It was a big-scoring weekend within the Premier League, with Liverpool accounting for nine of the 30 goals with their record-equalling 9-0 win against Bournemouth.
BBC Sport’s predictions expert Chris Sutton, together with 86% of you, backed the Reds to record their first victory of the season but few perhaps expected them to accomplish that in such emphatic fashion.
The subsequent round is swiftly upon us with a busy week of fixtures coming up. Sutton is making predictions for each top-flight game this season against quite a lot of guests.
For this week’s fixtures, he’s up against Tom Dowse, guitarist with post-punk band Dry Cleansing, and an Arsenal fan.
Tom is from Gillingham and grew up going to games at Priestfield, but by then he was already following the Gunners from afar.
“I began watching Arsenal first,” he told BBC Sport. “I remember the 1993-94 European Cup Winners’ Cup run, once we won it, and that was a little bit of a lightbulb moment.
“We had some really good characters within the team then – Ian Wright, Paul Merson and Tony Adams – and I feel I fell in love with that aspect of it then really.
“Thierry Henry probably edges Wright as my favourite player, but there are quite a number of to select from that earlier era.
“We had a little bit of a rough patch when George Graham left in 1995 before Arsene Wenger got here in the next 12 months, and it was all up and up from there for a lot of the the following decade.
“How you select your club is kind of a curious thing and I do not know if it speaks in your personality about why you support a team and keep on with them, however it is nearly like Arsenal have it of their DNA to suffer before we’ve got some success.
“That has at all times been the best way with Arsenal for me, and you would argue the identical happened thing again before Mikel Arteta arrived in 2019.
“I do know fans of each club suffer to some extent but we appear to do it in a really specific way – and we win in a particular way too.
“We never appear to have a period of dominance like Manchester United did up to now, or Manchester City are having fun with now, but once we win titles we do it in a special way – like our Doubles in 1998 and 2002 and The Invincibles season in 2004.
“We’re not at that level yet under Mikel Arteta, but I’m extremely optimistic in regards to the future. The team he has put together could be very exciting.”
| Result | Sutton | Tom | |
| TUESDAY | |||
| Crystal Palace v Brentford | x-x | 1-1 | 2-1 |
| Fulham v Brighton | x-x | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| Southampton v Chelsea | x-x | 1-2 | 0-3 |
| Leeds v Everton | x-x | 2-0 | 2-0 |
| WEDNESDAY | |||
| Arsenal v Aston Villa | x-x | 3-0 | 3-1 |
| Bournemouth v Wolves | x-x | 0-1 | 1-1 |
| Man City v Nottingham Forest | x-x | 6-0 | 3-0 |
| West Ham v Tottenham | x-x | 2-2 | 2-1 |
| Liverpool v Newcastle | x-x | 4-0 | 2-0 |
| THURSDAY | |||
| Leicester v Man Utd | x-x | 1-2 | 1-0 |
An accurate result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is value 10 points. The precise rating earns 40 points.
SUTTON’S PREDICTIONS
Games kick off at 19:30 BST unless otherwise stated
TUESDAY
Crystal Palace v Brentford
These sides had two goalless draws last season but what are the possibilities of it being 0-0 again? Brentford were good against Everton on the weekend and possibly deserved to win, while Crystal Palace have had an honest begin to the season. I feel it’ll be a draw again, but a scoring one.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
Tom’s prediction: It is a hard one to call because I like each managers, and their teams are at all times well organised too. 2-1
Fulham v Brighton
Brighton have had a very good begin to the season, I feel this one will probably be tight but I feel Brighton will edge it and keep their run going.
The query is, will they find a way to deal with Aleksandar Mitrovic? In the event that they can, then I can see a Brighton win and one other clean sheet for them.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-1
Tom’s prediction: Fulham began the season so well against Liverpool on the opening weekend however the query is can they – and Mitrovic – maintain that? Brighton boss Graham Potter is considered one of my favourite managers, who could be very smart and at all times gets his teams playing together. He will certainly get a probability at a much bigger club soon and I’d back him to edge this one. 0-1
Southampton v Chelsea (19:45)
Chelsea walloped Southampton last season, winning 6-0. Southampton I felt were a bit unlucky on the weekend against Manchester United. I did predict a United win but I didn’t predict an accurate rating.
Southampton are only such an odd team, I do like the best way they play but I feel Thomas Tuchel’s side will edge this one.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-2
Tom’s prediction: Chelsea have looked very strong in the primary few weeks of the season. In contrast, Southampton have been pretty bad. 0-3
Leeds v Everton (12:00)
I feel Leeds will bounce back from the loss on the weekend to Brighton. They were considered one of my suggestions for relegation but they were so good once they beat Chelsea, fiddling with such intensity and were in the sport against Brighton and I feel Jesse Marsch could have them raring to bounce back.
As for Everton, I’m just amazed they never replaced Richarlison. They were unlucky with Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury after which have cobbled a team together. Neal Maupay has are available in now from Brighton they usually got a very good point against Brentford but I feel they may lose this one.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-0.
Tom’s prediction: I used to be surprised to see Leeds pick up a number of points at first of the season but I’m backing them here, because Everton aren’t superb in any respect. 2-0
WEDNESDAY
Arsenal v Aston Villa
I’m really nervous about Aston Villa and Steven Gerrard is under pressure. That is his team this season, that they had a very good start last term but fell away and their signings have not paid off thus far. Philippe Coutinho hasn’t clicked and that is a significant component.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are absolutely flying. It was good how they got here from behind to beat Fulham. They were possibly not at their very best however it was a very good fightback by them and I really like what Gabriel Jesus brings to them.
