Premier League fixtures are coming thick and fast and we’re back again for the next instalment. Plenty of goals, shock results and drama filled the week and I’d expect the same again this weekend.

Aston Villa vs Arsenal get GW15 underway with a 12:30PM (GMT) kick off on Saturday. Following that is five games kicking off at 3PM. Bournemouth will host Chelsea, Everton will face Nottingham Forest, Sunderland travel to Manchester City, Newcastle will welcome Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur will come up against Brentford. To end a big day of football, Leeds United will host Liverpool in a 5:30PM kick off. Moving on to Sunday we have two fixtures, the first of which will kick off at 2PM and that will see Brighton battle West Ham. Fulham versus Crystal Palace is the other Sunday tie and that kicks off at 4:30PM. To end GW15 will be Wolves up against Manchester United on Monday at 8PM.

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

Villa have had a sensational couple of months and it doesn’t look like they’re slowing down. The Villains took part in a seven-goal thriller at the AMEX Stadium in the week, thankfully the game ended in their favour with a 4-3 victory. This leaves them 3rd in the table, just a point behind Manchester City in 2nd. They also find themselves a stone’s throw away from Arsenal at the top of the table, a win for Unai Emery will see them move to within three points of the Gunners. This gives the game that extra edge, not to mention Emery hosting his old team. The one thing that you could critique Villa for was the lack of potency in attack, but that has been addressed. In the last four games, they’ve scored over half their goal tally for the season. 11 goals in four games make up the 20 they’ve scored. Those games also resulted in wins which puts them on a four game winning streak.

This is possibly the worst time for Arsenal to face a defensive crisis, given Villa’s resurgence in front of goal. Gabriel will certainly be absent, while the club sweats on the availability of William Saliba and Cristhian Mosquera. However, what Arsenal have lost in defence, they’ve gained in attack. Viktor Gyokeres has returned, alongside Gabriel Jesus. In this instance, against the policy of Mikel Arteta, attack might be the best form of defence. Arsenal are still unbeaten since the end of August and the mentality to ensure they don’t lose games has been the main reason why they’ve retained top spot. However, two draws in their last five games suggests a little bit of caution edging into their games. Those draws came in two away fixtures as well, in fact Arsenal’s only loss of the season came on the road. Despite this, they still remain the team with the 2nd best away form in the league.

Predicted Result: Villa 1-2 Arsenal

Bournemouth vs Chelsea

The Cherries have hit the self-destruct button and are sinking fast. From the dizzy heights of top four all the way down to 14th. It’s been a horrible run of form and they can’t seem to escape the funk that they’re in. Five games without a win now, four of those have been defeats. Having said that, they can still lean on their home form being respectable as they have only lost once at the Vitality Stadium. However, you’ll have to go all the way back to 2019 for the last time Bournemouth beat Chelsea at home, in fact 2019 was the last time Bournemouth even beat Chelsea.

Chelsea have pretty much declared themselves to be the trailblazers of the league. A young team comprised of outstanding individual talent, coming together to form a world class outfit. The results have even been backing up that theory. That was until Leeds welcomed them to Elland Road on Wednesday night. 3-1 to the West Yorkshire side and that was certainly a gut punch for Enzo Maresca. The gap between them and top spot has now opened to nine points, if Arsenal were to beat Aston Villa then the gap will extend to 12 points before a ball is even kicked. Maresca has been quick to downplay his sides title credentials, but recent form perhaps made him a little giddy. The men from West London will be involved in another intense away fixture, but will they have learned from their mistakes?

Predicted Result: Bournemouth 2-2 Chelsea

Everton vs Nottingham Forest

Everton are such a mixed bag this season and I can’t work out whether they’re a dangerous team or not. I think they’re balancing on the precipice of being a really solid side, but have games where they completely lose control. The 4-1 loss to Newcastle is an example of that. However, surrounding that loss against Newcastle is three wins and a draw. That’s very good form and it’s seen them crack the top 10 once again. Home form has been patchy, but that’s expected in a new environment. I do believe David Moyes is a clinical striker away from giving Everton a very good campaign, Thierno Barry is still yet to score and Beto is on just one goal. Those kind of numbers need addressing.

