It’s Halloween weekend in the English Premier League, with a full set of fixtures to split the teams in for a treat from those for whom a trick is in store.
Michael Carrick was a dead man walking at Old Trafford following yet another defensive horror show from his Manchester United side, who collapsed to their latest blood-curdling defeat.
But the Red Devils boss has remained in post and, in another remarkable plot twist, appears to have kissed and made up with troublesome captain Bruno Fernandes.
They’re a long way from their nightmare being over, though, as they travel to Chelsea, who are smarting from their own third loss of the EPL season.
Xavi Alonso and his Blues must lay that ghost to rest instantly in the Saturday lunchtime kick off, or risk more howling derision at Stamford Bridge.
One Sunday match in the Premier League takes centre stage, with Liverpool going up against Arsenal.
The Gunners made it three wins on the spin last time out to go level at the top of the table, while Andoni Iraola’s Reds went back-to-back to push their top four credentials.
Elsewhere in Saturday’s bumper crop of eight top flight fixtures, Manchester City meet Brighton in a battle that sees first play third.
The Seagulls were overturned at Anfield a week ago as City’s own perfect record was brought to a shuddering halt, with chief Enzo Maresca knowing the ruling on City’s financial dealings could leave them looking like prize pumpkins whatever the on-field results.
Tottenham have risen from the dead in recent weeks under Roberto de Zerbi, with their reanimated corpse clambering to the dizzy heights of 14th thanks to their first two belated wins of the campaign.
They contest a London derby on Saturday evening as Crystal Palace cross the River Thames.
It’s a welcome escape from the Selhurst Park house of horrors for under-pressure Pierre Sage and his charges, who slipped to just a point and a place above the relegation zone a week ago.
Aston Villa and Fulham have both summoned plenty of spirit in the last fortnight, collecting a brace of wins each to spark their own rises up the Premier League table.
Unai Emery’s men caught the eye in seeing off Manchester City last week, crossing into the top half in the process, while Fulham coach Alvaro Arbeloa has finally been able to shake off that haunted look with his west London club out of the bottom three.
The Monday night football sees Newcastle play Everton with both well capable of suffering a fright this season.
Both are doing fine on a glance of the standings but don’t be fooled – a closer inspection sees a shadow hanging over both as expectations threaten to override reality.
Bournemouth are another team awoken from their zombified state, with a pair of victories finally seeing Marco Rose’s Cherries blossom.
They welcome Leeds to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday with the West Yorkshire side starting the weekend seventh in the EPL table despite a run of four matches without a win.
Nottingham Forest have suffered the same nightmare, only without the buffer of a previously impressive start.
Coach Oliver Glasner is already looking over his shoulder with the spectre of the sack beginning to loom ahead of their trip to Brentford, who are once again sitting pretty despite their own three-match hiccup without success.
Hull’s dream return to the Premier League has long been arrested.
They’re not yet descending straight towards the gates of hell but could use a result as fellow promoted side Ipswich head to the MKM stadium with an identically satisfactory 10-point tally.
It’s Coventry and Sunderland presently locked in the EPL basement ahead of their meeting in the Midlands.
Both can take consolation from not being cast adrift – not least with the Black Cats juggling a European campaign with their domestic duties – but must be careful not to be consigned to the Championship graveyard come May.
EPL Predictions for this weekend
Chelsea v Manchester United
| Result prediction | Chelsea to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Chelsea / Chelsea |
| Team to Score prediction | Chelsea |
AFC Bournemouth v Leeds United
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | AFC Bournemouth / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | AFC Bournemouth & Leeds United |
Brentford v Nottingham Forest
| Result prediction | Brentford to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Brentford / Brentford |
| Team to Score prediction | Brentford |
Coventry City v Sunderland
| Result prediction | Coventry City to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Coventry City |
| Team to Score prediction | Coventry City & Sunderland |
Hull City v Ipswich Town
| Result prediction | Hull City to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Hull City |
| Team to Score prediction | Hull City & Ipswich Town |
Manchester City v Brighton & Hove Albion
| Result prediction | Manchester City to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Manchester City |
| Team to Score prediction | Manchester City |
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace
| Result prediction | Tottenham Hotspur to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Tottenham Hotspur / Tottenham Hotspur |
| Team to Score prediction | Tottenham Hotspur |
Aston Villa v Fulham
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Aston Villa / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | Aston Villa or Fulham |
Liverpool v Arsenal
| Result prediction | Arsenal to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Arsenal |
| Team to Score prediction | Liverpool & Arsenal |
Newcastle United v Everton
| Result prediction | Newcastle United to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Newcastle United |
| Team to Score prediction | Newcastle United |