'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Roll on the weekend, we've got Premier League football again! There's just been a lot of football being played out over the last few weeks but it always leaves me wanting more. That's just the beauty of this wonderful sport and the many subplots that arise every week.
I actually think it's a very important gameweek for a lot of the teams in this division. The international break is just around the corner and it never feels nice if you're on the wrong end of results heading into this short hiatus.
While some teams are desperate for victory this weekend, some others wouldn't feel too hard done by a draw. In fact, I've actually picked a few draws for this gameweek. So without further delay, let's take a closer look at my predictions for Premier League GW7:
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool
I watched Liverpool beat Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, but I didn't think they were great in that game. They got the win and that's the most important thing though. It's definitely been an unbelievable start for Arne Slot. However, barring Manchester United, all the teams they've faced so far in the Premier League have been teams expected to finish in the bottom half of the table.
Crystal Palace are a funny team because they have a good result in them but they're just not playing well at the moment. It's not been what you'd have expected from Palace after their performances under Oliver Glasner last season.
Ryan Gravenberch has been outstanding for Liverpool. Good coaches make players better, that's exactly what Slot has done with Gravenberch this season. He looks a far better player than he was last term. On the contrary, if you look up the road towards Manchester and you really can't find anyone who has improved as a player under Ten Hag.
I would actually start Luis Diaz over Cody Gakpo in this game. Palace are not the biggest of teams in terms of height, so Gakpo's physical presence isn't really required here in my opinion. Liverpool have an abundance of good forwards at the club and so they are not short of choices.
Mohamed Salah continued his heroics in midweek against Bologna in the Champions League. I just think it'll be a nightmare if Liverpool lose him when he's in this type of form; we all saw his dip in form after coming back from a month-long injury in January; it's impossible to replace someone like him. All things considered, I'm backing Liverpool to win here.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-2 Liverpool
Arsenal vs Southampton
I look at this fixture and I can't see anything but a win for Arsenal. Southampton were atrocious against Bournemouth last time out. If they play like that against Arsenal, I can't even imagine how bad the scoreline would look at the end of 90 minutes!
Arsenal were cruising against Leicester City but ended up conceding twice in that game before snatching a late win. The fact that they eventually managed to get all three points in that game is commendable. So I'm backing Arsenal to secure a comfortable win - four goals to nothing.
I worry for Southampton. The last game against Bournemouth was a fixture they should be looking at and thinking of getting a result. But instead, they got absolutely battered. It would be hard to imagine them getting something from this game.
Mikel Arteta has to go full strength with his line-up for this fixture. When you're in a title race with likes of Manchester City and Liverpool, you cannot afford to drop anyone from your best line-up.
Prediction: Arsenal 4-0 Southampton
Brentford vs Wolves
Wolves are really struggling at the moment. But I actually thought they did alright against Liverpool last weekend, even though they ended up losing that game. Gary O'Neill is under pressure now. Wolves have been involved in some difficult football matches, but they have played decent football albeit in patches throughout these games.
Sometimes when you look at the season as a whole, you want to be playing the big boys early on in the season like Wolves have done this time around. It could work in their favor because it's better than facing these top teams in January, when you could be facing a whole new set of problems like injuries for example.
Brentford are a steady team and they've made quite a habit out of scoring early in games. Bryan Mbeumo has now added goals to his game and that has made a huge difference to this team. Earlier, he used to only create chances but now he's confidently putting them away as well. I bet he'll be a wanted man in the transfer window come January or next summer. But I still reckon he'll stay at Brentford until the end of the season.
I'm going to fancy Wolves in this game though. I have a strange feeling about them securing a cheeky little away win.
Prediction: Brentford 1-2 Wolves
Manchester City vs Fulham
Fulham are doing quite well and are right up there with the teams chasing a European berth this season. They've obviously recruited very well with Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson already making an impact. Both of them were deemed not good enough to get into the Arsenal XI, but they're definitely making a difference at Fulham.
We talked about the absence of Rodri and its impact on Manchester City last weekend. He's the only player who can get into any team in the world, that explains his influence. When I say this people go like, 'Oh, what about Van Dijk then?'
But does Van Dijk get into the Arsenal team now? He may be a better player, but he's not getting in ahead of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes at the moment.
If you're Arsenal or Liverpool, the injury to Rodri is a huge boost. This is the time for them to put pressure on City, make hay while the sun shines. If they don't take this chance, I don't know if they can win the Premier League this season.
Jack Grealish must start this game for City in my opinion. One thing that people forget about him is that he works his socks off, maybe more than any other player in his position. I'm honestly not a big fan of Jeremy Doku and I'd prefer Grealish over him against Fulham.
This is still a difficult game for City. Fulham can cause them a few problems in transition. But I just think City have enough to get over the line.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-0 Fulham
West Ham United vs Ipswich Town
This is a big chance for West Ham to get the all three points they desperately need. But Ipswich did great against Aston Villa last time out. Maybe Villa had one eye on their Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich, but still it was a commendable result. Now they face West Ham, who aren't in great form but could still beat them. This is the ruthless nature of the Premier League at its best.
I would be shocked if West Ham lose this game if I'm being honest. I have a feeling they'll come alive in this fixture and get that much-needed win. If you're Ipswich, this is the best time to play West Ham. However, the gulf in class is still quite evident and that could swing the tie in the Hammers' favor.
