Attacking Football’s finest, Alex and Yassin, are back with their weekly Premier League predictions. Don’t forget to drop your predictions in the relevant comment section.
Premier League Matchday 8 Predictions & Previews
Spurs vs West Ham
Spurs: The Lily Whites looked rampant against Manchester United and in the first half against Brighton. Then, they did their best Spurs impression, blowing a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2. Good luck predicting which version will appear in this game.
West Ham: The Hammers returned to winning ways with an emphatic win over Ipswich. They look to get over their recent road bump in form and can now hope to kick on against a very topsy-turvy Spurs.
Predictions
Alex’s prediction: 2-0 West Ham. The good side of West Ham and the bad side of Spurs show up at White Heart Lane this weekend, ending with The Hammers leaving with all three points.
Yassin’s prediction: 3-2 West Ham. West Ham had a tough start to the season, playing City, Villa, and Chelsea. They were rampant against Ipswich, winning 4-1. Two weeks of work during the international break helped Lopotegui’s team gel better. West Ham springs the first surprise of the weekend.
Manchester United vs Brentford
Manchester United: After humiliating themselves against Tottenham, they blew a 2-0 lead against Porto and then traveled to Villa Park to play to not lose. Now, they play against Brentford, with Johnny Evans reportedly starting at left-back.
Brentford: The Bees were stinging before the International break, with the London side scoring early yet again, with James Collins scoring vs. Wolves within 2′ Thomas Frank views kick-offs as set pieces, and United have shown some vulnerability at points to set pieces. Could the Bees punish United again?
Predictions
Alex’s prediction: 3-1 Brentford. This would be embarrassing and woeful, and it will probably be the final nail in the coffin for ETH.
Yassin’s prediction: 2-1 Brentford. Brentford are good at set pieces, counterattacks, and setting up in a low block. Manchester United are bad at all these things. Brentford lights a fire under Erik Ten Hag’s seat.
Southampton vs Leicester City
Southampton: For the Saints, Russell Martin, their season and the fans, this is a MUST-WIN with no option for anything less. Southampton had their chances vs. Arsenal and for the most part, defended very well and were able to smother Arsenal’s offence. One issue for Saints is their consistency. Can they back up these foundations of good performances with three points?
See also FPL GW8 Best Captain: Palmer, Salah, Haaland & More
Leicester City: Leicester City is doing what Nottingham did in their first season in the Premier League under Steve Cooper. They are accumulating points here by getting points in games they have no business getting points in.
Predictions
Alex’s prediction: 3-1 Southampton. Is it a bold prediction? Yes. Do I genuinely think it could happen? No, however, never say never. Tyler Dibling could gain his ‘reported’ extension to his current deal with another top performance.
Yassin’s prediction: 2-0 Leicester. Leicester plays like a team that wants to stay in the Premier League. Southampton plays like a team that cares for their style of play. The former Premier League Champions get the win in the battle of two newly promoted teams.
Ipswich Town vs Everton
Ipswich Town: Before the international break, Ipswich took a beating from The Hammers (West Ham). They now welcome Everton in what can be considered a six-point in the relegation battle.
Everton: Everton does have points on the board and followed that up with another decent performance vs the on-form Newcastle. Will they keep this form up, or will it return? Only time will tell
Predictions
Alex’s prediction: 0-0 Ipswich will yet again fail to get their first win of the season in a dull and boring encounter where both sides offer very little.
Yassin’s prediction: 2-0 Ipswich. With each game, Ipswich gets more Premier League experience. They rebound from their humiliating loss and get their first win of the season against Everton.
Newcastle United vs Brighton
Newcastle United: The Magpies again reverted to their below-average performances against Everton. They have not created anything, barring the missed penalty. Everton had 2 Big chances. The Magpies will need to be much better if they want to challenge for European places.
Brighton: The Albion did the impossible (vs. Spurs, it actually always seemed likely) and came back from 2-0 down in a very inspiring 3-2 win, which further boosts Hurzeler’s reputation within the world of football and even more so, gaining respect for his current work within the Premier League.
Predictions
Alex’s prediction: 2-0 Newcastle, as Yassin has said below, the noise of St James’ Park will be very strong, as will Eddie Howe’s side showing their former Champions League status and their quality players on display bearing their fruits.
Yassin’s prediction: 3-2 Newcastle. Brighton struggles against good teams outside of Amex. Newcastle uses the power of St James Park to push them for a win.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Fulham: Although they lost against City, Fulham played like a top 6 team. They created five big chances and had 2.6 Xg against the best team in the league at the Etihad. There are no moral victories in the Premier League but this was an encouraging performance against the Premier League Champions.
Aston Villa: Villa is turning into a Premier League ‘streets won’t forget’ (this Emery Era specifically), with Unai guiding them to strong results after strong results. They will feel dismayed with not winning against Manchester United; however, it will strengthen them even more as they face the West London Side.
Predictions
Alex’s prediction: 4-1 Villa. Simply class and John Duran chaos is the best way to describe how I predict this game.
Yassin’s prediction: 1-1. They are two of the best teams to start the Premier League season. Fulham and Villa are well-drilled, have good managers and know what they do. An extremely tactical game ends in a 1-1 draw.
Bournemouth vs Arsenal
Bournemouth: The Cherries suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss vs Leicester prior to the International break. However, Iraola will have worked on what they need too and they will try and face Arsenal with all their might to try gain three points.
Arsenal: The Gunners again put themselves in an uncomfortable situation against Southampton. They managed to find a way to beat the Saints, but against better teams, they may be punished. Mikel Arteta’s side cannot rely on comebacks each game.
Predictions
Alex’s prediction: 3-1 Arsenal. Unfortunately for The Cherries, The Gunner’s quality will seep through and have the side to break the Bournemouth block and will leave Dean Court with all three points.
Yassin’s prediction: 2-2. Bournemouth performances are much better than their results. The Cherries dominated Chelsea but could not find the back of the net. They played well against Liverpool at Anfield, but Kepa’s mistakes cost them any chances at points. They created 2.16 Xg and five big chances against Leicester. Arsenal looks vulnerable, especially defensively. This is the game where Bournemouth’s luck turns the other way. An entertaining match on the South Coast ends in a draw.
Wolves vs Manchester City
Wolves: Wolves have been done dirty with their schedule thus far; however, their performances have still been lacking, conceding way too many goals. This won’t stop with the Champions coming to town.
Manchester City: The Citizens were far away from their best against Fulham but still managed to steal a win. Two weeks is too much time for Pep Guardiola to find a tactical solution for Rodri’s absence.
Predictions
Alex’s prediction: 6-1 City. similar essence to Wolves’ performance vs Chelsea and the former treble winners will not let them get away with it and punish them forcefully
Yassin’s prediction: 3-1 Manchester City. Wolves played Chelsea, Newcastle, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal in five of their first seven games. Now they must play a Manchester City team who is out to prove they can win without Rodri. Whoever made the draw did not do Wolves any favours.
Liverpool vs Chelsea
Liverpool: The Reds again took the lead against Palace but left the opponent hanging around. They were lucky that Eze missed two clear chances; otherwise, they would have lost points in a game they had no business losing points in.
Chelsea: It’s Super Sunday, and the battle of the Bald returns. Enzo’s Chelsea are finding rhythm, and Ice Cold Palmer is firing on all cylinders. There isn’t much that can stop this Chelsea team right now; however, could Slot slot in and be that block in their excellent form?
Predictions
Alex’s prediction: 3-2 Liverpool. Entertainment and enthrallment bless the eyes of the Super Sunday viewers with an end-to-end contest and the host taking all three points
Yassin’s prediction: 0-0. Liverpool conceded only once in seven games. Chelsea concedes many goals and needs to tighten up in the backline. Maresca will counter Liverpool’s defensive solidity with a defensive plan himself, and the game ends in a 0-0 draw.
Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace
Nottingham Forest: Forest are really finding their feet this season with each performance on the same or better than the last, with Nuno showing what he can do and Elanga and Hudson-Odoi using their blistering speed to break down teams.
Crystal Palace: The Eagles have been atrocious since the start of the season. They are one of the worst teams in the first seven games. They concede many chances; they do not create many chances, and when they do, their attackers do not finish them. Oliver Glasner must find a fast solution because Palace’s season is spiraling.
Predictions
Alex’s prediction: 2-0 Palace. Glasner may find the solution and he has had the international break to find it.
