Three weeks without Premier League football? That international break certainly tested the patience of football fans. Just when the weekend routine was getting comfortable, club football disappeared, leaving us to survive on international fixtures, transfer rumours and endless debates about who deserves a place in the starting XI.
But the wait is finally over, and the Premier League is ready to serve up another helping of drama.
From Arsenal’s return to action to a blockbuster showdown between Liverpool and Manchester City, this weekend promises goals, tension and plenty of talking points. Manchester United are desperate to find their feet, Tottenham need a miracle to escape the bottom of the table, and Brentford are quietly making themselves a team nobody wants to face.
So, grab your favourite matchday snacks and settle in. Springers24 is back at the predictions table, and we have nine fixtures to call. Let’s see who gets the points, who drops them, and who leaves their supporters shouting at the television!
Saturday, 10 October
Arsenal vs Leeds United
Emirates Stadium | 12:30 pm
Arsenal return to Premier League action with a point to prove. Their unbeaten run came to an end before the international break, making this home fixture against Leeds United an important opportunity to get back on track.
The Gunners will be expected to take control, but Leeds are unlikely to travel to north London simply to admire the Emirates Stadium. Daniel Farke’s side have been enjoying a positive run, and beating the reigning champions would be a significant statement.
Arsenal could also be dealing with injury concerns involving Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis, giving Leeds a potential opening to exploit. However, the home side still have enough quality to make life uncomfortable for the visitors.
Leeds may cause a few nervous moments, but Arsenal will be keen to remind everyone why they are champions.
Springers24 prediction: Arsenal to win.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
Villa Park | 3:00 pm
Aston Villa escaped their latest battle with Tottenham after holding on in a five-goal thriller before the international break. It was an important result for Unai Emery, but Villa still have plenty of work to do if they want to turn their season around.
Unfortunately for the hosts, Brentford are coming to town, and the Bees are buzzing.
Sitting fourth in the table, Brentford have made an impressive start to the campaign. Keith Andrews’ men have shown little fear of their opponents, and their early-season form suggests they could be more than just another difficult fixture.
Aston Villa will have home advantage, but Brentford’s confidence could make this a frustrating afternoon for Emery. With the visitors looking to maintain their place among the early pace-setters, Villa cannot afford to switch off.
It is still early in the season, but Brentford are already making their presence felt.
Springers24 prediction: A draw.
Chelsea vs Bournemouth
Stamford Bridge | 3:00 pm
Chelsea have some making up to do after Brentford handed them a painful defeat before the international break. Stamford Bridge now offers the Blues an opportunity to respond, although Bournemouth may have other ideas.
Chelsea managed to keep Cole Palmer and João Pedro away from international duty, potentially giving the pair an opportunity to return refreshed. Their involvement could be important if the hosts are to rediscover their attacking rhythm.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, have struggled to turn promising performances into victories. The Cherries are still searching for their first win of the season, despite feeling that some of their dropped points could easily have been avoided.
Their defeat to Liverpool was another frustrating result, particularly given the way they competed during the game.
The question is whether Bournemouth can finally convert their attacking promise into a result. Chelsea will be eager to respond, while the visitors will be desperate to end their winless run.
This has the ingredients for an entertaining afternoon, and we would not be surprised if the goals start flowing.
Springers24 prediction: Over 2.5 goals.
Ipswich Town vs Fulham
Portman Road | 3:00 pm
For Ipswich Town, this could be an opportunity to collect three valuable points in their fight to avoid relegation. Fulham’s position in the table offers the hosts reason for optimism, although the Cottagers should not be underestimated.
Fulham have collected just two points from their opening five games, according to the supplied form guide, and are still waiting for their first victory. Their performances have offered encouragement, but football is an unforgiving business when the results refuse to follow.
Ipswich, who have four more points than their opponents, will hope to take advantage.
There is also a familiar face on the opposing touchline for Ipswich manager Gary O’Neil, who has encountered Fulham’s setup on several occasions during his managerial career.
