Luton vs. West Ham United

H2H:

Fab: It’s becoming more and more difficult to see Luton getting a win in the league. I mean, they’re not that bad, but also there isn’t much quality in their squad either. The Hammers on the other hand are flying high and confounding critics like myself who predicted a tough start for them. A couple of 3-1 wins over Chelsea and Brighton have thrust them right to the upper echelons of the log and a win here will have them topping the table. And I think they’ll do just that.

Prediction: 1-3

Bobo: Luton need to start getting the wins and this home game presents them with that chance. They play a Hammers team that will feel invincible having won against Chelsea and Brighton in successive match days. Luton will be the underdogs here and I think they will surprise West Ham and break that momentum.

Prediction: 2-1

Sheffield United vs. Everton

H2H: W4 D2 L5

Fab: This is straight up a relegation six pointer with both teams unable to register any point so far. At least Sheffield’s losses have been somewhat closer to suggest that they’re inching closer to that maiden win. Everton may have won away at Doncaster in their midweek League Cup tie, but haven’t as yet scored a goal in the league and I’m not entirely convinced they will survive this trip to the Blades.

Prediction: 2-1

Bobo: Sheffield did really well against the defending champions and will feel that they should have got at least a point there. Both teams need to win and this is the perfect match for that. Everton can’t seem to score goals nor defend too well. I think this match gives the promoted unit a chance to get the three points.

Prediction: 2-0

Brentford vs. Bournemouth

H2H: W5 D1 L2

Fab: Brentford are unbeaten in the league so far and looking quite good at it. Bournemouth on the other hand are yet to win and will be looking to stop the rot. Probably only one winner in this and surely it’s the home side.

Prediction: 2-1

Bobo: This seems to be an interesting fixture with two exciting sides. Brentford drew their last match while the Cherries lost. Both teams will want to get back to winning ways. I expect this to be a tight and exciting match with Brentford just about winning it.

Prediction: 3-2

Burnley vs. Tottenham Hotspur

H2H: W4 D4 L13

Fab: I think I’ve massively underrated Spurs so far. On the contrary Angeball seems to be working like a charm! Burnley are yet to carry their red hot Championship form into the Premier League and just maybe there’s a little bit of concern creeping in. This will be their third straight match at home in the league and they’ve lost their last two.Maybe they could try nick a point here, but it seems quite unlikely.

Prediction: 1-3

Bobo: Burnley are still adapting to the Premier League and though they look like they will come around, it has not been easy. Spurs are going about their business well and this match presents them another chance to quietly pick up some important three points as they work to getting back to top four. I think the Spurs team will be a bit too good for Burnley.

Prediction: 1-3

Chelsea vs. Nottingham Forest

H2H: W8 D5 L3

Fab: Chelsea finally won a match in the league after going on a run of six winless matches stretching back three months ago. Just what the doctor ordered, you’d imagine. They will be hoping that winning now becomes a habit. Forest were rather unlucky not to get something from their trip to Old Trafford last weekend but should be encouraged by that display which had them 2-0 up within the first 5 minutes of the game. They will trouble the Blues but just for the fact this game is at Stamford Bridge, they’ll come up short.

Prediction: 2-1

Bobo: Chelsea finally got their win and this may be the push they need to get going. Forest should have got the three points after taking an early lead but they somehow fumbled this and will look to rectify. Forest can score the goals but they need the concentration in defense. This one may end up being a draw.

Prediction: 2-2

Manchester City vs. Fulham

H2H: W20 D10 L4

Fab: The thing with City is that they are just way too good for majority of the rest of the league that they don’t have to hit top form yet or even get out of second gear for most of the matches and they still win. Maybe it’s time they fully came to the party? Fulham were very clinical against Arsenal and managed to salvage a point despite going down to ten men late on. They followed it up by claiming the impressive scalp of Tottenham in the League Cup and suddenly this doesn’t look like a foregone conclusion of a City win. It will be interesting to see if the Cottagers’ exertions will have an effect on a match where they will do more chasing.

Prediction: 4-1

Bobo: Manchester City looked a bit fallible against Sheffield but they know how to get the business done. They know how to get the three points even when things are hard. Their quality means that I may likely predict that they’ll win about 32 times this season. Fulham were quite fortunate to come away with a point last week but they showed their excellent defensive organization. I do not think this will be enough to slow down City.

Prediction: 3-1

Brighton vs. Newcastle United

H2H: W6 D6 L3

Fab: Newcastle’s demolition of Aston Villa on opening weekend now looks like quite a distant memory given how their past two games have panned out. They will be kicking themselves for failing to put Liverpool to the sword and somehow contriving to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory even with a numerical advantage. Brighton themselves were brought down to earth by West Ham and will have to kickstart another run. They are well capable of convincingly beating the Magpies but this feels like it will be a tightly contested scrap with neither side in the mood to cede an inch.

Prediction: 2-2

Bobo: This should be an interesting match. It is definitely my pick of the week for what it means to two teams that were humbled after an explosive start to the season. Brighton’s possession and Newcastle’s one-man advantage did not matter over their last opponents. Both teams have the quality to score and though a bit shaky in defense, are quite solid. I expect that the affair may be quite cagey though I don’t expect Brighton to deviate from their style. I think the teams may end up sharing the spoils.

Prediction: 1-1

Crystal Palace vs. Wolverhampton

H2H: W8 D2 L5

Fab: Palace just concluded the big signing of Arsenal’s defensive stalwart, Rob Holding on deadline day and that just might be the difference needed for the win here. I’m actually being serious. Wolves after all have just sold probably their best player Matheus Nunes to Man City – a decision that’s pretty baffling given their struggles this season. A win for the home side, methinks.

Prediction: 2-0

Bobo: Another interesting fixture with two sides that play some interesting football. The Eagles know how to score and can win more matches while Wolves will need to really step it up to get anything here. I expect it to still be a Palace win and three points at home but they will need to work hard for it.

Prediction: 2-1

Liverpool vs. Aston Villa

H2H: W33 D11 L15

Fab: Credit to Liverpool for not knowing they were beaten and continually digging in to eventually smash and grab the three points at Newcastle – truly phenomenal stuff. They will have to be at their brilliant best and erase the individual errors against Villa or they will be punished. The Villans are on quite some good form and will go into this match with no fear. Tough to call other than for the fact that both teams will score but I’m going to be bold and back the away side.

Prediction: 1-2

Bobo: Another difficult match for Liverpool but they showed their quality with that win over Newcastle. Aston Villa are also a quality team and the signings they have made look good, especially Diaby. Both teams will be feeling good after their weekend wins and will want the high to continue. I think the points will be shared here.

Prediction: 2-2

Arsenal vs. Manchester United

H2H: W19 D20 L32

Fab: United doesn’t seem to be able to figure out Arsenal away these days and probably this encounter could follow the same script. Arsenal let slip their 100% record at home against Fulham and this will be a cause for concern. The Gunners can’t keep clean sheets at home while United aren’t the best of travelers. Mikel Arteta has been accused of tinkering too much with a formula that has been proven to work while he insists it’s all about making his charges unpredictable. The Red Devils have been forced late into the transfer market to solve their defensive and injury woes with deals for Sergio Reguilon and Sofyan Amrabat but will they be ready to feature in this one? Arsenal may be battling with a rather new weight of expectation, but I think they’ll have more than enough to win this.

Prediction: 3-1

Bobo: Probably the most anticipated match of the weekend for most people. Fans of both teams have complains (as always) and expect their team to win by at least five goals. The Gunners should really have done better against Fulham and the Red Devils were quite lucky against Forest. The Gunners are at home and should make this advantage count.

Prediction: 3-1