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Chelsea v Brentford
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Brentford
Chelsea head into this fixture still adjusting under Liam Rosenior, but a first home league game under a new manager often brings a lift in intensity and urgency. Even during a difficult run, Stamford Bridge has generally been Chelsea’s most reliable setting, where they tend to control possession and create chances.
Brentford remain organised and competitive, but they can struggle when forced to defend deep for long periods away from home. They have enough quality to score, but if Chelsea are to get a result, it is more likely to be by a narrow margin rather than comfortably.
A 2-1 home win fits the balance of Chelsea needing a response and Brentford being good enough to stay involved.
Leeds v Fulham
Prediction: Leeds 2-1 Fulham
Leeds at Elland Road is rarely a quiet afternoon. They play with tempo, press aggressively and commit numbers forward, which often turns games into open contests.
Fulham can score away from home, but they are vulnerable when matches become stretched and they are forced into repeated defensive transitions. Leeds’ intensity at home should create enough chances to edge this, even if Fulham threaten at times.
A tight but entertaining 2-1 home win makes sense.
Tottenham v West Ham
Prediction: Tottenham 1-0 West Ham
West Ham come into this on a long winless run in the Premier League, which inevitably affects confidence, especially away from home. In games like this, they have often prioritised staying compact rather than opening things up.
Tottenham are also under pressure, with Thomas Frank struggling to find consistency, but this is a big opportunity for Spurs to ease that pressure. At home, in a London derby, they are more likely to focus on control and structure rather than turning the game into a shootout.
That points towards a tight match settled by a single goal.
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Arsenal
Forest at the City Ground are usually organised and difficult to break down, particularly against stronger opposition. They tend to defend deep, limit space and try to frustrate.
Arsenal are very good at managing these types of fixtures. They stay patient, limit risk and often find a way to win without the game becoming open or chaotic.
A narrow 1-0 Arsenal win fits the likely pattern.
Wolves v Newcastle
Prediction: Wolves 1-2 Newcastle
Wolves have struggled badly at home this season, picking up just four points from ten league games at Molineux. While they are capable of scoring, they have not been able to control games or protect leads consistently.
Newcastle have enough attacking quality to punish those weaknesses, especially if Wolves are forced to take risks. Even away from home, Newcastle tend to create chances in volume.
Wolves can get on the scoresheet, but Newcastle’s edge going forward points to a 2-1 away win.
Aston Villa v Everton
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Everton
Villa Park has been one of the toughest places to go in Europe over the past year, and Villa are usually dominant at home. On form alone, they would be favourites.
However, Villa are missing key midfield players in Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana, and the sale of Donyell Malen has left the squad stretched for depth. Those absences reduce their ability to fully control games.
Everton are well suited to this type of fixture. They stay compact, disrupt rhythm and are comfortable playing for tight scorelines away from home.
With Villa’s midfield weakened and Everton happy to frustrate, a 1-1 draw looks a realistic outcome.