Both teams have a full complement of players available, which should help set the stage for an open contest. Fulham will want to end their frustrating run, while Ipswich have an opportunity to strengthen their position.
Neither side can afford to be too cautious, and that could leave plenty of room for attacking opportunities.
Springers24 prediction: Both teams to score.
Sunderland vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Stadium of Light | 3:00 pm
Sunderland’s season has yet to take off as they would have hoped, and their upcoming fixtures are hardly getting any easier. After facing the champions and last season’s runners-up in consecutive matches, the Black Cats now welcome a Brighton side riding high on confidence.
Sunderland will be without Bryan Brobbey, who reportedly scored three times against Manchester City in an eight-goal thriller, as well as Dan Ballard, who picked up an injury during the international break.
Those absences could make an already difficult assignment even tougher.
Brighton, meanwhile, have plenty of reasons to be optimistic following their 3-0 victory over Arsenal before the break. The Seagulls will be keen to carry that momentum into the trip to the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland have the home crowd behind them, but Brighton’s attacking quality and recent form make them favourites on paper.
The Black Cats will need a disciplined performance to stop the visitors from taking control.
Springers24 prediction: Brighton to win.
Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur
Old Trafford | 5:30 pm
Saturday’s headline fixture brings Manchester United and Tottenham together at Old Trafford, with both sides desperate for a change in fortunes.
Neither club has enjoyed the start its supporters would have wanted. United have been collecting points at a disappointing rate, while Tottenham find themselves at the bottom of the table, still searching for their first victory.
For Spurs, the pressure on Roberto De Zerbi is mounting. Another poor result would only intensify questions about the direction of the team and how much longer the manager can afford to wait for a breakthrough.
Manchester United have their own problems to solve. A club of their stature cannot afford to drift through the opening weeks of the campaign without finding consistency, and a home fixture against a struggling Tottenham side looks like an opportunity they must take seriously.
Carlos Baleba is available for selection, while Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo are ready to return to action. Amad could also be in contention for a starting place.
United’s supporters will demand a performance as well as a result. Tottenham, however, could make things uncomfortable if they find their attacking rhythm.
With both teams under pressure, this is the sort of match that could turn into a thriller.
Springers24 prediction: Manchester United to beat Tottenham.
Sunday, 11 October
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest
Selhurst Park | 2:00 pm
Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest are separated by just one point in the table, making this a potentially important fixture for both clubs.
However, the biggest talking point could be the return of Oliver Glasner to Selhurst Park. The German tactician should expect an emotionally charged reception from the Palace faithful, particularly given the circumstances surrounding his return.
Palace have struggled to find consistency this season, but the return of several players to fitness could provide a timely boost. With European football also demanding their attention, the Eagles need to find a way to balance their domestic ambitions with the extra workload.
Forest, meanwhile, have no European distractions to contend with. That could give Glasner more time to prepare his side and focus on securing a positive result.
Both clubs will understand the importance of avoiding defeat, especially with the relegation battle beginning to take shape. Palace may have home advantage, but Forest are unlikely to make things easy.
Expect a tense contest in which neither side wants to make the first costly mistake.
Springers24 prediction: Under 3.5 goals.
Hull City vs Everton
MKM Stadium | 2:00 pm
Hull City have lost some of the invincibility that made their early-season performances so impressive, but the Tigers remain capable of springing a surprise.
Many expected Hull to struggle this season, yet they have defied those predictions so far. Their recent defeat need not become the beginning of a downward spiral, and a home fixture against Everton presents an opportunity to get back on track.
The problem is that Everton have their own ambitions.
David Moyes will see this match as an opportunity to build momentum and potentially push his side into the top four. At this stage of the campaign, every victory can make a difference to the early league standings.
Hull still have several important players unavailable, although the extended international break could allow a few to return. Their availability could make a significant difference against an Everton side looking to take advantage.
