Premier League Matchday 7 will see Liverpool play Chelsea in a Big 6 clash, undefeated Crystal Palace take on Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium, and Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest battle against Eddie Howe’s Newcastle. Let’s get ready for these games and the rest of this weekend’s action with our Premier League picks and predictions for every Matchday 7 fixture.
Bournemouth vs. Fulham
Vitality Stadium, 8:00pm BST (3:00pm ET), Friday, October 3
Both Bournemouth and Fulham will be looking to set things right after disappointing results on Matchday 6. The Cherries barely managed to draw with newly-promoted sides Leeds, while Fulham conceded three unanswered goals in a 3-1 loss to Aston Villa.
Bournemouth have had the upper hand in this matchup since Andoni Iraola took over the club in 2023. The club have lost just once in their four meetings (2W, 1D, 1L). The Cherries are also in better form coming into this match, having not lost in the league since their opening day defeat to Liverpool.
Vitality Stadium is the biggest reason to back Bournemouth here, though. Fulham have yet to win away from home this season, while the Cherries are undefeated at their home ground. Bournemouth are much better at home than away. They conceded the fewest home goals in the PL last year and have conceded just once so far this season.
Bournemouth vs. Fulham Prediction: 2-0
Leeds vs. Tottenham
Elland Road Stadium, 12:30pm BST (7:30am ET), Saturday, October 4
Leeds stayed well clear of the relegation zone for another week, with a 2-2 at home against Bournemouth. Tottenham, meanwhile, drew 1-1 with the worst team in the league, Wolves, and followed that up with a 2-2 draw away at Bodø/Glimt.
It’s too early to say whether Tottenham are falling back into their bad habits from last season, but the signs are there. Spurs have now drawn three of their last four matches. All three of those draws required a heroic equalizer in the 82nd minute or later.
Leeds aren’t a formidable team by any means, but they have proven tough to beat at home. The two goals they conceded against Bournemouth were their first of the season. Unfortunately, the Whites haven’t scored much at home either, with just three goals in three matches. Leeds could make it tough, but Tottenham should have enough to win this.
Leeds vs. Tottenham Prediction: 1-2
Arsenal vs. West Ham
Emirates Stadium, 3:00pm BST (10:00am ET), Saturday, October 4
Arsenal’s comeback win over Newcastle saw them close the gap between themselves and Liverpool to just two points. Some betting sites now claim the Gunners are title favourites. I’m not convinced on that yet, but the Gunners are definitely the best team in the Premier League after Matchday 6.
West Ham, on the other hand, are definitely not one of the best teams in the league. The Hammers are 19th and have conceded more goals than any other club through six games (14). Nuno Espírito Santo’s hire is promising, but this team isn’t talented enough to trouble Arsenal this weekend.
Arsenal vs. West Ham Prediction: 3-1
Manchester United vs. Sunderland
Old Trafford, 3:00pm BST (10:00am ET), Saturday, October 4
Manchester United’s 3-1 loss to Brentford sent the club crashing back down to Earth after their 2-1 win over Chelsea on Matchday 5. Sunderland, though, are flying. The Black Cats picked up their first away win in the Premier League since May 2017, with a 1-0 win over Forest at the City Ground.
I don’t see a lot of EPL predictions backing Sunderland to get another win this weekend, but I think it’s definitely possible. Régis Le Bris’s side look like an established top-level team. They’ve lost just once this season and are on a four-match unbeaten run.
Manchester United have allowed the fourth most expected goals against this season (9.2 xGA). A professional, well-organized team like Sunderland can hurt them. Brentford proved that last weekend.
Manchester United vs. Sunderland Prediction: 2-2
Chelsea vs. Liverpool
Stamford Bridge, 5:30pm BST (12:30pm ET), Saturday, October 4
Chelsea versus Liverpool is by far the biggest matchup out of this weekend’s fixtures. I’m willing to bet that it won’t live up to the hype. Chelsea are in a bad place right now, and I don’t see them getting back to their best against this Liverpool team.
Yes, Arne Slot’s side are also reeling after losing to Palace, but their attacking talent is so high that I just can’t see Chelsea coping. With Trevoh Chalobah suspended, the Blues’ only center-back options are Benoit Badiashile, Jorrel Hato, and Josh Acheampong. I like Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, and Florian Wirtz’s chances against those options. Not to mention the fact that Robert Sanchez will be in goal for Chelsea.
Chelsea vs. Liverpool Prediction: 1-3
Aston Villa vs. Burnley
Villa Park, 2:00pm BST (9:00am ET), Sunday, October 5
Aston Villa picked up their first win of the season last weekend with a convincing 3-1 win over Fulham. Burnley were on the wrong end of a similar result, losing 5-1 to a resurgent Manchester City side at the Etihad.
As impressive as Villa were against Fulham, I think this match is the real test to determine whether Unai Emery’s team are truly back. Before beating the Cottagers, Villa had scored just one goal in five league matches and had created the fewest chances in the league.
Burnley have done well to avoid being bottom of the table far, but they aren’t good enough to compete against top teams. Scott Parker’s side have conceded in six straight matches and haven’t won in five. If Villa are really back to being a top team, they need to win big this weekend. I think they will do it.
Aston Villa vs. Burnley Prediction: 3-0
Everton vs. Crystal Palace
Hill Dickinson Stadium, 2:00pm BST (9:00am ET), Sunday, October 5
Crystal Palace will head to the new Hill Dickinson Stadium fresh off beating Everton’s Merseyside rivals Liverpool 2-1That result saw the Eagles jump to third place and left them as the last undefeated team in the Premier League. Everton dropped points in their Matchday 6 fixture, drawing 1-1 with West Ham.
It’s hard to bet against Palace based on their recent form. The Eagles have gone unbeaten in 12 straight EPL matches, dating back to last season. Everton, on the other hand, are winless in their last four matches in all competitions.
However, David Moyes’s side are undefeated at home. I also expect them to cede possession to Palace, which is an uncomfortable position for the Eagles. They’re currently averaging the second-least possession in the Premier League, with just 40% per match. This could be a tricky fixture for Oliver Glasner’s side.
Everton vs. Crystal Palace Prediction: 1-1
Newcastle vs. Nottingham Forest
St. James’ Park, 2:00pm BST (9:00am ET), Sunday, October 5
After their 2-1 defeat to Arsenal, Newcastle find themselves in 15th place and dangerously close to falling out of the Champions League race before it even starts. They are just one point above Nottingham Forest heading into this match, which is not a good place to be, considering Forest’s struggles.
The Reds have not won a match since deciding to replace Nuno Espírito Santo with Ange Postecoglou. What’s worse is that Forest doesn’t seem built for a manager like Big Ange. If this is going to work, they need to get back to playing as a counter-attacking team. This match against Newcastle gives them a chance to do that.
On the other hand, if Postecoglou tries to go man for man with Newcastle and play his brand of football, I can’t see them getting anything out of this match. Knowing Postecoglou’s principles and how he stuck to them at Tottenham, I’d bet on Newcastle to win here.
Newcastle vs. Nottingham Forest Prediction: 2-1
Wolves vs. Brighton
Molineux Stadium, 2:00pm BST (9:00am ET), Sunday, October 5
Wolves picked up their first point of the season last weekend with a 1-1 draw against Spurs. Brighton, meanwhile, ran riot against a 10-man Chelsea side in a 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge. Based on recent history, I think the Seagulls have a good chance of picking up all three points away from home this weekend.
Brighton have lost just one of their eight matches at the Molineux in the Premier League. They’ve scored multiple goals in each of their last four away matches at Wolves. Fabian Hurzeler’s side won this fixture 2-0 last season. This season, Wolves have been worse at home than away. They’ve conceded three or more goals in each of their three EPL home matches.
Besides the home and away record, Brighton are just a much better team. Per Fbref, the Seagulls have created the fourth-most xG in the league this season (10.3), while Wolves have the third-worst xG difference (-2.9).
Wolves vs. Brighton Prediction: 1-2
Brentford vs. Manchester City
Gtech Community Stadium, 4:30pm BST (11:30am ET), Sunday, October 5
Brentford did well to beat Manchester United last weekend. But there’s a reason they are the biggest underdog of Matchday 7: Manchester City are a lot better than Man Utd. It sounds simple, but it’s obviously true.
City scored five last weekend in a 5-1 win over Burnley, and could easily do the same this Sunday. Especially if Brentford press as aggressively as they have so far this season.
I’m not going to overthink it here. Man City should win this match comfortably.
Brentford vs. Manchester City Prediction: 1-4
