Last weekend saw some fantastic fixtures and performances across the board, but gameweek 4 looks to be a very interesting one indeed, with some great games ahead of us.
As usual, I have made my Premier Picks predictions for this week, and I feel this could be one of my most accurate yet. Fixtures such as Leeds vs Manchester City and Manchester United vs Tottenham could prove for some fantastic viewing - especially between Leeds and City, a matchup that hasn’t been seen for more than 7 years, with their last outing against each other in the FA Cup in February 2013.
With that being said, let’s dive into the predictions for GW4 - and don’t forget to make your predictions for yourself on Premier Picks, to be in with the chance of winning £500 at the end of the season, good luck!
Chelsea 2-2 Crystal Palace
The Blues had a tough time of it at the weekend, going 3-0 down against West Brom within the first half-hour. Credit to Frank Lampard and his side, however, as they scrambled back to draw the game at 3-3 and rescue a point after an awful first-half display against the Baggies.
Crystal Palace themselves had a tough time of it, narrowly missing out against Everton, losing 2-1 thanks to a penalty awarded for a Joel Ward handball by VAR, despite the controversy over the decision.
This match may prove an interesting one, with Chelsea’s new signings still not all ready to play and without much time to play together - and with that being said it may be a great opportunity for Roy Hodgson and his side to capitalise on this. I think the game will finish all square at 2-2, with both sides sharing the points.
Everton 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
The Toffees have had a fantastic start to the season, with it being Carlo Ancelotti’s first full campaign in charge of the club. Having won three from three so far, Everton have shown the quality they have going forward, and their new signings have settled in very well.
Brighton themselves have shown real quality so far this season despite their results. The Seagulls lost their last game against Manchester United 3-2 thanks to another divisive VAR decision to award a penalty after the final whistle had already been blown. With both sides playing some great football at the moment I feel it will be a close contest, but I’m going for a 2-1 victory to Everton.
Leeds 1-3 Manchester City
Leeds have settled extremely well back into life in the Premier League, having won two of their opening three games, with their only loss coming in an agonising 4-3 defeat to the current champions, Liverpool, on the opening day. Manchester City have seen a mixed bag of quality in their opening two games, winning their first against Wolves, but losing 5-2 to Leicester last weekend. Despite the poor performance against the Foxes, I just feel that Pep Guardiola’s side will have too much quality for Leeds’s defence to handle, and I am handing the Cityzens a 3-1 victory this weekend.
Newcastle United 1-1 Burnley
It was an interesting game for the Magpies against Tottenham, with Steve Bruce’s side essentially being gifted a 97th-minute equaliser from an Eric Dier handball that was picked up by VAR. It was their only shot on target all game and gave them a point from a game they really should have lost. Burnley have also had a difficult start to the season, losing to both Leicester and Southampton, despite making a great effort in both games.
With all that being said, I feel this one is split down the middle, with both sides of similar quality and ability at the moment, I’m predicting a 1-1 draw for both teams.
Leicester 3-0 West Ham
The Foxes have had a great start to this campaign, winning all three of their opening games, including a 5-2 victory over Manchester City at the weekend. In those three games, Brendan Rodgers’ side has scored 12 goals, conceding 4 - highlighting the real attacking threat that Leicester possesses along with the new signing Timothy Castagne proving to be one of the best fullbacks in the league. West Ham themselves had a tough first two games, losing both to Newcastle and Arsenal - but at the weekend managed their first three points of the season in a 4-0 romping of Wolves.
Despite their positive performance, I can’t see the Hammers taking anything from this game, and I am going for a 3-0 win to Leicester.
Southampton 2-0 West Brom
Southampton finally recorded their first win of the season at the weekend, beating Burnley 1-0 thanks to a 5th-minute goal from none other than Danny Ings. Ralph Hassenhuttl’s side have finally started to find their feet this campaign, despite a difficult 5-2 loss to Tottenham and a 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace on the opening day.
West Brom have also struggled, still yet to adapt to the Premier League, losing two of their three of their opening games and blowing a 3-0 lead over Chelsea, conceding 11 goals. This poor show of form has led me to go for a victory in Southampton’s favour, with them winning 2-0 at the weekend.
Arsenal 2-0 Sheffield United
Mikel Arteta’s first full season in charge saw two wins in their opening two games against Fulham and West Ham but losing at the weekend to defending champions Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield.
Despite this, the Gunners have shown some real quality in this time and look a different beast to the one the Spaniard took over at the end of last year. Sheffield have had the opposite, losing all three of their opening games and failing to score a goal yet this season. I feel this poor run of form will continue, and the goal drought won’t end against Arsenal, with Arteta’s side winning 2-0 in my eyes.
Wolves 2-1 Fulham
Wolves initially kicked off their season in great fashion with a 2-0 win over Sheffield United, but since then have lost their last two games against Manchester City and West Ham.
It has been a tough few games for Nuno’s side, but I feel this will be a good three points for them - with Fulham losing their opening three games, conceding 10 goals. Wolves will likely prove stronger than Scott Parker’s side, and I can see them running out 2-1 victors over the Cottagers, with them failing to win a league game yet.
Manchester United 0-0 Tottenham
Both clubs have had mixed starts to the season, with United losing their opening game against Palace, and narrowly beating Brighton at the weekend. Spurs also lost their opening game against Everton but bounced back with a 5-2 victory over Southampton but drew with Newcastle at the weekend due to a controversial penalty decision.
I can’t see this being the most exciting game, but if I had to choose which side may be on their A-game, I’d say Tottenham - but I can’t see much coming from the matchup and I’m going for a 0-0 draw.
Aston Villa 1-4 Liverpool
So far this season Aston Villa have played two games, have two wins, and two clean sheets in that time - an outstanding start from Dean Smith and his side.
Liverpool themselves are unbeaten in their opening three matches and have looked fantastic throughout, despite a narrow 4-3 victory over new boys Leeds on the opening day. Liverpool will be too strong, however, for the Villans, and will likely run away with this game, not before a consolation goal though.
I feel the reds will win this game dominantly with a 4-1 victory, making it four from four at the start of the season.