The hosts will be eager to prove that their early-season form was no fluke, while Everton will want to avoid dropping points against an opponent they may be expected to beat.
It could be an entertaining contest, but the visitors appear better placed to come away with something.
Springers24 prediction: Everton to win or draw.
Liverpool vs Manchester City
Anfield | 4:30 pm
Now, this is the fixture that could steal the entire weekend.
Liverpool welcome Manchester City to Anfield in a meeting between two sides with plenty at stake. City have made a perfect start to the league campaign, collecting five wins from five matches to sit at the top of the table. Liverpool, meanwhile, will be eager to close the gap and remind their rivals that the title race is far from settled.
The international break has not been entirely kind to Liverpool, with Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak reportedly unavailable for the visit of Pep Guardiola’s side. Losing two attacking options ahead of such a significant game is hardly ideal, especially against a City team that has looked so difficult to stop.
Manchester City, on the other hand, have reason to feel confident. Erling Haaland is available after leaving Norway early during the international break, giving the visitors a major attacking boost.
There is also the inevitable off-pitch conversation surrounding City’s ongoing legal battle with the Premier League over the charges brought against the club. That controversy could provide extra ammunition for the terraces, although the football will ultimately determine who leaves Anfield smiling.
Liverpool will need a strong collective performance to compensate for their attacking absences. City have the momentum, the confidence and a striker capable of punishing even the smallest defensive mistake.
Anfield is rarely a comfortable destination, and Liverpool’s supporters will expect their team to rise to the occasion. But can the Reds produce the goods without two of their leading attackers?
Springers24 prediction: Manchester City to win.
Monday, 12 October
Coventry City vs Newcastle United
Coventry Building Society Arena | 8:00 pm
Monday night football brings the weekend to a close as Coventry City host Newcastle United in a fixture that could have consequences at both ends of the table.
Coventry are dealing with several injury concerns, with Haji Wright, Woolfenden, Eccles and Amenda reportedly unavailable. Manager Frank Lampard, however, remains confident that the players at his disposal can deliver the required result.
Newcastle have their own fitness worries. Jacob Ramsey, Amar Dedic, Anthony Elanga, Dan Burn, Will Osula and Tino Livramento were reportedly absent from training, although the gap before Monday’s match leaves room for some of them to return.
Coventry will take encouragement from their recent victory away at Nottingham Forest. Few expected them to come away with that result, and it could provide the confidence needed to push for another positive performance.
Newcastle have greater expectations to contend with, but injuries could complicate their preparations. Coventry will be keen to exploit any weaknesses and make home advantage count.
With both sides potentially vulnerable at the back, an entertaining contest could be on the cards.
Springers24 prediction: Both teams to score.
Springers24’s Premier League Predictions at a Glance
| Fixture | Our prediction |
|---|---|
| Arsenal vs Leeds United | Arsenal to win |
| Aston Villa vs Brentford | Draw |
| Chelsea vs Bournemouth | Over 2.5 goals |
| Ipswich Town vs Fulham | Both teams to score |
| Sunderland vs Brighton | Brighton to win |
| Manchester United vs Tottenham | Manchester United to win |
| Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest | Under 3.5 goals |
| Hull City vs Everton | Everton to win or draw |
| Liverpool vs Manchester City | Manchester City to win |
| Coventry City vs Newcastle United | Both teams to score |
Final Whistle: Who Will Get It Right?
The Premier League is back, and there is no shortage of questions waiting to be answered. Can Arsenal return to winning ways? Will Brentford continue their impressive start? Can Manchester United take advantage of Tottenham’s struggles? And will Liverpool find a way to stop a Manchester City side that has started the season in frightening form?
Our boldest call is backing City to leave Anfield with all three points, but football has a habit of making confident predictions look rather silly by Sunday evening.
That is part of the fun.
These are our predictions, not guarantees. The players still have 90 minutes to rewrite the script.
What do you think? Which result are you most confident about, and which fixture could produce the weekend’s biggest surprise? Share your predictions with Springers24!
