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The Premier League returns this weekend after the international break. When you look at the Nations League and watch games like Netherlands vs Germany, you can certainly attach some meaning to it. But strictly from an England point of view, I don't think it's competitive enough.
The teams that are part of England's group in the Nations League are nowhere good enough to be playing against us. Does Harry Kane have to play against Finland? I know he got the goals, but we've got to use these games for certain reasons. Whenever we play lesser nations, we need to use younger players so they can gain valuable experience.
And if you're a Premier League manager like Mikel Arteta, you're definitely pulling your hair out thinking, 'Does Saka have to play this game against Finland?'. Don't get me wrong, every player wants to play for his country. However, I'm still of the opinion that it should not come at the risk of putting players through injuries.
This is the beginning of an interesting time in the Premier League. It's always tricky for teams when they're back on the pitch after an international break. There's plenty to dive into and without further ado, let me share my predictions for Premier League gameweek 4.
Southampton vs Manchester United
Despite the fact that Southampton are struggling big time, this is still a tricky game for Manchester United. You don't want to get beat by this Southampton side. That's exactly why it's also a bit of a nightmare game for Erik ten Hag. This is a must-win game, there's no two ways about it.
The challenge for Ten Hag is that his players only returned from international duty on Thursday and they are in action in the early kick-off on Saturday. That means just one session on Friday before they hit the road. I still think Manchester United have enough to win here though. They have a good couple of fixtures after this game and a win here could help them get back on track.
Even though Marcus Rashford is struggling at the moment, he still gets into my team. I would definitely play him in this fixture. You've also got to start with Joshua Zirkzee. Ten Hag has to quickly identify his best team though. We still haven't got a clue on how Manchester United will line-up against Southampton and that's a major problem.
I expect Southampton to struggle this season and based on what I've seen so far, I can't see them getting anything out of this game.
Prediction: Southampton 0-3 Manchester United
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest
I expect Liverpool to win, but this could still prove to be a difficult game. I like what I've seen from Arne Slot's men so far. If they keep all their players fit, and I said this from day one, I believe they have a chance of winning the league.
But if they do pick up injuries, it'll start to look a bit different and could raise problems for Slot. If you look at Manchester City, they did not have Kevin De Bruyne or Erling Haaland at times last season and they still won it. Unfortunately, Liverpool don't have that type of luxury in squad depth. This makes managing players carefully all the more important.
Ryan Gravenberch has been outstanding so far this season, but he has to keep producing these performances. When you're a player like him, you also thrive due to the players in front of you. And he definitely has a dream front-three in front of him at Liverpool.
There's a lot of talk about the contract situation of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold at Anfield. I'm a bit surprised Liverpool have allowed their contracts to run down this far. But in a certain way, I can also understand their stance. If Liverpool don't win the league this season with these players, they won't win it next year either. Sooner or later, you'll be forced to change something.
All three of them might still end up staying if Liverpool win trophies, but if you're a Liverpool fan don't overthink it and just enjoy these three footballers because they are unbelievable. I wouldn't let any of them ago. Alexander-Arnold is the best passer in the league, but if you need to win big you need goals and a spine, that's what makes Salah and Van Dijk important. If I'm asked to choose between Salah or Van Dijk, I'd keep Salah.
If they can at least extend contracts of two of these three players, I feel they'll still be in a really good place.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Manchester City vs Brentford
I'd have to go with Manchester City here, obviously. I think they've been phenomenal. Erling Haaland is a machine, he's just unbelievable isn't he? I'd even say he's won the golden boot already. I know it sounds like madness, but it's absolutely incredible stuff from him and City are top of the league thanks to him.
All things considered, I just can't see any team beating City at the moment. I look at them every week and I'm like, 'who's really going to stop them over these 38 games?'.
No disrespect to Brentford, they have done well so far. But I'm backing City to win 3-0. Brentford are the only team Haaland has failed to score against in the Premier League. I fully expect him to make amends and find the back of the net this week though.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Brentford
Fulham vs West Ham
These two teams will be fighting for a top half finish in the Premier League this season. I think this game will end in a draw. West Ham have bought well but they need to get results. They have to start clicking together on the pitch soon.
This will be one of those games where both teams will look like they will win and I expect them both to go for all three points. There are certain games like this in the Premier League for such teams where they must go for it no matter what.
I feel Niclas Fullkrug can make an impact in this game. I'm a big fan of his and he scored for Germany during the international break. I thought Chelsea should've looked to sign him. It was a bit of a surprise to me when they did not make a move. The Blues don't have a proper striker at the moment.
West Ham's other new signing Crysencio Summerville might find it hard to impress though. Every full-back in the Premier League is a full international so it's not like the Championship, where he dominated.
