The English Premier League keeps serving up the eye-catching fixtures this weekend, with a typically huge amount at stake at both ends of the table even at this early stage of the season.
Manchester United have yet again been at the centre of the headlines after finally reacting to a rotten start by sacking hapless coach Erik ten Hag, with up-and-coming Ruben Amorim set to replace the Dutchman.
Former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy takes the Old Trafford reigns in the interim and has a fascinating encounter on his hands on Sunday, with dangerous Chelsea the visitors.
Enzo Maresca’s Blues start the weekend fifth in the standings and recorded a first win in three a week ago.
Sunday’s other EPL fixture pits Tottenham against Aston Villa, in a battle for primacy in the race for continental qualification come May.
The Villans have consolidated their outstanding efforts of last season in securing a return to Uefa Champions League football but have drawn three of their last four, while Spurs have lost two of their last three under the increasingly irritated charge of coach Ange Postecoglou.
And the Premier League weekend even stretches to Monday with the most genteel of London derbies between Fulham and Brentford.
The pair take centre stage for Monday night football, with both looking well set to mount a push into the top half as the campaign develops.
Seven Saturday games in the EPL, meanwhile, include Manchester City’s bid to preserve their lead at the top of the table when they go to Bournemouth.
Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions will expect to be pushed by his compatriot Andoni Iraola and his Cherries, who have lost just once in their last four while City have won three on the bounce.
Liverpool also face a stern test as they aim to pounce on any sky blue slip up, with impressive Brighton the visitors to Anfield.
The Reds dropped points for just the second time last weekend although they retain serious momentum under new boss Arne Slot, while the Seagulls start the weekend in sixth place and unbeaten in three.
One point from their last possible six has seen Arsenal slip off the searing pace at the summit, as they head north to Newcastle for the Saturday lunchtime kick off.
Eddie Howe’s home side are under increasing scrutiny ahead of the St James’ Park contest, can’t buy a victory and are sliding deeper into the bottom half with an initially promising start to the new term long forgotten.
Nottingham Forest have no such worries, with back-to-back wins propelling them into the European reckoning going into their home match with West Ham.
The City Ground clash sees a home side beaten just once this season go up against a tentatively improving Hammers outfit, who have won two of their last three to take the edge off the pressure on coach Julen Lopetegui.
No such relief for Southampton, however, as the basement dwellers go again in their battle to secure a first three-point haul since their EPL return when they host in-form Everton.
Sean Dyche and his Toffees have sweetened the taste with five games unbeaten following a downright bitter start to the campaign, while the Saints have lost another four in a row since picking up their only point of a dismal top flight comeback so far.
Joining Russell Martin’s team in the winless category as we hit double figures of matches played are fellow promoted side Ipswich and Wolves.
Gary O’Neill’s Black Country side have shown signs of life, though, having pushed Manchester City all the way before roaring back to snatch a point at Brighton a week ago, ahead of this Saturday’s late Premier League kick off at home to Crystal Palace.
The Eagles would have been well within striking distance at Molineux, too, had they not risen from their slump last time out to stun Tottenham for their first victory.
Kieran McKenna’s Tractor Boys will also have a target on their home fixture with Leicester.
A win at the tenth time of asking is far from out of the question at Portman Road against the Foxes, who returned to losing ways in last week’s Friday night game after previously securing back-to-back wins to kick start their season.
Latest EPL Predictions for this weekend
Newcastle United v Arsenal
| Result prediction | Arsenal to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Arsenal / Arsenal to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
AFC Bournemouth v Manchester City
| Result prediction | Manchester City to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Manchester City / Manchester City to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Ipswich Town v Leicester City
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Ipswich Town / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | L. Delap(Ipswich Town) |
Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion
| Result prediction | Liverpool to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Liverpool / Liverpool to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | Mohamed Salah(Liverpool) D. Welbeck(Brighton & Hove Albion) |
Nottingham Forest v West Ham United
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | C. Wood(Nottingham Forest) |
Southampton v Everton
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Crystal Palace
| Result prediction | Wolverhampton Wanderers to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Wolverhampton Wanderers / Wolverhampton Wanderers to win |
| Team to Score prediction | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | Matheus Cunha(Wolverhampton Wanderers) R. Aït-Nouri(Wolverhampton Wanderers) |
Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa
| Result prediction | Tottenham Hotspur to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Tottenham Hotspur / Tottenham Hotspur to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | B. Johnson(Tottenham Hotspur) O. Watkins(Aston Villa) |
Manchester United v Chelsea
| Result prediction | Chelsea to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Chelsea / Chelsea to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | C. Palmer(Chelsea) N. Jackson(Chelsea) |
Fulham v Brentford
| Result prediction | Brentford to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Brentford / Brentford to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | R. Jiménez(Fulham) B. Mbeumo(Brentford) |