Forest are still doing all they can to escape any relegation battles and a win over Wolves, in their previous fixture, is exactly what they needed. They succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Brighton at the weekend and that can sometimes threaten a downward spiral in form, so that win over Wolves was very important. They’re scoring more goals in the process and tightening up at the back, all ingredients for a successful second half of the season. In terms of the fixture that lays before them, they could sneak a win, but it’s likely that Everton hold on for at least a point.

Predicted Result: Everton 0-0 Forest

Manchester City vs Sunderland

If you were to predict that City would give up a 2-0 lead over Leeds at The Etihad and then almost give up a 5-1 lead at Fulham, then please predict my lottery numbers. But, what matters is the points on the board and City got six of them despite the scares. It could be argued that the performances are of a great concern to Pep Guardiola, but he’s been in enough title races to know that it’s all about the points. It’s been quite shaky for City post international break, so they’ll be looking for a settled performance against Sunderland. Erling Haaland is back in amongst the goals and you wouldn’t bet against him netting again on Saturday.

Sunderland are the surprise package this season and have transformed themselves into one of the most difficult opponents to face. Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have all found out just how tough they are to beat. Now it’s the turn of Pep’s men. Two away fixtures to Liverpool and City in three days is the ultimate test for any manager, but Regis Le Bris will be relatively confident of stifling the Citizens. They’ve actually conceded less goals than City in the league this season, an achievement that will be need to be exercised once again. Especially with Haaland breathing down their necks. The back 5 system will have to work in cohesion and work hard off the ball, which they do tend to do. You can’t ever bet against Pep and City at The Etihad though.

Predicted Result: City 2-0 Sunderland

Newcastle vs Burnley

Newcastle’s form is just too topsy-turvy to take them seriously as a threat further up the league. They threw a lead away twice to Tottenham Hotspur, who have certainly struggled in recent weeks. Eddie Howe needs to assess where his team is heading and what the realistic goals are from here to the end of the campaign. They can break into the top 10 with a win and you couldn’t really find a better opponent to make that happen.

Burnley are now on a five game losing streak and face one of the more difficult grounds to go and visit. If it wasn’t for Wolves somehow being more diabolical, Scott Parker would be bottom right now. Even the teams that they’re trying to catch are picking up points and wins. If Burnley don’t turn their form around soon then they’ll suffer the perils of an early relegation from the Premier League. Time is on their side though and they have plenty of games to make up points in, but Newcastle is not that game for them.

Predicted Result: Newcastle 4-1 Burnley

Tottenham vs Brentford

Spurs have been suffering a lot recently, but they found momentary respite against Newcastle with a 2-2 draw. It was hard fought and that’s all the fans wanted. They came into that game off the back of three straight defeats, one was against their North London rivals. Despite the draw against Newcastle, it does mean they’re without a win in five games and they fallen down to 11th. Thomas Frank welcomes his old side for the first time, but he unfortunately has to treat them like they’re the enemy as his side desperately need three points. The North London side have a good record against Frank’s former employer, having beat them five times since promotion to the division. Brentford, on the other hand, have only won once and that was back in 2023.

What will give Keith Andrews some confidence, though, is Spurs’ dreadful home form. It’s the second worst in the league, only beaten by Wolves. One victory on home soil is simply not good enough from a Spurs perspective, but from a Brentford one, that’s mouth-watering. What isn’t as mouth-watering is Brentford’s away form. Six defeats and just one win away from the Gtech Community Stadium. I do think Brentford have the resources to hurt Spurs, but I think that draw away to Newcastle has done wonders for Spurs’ mentality and morale

Predicted Result: Spurs 2-1 Brentford

Leeds vs Liverpool

Leeds are an enigma. They play good football and create numerous chances every game, but rarely do they get a win. However, they did stick three past Chelsea on Wednesday night, with only one in reply. It’s their first win in four games and it created some breathing space between them and Burnley, only West Ham can spoil the Leeds party. When you do a deep dive into underlying statistics for Leeds, they’re actually unfortunate to be lingering around the bottom five as their xG has them up in 11th. So, the chances they’re creating are good, but it’s the actual finish that’s letting them down.

