Premier League 21/22: Matchday seven 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

Man United v Everton - Saturday, 2nd October - 12:30pm

Everton's last win at Old Trafford came in December 2013

Chris Stott

Defeat to Villa was a shock and a worry for United. But I can’t help but think it could’ve been worse – other results tended to go their way. It’s been a difficult spell for the Red Devils losing 3 out of 4 before what looks like a massive win in midweek against Villareal. There still seems to be a lack of balance to the side with the midfield issue still present. The defence has also looked shaky. Everton have started the season well and will come to Old Trafford full of confidence. Townsend and Gray are in great form and look like terrific pieces of business. Rafa will have a game plan and it would be a statement if they can get a result. I think it could be a close run thing and wouldn’t be surprised by a draw – but United proved in midweek they have the fighting spirit still and the confidence created by that Result could have them do a similar thing this weekend.

Prediction: 2-1

Ryan Kirk

Ronaldo to steal the show yet again in what I imagine will be a tough game for Ole’s men. For me, United won’t challenge for anything with this manager in charge. There’s a reason he hasn’t had a big job before, and he won’t get one when his time comes to an end at Old Trafford. Saying that, I do think they’ll just have a bit too much for Benitez’s Blues.

Prediction: 2-1

Harry Reynolds

Everton are essentially going to a gunfight unarmed in this game without Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin. Rondon looks seriously unfit, so there is very little for United to worry about. Despite the incredible sums of money and wages they spend, they still look miles off being title contenders under Solskjaer, and if they don’t win this game comfortably there should be huge questions asked of the trophy-less manager.

Prediction: 3-0

Joe Richardson

I haven’t been impressed at all with United in recent games and they got their comeuppance at home to Villa last week. I think if Everton had a fit Dominic Calvert-Lewin then I would fancy them to nick a point or maybe more. I’m going for a narrow home win but without much conviction.

Prediction: 1-0

Chris Coughlin: 2-1

Burnley v Norwich - Saturday, 2nd October - 3pm

Chris Wood scored a match-winning brace they last time the sides met at Turf Moor in the league

Chris Coughlin

It's been a tough start to the season for both sides but I'm struggling to see beyond a Burnley win here. The Clarets will be frustrated that they didn't come away from Leicester with all three points last week and face a pointless Norwich side who have conceded 18 goals so far. A perfect chance for Chris Wood and co to get some confidence.

Prediction: 2-0

Ryan Kirk

This one is already a 6 pointer. There’s surely no way back for Norwich if they don’t pick up all three points. Must win for the Canaries.

Prediction: 2-0

Chris Stott: 1-1

Harry Reynolds: 1-0

Joe Richardson: 1-0

Chelsea v Southampton - Saturday, 2nd October - 3pm

Chelsea come into this game after back-to-back 1-0 defeats in league and cup

Ryan Kirk

After back-to-back defeats for Chelsea in all competitions, I fully expect them to bounce back in style with a comfortable win against Southampton. The last time Chelsea beat Southampton was in December 2019, before a victory for the Saints and two draws followed that result.

Prediction: 2-0

Chris Coughlin: 3-0

Chris Stott: 2-0

Harry Reynolds: 2-0

Joe Richardson: 2-0

Leeds v Watford - Saturday, 2nd October - 3pm

Watford emerged victorious last time the side's met at Elland Road in 2015

Chris Stott

Leeds have played better than the results suggest. They really should’ve got themselves a point against West Ham last week. They are missing some key men, especially at the back. But with Raphina they have a match winner. Watford have shown signs of encouragement this season but almost exclusively at home. Sarr the Star is the key man for them and he could benefit from Leeds’ open style. I think this is more of a must win for the home side and I back them to do just that.

Prediction: 2-0

Chris Coughlin

I think I speak for most people if not everyone that I didn't expect Leeds to be going into this game in the bottom three but here we are. They've abandoned all defensive awareness so far this season which is in stark contrast to their finish to the previous campaign. Watford, meanwhile, have had a moral boosting couple of weeks in the league at least, beating Norwich and coming from behind to claim a point against Newcastle with Ismaila Sarr predictably at the heart of the action. This could be quite a game if I'm honest.

Prediction: 3-2

Harry Reynolds

The home side desperately need to get a win, and if they lose this Watford will be seven points clear of them. I didn’t see Leeds being sucked into a relegation fight at all, but it is getting more nervy with each week. They’ve been seriously unlucky with injuries, however, but Watford’s away record last season was nowhere near as good as their home form, so I fancy Leeds to just about nick an edgy game

Prediction: 2-1

Ryan Kirk: 2-1

Joe Richardson: 2-1

Wolves v Newcastle - Saturday, 2nd October - 3pm

Can Wolves get their first home win of the campaign?

Joe Richardson

By all counts, Newcastle really should have beaten Watford, spurning a number of guilt edged chances. Wolves picked up their second win of the season and both have been away, and the way they setup may lend itself more to playing away from Molineux. All three results are a possibility here but I’m going for an away win merely because I haven’t predicted one so far!

