Premier League Predictions, Week 7/8

Welcome back to the weekly predictions, Premier League fans! Yes, it's true, it's really me. I know it's been a shocking 3 weeks since you heard from me last, but didn't you hear?!?! The Queen is dead!!! Long live the Queen!!!!

Yes, in case you find yourself in the bizarre overlap of being a soccer fan who is interested enough in the Premier League to read my predictions every week, but not interested enough to know that the league was postponed for a couple weeks, I have news for you: the FA mandated a two-week suspension of matches due to the “grieving period” and funeral for Queen Elizabeth. A nice gesture? Maybe. Worth throwing yet another complex wrench in an already chaotic season? Definitely not, especially because the ensuing international break meant a surprise THREE weeks away from league play for most teams.

But regardless, we’re back! And all snark aside, there probably are several teams that were grateful for the long layoff. In a way, I sure was. You probably can’t remember since it was 7 years ago, but I didn’t do so hot. I was correct in my assumption that Everton would yet again hold Liverpool to an uninspiring draw, and that Brighton would take care of business against Leicester. But I once again erred in my thought that Fulham would steal a draw from a North London side (this time Tottenham), and did not give Manchester United nor Aston Villa their proper respect as they would beat Arsenal and draw Man City, respectively. That means I was only good for a 2/5 week, bringing my season total to 11.5/20.

Barely over .500. Ooftah. But hey! The games are only 12 hours from kicking back off, so no time for self-flagellation. Here are your 5 for Week 7 for some, Week 8 for others!

Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur

The weekend kicks off with easily the biggest match of all: this edition of the North London Derby will be the most hyped rivalry showdown in quite some time. For the first time in what feels like forever. both clubs are in the Top 4, and not just that, they're two of the most in-form sides in all of England. Arsenal enters a massive October still clinging on to the Premier League lead, but guess who's right behind them in a tie for 2nd place? That's right, Tottenham, unbeaten on the season, and just one point behind their rivals. This should be a cracker-- what a way to return from a long layoff of matches! I do think the Gunners sense this is their best opportunity in some time to score a massive rivalry win, and this time won't let the opportunity slip in front of a home crowd.

The Pick: Arsenal, 3-2

Liverpool vs. Brighton & Hove Albion

It's certainly too early to declare Liverpool back, and 4th-place Brighton won't be the easiest opponent to return to after such a long time away, but the Reds' last match before the international break, wherein they saw the return of Thiago, Diogo Jota and Joel Matip from injury, and saw the latter score a last-minute winner in a dominant performance again Ajax, felt like a turning point. With the Gulls breaking in a new manager still, and Liverpool's injury list finally going down instead of up, this feels like one in which the Reds will take care of business at home.

The Pick: Liverpool, 3-1

Fulham vs. Newcastle United

Thus far, Fulham's bright start to the season has proven to be no fluke. They lost very competitive matches away at Arsenal and Tottenham, and otherwise are unbeaten against every other opponent thus far. Newcastle, meanwhile, have stumbled after their promising start to the year, winless in their last 6 (though it should be noted that stretch included a thrilling draw with Man City and a last-second loss to Liverpool at Anfield). Fulham are playing with more of an identity and more consistency right now, plus have the home crowd, but I do think the sum of the Magpies' parts is too talented not to get at least a point from this fixture.

The Pick: Draw, 2-2

Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea

It already feels like ages ago that Chelsea sacked Thomas Tuchel and hired Brighton's Graham Potter as his replacement, but in reality, the Potter era at Chelsea is yet to kick off in the Premier League. The one match he has helmed was in the Champions League, and was a somewhat disappointing home draw with Red Bull Salzburg. Generally, I might be inclined to think that the unexpected play delay might work in a new manager's favor (giving him more time to get to know the team), I'm not sure that applies when it's a manager with a considerably different favored style and the break saw all the players go away on international duty. Besides, Crystal Palace, far better than their current Premier League standing might show, are no easy out.

The Pick: Draw, 0-0

Manchester City vs. Manchester United

I love that we have perhaps the two biggest intra-city rivalries bookending this massive Premier League weekend. Even with Manchester United's recent futility by their own lofty standards, it's rare for the Manchester Derby to not be the main event, but so good have Arsenal and Tottenham's starts to the season been that this match probably takes second billing this particular weekend. That said, don't sleep on how high-stakes this clash could prove to be; defending champions Manchester City are yet to lose, and sit just one point out of 1st place, while United, after a disastrous start to the season, suddenly have won four straight league matches and sit just one point out of the Top 4. Make no mistake, City are still the better team by a sizable margin, and will inevitably end up winning the league this season, perhaps comfortably. And you know Erling Haaland will get his goals in this fixture, too. However, I do think United's turnaround is for real; they may not be a title contender or anything yet, but I do think they're ready to prove they can hang with the best of sides again, and that could start this weekend against a City side who still has some vulnerabilities at this point in the season.