⛅️ Friday Forecast: Big London derby and a banana skin for Arsenal? | OneFootball

The European season is well under way but we pivot back to domestic matters this weekend, and there’s an intriguing round of Premier League fixtures coming our way.

Here are our predictions.

Game of the weekend 💪

Tottenham v Chelsea

After heading into the international break top of the table following three 1-0 wins, Spurs were brought crashing back to earth with an almighty thud when they were beaten 3-0 away at Crystal Palace last weekend.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s side registered an xG of just 0.08 at Selhurst Park as they struggled to get their forward players into the game, and it was a lack of discipline that saw them go down to 10 men and give away a silly penalty.

They will have to learn from their mistakes when they welcome Chelsea to north London on Sunday.

The Blues are defending imperiously at the moment and Romelu Lukaku’s goals turned a pretty ordinary performance against Aston Villa into three points last Saturday.

This should be a cracking London derby.

📊 Fun fact: Tottenham have conceded more Premier League goals against Chelsea (103) than they have against any other opponent.

🔮 Our prediction: Tottenham 1-2 Chelsea

Potential upset 😨

Burnley v Arsenal

Arsenal finally got their first win of the season when they beat Norwich 1-0 last Saturday and afterwards, Mikel Arteta described the 10 days prior to that game as his “best in management”.

But privately, Arteta will know there’s still a lot of work to be done if he’s going to get the Gunners back on track, and a very slippery banana skin is coming their way this weekend.

Pep Guardiola once compared away games at Burnley to a trip to the dentist and Sean Dyche will no doubt be instructing his side to give Arsenal more than just a routine check-up on Saturday.

This feels like the sort of game this Arsenal team could crumble in but if they can escape with all their teeth intact, better times might not be too far away.

📊 Fun fact: Arsenal are unbeaten in their last nine away league games against Burnley.

🔮 Our prediction: Burnley 1-1 Arsenal

Big favourites 👍

Manchester City v Southampton

Their season may have gotten off to an inauspicious start with that defeat at Tottenham but since then, everything has been going swimmingly for the champions.

They’ve won three games in a row, scoring 11 goals along the way and they’re averaging an impressive 21 shots-per-game in the Premier League.

This weekend City welcome a Southampton side to the Etihad who are rather less potent going forward.

Saints are still waiting for their first win of the season and Ralph Hasenhüttl seems to be instructing his side to keep it tight for the first 70 minutes before trying to nick a win in the latter stages.

That’s all well and good but it relies heavily on not conceding many goals, and that could be a tough ask against this City side on Saturday.

📊 Fun fact: Manchester City have won eight of their last nine Premier League meetings with Southampton.

🔮 Our prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Southampton

Too close to call 🤔

West Ham v Manchester United

Old Trafford was bouncing last weekend when Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice on his second debut for Manchester United.

And when Ronaldo opened the scoring in the Champions League in mid-week, it must have seemed like the good times would never end.

But then, Young Boys happened.

United were deservedly beaten in Switzerland and they can’t let it affect their confidence when they head to the London Stadium this weekend to face a West Ham side who can give anyone in the league a run for their money.

Michail Antonio is out due to suspension and the Hammers will be feeling Thursday’s Europa League game in their legs, but the home crowd will be right behind David Moyes as he tries to get one over on his former employers.

📊 Fun fact: Since leaving in 2014, Moyes has failed to win any of his last seven games against Manchester United in all competitions.

🔮 Our prediction: West Ham 2-2 Manchester United

🔥 Your Fantasy Football captain should be …

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

After netting his 100th Premier League goal in the win away at Leeds last weekend, Salah appears to be in red hot form and we fancy him to add to his tally against Crystal Palace at Anfield on Saturday.

Other predictions