EPL preview: Unbeaten Arsenal take on unpredictable Tottenham in north London derby

The English Premier League (EPL) resumes after another international football break. After a week of representing their various national teams, EPL stars are back to continue the defence of the badges of their clubs. 

The players will resume the actions where they stopped on match day three. Manchester City and Liverpool remain immaculate at the summit with nine points.

They are followed by the trio of Arsenal, Brighton, and Newcastle United, who remain unbeaten in their challenge for a more improved league finish this campaign.

TheCable analysts are here to dissect the upcoming matchday four fixtures. The pundits will analyse all the games and give their almost accurate predictions.

TOTTENHAM VS ARSENAL

Remi Sulola:  The Gunners have won on their previous two visits to the Tottenham stadium and are unbeaten through three games to start the new season. Meanwhile, the Spurs have been impressed in spurts without much reward, claiming four points thus far. Tottenham are winless in their previous four outings against the Gunners, with their most recent victory arriving at the end of the 2021/22 season. The Gunners have won five of the last seven derbies. Arsenal will be without the suspended Declan Rice, while Mikel Merino is out until October with a shoulder injury. Martin Odegaard won’t feature after sustaining an ankle injury on international duty. The match will be tight, with Arsenal likely to win 2-1.

Sunday Omeike: The North London derby will feature goals as both sides are unafraid to attack. The Gunners have won on their last two visits to Tottenham, and it remains to be seen if the loss of captain Martin Odegaard will affect overall team performance. 2-1 Arsenal.

Martin Odiete: This derby match between Tottenham and their London rival is indeed the EPL match of the weekend. Arsenal on their part are unbeaten so far this season, their 1-1 draw with Brighton before the break was disappointing. Given the standards title rivals Manchester City have set, any dropped points could prove fatal come May. I predict Arsenal to clinch this 1-2

MAN CITY VS BRENTFORD

Sulola: Manchester City is currently ranked first in the Premier League. Erling Haaland is the competition’s top scorer with seven goals so far this season, and Pep Guardiola’s men have been awarded the most penalties this season. Bryan Mbeumo leads the league in big chances created with 4, and goalkeeper Mark Flekken is ranked third in saves per match, averaging 5.7 saves. But City should get an easy 4-0 win.

Omeike: Brentford were the last team to defeat City at the Etihad, and Pep Guardiola’s defending champions have remained majestic in the new season. City are on a 45-match unbeaten run in all competitions at the Etihad. Brentford’s task is not helped by the team’s poor away form – the worst in the league. City to stroll to 2-0 win.

Odiete: Man City are currently top of the English Premier League table and looking in great shape after three successive victories. Also, star striker Erling Haaland is a very imperious best with seven goals, including two hat-tricks already this season. This will be a rough road for Brentford, who are not doing too badly, though, following Ivan Toney’s departure. They have raked in two wins from their first three games. However, Man City to win 3-0.

SOUTHAMPTON VS MAN UNITED

Sulola: The game between the Saints and the Red Devils is expected to be exciting. Erik Ten Hag’s men are looking to bounce back from their recent losses, while Southampton is seeking their first win of the season. Both sides have injury concerns, with Man United missing Rasmus Hojlund, Luke Shaw, and Victor Lindelof, while Southampton will be without Gavin Bazunu and Aaron Ramsdale. So, Manchester United is favoured to win, with a predicted score of 2-1.

Omeike: Southampton have had the international break to integrate the new players and prepare for the fumbling Red Devils who have lost two of the opening three matches. The hosts have also not won, and where the goals would come from remains to be seen. Man United have only lost one of their last 30 EPL games against promoted sides and are unbeaten in their last 12 top-flight trips to Southampton. Erik ten Hag’s side to claim a 2-0 win, but things can go south if Andre Onana and his wobbly defence flop again.

Odiete: Pressure is mounting on Erik ten Hag following two defeats from his team’s first three games. They started brightly with a 1-0 win over Fulham but collapsed to a 2-1 defeat at Brighton before being well beaten 3-0 at home to rivals Liverpool. Southampton have had a wretched return to the Premier League so far this season, losing all three of their games. It is a battle of two struggling sides, but United to win emphatically 3-0.

LIVERPOOL VS NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Sulola: Liverpool have been in impressive form, winning all three of their matches this season, including a 3-0 win against Manchester United in their previous game. They are currently second in the Premier League table with nine points. Nottingham Forest, on the other hand, has been inconsistent, with a 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers in their previous game. Arne Slot’s tutored side is expected to win the game, with a predicted score of 3-1.

Omeike: Three wins and three clean sheets have heralded Arne Slots’ reign, and more of the same is expected against Forest, who have surprisingly picked up five points already and have the highest direct attack rate in the EPL so far. Salah and Diaz should join as goalscorers in a 3-0 victory.

Odiete: Liverpool easily dispatched Manchester United with a 3-0 at Old Trafford before the international break, so they will be a strong favourite to claim another three points. As for Forest, they have kept things relatively tight thus far this season but have only won one of their opening three games.
The Red to get a 2-0 victory.

BOURNEMOUTH VS CHELSEA

Sulola: Bournemouth are currently unbeaten in the league, while Chelsea have experienced a mixed start to the season. Jadon Sancho may debut for the Blues after being ineligible for the previous match. Cole Palmer is expected to play despite a recent thigh injury. However, due to injuries, Reece James, Malo Gusto, and Omari Kellyman might miss the game. In their last meeting, Chelsea won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. Bournemouth have won two out of the last seven head-to-head matches, while Chelsea have won three. There have been two draws in the last seven meetings. Bournemouth are expected to give Chelsea a tough challenge, but the Blues are likely to win 2-1.