Martin Odegaard has also stepped up. He’s leading by example and bringing goals and performances.
Sutton’s prediction: 3-0
Tom’s prediction: I can not see anything aside from a win for Arsenal but we’re shipping goals so I do not see us getting a clean sheet. We have dropped silly points at home up to now couple of seasons but the best way we’re attacking now makes us quite unpredictable and that’s going to be an excessive amount of for many teams, including Villa. 3-1
Tom on what’s different about Arsenal this season: The highest 4 is the aim, I just hope we will get in a very good position before the season stops for the World Cup.
Squad depth was an issue last 12 months, and so was scoring goals, but you would at all times see what Mikel Arteta was attempting to do, even once we weren’t getting results.
Now, Jesus has been great for us and he looks like he’s having fun with himself. I heard one pundit say it’s like he’s had a straitjacket taken off, and he is actually relishing the prospect to link up with Bukayo Saka.
It isn’t just the signings that Arteta has made which have improved us, though, it’s his tactical tweaks too. Already this season he has pushed Granit Xhaka further forward and I feel he’s a player who advantages from being given a bit more freedom, the best way he plays for Switzerland. It’s great to see.
Bournemouth v Wolves
Bournemouth were shell-shocked, as their manager Scott Parker described his feelings and his team, by their 9-0 defeat to Liverpool and I assumed they were a bit naive in that game.
Wolves will probably be smarting as they put in a very good performance against Newcastle. They’ve so many good attacking players but they at all times have problems scoring goals. Nonetheless, I feel they will probably be somewhat too streetwise for Bournemouth and get the win here.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-1
Tom’s prediction: That is going to be quite cagey, and really close. Wolves are an odd team, who looked like they may break into the highest six for a spell last season but fell away. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with them next. 1-1
Man City v Nottingham Forest
It’s Manchester City at home, so I predict a high-scoring win however it is just whether or not they take the foot off their gas.
They’re an incredible team. Newcastle took the sport to them but they got here back at them and did the identical against Palace to get the win. Erling Haaland is scoring goals and I feel Nottingham Forest will go and have a go but that can play into City’s hands. I feel they may get back to scrub sheets here in addition to getting the win.
Sutton’s prediction: 6-0
Tom’s prediction: It’s brave of City to sell someone like Raheem Sterling to a direct rival like Chelsea but you have a look at them and think they’ve even stronger. Erling Haaland looks other-worldly when he runs through on goal and although Forest have signed lots of players, I do not think that can help them here. 3-0
West Ham v Tottenham (19:45)
Tottenham are quite strange really. They like to lure teams in and counter but West Ham got their first away win of their last game. The Hammers have had centre-half issues, they began with a back three against Villa but David Moyes’ tactical switch to a 4 on the back won them the sport.
You never know with Spurs, they’ll click but I feel this will probably be a draw. I feel West Ham will rating with Spurs defending very, very deep.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-2
Tom’s prediction: That is going to be a very good game. Spurs boss Antonio Conte is clearly very tactically astute and he has got real depth in his squad now, but I even have been impressed by West Ham too. 2-1
Liverpool v Newcastle (20:00)
All of us think Liverpool are back following that big 9-0 win but Newcastle are a dangerous team. Nonetheless, they’re missing Callum Wilson and there’s an injury concern over Allan Saint-Maximin, who can be a large miss for them.
There may be a possibility we could see their latest signing, Alexander Isak start. You recognize Newcastle will give it a go together with how Eddie Howe plays but I feel Liverpool will carry on at home and I feel they may have an excessive amount of.
Sutton’s prediction: 4-0
Tom’s prediction: 2-0
THURSDAY
Leicester v Man Utd (20:00)
How do you call this? Manchester United got over the road against Southampton but Leicester need this. They really, actually need this.
The Foxes do play some play some good football, Manchester United performed well against Southampton but did lack a innovative in the ultimate third. They concede goals, they’ve conceded a minimum of two goals every game thus far within the Premier League this season.
Manchester United got their their first clean sheet away from home with Lisandro Martรญnez and Raphael Varane looking good in defence. I can see Leicester scoring but I feel their leaky defence has been an issue and Kasper Schmeichel has been an enormous loss in goal with how he commanded that back line.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-2
Tom’s prediction: There’s something not quite right in regards to the Leicester squad, especially on the back. I do not think this will probably be a thriller but I even have a sense Leicester will nick it – their attack is definitely still quite good. 1-0
Chris Sutton and Tom Dowse were chatting with BBC Sport’s Gary Rose and Chris Bevan.
How did Sutton do last week?
Sutton got six correct results from 10 matches, including one exact rating, giving him a complete of 90 points.
Ross MacDonald also got six correct results but no exact scores, giving him a complete of 60 points.
| Ali Bruce-Ball | 110 |
| Serge Pizzorno | 70 |
| GK from Bad Boy Chiller | 70 |
| Ross MacDonald from The 1975 | 60 |
| Chris Sutton | 55 (average after 4 weeks) |
How did you get on?
Crystal Palace won at Etihad Stadium last season however the overwhelming majority of you didn’t think history would repeat – 77% voting for a Manchester City win.
Wolves perhaps surprised most individuals as 55% expected a Newcastle win in that game.
| Position | Correct results |
| Chris | 6/10 |
| You* | 7/10 |
| Ross MacDonald from The 1975 | 6/10 |
*Win, draw, loss prediction based on highest % of vote for every match.
| Chris | 19/40 |
| You* | 23/40 |
| Guests | 19/40 |
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