Premier League 21/22: Matchday Five predictions

This season, the team's predictions will be available in weekly articles and they'll be in competition with a league too!

Read our pundits predictions below

Newcastle v Leeds - Friday, 17th September - 8pm

Harry Reynolds It was interesting to see so many in the Leeds hierarchy openly talking about “second season syndrome”. It’s a brave move, but based on what we’ve seen so far, it’s a distinct possibility. Leeds were fortunate to escape defeat against Everton and Burnley, and even more fortunate not to lose by double figures against Liverpool, even before Pascal Struijk was incorrectly sent off. However, Newcastle have been arguably worse, so this is a good opening for the visitors to get off the mark.

Prediction: 0-2

Joe Richardson

The longer the wait for that first win of the campaign, the more the pressure mounts and that is the case with both these sides. You would certainly say Steve Bruce is in more mortal peril than Marcelo Bielsa, but the Argentine will be desperate to land that elusive three points on Friday night. I think that wait will continue with a bore draw.

Prediction: 1-1

Chris Stott: 1-1

Chris Coughlin: 0-2

Ryan Kirk: 2-2

Wolves v Brentford - Saturday, 18th September - 12:30pm

Chris Stott

Wolves got off the mark last week, but left it late in seeing off Watford. Despite that they have been solid at the back. The same can be said for Brentford who have been excellent bar the last gasp nature of their defeat to Brighton. Not much between these two on paper at present and I expect the same on the pitch.

Prediction: 1-1

Joe Richardson

The early signs are that Wolves are getting back to the side that finished 7th two seasons ago under new manager Bruno Lage. Their issue so far has been converting chances, but with new signings Francisco Trincao and Hwang Hee-Chan and the returning Daniel Podence they look like a team who will be scoring goals very soon.

Prediction: 2-0

Harry Reynolds: 1-1

Chris Coughlin: 2-0

Ryan Kirk: 1-0

Burnley v Arsenal - Saturday, 18th September - 3pm

Harry Reynolds

Although Arsenal finally managed to win a game, it came against the perennially terrible Norwich. A trip to Turf Moor is the real acid test, as one thing the Gunners have been accused of is lacking a backbone. They’ll need one against Burnley, who seem intent on injuring as many players as possible this season. If Arsenal come away from this game with at least a point and with their players unscathed, I think that’s a good result.

Prediction: 0-0

Joe Richardson: 1-1

Chris Stott: 1-0

Chris Coughlin: 1-1

Ryan Kirk: 1-1

Liverpool v Crystal Palace - Saturday, 18th September - 3pm

Chris Coughlin

Palace have begun to find their feet under Patrick Vieira but I am still backing Liverpool here. They did well to overcome the challenge of AC Milan on Wednesday in what was effectively a 3-2 battering. Sadio Mane will be licking his lips as well after having scored nine goals in his last eight league games against the Eagles. Liverpool know they can't afford to slip up in games like this is they are to challenge for the title.

Prediction: 2-0

Joe Richardson

Crystal Palace will be bouyant following their thumping of Tottenham last week and with Liverpool coming off an energy sapping Champions League opener against Milan, they will fancy themselves to cause their hosts problems. I think they will frustrate but the Reds will prevail with another clean sheet.

Prediction: 2-0

Harry Reynolds: 3-0

Chris Stott: 2-0

Ryan Kirk: 2-0

Man City v Southampton - Saturday, 18th September - 3pm

Chris Stott

City went goal crazy against Leipzig in midweek, but can they repeat that in the league against a Saints side who have been half decent so far. The lack of a centre forward hasnt scuppered City since their opening day defeat and they've looped composed at the back. Southampton do have the pace of Armstrong to worry the Blues but I think they will be comfortable here.

Prediction: 3-0

Joe Richardson: 4-1

Harry Reynolds: 2-0

Chris Coughlin: 4-0

Ryan Kirk: 3-0

Norwich v Watford - Saturday, 18th September - 3pm

Chris Stott

It's been a tough start for Norwich on paper with this the only game you'd have thought they could get something from prior to the season starting. Watford have been hit and miss on their return to the top flight and didnt really trouble Wolves last week. I think home advantage tips this one Norrwich's way in a tight, cagey contest.

