2020/21 Premier League Predictions | Gameweek 4
We’re almost a month into the new season, but as we return with our latest set of predictions at least one thing seems to be guaranteed – the 2020/21 Premier League won’t be short on storylines.
With goals flying in all over the place, will Gary Lineker have another dilemma picking the MOTD running order this weekend?
Leeds vs Man City and Aston Villa vs Liverpool head up this week’s predictions…
EPL Predictions – Gameweek 4
Saturday 3rd October
CHELSEA VS CRYSTAL PALACE, 12:30
A stirring second-half comeback ensured Chelsea saved face against West Brom last week as they snatched a last-gasp 3-3 draw at the Hawthorns.
However, Frank Lampard knows his critics are starting to circle the wagons after several sloppy defensive displays and a midweek exit from the Carabao Cup.
The Blues boss will be looking for his side to cut out the mistakes against London rivals Crystal Palace, but once again might be leaning on the Blues’ impressive firepower to blow away the Eagles. After both opening their accounts in the Carabao Cup over the last fortnight, Lampard will be hoping new star duo Kai Havertz and Timo Werner can get off the mark in the league.
Palace’s record in this fixture has been poor in recent seasons, although they did record a 2-1 win here back in 2017.
Verdict: CHELSEA 3-2 CRYSTAL PALACE
EVERTON VS BRIGHTON, 15:00
After years of trying to crack the top four, could this finally be Everton’s time?
The mood music is distinctly upbeat at Goodison Park after their best start to the season since 1993/94, with new recruits James Rodríguez and Allan clearly relishing their reunion with Carlo Ancelotti.
The Toffees now have an irresistible opportunity to make it 12 points from 12 as they take on a Brighton side that have failed to take a single point from them at Goodison Park since rising to this level in 2017.
Albion will be hoping the rub of the green falls their way after their controversial last-gasp defeat to Man Utd, but the Seagulls are finally showing signs of becoming good travellers in the Premier League. Graham Potter’s side have taken three wins from their last four away league games.
Verdict: EVERTON 2-1 BRIGHTON
LEEDS UTD VS MAN CITY, 17:30
It’s the match-up of two of the Premier League’s most intelligent minds this weekend as Marcelo Bielsa takes on Pep Guardiola at Elland Road. Bielsa’s intense methods look to be paying dividends with Leeds so far adapting seamlessly to life back in the Premier League.
However, they could be colliding with City at just the wrong time as Pep Guardiola chases an instant response after the Citizens’ surprise 5-2 home reverse to Leicester, with the away side boosted by the arrival of Benfica defender Rúben Dias this week
The City boss has famously lauded Bielsa as the ‘best coach in the world’, but notably got the better of him when the two met as managers in the 2012 Copa del Rey Final, with Barcelona sealing a 3-0 win over Bielsa’s Bilbao. This promises to be a fascinating watch.
Verdict: LEEDS UTD 1-2 MAN CITY
NEWCASTLE UTD VS BURNLEY, 20:00
The Saturday night football could have sofa-watchers switching to their latest boxset as two of the league’s traditionally low-scoring sides meet at St James’ Park. Given the season so far, this has the hallmarks of 2020/21’s first major turkey – just as supermarkets start stocking up for Christmas.
The Magpies got away with a mugging on matchday three as they snatched a 1-1 draw at Spurs with a little help from the VAR and IFAB’s much-maligned handball rulebook.
Steve Bruce might well be pleased the stands remain empty given recent listless displays from his starting XI but could restore some faith among the fanbase with an improved outing against struggling Burnley. The Clarets currently look short on the squad depth needed to turn games in their favour as Sean Dyche’s boardroom battles continue.
Verdict: NEWCASTLE UTD 0-0 BURNLEY
Sunday 4th October
LEICESTER CITY VS WEST HAM UTD, 12:00
Few punters would have backed these two teams to be last weekend’s top scorers, but as ever with the Premier League, they didn’t exactly stay on script as both ran out emphatic winners in their respective games.
Neutrals will be hoping the entertaining start to 2020/21 continues as the in-form Foxes meet the suddenly goal-hungry Hammers at the King Power. Leicester look to be making up for lost time after their agonising slump in fortune last year, with Rodgers’ side starting this season better than their 2015/16 title-winning campaign.
The away side are chasing a first win against Leicester in five attempts, but David Moyes will be buoyed by his side’s sudden discovery of a ruthless streak after they obliterated Wolves last weekend.
