Matchday Four of the Premier League season brings a full seven-match Saturday card, with early pace-setters Arsenal on the road at Sunderland, Liverpool looking to keep up the pressure against a struggling Fulham side, and Chelsea out to respond after their first defeat of the season. Here's our preview of every fixture, including the latest form and a bold prediction for each game.
Saturday's Fixtures
| Fixture | Kick-off |
|---|---|
| Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest | 15:00 |
| AFC Bournemouth v Brentford | 15:00 |
| Chelsea v Hull City | 15:00 |
| Crystal Palace v Ipswich Town | 15:00 |
| Liverpool v Fulham | 15:00 |
| Tottenham Hotspur v Everton | 17:30 |
| Sunderland v Arsenal | 20:00 |
1. Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest
Two sides short on goals meet at Villa Park, with Aston Villa still without a Premier League goal in open play after a goalless draw at Hull City last time out, despite finding the net in midweek Champions League action. Nottingham Forest are similarly toothless domestically, having played out a stalemate at home to Tottenham, and something has to give in this one.
Aston Villa — form guide
- Drew 0-0 away at Hull City, still without a Premier League goal this season
- Scored three in a Champions League win at Club Brugge in midweek action
- Unbeaten domestically, but yet to find a cutting edge in the league
Nottingham Forest — form guide
- Drew 0-0 at home to Tottenham Hotspur in their last league outing
- Have not lost so far this season, but goals have been in short supply
- Looking for a first win of the campaign at the fourth attempt
Something has to give at Villa Park, and with both sides desperate to end their domestic goal droughts, we're backing Unai Emery's men to finally click into gear in front of their own fans.
Prediction: Aston Villa 3-1 Nottingham Forest. Villa's Champions League cutting edge finally arrives in the league, ending their scoring drought in some style.
2. AFC Bournemouth v Brentford
Bournemouth will feel they should have won at Newcastle last time out, twice taking the lead before being pegged back to a 2-2 draw, while Brentford battled to a 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland. Both sides have shown they can score goals this season, setting up the potential for an open, high-scoring afternoon on the south coast.
AFC Bournemouth — form guide
- Drew 2-2 away at Newcastle United, twice taking the lead
- Have scored in every league match so far this season
- Unbeaten in their last two Premier League outings
Brentford — form guide
- Drew 1-1 at home to Sunderland in their last fixture
- Have found the net in each of their opening league games
- Still searching for a first win of the new season
Neither side has been able to keep a clean sheet so far this season, and with goals flowing at both ends in recent weeks, this has the look of an entertaining, end-to-end contest at the Vitality Stadium.
Prediction: AFC Bournemouth 3-2 Brentford. A share of the goals but the Cherries edge a thriller in front of their own supporters.
3. Chelsea v Hull City
Chelsea will look to bounce back immediately after suffering their first defeat under Xabi Alonso, beaten 2-1 at home by Arsenal, when they welcome a Hull City side who have impressed since returning to the top flight. The Tigers sit third in the early table after a goalless draw with Aston Villa, but a stung Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is an altogether different proposition.
Chelsea — form guide
- Lost 2-1 at home to Arsenal, their first defeat of the season
- Xabi Alonso's first loss in charge since taking over at Stamford Bridge
- Have scored in every Premier League match so far this season
Hull City — form guide
- Drew 0-0 at home to Aston Villa in their last league fixture
- Currently sit third in the Premier League table on early form
- Have impressed defensively since their promotion back to the top flight
A wounded Chelsea side with a point to prove looks a dangerous opponent for a Hull City team yet to be truly tested against one of the division's bigger attacking units, and we expect Chelsea's response to be emphatic.
Prediction: Chelsea 4-1 Hull City. A statement response from Chelsea after their first loss of the campaign.
4. Crystal Palace v Ipswich Town
Crystal Palace will look to build on the first league win of Pierre Sage's tenure, a 3-2 victory at Fulham, when they host an Ipswich Town side already struggling badly on their return to the top flight. The Tractor Boys have shipped goals for fun in recent weeks and were well beaten 2-0 at home by Liverpool last time out.
Crystal Palace — form guide
- Won 3-2 away at Fulham, a first league win under Pierre Sage
- Scored three goals away from home in their last outing
- Growing in confidence after a slow start to the campaign
Ipswich Town — form guide
- Lost 2-0 at home to Liverpool in their last league match
- Yet to pick up a Premier League win since returning to the top flight
- Have struggled defensively in every match so far this season
Palace's newfound attacking confidence under Sage against an Ipswich defence that has offered little resistance so far this season points firmly in one direction, and we're expecting a comfortable afternoon at Selhurst Park.