Prediction: 1-0

Harry Reynolds

Norwich are doing what they do best in the Premier League, and that is losing. They face another side who are very good at losing here in what we should really coin “The Battle of the Yo-Yos”. I’ll just favourite the visitors in this case as they have a little more pace about them, but if either of these teams survive I’ll be astounded.

Prediction: 0-1

Joe Richardson

If Norwich are to harbour any chance of staying up this season, they really have to be winning games against Watford. But the Hornets are yet to register a goal since their opening day win against Aston Villa, so I am backing the Canaries to get the job done here

Prediction: 2-1

Chris Coughlin: 0-2

Ryan Kirk: 1-1

Aston Villa v Everton - Saturday, 18th September - 5:30pm

Harry Reynolds

Everton are at long last showing a fighting spirit, inspired by Rafa Benitez. It had been a year since the club overcame a goal deficit to win - that’s now happened twice in the opening four games. However, this is a seriously tough game, and Villa were very unlucky to be beaten as they were at Chelsea last weekend. I think this will be very tight, and I struggle to separate the two sides.

Prediction: 1-1

Joe Richardson

This is a really tough game to predict. Despite going down 3-0, Villa were impressive against Chelsea without taking their chances. But last season, they struggled to break down teams at home who would sit in and counter attack and I think this game is set up perfectly for Everton to frustrate and continue their excellent start to the season

Prediction: 1-2

Chris Stott: 1-2

Chris Coughlin: 1-2

Ryan Kirk: 1-2

Brighton v Leicester - Sunday, 19th September - 2pm

Chris Stott

This is a very attractive match up on paper. Leicester perhaps havent got going the way we'd have expected, while Brighton have started brilliantly with 3 wins from 4. They have managed that scoring 3 and conceding just 2 which is both a positive and negative. They still probably lack goals but will fancy shutting out a misfiring Leciester. But with the quality they have, i expect the Foxes to at least take a point here.

Prediction: 1-1

Joe Richardson

It’s very early days, but I don’t think Leicester are quite the team that has been so impressive the last two seasons, albeit falling short of their top 4 goal. They will find Brighton a tough nut to crack on Sunday and I can see both sides cancelling each other out.

Prediction: 1-1

Harry Reynolds: 1-3

Chris Coughlin: 2-1

Ryan Kirk: 2-2

West Ham v Man United - Sunday, 19th September - 2pm

Chris Coughlin

Having Michail Antonio suspended is the last thing David Moyes needed after being unable to bring in a striker during the summer. After the striker's red card last week in the stalemate at Southampton, it will likely fall on the shoulders of Jarrod Bowen to lead the line against a Manchester United side who've simply forgotten what it's like to lose away from home...in the league at least. January 2020 was their last top flight defeat away from home and Ronaldo and co are looking to continue that run as they bounce back from their disastrous defeat in Bern against Young Boys on Tuesday.

Prediction: 1-3

Joe Richardson: 1-2

Harry Reynolds: 1-2

Chris Stott: 1-2

Ryan Kirk: 1-3

Tottenham v Chelsea - Sunday, 19th September - 4:30pm

Chris Stott

Another derby day for Spurs who will desperate to bounce back after the collapse at Palace. Chelsea are setting the pace along with Manchester United with Lukaku looking as sharp as ever. They have it all for me, but this is the type of occassions Harry Kane steps up in and after all the transfer saga it would be great if he could deal a blow to Chelsea. Expect a great atmosphere but a tight contest.

Prediction: 1-1

Joe Richardson

Chelsea are ticking off the big away games at the start of this season and they are going about it in a ruthlessly efficient manner. I don’t think Tottenham will be able to land a glove on them and the Blues will run out comfortable winners.

Prediction: 0-2

Harry Reynolds: 0-2

Chris Coughlin: 0-2

Ryan Kirk: 0-2