Premier League predictions: Gameweek 4
By 90min Staff
For the first time since *checks notes* two weeks ago, the Premier League weekend begins with a team other than Manchester United at the foot of the table.
Nature is healing.
With a midweek round of fixtures and the transfer deadline on the horizon, how will the 20 top-flight sides fare heading into gameweek four?
Here are 90min's predictions...
Saturday August 27
Southampton vs Manchester United
Erik ten Hag's quest to secure back-to-back wins for first time as Man Utd boss continues at Southampton in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off.
The Red Devils have understandably been buoyed by Monday night's win against rivals Liverpool, lifting them out of the relegation zone.
The Saints, meanwhile, have come up with two masterful escape acts in the last two weeks, taking four points from a possible six against Leeds and Leicester - but that run should end here.
Prediction: Southampton 1-2 Manchester United
Brentford vs Everton
Everton travel to Brentford still looking for their first league win of the new season.
Frank Lampard's side ended their miserable start to the campaign with a narrow win at Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup in midweek, but face an altogether different task at the Gtech Community Stadium against a side who did the double over them last year.
The Bees fell to a late Aleksandar Mitrovic goal against Fulham last week, but have looked strong and brave in the post-Christian Eriksen era nonetheless.
Prediction: Brentford 1-0 Everton
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Leeds United
Brighton and Leeds' fast starts to the new season will make their meeting at the Amex Stadium all the more intriguing.
Graham Potter has long been regarded as one of the Premier League's brightest managers, but Jesse Marsch has shaken off his 'Ted Lasso' tag in recent weeks, particularly after the Whites' impressive dismantling of Chelsea.
There won't be too much to separate these sides, but the Seagulls should just about edge it.
Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 Leeds United
Chelsea vs Leicester City
Chelsea welcome Leicester to Stamford Bridge in a custody battle for Wesley Fofana. Oh, and for a football match.
Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that the French defender will not take part on Saturday, while his opposite number Thomas Tuchel has been banned from the touchline.
Both sides have started the season in disappointing fashion, and it should be the Blues who are the happier come teatime.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Leicester City
Liverpool vs Bournemouth
90min's Crisis Club of the Week Liverpool will look to ditch that moniker with a convincing display against Bournemouth.
All of the Reds' deficiencies came racing to the surface on Monday at Old Trafford and Jurgen Klopp will be keen to silence their doubters.
Bournemouth face the unenviable task of facing their third 'big six' team in a row on their return to the top flight. When it rains it really pours, huh.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Bournemouth
Manchester City vs Crystal Palace
Manchester City return to the Etihad Stadium looking to put to bed their Crystal Palace hoodoo.
The Eagles took four points off of last season's eventual champions and have gained a reputation as City's bogey team.
Unfortunately for Patrick Vieira, Pep Guardiola's men are at their most ruthless just after dropping points and will have a fire inside them after drawing at Newcastle.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Crystal Palace
Arsenal vs Fulham
Arsenal have a great chance to take 12 points from the opening 12 available to them this year when they welcome Fulham to the Emirates Stadium.
Marco Silva's Cottagers have looked resilient on their return to the Premier League and notched up their first win late on against rivals Brentford last week.
But Mikel Arteta's Gunners are in the form of their life and are showing little sign of slowing down soon.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Fulham
Sunday August 28
Aston Villa vs West Ham United
Basement club West Ham head to Aston Villa looking for their first goals and points of the Premier League season.
David Moyes' men have navigated the play-off round of the Europa Conference League with ease but are still yet to get going domestically.
Villa haven't started too brightly either and the pressure is already on Steven Gerrard to turn their fortunes around.
Prediction: Aston Villa 0-0 West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Newcastle United
Newcastle can keep their positive momentum rolling when they make the journey to Wolves on Sunday.
Eddie Howe's charges fought tooth and nail to take a point off of Manchester City last week and will feel aggrieved that they didn't end the match as the victors. The club-record signing of Alexander Isak will surely have helped lift the mood too.
Wolves are still struggling for goals, but they still have plenty of technical players to give the Magpies some headaches.
Prediction: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-1 Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur
The final match of gameweek four comes from the City Ground as Nottingham Forest take on Tottenham in the Michael Dawson derby.
Steve Cooper's hosts beat West Ham in their last home outing and it's becoming apparent that most of their points will come Trentside this season.
Antonio Conte was defiant that Spurs have deserved the seven points they've chalked up already this term - that figure should be 10 by the end of the weekend.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur