Sunday’s Sept, 17
We say: Everton 0-2 Arsenal
Whatever it is about Goodison Park, Arsenal appear cursed when they step out onto the turf, but Everton’s ongoing injury and attacking woes makes it difficult to envisage another Merseyside beating for the men in red.
It would be easy for the Gunners to get distracted by the prospect of their first Champions League game in over six years next week, but Arteta’s men looked more like their old selves against Man United and should finally pick up their first win away to Everton in the post-Wenger era.
We say: Marseille 3-1 Toulouse
While Toulouse have made a decent start to the season, we expect Marseille to maintain their unbeaten record by claiming a relatively comfortable victory on home soil.
We say: Bournemouth 1-2 Chelsea
The Vitality Stadium has not always been a happy hunting ground for Chelsea, who were memorably thumped 4-0 by Bournemouth back in 2019, but the Cherries’ lingering defensive concerns means that a repeat of that humiliation is surely beyond the realm of possibility.
Iraola’s charges can still feel confident of breaching a Chelsea backline which is also far from watertight, but with the in-form Raheem Sterling in particular seeking to lay down a marker after his latest England snub, the Blues should make a return to winning ways, whether it is pretty or not.
We say: Lorient 1-3 Monaco
Given that Monaco have scored at least three goals in each of their four matches this term, we expect Hutter’s men to notch another high-scoring victory over Lorient, who have struggled for consistency during the early stages of the season.
We say: Sporting Lisbon 3-0 Moreirense
With in-form attackers in the side and the team still unbeaten this season, Amorim will expect his side to comfortably get the better of Moreirense here.
The visitors gave Braga a huge scare last week, but their inability to hold out for even a draw points towards another defeat here.
We say: Fiorentina 1-1 Atalanta BC
Fiorentina may have to wait for their first home win of the season, as Atalanta were one of the best away teams last season and have kept a couple of clean sheets already this term. Both teams will have one eye on their upcoming European fixture, too, so a draw may represent an acceptable outcome for either manager.
We say: FC Twente 1-2 Ajax
FC Twente have made a promising start to the season, but the fixture list has been kind to them, coming up against two newly-promoted sides.
As such, we do not expect the hosts to make it four wins on the bounce this weekend, but they may be not good enough to get a point, given that Ajax have made a slow start to the season.
We say: Roma 2-1 Empoli
Empoli will finally break their goal drought, but points may continue to elude them; if Roma can pair Lukaku and Dybala together for a sustained spell, the capital club’s ailing fortunes can dramatically change.
We say: SV Darmstadt 98 2-2 Borussia Monchengladbach
This weekend’s opponents currently lead the way in terms of goals conceded and we are expecting goals at both ends in this one. That said, we just about fancy both sides to secure a point in this.
We say: Fenerbahce 3-2 Antalyaspor
Fenerbahce will be licking their lips as they take on an out-of-sorts Antalyaspor side who have stumbled into the new season. Kartal’s side are currently firing on all cylinders and it is hard to not see them claiming another routine victory this weekend.