If West Ham fail to win this game, Julen Lopetegui will come under so much pressure. International breaks are known for club owners panicking and several managers often getting sacked, so it definitely is a tricky clash. Failure to beat this newly-promoted Ipswich could also result in the fans turning their back on the manager. I'm quite sure they won't be happy with the start they've had this season.
Prediction: West Ham 3-1 Ipswich Town
Leicester City vs Bournemouth
You look at this one and it's such a huge game for Leicester. They absolutely have to win this football match, no two ways about it. It's very important they get their first win as soon as possible, if they wish to avoid relegation.
Even though Bournemouth looked good against Southampton, they are still a bottom-half team at the end of the day. And Leicester need to win these type of games if they are to retain their top-flight status come the end of the season.
Out of all the three promoted teams, I'm backing Leicester to finish higher. To be fair to them, they've played well in patches. Even against Arsenal last weekend, they showed great character to get back into the game from 2-0 down before losing 4-2. I'd have to go for a draw here though.
Prediction: Leicester 1-1 Bournemouth
Everton vs Newcastle United
Newcastle are a funny team because I think they're fortunate to have the points they already have this season. Everton steadied their ship with a good win over Crystal Palace last weekend. So there's not much pressure on them now compared to the previous weeks. That helps Everton more than you think and it could be a huge boost for them.
If they click, Newcastle are a very dangerous team. But the problem is that I don't know if they'll turn up like that on the pitch. It's actually the same for both teams here, you don't know what you're going to get from them. That's exactly why I'm going for a draw here.
If both teams play to the best of their abilities, then Newcastle will win. I'm not sure that'll be the case here though, a draw looks more likely with both teams finding the back of the net.
Prediction: Everton 1-1 Newcastle United
Aston Villa vs Manchester United
Match of the week, definitely. Aston Villa are coming off the back of the greatest result they've probably had in the last 30 years. Manchester United, on the other hand, are playing really bad football at the moment.
But quite honestly, I think it's a good time for United to be playing Villa because of their midweek battle against Bayern Munich. Unai Emery's men left everything out there during that 1-0 win over the Bundesliga giants. Then again, it's still really difficult to look past anything but a win for Villa in this one.
Manchester United are all over the place. They only win games in the Premier League when they desperately need it, you know what I mean? How many times in the past have we talked about Erik ten Hag being sacked after a bad run of form and suddenly they get a win against a bottom half team and everything is forgotten?
If they win now, the same thing will happen again. If they lose, they'll fall way behind in the race for top four. Manchester United are not a team who can return to form like turning a tap on. It's even safe to say that they would want to be where Villa are right now as a club.
I'm not sure how long United will keep faith in Ten Hag. When you have a successful businessman like Sir Jim Ratcliffe coming in, it's not always about panic. He's a clever man and his success is not built on panic. He has a long-term plan on where this club should be, so he may not be someone who buys too much into immediate results.
It's impossible for United to catch Manchester City or Arsenal in the next two years. However, they must have a plan in place to become the best team in England when this cycle of domination changes, and it always does. Where was Arsenal for the last 15 years? United must take inspiration from Arsenal's success and build a similar project. If that's the plan for them, I can understand why they might want to back Ten Hag a little more.
I don't see Manchester United in the race for fourth-place at the moment. For me, it's a three-way battle between Villa, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. Both United and Newcastle have fallen behind.
Emery is a great coach and all his players have improved so much under him. This is why I'm backing Villa to win this game.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester United
Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest
Make no mistake, this is a difficult and dangerous game for Chelsea. Nottingham Forest are always a threat on the counter-attack, they've already won at Anfield this season.
Chelsea don't look very comfortable at the back. If you press them, chances will open up for you. But if Forest do press high up the pitch, then that leaves them a bit thin at the back as well. As soon as Chelsea win the ball back, Forest could be in a world of trouble.
I just can't see Chelsea not scoring goals, but I also can't see Forest not scoring against the Blues' defense either. That's why I think there'll be plenty of goals in this game. Even if Chelsea look a bit shaky at the back, you can at least see what they are trying to do, unlike Manchester United.
Cole Palmer is one of the most in-form players in the league and he has been that for a while now. He's been outstanding, a very special player and his consistency has been up there with the best in the world. Manchester City letting go of Palmer just shows how good their squad really is to be honest. I said he'd be a great signing when he joined Chelsea and I got that right but no one seems to bring it up!
Chelsea have got to go with the same team. If you change it and then someone comes in and does well, there's an unnecessary pressure on the manager. I'll explain, if Pedro Neto comes in and scores then I can put Jadon Sancho in there next week even if he's been really good so far this season. There's one big thing in football and that's confidence. Sancho's confidence was low at Manchester United, but now he's flying at Chelsea. I expect a really entertaining game.
Prediction: Chelsea 4-2 Nottingham Forest
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham were outstanding the other day against Manchester United. Tough game to pick this one. Brighton actually went after both Arsenal and Chelsea, even though they lost to the Blues last weekend.
Without playing down Tottenham's win at Old Trafford, I must admit that Manchester United are not Brighton. So you could even argue this is a tougher game. I won't be surprised if Tottenham lose this game either. This also shows where Manchester United are as a club right now.
Dominic Solanke is slowly starting to find some form. The same goes for a lot of the other players, especially Brennan Johnson. Not too long ago, Johnson looked like a fish up a tree. Take a look at him now! It's the same with James Maddison, he looks a different player compared to a few weeks back.
If Tottenham get four points from Manchester United and Brighton, that's not a bad start for them. This is a hard football match and I'm going for a draw.
Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur
