Game Week 9 runs from Saturday, 31 October to Monday, 2 November, with a proper heavyweight finish as Liverpool host Arsenal.
Chelsea and Manchester United are both trying to shake off ugly losses, City need to respond after Villa ended their perfect start, and Spurs arrive with a bit of wind in their sails after winning at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea were flat against Spurs and now lose Cole Palmer to suspension, while United’s 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth did not exactly scream “everything is under control”.
Stamford Bridge feels like the better place to bounce back, but it should be nervy.
Score Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Manchester United
Potential Goal Scorer: Morgan Rogers
Hull got a draw against Brentford but remain hard to trust when the game opens up.
Ipswich have enough quality to cause problems in transition and should get chances, although neither defence is exactly sending out a “nothing to see here” message.
Score Prediction: Hull City 1-1 Ipswich Town
Potential Goal Scorer: Zian Flemming
City finally lost at Villa, but a home response was always likely to be on the agenda.
Brighton are third, have scored freely this season and will not arrive to park the bus.
That should make it entertaining, and also give Erling Haaland some space to enjoy himself.
Score Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Potential Goal Scorer: Erling Haaland
Coventry have been competitive without getting enough reward lately, while Sunderland’s 0-0 draw with Leeds was hardly a festival of attacking invention.
It feels like a game that could come alive late once both sides realise a point does nobody any favours.
Score Prediction: Coventry City 1-1 Sunderland
Potential Goal Scorer: Jack Rudoni
Neither side found much separation last weekend, with Brentford held by Hull and Forest sharing the points at Ipswich.
This looks like one of those matches where both teams will fancy it, then spend 90 minutes cancelling each other out.
Score Prediction: Brentford 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Potential Goal Scorer: Igor Thiago
Bournemouth walked into Old Trafford and left with a 3-0 win, which is usually a decent way to build confidence.
Leeds are organised and difficult to roll, but the Cherries have enough pace and threat in the final third to make home advantage count.
Score Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Leeds United
Potential Goal Scorer: Evanilson
Spurs deserved plenty of credit for their 2-0 win at Chelsea, even if an own goal helped get them moving.
Palace were beaten 2-0 by Newcastle and look short of a reliable route to goals. Tottenham should have enough control at home.
Score Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Crystal Palace
Potential Goal Scorer: Mathys Tel
Villa have now beaten Newcastle and Manchester City in successive league matches, so the mood around Villa Park is considerably healthier than it was a few weeks ago.
Fulham are capable of making this awkward, but Nicolas Jackson is flying and Villa have momentum.
Score Prediction: Aston Villa 2-0 Fulham
Potential Goal Scorer: Nicolas Jackson
This is the big one.
Arsenal have matched City stride for stride at the top, while Liverpool have found their feet after a patchy start and just beat Brighton 2-0.
Expect plenty of quality, a fair bit of midfield wrestling, and not much room for either side to breathe.
Score Prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal
Potential Goal Scorer: Alexander Isak
Newcastle were professional in their 2-0 win at Palace, while Everton have lost consecutive games without scoring.
The Toffees will try to make it scrappy, but Newcastle should have too much energy and pressure around St James’ Park.
Score Prediction: Newcastle United 2-0 Everton
Potential Goal Scorer: Yoane Wissa