The Premier League is already beginning to feel like a runaway train, and we’re not getting off anytime soon.
With the international break looming after the next two rounds of fixtures, Game Week 4 gives us another chance to squeeze every drop of entertainment out of the league before the football calendar takes a brief pause.
And there is plenty to look forward to.
Can Aston Villa finally get their first league win? Will Chelsea’s goal machine continue to run riot? Can Arsenal maintain their momentum? And then, of course, there is the small matter of Manchester United vs Manchester City.
We’ve dusted off the prediction table, sharpened the football instincts and prepared ourselves for the inevitable “I told you so” messages.
Let’s get into it.
Saturday, 12 September
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest
Villa Park | 3:00pm
Neither Aston Villa nor Nottingham Forest has had the start to the season they would have wanted, and both sides arrive at Villa Park still searching for their first league win.
There is, however, reason for optimism in the home camp.
Villa produced an impressive result in Belgium during the week, defeating the Belgian champions in the Champions League. Now the challenge is to transfer that European form to the Premier League.
Forest will not make life easy. These two sides know each other well after their Europa League semi-final battle last season, and there is enough familiarity here to make this a fascinating contest.
Villa have home advantage, European momentum and arguably the stronger squad.
Verdict: Aston Villa to win
Bournemouth vs Brentford
Vitality Stadium | 3:00pm
If you enjoy your football with a little chaos sprinkled on top, this could be one to watch.
Bournemouth have developed a reputation for refusing to let games die quietly. The Cherries keep pushing, keep attacking and keep asking questions until the final whistle.
Brentford are hardly the sort of team to sit back and admire the scenery either.
The Bees have made a solid start to the campaign and continue to sit comfortably among the early pace-setters. Keith Andrews deserves credit for the way his side have approached the season, but this trip to the south coast could test them.
Both teams possess pace, attacking intent and midfielders who are not afraid to get stuck in.
This has goals written all over it.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals
Crystal Palace vs Ipswich Town
Selhurst Park | 3:00pm
Crystal Palace made a mockery of our predictions last weekend.
The Eagles stunned Fulham at Craven Cottage, with Tyrick Mitchell playing a starring role as Palace claimed a memorable away victory.
Now comes the opportunity to build some momentum.
Ipswich, meanwhile, are beginning to feel the pressure. Consecutive defeats against Manchester United and Liverpool are understandable, but sympathy points do not exist in the Premier League.
The Tractor Boys now face another difficult opponent and will need to show that they can compete outside the comfort of the Championship.
Expect a feisty afternoon at Selhurst Park.
Verdict: Over 2.5 bookings
Chelsea vs Hull City
Stamford Bridge | 3:00pm
Chelsea are scoring goals for fun.
Six against Leeds in midweek took their domestic scoring tally to another level, and the Blues are quickly becoming one of the most dangerous attacking teams around.
Hull City, however, arrive with something Chelsea will desperately want to take away from them: confidence.
The Tigers are the only Premier League side yet to concede after three games. That is quite the defensive record, especially considering what is waiting for them at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s attacking trio will be expected to lead the charge, but Hull have already shown that they know how to keep the door shut.
The question is simple: can they keep Chelsea out too?
We aren’t convinced.
Verdict: Chelsea to win
Liverpool vs Fulham
Anfield | 3:00pm
Fulham’s season is threatening to become a nightmare.
Three consecutive league defeats have left them desperate for something, anything, to stop the slide. Unfortunately for them, their next assignment is a trip to Anfield.
Liverpool enter this one with confidence after another Champions League victory in midweek and will be keen to keep their league momentum going.
On paper, the gulf in quality is obvious.
But football has never been particularly interested in what happens on paper.
Fulham’s best hope is to frustrate Liverpool, stay in the contest and make the home crowd nervous. If they concede early, however, this could become a very long afternoon.
Verdict: Liverpool to win
Tottenham vs Everton
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | 5:30pm
Everton rescued a point against Manchester United last weekend thanks to a spectacular strike from Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Tottenham, meanwhile, are still waiting for their first league goal of the season.
Yes, you read that correctly.