Prediction: 0-1

Chris Coughlin: 1-2

Chris Stott: 1-0

Ryan Kirk: 1-0

Harry Reynolds: 1-1

Brighton v Arsenal - Saturday, 2nd October - 5:30pm

Neal Maupay has enjoyed himself against the Gunners in recent years

Chris Stott

Brighton may have missed out on an unlikely top spot but in reality I think it was a great point at Palace. They have been excellent this season for me and look like they could well achieve their best PL finish to date. They also like to play Arsenal with Neal Maupay in particular relishing this fixture and he is in very good form. Arsenal’s first half display against Spurs was as good as I have seen them play for years! Saka and Smith Rowe where fabulous and the team as a whole set a standard they must continue to reach to have any success. Its all about backing that up now and this will be a tough test. I think it will be a good game and one in which I can’t pick a winner

Prediction: 1-1

Ryan Kirk

It was the most impressive I’ve seen Arsenal play in a long time when they beat Spurs 3-1 last weekend. This week though, they’re up against a Brighton side who have been extremely impressive so far this season. The Seagulls will no doubt still be on a high after Neil Maupay’s 95th equaliser against Crystal Palace on Monday Night Football.

Prediction: 1-1

Joe Richardson

Arsenal will be buoyant after their victory and most importantly performance in the North London Derby. However, it is vital that they prove that wasn’t a one-off in a tricky away fixture at Brighton. The Seagulls themselves are literally and metaphorically flying, with a late equaliser at Crystal Palace carrying on their early season momentum. I think a point is a good result for both, so I am sitting on the fence with a draw.

Prediction: 1-1

Chris Coughlin: 1-2

Harry Reynolds: 0-0

Crystal Palace v Leicester - Sunday, 3rd October - 2pm

Harry Reynolds

This is really tough to call. Palace were so close to a vital win against Brighton, but a bizarre lapse in concentration right at the death cost them. Leicester have been very poor this season, and defeat against Legia Warsaw will have done their confidence no favours after just about scraping a point against Burnley a week ago. I think this game will see two teams desperate not to lose.

Prediction: 1-1

Joe Richardson

Leicester haven’t looked themselves so far this season, which I can put down to key injuries in central defence and playmakers Harvey Barnes and James Maddison not looking quite at it. Palace may well be 15th, but I am confident they will be upwardly mobile very soon and with Wilfried Zaha looking back to near his best, I think they will turn over the Foxes.

Prediction: 2-1

Chris Stott: 1-2

Ryan Kirk: 1-2

Chris Coughlin: 1-1

Spurs v Aston Villa - Sunday, 3rd October - 2pm

Chris Coughlin

How many managers can claim to have won the Manager of the Month award and then gone on to lose every league game the next month, conceding three on each occasion? Unfortunately for Nuno, he certainly can with Spurs having faced a rocky September after a perfect August. You can imagine it'll be a far from easy afternoon on Sunday as well as Aston Villa head to North London on the back of successive wins over Everton and Manchester United.

Prediction: 1-2

Harry Reynolds

Nuno Espírito Santo is already under strong pressure after three horrible defeats to London rivals on the bounce, conceding three goals in a half in each game, rounded off by a walloping at Arsenal. The appointment never made sense for me - Wolves were happy to see him go, and he regressed in each of his three PL seasons there, his football is tedious at best, and I don’t think he’ll last the season. Villa will pose a proper test for them, and I think they’ll pile the misery on Spurs and record their third straight win in the league.

Prediction: 1-2

Joe Richardson

I am certainly not reading anything into Tottenham and Harry Kane’s performance on Thursday in the Europa Conference League. Their performance at Arsenal would set serious alarm bells ringing, as they were out thought tactically and out fought in terms of work rate. When it comes to Villa, I have been guilty of underestimating them in these kind of games at my cost. This week I am with them because I honestly think they are a better team right now than Tottenham.

Prediction: 1-2

Chris Stott: 1-2

Ryan Kirk: 2-2

West Ham v Brentford - Sunday, 3rd October - 2pm

Former Bees star Said Benrahama scored the winner for the Hammers in pre-season this summer

Chris Stott

Both these teams have been absolutely superb this season for me. West Ham have continued where they left off last term while I’d go as far as saying Brentford have adapted to the Premier League quicker than any other side in it’s history. West Ham showed patience and quality against Leeds to edge the win and in Antonio they have a man in such good form that it’s a surprise if he doesn’t score. Brentford where brilliant against Liverpool and easily could’ve won the game. The front two are a joy to watch and there is a real collective spirit at the club. Thomas Frank strikes me as a man who would be a pleasure to play for as well. I see goals but no winner

Prediction: 2-2

Ryan Kirk: 1-0

Chris Coughlin: 2-0

Harry Reynolds: 2-1

Joe Richardson: 2-1

Liverpool v Man City - Sunday, 3rd October - 4:30pm

Chris Coughlin

The last two Champions of England go head-to-head in the game of the weekend. The Reds are missing Trent Alexander-Arnold through injury while City are aiming to bounce back from defeat in the Champions League against PSG on Tuesday. Time will tell how crucial a result this will be, and Jurgen Klopp said this week it's a "big game" but it's undeniably a great chance for either side to make a statement of intent.

Predictions: 2-1

Ryan Kirk

Despite the loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold due to injury, I’d still choose Liverpool as my favourites for this clash. We all know the quality Manchester City possess, but Jurgen Klopp’s men are scoring for fun and, as always, the Anfield crowd will no doubt be their 12th man.

Prediction: 3-2

Joe Richardson

City and Pep Guardiola got it spot on at Stamford Bridge last week, albeit Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel played right into their hands. However, their issue as was proved once again against Paris Saint-Germain is the lack of a clinical finisher in the final third. As for Liverpool, I believe they have the best finisher in the league at the minute in Mohamed Salah, though the injuries to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Thiago are a major blow. The latter's ability to control possession means Liverpool will more than likely relinquish the majority of the ball to City, who were able to dominate against Chelsea. The negative points for both sides means that I can’t split them.

Prediction: 1-1

Chris Stott: 1-1

Harry Reynold: 0-1