The Premier League returns with a packed round of fixtures and plenty of angles for South African football fans. From tight tactical battles to full-throttle goal-fests, this weekend has all the ingredients for drama. Here’s our take on the standout matches, with Tottenham’s derby trip to Arsenal shaping up as the biggest storyline.
Burnley vs Chelsea
Chelsea have developed a strange pattern this season when facing struggling teams. Their first halves often lack rhythm, control and urgency. In their past 11 matches against promoted sides or bottom-third teams, they’ve led at half-time only three times.
That trend links directly to Enzo Maresca’s methodical, risk-averse style. Chelsea usually settle later in games, not early. After an international break, slow starts become even more likely.
Prediction: Burnley 1-2 Chelsea
Brighton vs Brentford
Brighton look brilliant on paper, but their record when dominating possession continues to worry. In 21 matches where they’ve had more of the ball, they’ve won only four. Brentford, who are comfortable defending deep and breaking clinically, fit the perfect profile to frustrate Brighton.
Prediction: Brighton 1-2 Brentford
Bournemouth vs West Ham
Whenever Andoni Iraola meets Nuno Espirito Santo, goals follow. Their previous four head-to-heads produced 14 goals, with both sides scoring every time. Bournemouth love forcing transitions, while West Ham bring power, pace and consistency in front of goal.
Expect a high-tempo clash.
Prediction: Bournemouth 3-2 West Ham
Fulham vs Sunderland
Fulham want possession, control and structure. Sunderland bring the complete opposite: aggression, direct pressure and physical duels. That makes this a difficult matchup for Marco Silva’s side.
Dan Ballard remains Sunderland’s biggest set-piece threat and has developed a knack for timing his box entries perfectly. Fulham’s back line has struggled tracking strong runners.
Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Sunderland
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest
Forest under Sean Dyche will sit deep, absorb pressure and challenge Liverpool to break them down through volume, not precision. But Liverpool are comfortable taking lots of shots from all angles. Expect the Reds to dominate territory and tempo.
Forest may stay in the match longer than expected, but Liverpool should find enough moments.
Prediction: Liverpool 1-0 Nottingham Forest
Wolves vs Crystal Palace
A new manager bounce often sounds promising, but Wolves’ issues go far beyond the dugout. Rob Edwards is a talented coach, yet the squad lacks identity, cohesion and confidence.
Crystal Palace, by contrast, know exactly who they are. Well-organised, physically strong and clinical when chances come, they look the more stable outfit.
Prediction: Wolves 0-2 Crystal Palace
Newcastle vs Manchester City
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle simply cannot crack Manchester City. In 18 league meetings, Howe has never beaten City, losing 16 times. City’s structure, rotations and control consistently overwhelm Newcastle’s defensive shape.
Expect Newcastle to set up compact, but City’s quality should still be enough.
Prediction: Newcastle 0-2 Manchester City
Leeds vs Aston Villa
Unai Emery’s offside trap is back in full force. Villa’s back line moves in perfect unison, catching opponents offside an average of 4.5 times per match across their last 12 games. The result? Defensive stability and a run of strong performances.
Leeds push numbers forward aggressively, which suits Villa’s trap perfectly.
Prediction: Leeds 1-2 Aston Villa
Arsenal vs Tottenham
The North London Derby headlines the weekend. Arsenal will likely miss Gabriel, their physical leader and the anchor of their high defensive line. Without him, the structure looks far more fragile.
Tottenham under Thomas Frank thrive in underdog environments. His Brentford teams regularly punished bigger opponents with compact shape, fast transitions and set-piece intelligence. That identity has already carried over at Spurs.
With Arsenal missing a key defender and Spurs finding confidence in big away matches, the gap between the teams is smaller than the odds suggest.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-2 Tottenham
Manchester United vs Everton
Manchester United have become the Premier League’s main source of chaos. Their matches average more than 3 goals per 90, driven by attacking talent and defensive instability. Everton will happily accept a match played in moments rather than structure.
This one has both teams scoring written all over it.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-2 Everton
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