The Premier League returns this weekend with Matchweek 7 featuring several important fixtures, including Chelsea’s trip to Everton, Liverpool’s visit to Brentford and Manchester United’s clash with Leeds United.
Manchester City will also aim to extend their perfect start to the season when they host Ipswich Town, while Arsenal travel to Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur face an in-form Coventry City side.
The fixtures offer opportunities for teams seeking to maintain momentum, end poor runs or strengthen their positions in the league table. Chelsea’s midweek rest, Manchester United’s midfield struggles and Newcastle United’s defensive problems are among the key talking points.
Here are 10 predictions and tactical questions to watch for Premier League Matchweek 7
Everton vs Chelsea
Chelsea travel to Everton on Saturday after enjoying a week without European football, while several of their Premier League rivals were involved in continental competitions.
The fixture will provide an early test of whether the extra preparation time can help Xabi Alonso’s side improve their consistency and strengthen their title challenge.
Everton, on their part, remain unbeaten in the league and have conceded only five goals, compared with Chelsea’s 13. However, Chelsea’s 5-1 victory over Bournemouth last weekend offered signs of improvement.
If they can maintain that attacking momentum while tightening their defence, the visitors could take advantage of their rest.
Prediction: Everton 1-3 Chelsea
Brentford vs Liverpool
Liverpool head to Brentford after collecting only nine points from their opening six league matches, their lowest return at this stage since the 2022/23 season.
Andoni Iraola will also be seeking a stronger run, but his side face a Brentford team that have proved difficult to beat and collected four points from their two league meetings with Liverpool last season.
Brentford’s physical approach and defensive discipline could trouble Liverpool, particularly if the visitors struggle to turn possession into clear chances. Liverpool have the quality to respond, but they will need greater attacking efficiency to avoid another disappointing result.
Brentford’s recent record against the Reds gives the hosts reason to believe they can take points from the encounter.
Prediction: Brentford 2-1 Liverpool
Newcastle United vs Aston Villa
Newcastle have conceded 13 goals in their opening six league matches and are still searching for greater defensive stability at St James’ Park. Aston Villa have also struggled at the back, conceding 11 goals, while injuries to Ian Maatsen and Matteo Ruggeri could leave them vulnerable on the left flank.
Villa’s attacking partnership of Yohan Manzambi and Nicolas Jackson offers a potential route to exploiting Newcastle’s defensive weaknesses. The pair impressed in the 2-2 draw with Brentford and contributed to Villa’s 6-0 Champions League victory over Fenerbahce.
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Newcastle, however, can threaten through Jacob Murphy and their attacking transitions. Both teams have reasons to expect chances, making this a possible high-scoring contest.
Prediction: Newcastle United 2-2 Aston Villa
Fulham vs Hull City
Fulham have endured a difficult start under Alvaro Arbeloa, going winless in their first six Premier League matches. Their defeat by Ipswich Town, sealed by a stoppage-time goal, increased the pressure ahead of a crucial run of fixtures against promoted clubs.
Another setback could leave Fulham with a difficult task as they attempt to climb away from the bottom of the table.
Hull City began their return to the top flight strongly but have since gone four matches without a win, conceding twice in each of their last three games. Fulham will see this as an opportunity to secure their first league victory, although Hull’s recent attacking form means the hosts cannot afford defensive lapses.
Prediction: Fulham 2-1 Hull City
Manchester City vs Ipswich Town
Manchester City have won their first six Premier League matches under Enzo Maresca, including an impressive 3-0 victory over Liverpool.
City’s willingness to adapt their approach, using more direct passes and counter-attacks against Liverpool, has shown that Maresca can vary his tactics rather than relying solely on possession.
Ipswich have made a promising start to the campaign but have struggled defensively against leading sides, conceding 11 goals across three defeats to top-six opponents in all competitions.
City will be expected to control the game and extend their winning run, and Ipswich must remain compact and make the most of any opportunities on the counter-attack if they are to disrupt the hosts’ momentum.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Ipswich Town
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal
Nottingham Forest and Arsenal have been among the Premier League’s stronger defensive sides, based on expected goals conceded. Their previous two league meetings at the City Ground ended goalless, suggesting that Sunday’s encounter could again be decided by small margins rather than an abundance of chances.
Forest have created opportunities but have struggled to convert them, with their low finishing rate leaving them short of the goals their performances suggest they could score.
Arsenal’s defensive organisation will make chances difficult to come by, while the visitors will look to punish any mistakes. Forest need greater composure in front of goal if they are to avoid another frustrating afternoon.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal
Tottenham Hotspur vs Coventry City
Coventry City arrive after a 4-1 victory over Newcastle that ended a 25-year wait for a home Premier League win. Frank Lampard’s side have relied on direct passing, physical intensity and counter-attacks, an approach that could trouble Tottenham if the visitors struggle to control transitions.
Tottenham have drawn goalless with Nottingham Forest and Everton this season, with opponents able to frustrate them by defending deep and limiting space. Coventry’s direct style could create an uncomfortable contest for Spurs, particularly if they fail to win midfield battles.
Tottenham have the quality to respond, but Coventry’s recent result gives the hosts confidence that they can extend their positive run.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Coventry City
Bournemouth vs Sunderland
Bournemouth and Sunderland have both experienced difficult starts, with the clubs occupying 18th and 17th place respectively in the supplied standings. Bournemouth are eight points worse off than at the same stage last season, while Sunderland are seven points behind their corresponding tally.
Bournemouth head coach Marco Rose needs results to improve, while Sunderland are looking to end a three-match losing streak under Regis Le Bris.
Both sides will recognise the importance of avoiding another defeat as the season develops. With neither team enjoying sustained momentum, the contest could be tight, and the side that manages its defensive responsibilities better may have the advantage.
Prediction: Bournemouth 1-1 Sunderland
Brighton vs Crystal Palace
Brighton have scored 18 goals in their opening six league matches, averaging three per game, and will look to use their attacking form against rivals Crystal Palace. Palace have faced more shots than any other team in the division, offering Brighton an opportunity to test a defence that has struggled to limit opposition attacks.
Palace have enjoyed recent success in this fixture, winning their last two Premier League visits to Brighton, but the hosts have reasons to believe they can change that pattern.
Brighton have also collected 35 points from their last 18 league matches, suggesting that their recent progress extends beyond the opening weeks of this season. If they maintain their attacking intensity and exploit Palace’s defensive gaps, Brighton could secure a significant result.
Prediction: Brighton 2-1 Crystal Palace
Leeds United vs Manchester United:
Manchester United travel to Leeds after a five-match winless run in all competitions, including a 2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
The fixture comes during a demanding period for Michael Carrick’s side, who face eight matches in 30 days. Finding a more effective balance in midfield and improving their finishing will be essential if United are to arrest their slide.
Carlos Baleba’s performance as a substitute against Tottenham offered hope that United could add greater physical strength to their midfield. Leeds, however, have been difficult to beat at home and can draw confidence from their 2-1 win at Old Trafford in April.
United have recorded high shot and penalty-area touch totals but scored only nine league goals, making their finishing a key concern.
Prediction: Leeds United 2-2 Manchester United