Omeike: Expect goals in this encounter. Chelsea are loaded in attack and will score, but a leaky defence awaits Bournemouth, who are not shy of goals. Chelsea have won three straight away league games and lost just one of their seven Premier League trips to Bournemouth. A 3-2 win to Chelsea.

Odiete:  It is difficult to say which Chelsea side will turn up for this match following their inconsistent performance this season. After a summer of transfer chaos off the pitch, they have blown hot and cold. Meanwhile, Bournemouth remained unbeaten after two draws and a win in the league. However, take into consideration the firepower at the disposal of each team. I predict Chelsea to win 0-1.

WOLVES VS NEWCASTLE

Sulola:  Newcastle are currently in a better position, having collected seven out of nine points from the opening three games, whereas Wolves are yet to win a match. Wolves have defensive issues, having allowed six goals in a catastrophic home defeat to Chelsea on matchday two and conceding plenty of chances at the hands of Nottingham Forest last time out. Given these factors, Newcastle are predicted to win 2-1, with Alexander Isak likely to score anytime against the Wolves’ leaky defence.

Omeike: Most encounters between both sides have ended in a stalemate, which might be no difference. Wolves should attack more against the Toon Army who are also not shy to attack. An entertaining 2-1 winner for Newcastle.

Odiete: Except Wolves suddenly discover a hidden form, this match could follow the same pattern as the matches where they recorded a 6-2 loss at home to Chelsea, a 2-0 loss to Arsenal and then just a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest. Newcastle to win 2-o.

ASTON VILLA VS EVERTON

Sulola:  Aston Villa have shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in their 2-1 victory over Leicester City, displaying a tactical blend of defensive discipline and attacking sharpness. However, Villa have been hampered by a mounting injury list, which could impact their aspirations. Everton, on the other hand, have endured a torrid start to the 2024-25 campaign, with zero points, 10 goals conceded, and only two scored. Historically, Aston Villa have had the upper hand in this fixture, winning three of the last five meetings, while Everton managed just one victory in that span. The favour of Aston Villa, with a 55.8% chance of winning against Everton.

Omeike: Villa are the clear favourites in this encounter against the league’s basement club. They are unbeaten in all 10 of their league meetings with Everton, who have a poor record in the first match after the international break. Villa will stroll to a 3-0 victory.

Odiete: Playing in front of their home fans, everything points to a convincing win for Aston Villa—a 3-1 win. 

FULHAM VS WEST HAM

Sulola: Fulham and West Ham United have had a mixed start to the season and will be looking to secure three points in this London derby. However, Fulham won both matches against West Ham United in the Premier League last season, scoring seven goals and keeping clean sheets. They are the favourite to win this match, with a predicted score of 2-1.

Omeike: Villa are clear favourites in this encounter again in the league’s basement club league. They are unbeaten in all 10 of their league meetings with, who have a poor record in the first match after the international break. Villa will stroll to a 3-0 victory.

Odiete: Fulham have had a misfortune so far in this EPL season. After the opening-day defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford, the Cottagers have since beaten Leicester and drawn with Ipswich to get some early points on the board. Meanwhile, West Ham lost 3-1 at home to Manchester City before the break, hoping to bounce back from that defeat and hoping for a comfortable result against the Cottages. Julen Lopetegui’s side have won their only London derby this season thus far, beating Crystal Palace 2-0 at Selhurst Park last month. I predict a 2-2 draw.

CRYSTAL PALACE VS LEICESTER CITY

Sulola: Both sides have had a poor start to the season, with one draw and two losses each. Crystal Palace is currently ranked 16th, while Leicester City holds the 15th position. The match is expected to be a high-scoring affair between two sides struggling to find the net but equally leaky at the back. Crystal Palace is the favourite to win this match, with a predicted score of 3-2.

Omeike: Palace are beginning to find their way into the new season despite successive losses at the start of the season. A draw against Chelsea and an impressive performance show the malaise is gone, and the Eagles should continue their record of winning each of their last nine matches against the Foxes. 3-1 to Palace.

Odiete:  Crystal Palace are looking for their first win of the Premier League season and will be hoping to achieve that when they host Leicester this weekend. The Eagles will now be strong favourites to claim their first victory of the campaign. The Foxes have so far struggled since their return to the Premier League. Palace to win  2-1.

BRIGHTON VS IPSWICH

Sulola:  Brighton is the favourite to win this match, with a predicted score of 2-1. Brighton have been one of the standout performers of the new Premier League season, and they have only lost four of their last 21 home matches across all competitions over the last 12 months.

Omeike: Brighton are unbeaten after three matches despite playing Man United and Arsenal. Fabian Hürzeler’s side will fancy their chances against a promoted Ipswich side with only a point from three matches. The Tractor Boys have had a baptism of fire with games against Man City and Liverpool and should put up more fight despite having the lowest shot on target in the league so far. Expect Brighton to record another 3-1 win while playing entertaining football.

Odiete: Brighton is one of the teams with a new coach that has hit the ground running so far this season, and they hope to continue on that trajectory when they host Ipswich Town this weekend. They should win this 2-0.