Prediction: Fulham 2-2 West Ham
Crystal Palace vs Leicester City
Crystal Palace will have too much for Leicester City this weekend. But I still think Leicester have to approach this game in the right way. They must look at it and think, 'we can definitely win this'.
However, we cannot really overlook the fact that Palace certainly have the better players in this contest. I thought signing Trevoh Chalobah from Chelsea was a good move for them. They've also managed to retain the likes of Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze, which is brilliant.
I'm backing Oliver Glasner and company to get a comfortable win here. Leicester might get a goal, but it won't be enough. They've simply not shown enough to suggest they can get a result against a team like Palace.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 3-1 Leicester City
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town have a better chance of staying up in the Premier League than Southampton if you ask me. They played against Liverpool and Manchester City, so it would be harsh to judge them based on those two defeats. There was interest from a few clubs in Kieran McKenna and he wouldn't have stayed at Ipswich if he didn't have the confidence in keeping them up.
Brighton, on the other hand, have enjoyed an impressive start to the season. I honestly didn't think they'd start in this fashion. They got a bit lucky with the Arsenal game and the red card to Declan Rice. But they are definitely playing well and I think there's a bit of gulf in class between these two teams.
I'm backing Brighton to win also because of the timing of this game. Two months later, this may not be a tough game for Ipswich, but now Brighton are just simply in top form. Fabian Hurzeler has done a fine job so far. The challenge for him is how he reacts when his team loses three or four games on the trot and it can happen in this league. It will be interesting to see how he handles such a situation.
Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0 Ipswich Town
Aston Villa vs Everton
I can't see anything but a win for Villa here. Two weeks ago, Everton were 2-0 up and I thought they were comfortably beating Bournemouth in that game. I couldn't believe it when they lost 3-2 in the end and it sums up Everton at the moment. I still think they'll avoid relegation this season, but it's not going to be straightforward and this game is a tough one.
Villa are a good team. They were unlucky against Arsenal. The problem is when they start the Champions League, where they have some good games to look forward to. So it is important they don't lose focus in the league and they cannot afford to get distracted this weekend. That's the only challenge for them now, but then again, Everton don't have enough in them to keep Villa quiet.
Prediction: Aston Villa 3-0 Everton
Bournemouth vs Chelsea
This is the hardest game to call this weekend. Bournemouth were 2-0 down and ripped to shreds by Everton at one point in their last game. They could've been 3-0 or 4-0 down, before they eventually won 3-2.
It was quite similar with Chelsea in their draw against Crystal Palace. They scored first, but as soon as Palace equalised, they looked second best. So it is one of them games you really can't predict. We don't know what Chelsea will turn up, they lack consistency. They have a loss, win and a draw from their three games, that explains everything you need to know.
Chelsea could win games 3-0 or 4-0, or they could lose. I wouldn't be shocked if Chelsea don't win this game. It will be interesting to see how Jadon Sancho fits into this team. He hasn't gone there to sit on the bench so I expect him to start here. If this move fails to work out, it could be a big problem for him and Chelsea.
I think they will go with Sancho, Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke behind Nicolas Jackson for this game. But I doubt they'll win.
Prediction: Bournemouth 1-1 Chelsea
Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal
I worry for Arsenal in the north London derby. No Declan Rice or Martin Odegaard is a huge concern. Like I mentioned earlier, Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne missed a lot of games last season but Manchester City were still able to win the league. Can Arsenal do the same with key players missing? Maybe not.
I'll have to go with a draw here, but that's more in hope if I'm being honest. Tottenham have been unlucky, they could've been top of the league if they weren't naive at the back. The fact that Arsenal's two most influential players are not playing adds to their advantage here.
Arsenal have to get either two or four points from the next two fixutres against Tottenham and Manchester City. Three points from these games are not good enough and I'll tell you why. If Arsenal beat Spurs and lose to City, it's no good because City will then move further ahead. If they don't get a result against Spurs, they're not going to win at City either.
This is a massive match for Arsenal. If City win this weekend and Arsenal draw, that's a four-point lead for the reigning champions. And then if City beat Arsenal, it becomes a seven-point lead. Now that would be a big problem for Arsenal.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Arsenal
Wolves vs Newcastle United
Wolves are in serious trouble. They could end up being the team that loses ground quickly with other teams in the battle to avoid relegation. This is a big game for them.
I actually thought Newcastle were a bit fortunate in their win over Tottenham before the international break. Spurs were definitely better in that game. I've still got to give credit to Newcastle as well though, let's not take that away from them. If Wolves get a win, it would be massive but I just don't see that happening.
Newcastle will still fall short of qualifying for the Champions League in my opinion. I think they've got more points than they probably should have so far this season. There are five teams fighting for that fourth spot - Aston Villa, Tottenham, Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle. They are definitely in that race, but I feel they will fall a bit short in the end.
Prediction: Wolves 1-2 Newcastle United