Liverpool will be well aware of the drubbing Leeds dished out to Chelsea and will be concerned their vulnerable defensive unit will be exposed. But, once again, looking at the xG, Liverpool should be third. This is almost a battle of the underachievers. Arne Slot knows that his position is shaky at best, but grinding out a win against Leeds could afford him some extra wiggle room. When you consider that a win can propel them to 4th, it’s almost job saving to get that victory. Leeds will frustrate Liverpool and will adopt the same blueprint they used against Chelsea, but I don’t think it’ll be enough to stop Slot.

Predicted Result: Leeds 2-3 Liverpool

Brighton vs West Ham

Brighton were in immense form prior the 4-3 defeat against Aston Villa. They rose up the table and were even peeking at the top four spots, but they have to settle for 7th right now. Fabian Hurzeler has turned the Seagulls into an entertaining team that generally pick up wins and that’s proven in their statistics. Only Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City have scored more goals than Brighton, whereas they’ve conceded the 2nd highest amount of goals in the top 12 teams. There’s good and bad that can be extrapolated from that, they’re a free-scoring team, but will also likely concede in the process.

For West Ham it’s been a change in fortunes. Having rarely picked up any points at the start of the season, they’ve now earned 8 in their last five games. Nuno Espírito Santo has given West Ham another dimension, but Nuno knows that consistency is his best friend in trying times like this. I think what West Ham need to improve is being able to keep a clean sheet, something they haven’t achieved since the end of August. When you combine that with one of the worst goals scored records in the league, that’s a recipe for disaster. To summarise, they don’t score enough and will always concede. However, points are gained in a lot of different ways and Nuno is proving that. I think this battle will be tighter than previously expected, but Hurzeler is likely to take home the spoils.

Predicted Result: Brighton 2-0 West Ham

Fulham vs Crystal Palace

If Fulham do nothing for the rest of the season, losing 5-4 to Manchester City will probably be the best thing they did. The West London side were staring at an absolute mauling from City on Tuesday night. They were 5-1 down and expected more. However, they pulled one back, then two, then three and then four. Somehow it was 5-4 and with stoppage time remaining. If Josko Gvardiol wasn’t well placed to clear the ball off the line, it would’ve been 5-5. It was monumental comeback from Marco Silva’s men and they can certainly use that to build some momentum going forward. Even with that defeat, it’s still three wins in five games for Fulham, having only won two in the nine before that.

Crystal Palace find themselves just outside the top four spots, but a win can take them inside the prestigious zone. In a similar vein to Fulham, it’s three wins in five games for Oliver Glasner which he’ll be delighted with. While they still struggle for goals, compared to the other top sides, it’s their defensive work that deserves the plaudits. They have the 2nd best defensive record in the league, with only Arsenal superior in this category. It’s going to be tight at Craven Cottage.

Predicted Result: Fulham 1-1 Palace

Wolves vs Manchester United

There’s not much I can really say about Wolves to be honest. They’re bottom with just two points and no wins. They’ve scored the least amount of goals in the league and conceded the most. They haven’t got a single player that has scored more than one goal. They also haven’t scored a single goal in their last five games. Things are extremely bleak for Wolves right now, all Rob Edwards has done since his arrival is reduce the deficit that his team loses by. Two 1-0 defeats in a row is actually a sign of progress.

Manchester United fans will look at this tie and be immediately struck with fear, in their heads it’d be typical of their club to grant Wolves their first win of the season. But, United are much better than that. They’re a different beast this season and have been in touching distance of the top four for a couple of months now. Having said that, Ruben Amorim will be slightly concerned that his team keep on drawing games. United have four draws this season, three of which have come in their last five games. Thursday night saw them draw to West Ham at Old Trafford. As much as I want to believe Wolves will get something from this game, I think United will pick up a pretty standard victory.

Predicted Result: Wolves 0-2 United