Verdict: LEICESTER CITY 3-1 WEST HAM UTD
SOUTHAMPTON VS WEST BROM, 12:00
Whole Premier League seasons can turn on the finest of margins.
Pity poor West Brom, then.
Slaven Bilic’s side were minutes away from claiming a famous scalp against one of the Big Six. The kind of mood-shifting win that can lead to a run of handy results just when most pundits have already consigned you to an instant return to the Championship.
However, the Baggies defence ultimately couldn’t hold out against a relentless Chelsea comeback – with the Blues brutally exposing West Brom’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Bilić now needs to pick his side back off the floor to go again against a Saints team that are finally off the mark after a tidy 1-0 win at Turf Moor. Danny Ings will be eager to give Gareth Southgate something to think about before league action takes a break for the Nations League.
Verdict: SOUTHAMPTON 2-1 WEST BROM
ARSENAL VS SHEFFIELD UTD, 14:00
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal revolution remains a work in progress, with the Gunners caught cold by some clinical attacking play from the reigning champions as Liverpool fought back to win 3-1 at Anfield last Monday. Nevertheless, the marked improvement in Arsenal’s fortunes since this summer’s restart suggests they should find life a little easier this weekend against Sheffield Utd.
The Blades remain pointless after three games with goalscoring looking a major issue for Chris Wilder. Reports suggest Rhian Brewster might be the answer to that conundrum but the talented young Liverpool striker is unlikely to arrive in time to help the Blades move out the bottom three here.
Verdict: ARSENAL 2-0 SHEFFIELD UTD
WOLVES VS FULHAM, 14:00
‘Backlash’ could be the watchword at Molineux this weekend.
Wolves slumped to the heaviest defeat of the Nuno era last Sunday, but the fixture computer has served up the plum tie in the Premier League right now for any club looking to make immediate amends. Can Wolves get that shocker of a 4-0 defeat to West Ham out their system against the division’s early whipping boys?
Fulham currently look a mess both on and off the pitch following an unseemly spat between Scott Parker and his chairman Tony Khan after the 3-0 home defeat to Aston Villa. This looks like it could be another sobering afternoon for last season’s Championship play-off winners.
Verdict: WOLVES 3-0 FULHAM
MAN UTD VS TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR, 16:30
It’s the ‘Jose Mourinho’ derby at Old Trafford as the Portuguese boss returns to his former stomping ground on Sunday afternoon.
Given the late drama in their last Premier League outing, the Spurs boss will at least be in a better frame of mind heading into this one after his charges held their nerve to knock rivals Chelsea out of the Carabao Cup on penalties in midweek.
Man Utd were the beneficiaries of more late VAR drama at the Amex last weekend, but will be aiming for a first win of the season on home soil after their woeful opener at Old Trafford against Crystal Palace. These two teams drew 1-1 in North London in their first game after ‘Project Restart’ in June.
Verdict: MAN UTD 1-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
ASTON VILLA VS LIVERPOOL, 19:15
The weekend ends with an intriguing game at Villa Park, with at least one perfect start set to be ruined on Sunday night. Questions were raised as to whether Liverpool would struggle to lift themselves after last year’s title stroll, but Jürgen Klopp’s side have answered them admirably with a ruthless start to their title defence.
The Reds did the double over Villa last season, but the home side look made of sterner stuff this season after solid wins and consecutive clean sheets against 10-men Sheffield Utd and a hapless Fulham.
This will be an acid test as to where Villa currently stand in the top-flight pecking order; a shock win could hint that a repeat of last year’s final-day nerves won’t be on the agenda for Dean Smith’s men in 2020/21.
Verdict: ASTON VILLA 1-3 LIVERPOOL
Premier League Correct Score Predictions
CHELSEA 3-2 CRYSTAL PALACE
EVERTON 2-1 BRIGHTON
LEEDS 1-2 MAN CITY
NEWCASTLE 0-0 BURNLEY
LEICESTER CITY 3-1 WEST HAM UTD
SOUTHAMPTON 2-1 WEST BROM
ARSENAL 2-0 SHEFFIELD UTD
WOLVES 3-0 FULHAM
MAN UTD 1-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
ASTON VILLA 1-3 LIVERPOOL
PREMIER LEAGUE BETTING | GAMEWEEK 4 | BEST BETS
Odds correct at time of writing but may be subject to change.
