The English Premier League rolls straight into a full weekend fixture programme, with a capital city showpiece taking centre stage following a busy midweek.
Chelsea and Manchester United contest an iconic EPL tie when they meet for the Saturday evening kick off at Stamford Bridge.
Both EPL behemoths have turned around dodgy starts to the new season, scooping up six wins from ten apiece to sit fourth and fifth in the table coming into the weekend.
Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag can even afford to alienate Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Portuguese legend having stomped off down the tunnel before the end of a sparkling Wednesday night success at Old Trafford.
No such personnel quandaries for personable Blues chief Graham Potter as they return to Stamford Bridge, despite dropping their first points since the Englishman took over on the road in midweek.
Potter’s old club Brighton step into the lion’s den earlier on Saturday, as they go to Manchester City still seeking a first Premier League victory under new coach Roberto de Zerbi.
Pep Guardiola’s side had a watching brief during the week, as their top-of-the-table contest with Arsenal was put on ice thanks to the Gunners’ unmovable European commitments.
It means they’ve had a whole week to stew on their first defeat of the campaign away to Liverpool, who kick off the EPL weekend on Saturday lunchtime away to Nottingham Forest.
The Reds are up to seventh in the standings despite their own rough start, albeit with combustible Jurgen Klopp facing the threat of a touchline ban following his red card late on in their pulsating Anfield victory.
Mikel Arteta takes his Arsenal into the weekend with a precious, four-point lead over City at the EPL summit.
The Gunners go to Southampton on Sunday, with the Saints having won for just the third time this term during the week.
Arsenal’s north London foes Tottenham are seeking a return to winning ways but face tough opposition in the form of Newcastle, who have lost just once and are starting to purr under the tutelage of Eddie Howe.
The Toon Army start the weekend sixth, five points below third-placed Spurs who were outclassed at Manchester United last time out.
Pressure is mounting at the wrong end of the Premier League table too, as the break for the Fifa World Cup in Qatar comes into view before the end of the year.
It’s an all-Midlands affair at Molineux on Sunday as managerless Wolves play host to Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester, who tasted victory for just the second time this season on Thursday night.
Freefalling Leeds were the Foxes’ victims at the King Power Stadium, with promoted Fulham the tricky customers to visit Elland Road on Sunday as boss Jesse Marsch feels the heat in West Yorkshire.
The American will have taken little comfort from the sacking of Steven Gerrard on Thursday night, as the EPL legend was fired by Aston Villa following defeat to the Cottagers.
Villa sit level on points with Leeds just the right side of the dotted line and need to perk up quickly, with Brentford the visitors to a gloomy Villa Park on Sunday afternoon.
Everton are scarcely any better off ahead of Saturday’s crunch clash with Crystal Palace at Goodison Park, with coach Frank Lampard yet another playing hero under the pump if results don’t improve on Merseyside.
West Ham and Bournemouth bring the curtain down on the EPL weekend, meanwhile, as the midtable pair meet at the London Stadium.
English Premier League predictions for 22 – 24 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 | |
| Nottingham Forest | ||
| Liverpool | 80 | 73 |
| Chance of winning (%) | Usual win % with these odds | |
| Everton | 38 | 55 |
| Crystal Palace | 35 | 43 |
| Chance of winning (%) | Usual win % with these odds | |
| Manchester City | 83 | 90 |
| Brighton | ||
| Chance of winning (%) | Usual win % with these odds | |
| Chelsea | 48 | 50 |
| Manchester United | 29 | 22 |
| Chance of winning (%) | Usual win % with these odds | |
| Aston Villa | 48 | 30 |
| Brentford | 29 | 31 |
| Chance of winning (%) | Usual win % with these odds | |
| Leeds | 49 | 43 |
| Fulham | 28 | 20 |
| Chance of winning (%) | Usual win % with these odds | |
| Southampton | ||
| Arsenal | 64 | 77 |
| Chance of winning (%) | Usual win % with these odds | |
| Wolves | 43 | 38 |
| Leicester | 31 | 39 |
| Chance of winning (%) | Usual win % with these odds | |
| Tottenham | 49 | 48 |
| Newcastle | 29 | 33 |
| Chance of winning (%) | Usual win % with these odds | |
| West Ham | 65 | 69 |
| Bournemouth |