Game Week 5 is here, and the early-season table is already looking a little strange.
Manchester City are flying, Spurs and Villa are still searching for answers, and a few of the promoted sides have clearly not read the script.
Chelsea are still trying to work out whether they are good, bad or simply allergic to keeping a clean sheet.
They have plenty of firepower going forward, but that 2-2 draw against Hull was another reminder that the back door is rarely shut.
Brentford have quietly made themselves very annoying to play against.
They are unbeaten through four, have drawn three of them, and even with injuries piling up at the back, they have found ways to stay in games.
The Bees will fancy their chances of making Chelsea work for every inch here.
João Pedro has started the season well and should again lead Chelsea’s attack.
If Cole Palmer finds space between the lines, Brentford could be in for a busy night.
Score Prediction: Brentford 1-2 Chelsea
Potential Goal Scorer: João Pedro
Spurs have managed just one point from four games, which is not ideal when you have rebuilt half the squad and asked everyone to trust the process.
The process currently looks like 70 per cent possession followed by somebody blasting one into Row Z.
Villa are not exactly cruising either. Their defeat to Forest left them with plenty to think about, while injuries and João Gomes’ suspension have left them short in midfield.
That is a rough combination for a trip to a Spurs side desperate to make something happen.
I can see this being scrappy rather than spectacular.
Spurs should have enough of the ball, Villa should have enough experience to frustrate them, and everyone will probably claim they deserved more afterwards.
Score Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Aston Villa
Potential Goal Scorer: Dominic Solanke
Newcastle being beaten 4-1 at Leeds was a proper reality check.
They have been hit hard by injuries, they are short on options in key areas and suddenly this does not look like the straightforward home fixture it did a month ago.
Hull are unbeaten and have already shown they will not just turn up, sit deep and hope to nick a corner.
They drew 2-2 at Chelsea last weekend and have enough height, structure and attacking threat to make this uncomfortable.
Still, St James’ Park is usually the place Newcastle find a response.
Yoane Wissa is carrying the goalscoring burden with several attacking options unavailable, and he feels like their clearest route out of this mini wobble.
Score Prediction: Newcastle United 2-1 Hull City
Potential Goal Scorer: Yoane Wissa
Everton went to Spurs last week, kept a clean sheet and generally made life miserable for everyone involved.
That is very David Moyes, and it is exactly the sort of performance that can build momentum early in a season.
Ipswich deserve credit for their 3-2 win at Palace, but they still look like a side capable of scoring and conceding in the same five-minute spell.
Julio Enciso gives them a bit of magic, but Everton should fancy the midfield battle and will not be as generous defensively as Palace were.
Thierno Barry has been leading the line and this looks like a decent spot for him.
Ipswich will have moments, but the Toffees should edge it at their new home.
Score Prediction: Everton 1-0 Ipswich Town
Potential Goal Scorer: Thierno Barry
Brighton just put five past Coventry, which is one way to tidy up the mood around the place.
Fabian Hürzeler’s side can still look vulnerable when teams play through their press, but when they get on top, they move the ball quickly and cause chaos.
Arsenal are not exactly arriving for a day at the beach, though.
They have started the title defence strongly and have the sort of control Brighton hate playing against: strong midfielders, dangerous wide players and centre-backs who do not panic when pressed.
William Saliba remains out and Ben White is one to monitor, but Arsenal should still have enough.
Bukayo Saka is the obvious difference-maker if Brighton leave even a hint of room around the box.
Score Prediction: Brighton 1-2 Arsenal
Potential Goal Scorer: Bukayo Saka
Forest’s 2-1 win at Villa was a big result and exactly the sort of away performance that gives a side some belief.
They were organised, had enough threat going forward and did not crumble when Villa started throwing bodies forward.
Coventry, meanwhile, were smashed 5-0 by Brighton.
You can dress that up however you like, but there is no easy recovery from a day like that, especially when the next stop is the City Ground.
Forest have enough quality between Morgan Gibbs-White, Dan Ndoye and Liam Delap to make Coventry’s defence work all evening.
Delap has looked like the main man in this Forest front line and should get opportunities if the home side start on the front foot.
Score Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-0 Coventry City
Potential Goal Scorer: Liam Delap
Liverpool’s 0-0 draw with Fulham was one of those games where they had plenty of the ball, plenty of good players and somehow not nearly enough end product. It is too early to panic, but it was not the sort of result that makes anyone feel warm and fuzzy.
Bournemouth are tricky at home and have already shown they can make games open. Evanilson gives them a threat up front, Justin Kluivert can create something from nothing, and Liverpool’s defence has not exactly looked untouchable.
Still, Liverpool should have too much quality in the final third. Alexander Isak will fancy this match-up, particularly with Bournemouth missing bodies at the back, and the Reds need to start turning decent spells into goals.
Score Prediction: Bournemouth 1-2 Liverpool
Potential Goal Scorer: Alexander Isak
Manchester City are four from four and Erling Haaland has just decided the Manchester derby.
It is not exactly groundbreaking analysis, but if you are playing City at the Etihad, you probably want a plan for the giant Norwegian bloke in the middle.
Sunderland have had a respectable start and will not be completely overawed.
Granit Xhaka gives them experience, Brian Brobbey gives them a focal point and they will be organised enough to make City work for it early.
But City have too much.
Phil Foden is suspended after his derby red card, yet that still leaves Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo and Haaland running at a Sunderland back line that has a massive job on its hands.
Score Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Sunderland
Potential Goal Scorer: Erling Haaland
Leeds putting four past Newcastle was one of the statements of Game Week 4.
Elland Road was bouncing, Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave them a proper outlet and the whole side looked like they had figured out exactly what sort of team they want to be.
Palace are in a rough spot. Jean-Philippe Mateta, Ismaïla Sarr and Dean Henderson are all out, Axel Disasi is suspended, and they have just conceded three at home to Ipswich.
That is not the ideal build-up to a trip to Leeds.
The Eagles still have enough to make it awkward, especially through Tyrick Mitchell and Yeremy Pino, but Leeds should have the legs and momentum to take this one.
Score Prediction: Leeds United 2-0 Crystal Palace
Potential Goal Scorer: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Fulham held Liverpool to a goalless draw at Anfield, which deserves plenty of respect.
They were disciplined, hard to break down and showed that Marco Silva’s side can still spoil the party when the bigger clubs come calling.
United, though, need a response after losing the derby.
They have been inconsistent, but there is enough talent in that front line to hurt anyone.
Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo should all get chances if United can move the ball quickly enough through midfield.
Rashford is a fitness concern, so I would not be banking on him being the hero here.
Mbeumo looks the safer shout, and United should just have enough to avoid another frustrating afternoon.
Score Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Manchester United
Potential Goal Scorer: Bryan Mbeumo