Liverpool and their rivals should all feasibly be victorious this weekend, but we all know the Premier League doesn’t work like that.
The Reds are flying in the league after winning their first five top-flight games for only the third time.
Last Saturday’s 2-1 victory away to Tottenham was another big three points in the league and the weekend visit of Southampton should hopefully be straightforward.
The table is beginning to take shape as summer slowly turns into autumn, with Jurgen Klopp‘s men looking primed for a title push.
Here’s a look at the other nine matches taking place in the next couple of days.
Fulham vs. Watford – Saturday, 12:30pm – Sky Sports
Gameweek 6 gets underway with an interesting-looking clash at Craven Cottage, between two vibrant sides in Fulham and Watford.
For the Hornets, this is a chance to show that last weekend’s defeat to Man United will not see them plummet down the table after a great start.
Fulham, meanwhile, have made an adequate return to the Premier League, but must be looking to win games of this ilk if a mid-table finish is to be achieved.
Prediction: Fulham 2-1 Watford
Burnley vs. Bournemouth – Saturday, 3pm
This isn’t exactly the standout fixture of the weekend, as under-fire Burnley desperately search for their first win of the season.
The Europa League once again acted like a curse and the Clarets look a far cry from the team that finished seventh in 2017/18.
Bournemouth head to Turf Moor fifth, after three wins from five, as Eddie Howe continues to enhance his reputation as a top class young manager.
It is the kind of game where Burnley go and grind out an undeserved win.
Prediction: Burnley 1-0 Bournemouth
Cardiff vs. Man City – Saturday, 3pm
Without being disrespectful, how are Cardiff City realistically going to get anything from Man City?
The chasm in class between the two sides is as big as it gets in the top flight this season, and it could be damage limitation for Neil Warnock’s men.
There’s always a slim chance, of course, but City are so strong and Pep Guardiola will not allow his players to switch off, especially after their home defeat to Lyon in midweek.
Prediction: Cardiff 0-3 Man City
Crystal Palace vs. Newcastle – Saturday, 3pm
Saturday sees a Liverpool villain and hero go head-to-head, with Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace hosting Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United.
Sadly, you can only see one result in the current climate, with Palace always tricky at home and Benitez’s men going through a torrid run of form.
Only Burnley sit below the Magpies – another defeat could see Benitez considering his future.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Newcastle
Leicester vs. Huddersfield – Saturday, 3pm
Nobody saw Leicester City‘s 4-2 defeat at Bournemouth coming last weekend, suggesting the players still aren’t fully behind manager Claude Puel.
The Foxes have become a difficult team to predict but Saturday’s visit of Huddersfield Town is a game they are expected to triumph in.
Klopp’s great friend David Wagner is facing a tough second season in the Premier League and he will do very well to keep his Terriers side in the division.
Prediction: Leicester 2-0 Huddersfield
Man United vs. Wolves – Saturday, 3pm
In his own inimitable way, Jose Mourinho carries on collecting points, despite his United side playing dour football that deserves less.
The same is likely to apply on Saturday afternoon, although Wolves have been one of the most refreshing additions to the Premier League in years.
They will believe they can go to Old Trafford and get something from the game – will United scrap their way to another win? Probably. Unfortunately.
Prediction: Man United 2-1 Wolves
Brighton vs. Tottenham – Saturday, 5:30pm – BT Sport
Tottenham‘s impressive 3-0 win at United late last month has long been forgotten, with Mauricio Pochettino now dealing with something of a crisis.
Three defeats in a row, against Watford, Liverpool and Inter Milan, have seen doubts creep in about their lack of summer spending, and the weekend trip to Brighton & Hove Albion looks a possible banana skin.
The Seagulls can make life difficult for anyone at the Amex Stadium, and under the lights and in front of the BT Sport cameras, they may up their game further.
Prediction: Brighton 1-1 Tottenham
West Ham vs. Chelsea – Sunday, 1:30pm – Sky Sports
Chelsea are a bit of a pain in the neck, aren’t they?
They just never quite go away, despite missing out on Champions League football last season, and they top the table with maximum points.
Reds supporters will be cheering on West Ham on Sunday lunchtime, hoping the Hammers have been buoyed by their win at Everton last time around.
This will be a good test of Chelsea‘s title credentials.
Prediction: West Ham 1-1 Chelsea
Arsenal vs. Everton – Sunday, 4pm – Sky Sports
The action comes to a close with Everton‘s trip to Arsenal, which could be an entertaining match-up on paper.
In fact, it is the second-highest scoring fixture in Premier League history, after Liverpool vs. Tottenham, which took top spot last weekend.
The Marco Silva honeymoon period appears to be over and another loss for the Reds’ local rivals would further heap the misery on them.
It is still difficult to know what to make of Arsenal under Unai Emery – we are likely to learn a lot more about them on Sunday.
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