The English Premier League is back with a bang this weekend, kicking off a run of fixtures leading up to the end-of-year Fifa World Cup in Qatar.
A bundle of players have returned from international duty this week, with their national ambitions put firmly on the back burner as the EPL resumes.
High-octane derbies are at the heart of it, too, with Sunday’s monster clash between Manchester City and Manchester United laying claim to the game of the weekend.
It’s a rival contest between two in-form teams going into the international pause, after the Red Devils roared back to life with four straight wins under Erik ten Hag, putting them fifth in the Premier League table coming into this weekend.
Reigning champions City are second and one of just two unbeaten teams remaining in this season’s competition after their first seven games.
It’s not only the north west that sees pride at stake, as Arsenal and Tottenham collide in the Saturday lunchtime kick off in north London.
A single point separates the top-of-the-table Gunners and third-placed Spurs, both of whom have made sparkling starts to the new campaign.
There’s more to be had on Saturday across the capital, as Chelsea attempt to get the Graham Potter era kickstarted at last.
The Blues make the short trip to Selhurst Park to take on Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace, as Potter and Co first seek to break into the top six following an iffy run of form that saw previous coach Thomas Tuchel pay with his job.
Brighton would have gone to Liverpool brimming with confidence if former boss Potter was still at the helm but it feels Saturday’s Anfield tussle now has a different complexion.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds will nevertheless finish the day below the Seagulls whatever the result on Merseyside, such has been their own sticky start to the season.
Monday night shines a light on the dark corners of the bottom of the EPL standings, as East Midlands duo Leicester and Nottingham Forest meet amid desperate circumstances at the King Power Stadium.
The Foxes have a single draw to show for their first seven matches under the increasingly grim charge of Brendan Rodgers, while promoted Forest’s spending splurge has not yet resulted in points on the board.
Aston Villa were in near-identical circumstances until they sneaked a second victory of the season before the international break, easing the pressure on coach Steven Gerrard.
They go to Elland Road to face Leeds in Sunday’s second fixture, as the Yorkshire hosts attempt to avoid making it four without a win.
There’s more early relegation angst to be had on Saturday evening at the London Stadium as West Ham welcome Wolves.
Southampton and Everton, meanwhile, meet at St Mary’s Stadium with both locked on seven points apiece in midtable, in a contest to see if one can begin to look up the table rather than over their shoulder.
Fulham come into the weekend from the dizzy heights of sixth in the EPL standings and way above their wildest dreams after returning to the top flight.
They host moneybags Newcastle at Craven Cottage, with Eddie Howe’s Tynesiders developing an uncomfortable reputation as draw specialists as their early optimism threatens to fade.
Bournemouth and Brentford complete Saturday’s Premier League programme on the south coast, with the Bees incentivized by the possibility of climbing into the top six if they can come away with all three points.
English Premier League predictions for 1 – 3 October
Prediction methodology explained: The expected win percentage is based off publicly available odds. For example, if a team’s odds are 2.30, the expected chance of winning is 43%. If the odds are 1.62 the expected chance of winning is 62% and so on. These are accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change. Where there is no value listed, the odds were not available at the time of writing.
Chance of winning (%) | Usual win % with these odds | |
Arsenal | 49 | 45 |
Tottenham | 30 | 18 |
Chance of winning (%) | Usual win % with these odds | |
Bournemouth | 30 | 45 |
Brentford | 45 | 67 |
Chance of winning (%) | Usual win % with these odds | |
Crystal Palace | 23 | 9 |
Chelsea | 55 | 32 |
Chance of winning (%) | Usual win % with these odds | |
Fulham | 33 | 19 |
Newcastle | 42 | 62 |
Chance of winning (%) | Usual win % with these odds | |
Liverpool | 74 | 63 |
Brighton | ||
Chance of winning (%) | Usual win % with these odds | |
Southampton | 47 | 57 |
Everton | 29 | 25 |
Chance of winning (%) | Usual win % with these odds | |
West Ham | 52 | 50 |
Wolves | 24 | 57 |
Chance of winning (%) | Usual win % with these odds | |
Manchester City | 75 | 74 |
Manchester United | ||
Chance of winning (%) | Usual win % with these odds | |
Leeds | 43 | 30 |
Aston Villa | 33 | 42 |
Chance of winning (%) | Usual win % with these odds | |
Leicester | 57 | 62 |
Nottingham Forest | 23 | 18 |