With the first international break within sight, this weekend is important for every team as they look to take some momentum into the fortnight off.
Saturday sees Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Everton amongst those in action with the former two still unbeaten entering this round of fixtures.
Leicester City vs Liverpool (12:30pm)
This is a must win for Liverpool because their run post international break looks like a total nightmare.
With Spurs, PSG, Southampton, Chelsea X2, Napoli and Manchester City to come between resumption of this and October’s fortnight off, that is one ugly pile of fixtures and a loss here will really rattle the Reds.
Leicester meanwhile have flourished after losing their opening game three weeks ago, even without the suspended Jamie Vardy and Claude Puel has suffered just one defeat as a manager against Liverpool.
This therefore should be a decent game, especially because Liverpool have won only one of their last four trips to the King Power Stadium.
In end, a draw would a decent result because Leicester won’t settle for a 1-0 defeat like Brighton did last time out at Anfield.
Prediction: Leicester City 1-1 Liverpool
Jake predicts: Leicester City 1-2 Liverpool
Result: Leicester City 1-2 Liverpool
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Fulham
Fulham enter this game on a high after getting their first win last time out but Brighton are a strong side this season.
The Seagulls were unlucky to get something at Anfield but showed strong defensive spirit so am expecting them to build on that performance here at home, where they beat Manchester United a fortnight ago.
I am going to plump for a home win because they will have the edge at home but will be a tight game with both teams scoring.
Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Fulham
Jake predicts: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Fulham
Result: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-2 Fulham
Chelsea vs Bournemouth
Both teams are unbeaten so this should be an intriguing matchup, particularly given that Bournemouth have a decent Premier League record here.
Chelsea however look like they’re back to 2016-17 title winning form and with Thursday-Sunday routine drawing closer, victory here is key for their title hopes.
Although Bournemouth will battle bravely and perhaps nab a late goal as they tend to do, I am backing Chelsea here.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Bournemouth
Jake predicts: Chelsea 2-0 Bournemouth
Result: Chelsea 2-0 Bournemouth
Crystal Palace vs Southampton
Southampton are coming here still searching for their first win but Crystal Palace are a strong solid side under Roy Hodgson.
Whilst Palace don’t have trouble scoring, Southampton are still exposed when defending as demonstrated by Leicester Harry Maguire, who was able to slot in their winner with such ease from outside box with a low shot last weekend.
They can’t repeat that here because Palace will punish them with Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend.
On that note, I am going for a Palace win.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-0 Southampton
Jake predicts: Crystal Palace 1-1 Southampton
Result: Crystal Palace 0-2 Southampton
Everton vs Huddersfield Town
As Huddersfield fans question whether David Wagner is the right man to continue taking them forward, this is a good time to silence them by producing a shock at Everton.
Under Marco Silva, the Toffees however are yet to score less than two goals per game from their opening four across all competitions.
This therefore will be a difficult game for Huddersfield but even if they lose this, it isn’t the end for Wagner because Crystal Palace last season lost their first six before eventually surviving.
Sadly I can see a nice and easy Everton win here.
Prediction: Everton 2-0 Huddersfield Town
Jake predicts: Everton 2-1 Huddersfield Town
Result: Everton 1-1 Huddersfield Town
West Ham United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
For West Ham, this is a must win otherwise their comeback victory over AFC Wimbledon in Carabao Cup this past midweek will count for nothing.
Wolves meanwhile are strong and tight when on the attack but need to really sort out whatever defensive issues are exposing them at back.
I can therefore see the visitors dominating attack but West Ham will certainly get something on counter.
Prediction: West Ham United 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Jake predicts: West Ham United 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Result: West Ham United 0-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Manchester City vs Newcastle United (5:30pm)
Newcastle puzzled fans with their tactics against Chelsea but with another big side, I wouldn’t be surprised if they try and repeat it here.
Manchester City meanwhile will be pleased to be at home after being held to a surprise draw at Wolves last weekend, knowing that they haven’t lost their last 21 meetings in this fixture.
With it being 1st September, you definitely don’t want to face a Pep Guardiola side because he hasn’t experienced September heartache since 2010 when Barcelona were stunned by Hercules.
I can therefore only see one comfortable winner coming here.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Newcastle United
Jake predicts: Manchester City 3-0 Newcastle United
Result: Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle United
Prediction Wars
With the new season underway, so is Prediction Wars between me and Boro Rants writer, Jake Self.
Rules however are same as last time and goes as follows;
Correct score – 3 points
Correct result – 1 point
Incorrect result – 0 points
Now here is how the table stands after last weekend’s round of fixtures.
| Name | Points |
| James Gregory | 20 |
| Jake Self | 25 |
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