We are on the eve of another Premier League weekend with some fantastic games to come.
Can Arsenal retain top spot ahead of Manchester City? Will Brighton maintain their blistering domestic form and can rock-bottom Sunderland surprise Chelsea?
Here, we list this weekend's games and give our Premier League predictions!
FRIDAY
Everton v Coventry (8pm)
Everton looked strong at Newcastle on Monday night and it may be the decision to ostracise Jack Grealish from the squad has galvanised the rest of the players. With Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall shining in midfield and Thierno Barry continuing to defy the critics and score goals, the Toffees are moving in the right direction. The same can be said for Coventry, who have won three of their last five league games to climb out of the bottom three. It is a tough ask for them tonight, though, and we fancy David Moyes to mark his record-equalling 592nd game in charge of Everton with a win.
Prediction: Everton 2-0 Coventry
SATURDAY
Leeds v Tottenham (12.30pm)
The mood at Tottenham has changed completely following three successive wins and they will head to Elland Road in confident mood. This is a good test of the ‘new Spurs' under Roberto De Zerbi with the hosts strong at home. Leeds are on a poor run having taken three points from their last five games. Bizarrely, Leeds haven't won a Premier League match that's kicked off before 3pm since August 2022 – a run of 21 matches.
Prediction: Leeds 1-1 Tottenham
Arsenal v Hull (3pm)
Arsenal can go six points clear of City at the Premier League summit – for a few hours at least – with a win over Hull. The Gunners have bounced back nicely from their defeat at Brighton with four straight league wins and they seem destined to retain the title they claimed last season. Hull are in freefall having not won since August. This is a home banker.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Hull
Fulham v Newcastle (3pm)
The pressure on Matthias Jaissle intensified following Newcastle's limp display against Everton on MNF. The home side were booed off by the St James' Park faithful and another defeat at Craven Cottage would mean Jaissle will be looking over his shoulder during the international break. If he needs any inspiration, he can take it from Alvaro Arbeloa. The Spaniard was in a similar situation a month ago but seven points from a possible nine has seen the Cottagers move up to 15th.
Prediction: Fulham 2-0 Newcastle
Nottingham Forest v Manchester City (5.30pm)
The situation is also locking bleak for Oliver Glasner. His move to the City Ground has failed to inspire Nottingham Forest and club chief Evangelos Marinakis is not known for his patience. Forest have performed better than their results suggest but there is no doubt Glasner needs to start winning games, and quickly. He is, therefore, unfortunate to come up against Manchester City this weekend. City have lost their last two Premier League games and have not lost three in a row since 2016. It is unlikely to happen here…
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Manchester City
| # | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Last 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Arsenal |
9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 24 |
W |
| 2 |
 Manchester City |
9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 21 |
L |
| 3 |
 Brighton |
9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 24 | 7 | 17 | 19 |
W |
| 4 |
 Chelsea |
9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 19 | 15 | 4 | 16 |
W |
| 5 |
 Liverpool |
9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 15 |
L |
| 6 |
 Brentford |
9 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 14 |
W |
| 7 |
 Everton |
9 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 13 |
W |
| 8 |
 Bournemouth |
9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 13 | 1 | 12 |
W |
| 9 |
 Tottenham |
9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 12 |
W |
| 10 |
 Aston Villa |
9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 13 | -3 | 12 |
D |
| 11 |
 Hull City |
9 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 11 |
D |
| 12 |
 Leeds |
9 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 11 |
L |
| 13 |
 Newcastle |
9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 15 | -3 | 11 |
L |
| 14 |
 Ipswich |
9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 18 | -4 | 11 |
D |
| 15 |
 Fulham |
9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 11 | -2 | 9 |
D |
| 16 |
 Coventry |
9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 16 | -7 | 9 |
W |
| 17 |
 Manchester United |
9 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 15 | -5 | 7 |
L |
| 18 |
 Crystal Palace |
9 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 21 | -12 | 7 |
L |
| 19 |
 Nottingham Forest |
9 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 12 | -6 | 6 |
L |
| 20 |
 Sunderland |
9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 17 | -10 | 5 |
L |
- Position 1, 2, 3, 4 : Promotion – Champions League (League phase)
- Position 5 : Promotion – Europa League (League phase)
- Position 18, 19, 20 : Relegation – Championship
SUNDAY
Brighton v Brentford (2pm)
Brighton's win at Manchester City last Saturday has prompted talk of a title challenge from Fabian Hurzeler's men. While that may be a touch unrealistic, there is no doubt the Seagulls are set to hang around the upper end of the table for some time. Brentford's win over Forest last weekend was much needed after a run of four games without a victory in all competitions. These two sides play good football but Brighton's form means they go in as favourites.
Prediction: Brighton 3-1 Brentford
Crystal Palace v Liverpool (2pm)
Liverpool head to Selhurst Park having suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season – against Arsenal in the league and Fenerbahce in the Champions League. Andoni Iraola is seemingly still trying to work lout his best XI and the Merseysiders have yet to hit top gear. They will never have a better chance of achieving that than against a Palace side that look bereft. Pierre Sage has proved an underwhelming replacement for Glasner and appears a dead man walking.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-2 Liverpool
Ipswich v Bournemouth (2pm)
Thursday's Europa League win at Sparta Prague means Bournemouth have now won their last seven games in all competitions. It is a remarkable turnaround after a slow start and they will head to Suffolk brimming with confidence. Ipswich will be pleased with their start following promotion and they sit 14th after successive draws with Forest and Hull. Portman Road is not an easy place to win but it's impossible to go against the Cherries at the minute.
Prediction: Ipswich 1-3 Bournemouth
Sunderland v Chelsea (2pm)
Sunderland have been a tough watch in recent weeks. Regis Le Bris' side have developed a nasty habit of missing chances at one end and giving away sloppy goals at the other. That is not a combination that works and the Frenchman needs to restore the physical approach that worked so well last season. Sunderland beat Chelsea in May but this is a different Blues outfit under Xabi Alonso. They still veer from the sublime to the ridiculous but they will fancy their chances of adding to Sunderland's misery.
Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Chelsea
Manchester United v Aston Villa (4.30pm)
Did United's win over Roma offer Michael Carrick a stay of execution or will the Villa game be his final appearance in the Old Trafford dugout? Only time will tell but there is no doubt the former England midfielder needs a victory in this one to stand any chance of retaining his job. Unai Emery has no such worries and appears to be building another strong side at Villa despite a summer of churn. The visitors look a well-oiled outfit and they may be too much for United.
Prediction: Manchester United 1-2 Aston Villa