For all the summer spending and attacking talent, Spurs have yet to find the back of the net in the league. At some point, surely, something has to give.
Roberto De Zerbi will know that patience is not a currency generously distributed by Premier League supporters. Another disappointing result at home would increase the pressure considerably.
Everton will arrive knowing that Spurs are vulnerable.
Expect tackles, tempers and plenty of cards.
Verdict: Over 2.5 bookings
Sunderland vs Arsenal
Stadium of Light | 8:00pm
Sunderland know Arsenal can be beaten.
They proved it last season.
A mix-up involving David Raya and Gabriel handed Sunderland a precious point at the Stadium of Light, but repeating that result will require a much more complete performance this time around.
Arsenal are flying.
Four consecutive victories across all competitions, second place in the Premier League and a squad that looks stronger than the one that came so close last season.
The Gunners have started with serious intent, and Sunderland will have to withstand an Arsenal side that looks increasingly comfortable controlling games.
Granit Xhaka will also have a reunion with familiar faces, but sentiment will have to wait until after the final whistle.
This could be a long night for the hosts.
Verdict: Arsenal to win
Sunday, 13 September
Coventry vs Brighton
CBS Stadium | 2:00pm
Coventry have had a miserable start to life in the Premier League, losing each of their opening three games.
Frank Lampard will be desperate to change that.
Brighton have made a promising start but have slowed slightly after taking just one point from their last two league fixtures. That makes this an intriguing opportunity for both teams.
Coventry need points.
Brighton need momentum.
The Seagulls appear better equipped to get what they want from this one, although home advantage could make things uncomfortable.
Verdict: Brighton or draw
Manchester United vs Manchester City
Old Trafford | 4:30pm
Now we get to the main event.
The Manchester derby.
There are few fixtures in English football capable of swallowing up an entire weekend, and this is one of them.
Manchester United know exactly what is at stake. Their league campaign has not gone according to plan, and they have managed just one win so far.
But this is a derby.
Form can be thrown out of the window, logic can be locked in a cupboard, and football can decide to do whatever it wants.
United’s midweek Champions League victory will give them confidence, while Manchester City arrive after an impressive European away win of their own and are chasing a fourth consecutive league victory.
The question is not whether this will be intense.
It will.
The question is whether United can produce enough to stop City from taking control.
We’re backing Pep Guardiola’s side to avoid defeat.
Verdict: Manchester City to win or draw
Monday, 14 September
Leeds United vs Newcastle
Elland Road | 8:00pm
If Monday night gives us anything like Wednesday’s Chelsea vs Leeds encounter, we might need to warn the neighbours.
Leeds scored three goals against Chelsea.
They still lost 6-3.
Daniel Farke will have plenty to think about defensively, although there is a reasonable argument that very few teams would have enjoyed dealing with Chelsea’s attack that night.
Newcastle arrive in better shape and have received another boost with Lewis Hall committing his future to the club.
The Magpies are also hoping to welcome some injured players back into the squad, which could strengthen them at just the right time.
Both sides have enough attacking quality to cause problems, and neither defence has completely convinced us.
So, rather than picking a winner, we’re looking at the goals market.
This could be a lively way to finish Game Week 4.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals
Our Game Week 4 Predictions
| Fixture | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest | Aston Villa to win |
| Bournemouth vs Brentford | Over 2.5 goals |
| Crystal Palace vs Ipswich | Over 2.5 bookings |
| Chelsea vs Hull City | Chelsea to win |
| Liverpool vs Fulham | Liverpool to win |
| Tottenham vs Everton | Over 2.5 bookings |
| Sunderland vs Arsenal | Arsenal to win |
| Coventry vs Brighton | Brighton or draw |
| Manchester United vs Manchester City | Manchester City or draw |
| Leeds United vs Newcastle | Over 2.5 goals |
Ten games. Ten predictions.
Some feel obvious.
Some are deliberately brave.
And at least one will probably come back to haunt us by Monday night.
That’s the beauty of the Premier League.
Which Game Week 4 prediction are you backing? And which one do you think we’ve got completely wrong?
