Matchweek 8 of the 2025/26 Premier League season, taking place from October 18 to 20, 2025, brings another weekend packed with key clashes and storylines at both ends of the table.
The action kicks off on Saturday afternoon, as Nottingham Forest welcome Chelsea in the early game at the City Ground. Forest will aim to make home advantage count, while Chelsea look to stay among the league’s frontrunners.
At 16:00, the schedule is loaded with several exciting fixtures. Manchester City host Everton at the Etihad in a meeting of contrasting ambitions — City chasing another title, Everton seeking valuable points to move up the table. Brighton meet Newcastle in a duel of attacking sides, Burnley host Leeds in a relegation six-pointer, Crystal Palace face Bournemouth at Selhurst Park, and Sunderland clash with Wolves in a battle between newly promoted teams.
The day closes with a Saturday evening London derby, as Fulham take on Arsenal under the lights at Craven Cottage. Arsenal will push to keep pressure on the top, while Fulham look to spring an upset on home soil.
Sunday offers more drama, starting with Tottenham against Aston Villa at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where both clubs will look to strengthen their European hopes. Later in the day, all eyes turn to Anfield for one of the league’s most iconic fixtures — Liverpool versus Manchester United — a clash that never disappoints in intensity or emotion.
The round concludes on Monday night, when West Ham host Brentford in East London. Both teams have enjoyed encouraging spells and will aim to end Matchweek 8 on a high note.
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Nottingham vs Chelsea
Nottingham is in 8th place with 5 points, just above the relegation zone. They lost to Newcastle 2-0 in their last match away from home. After playing 7 games, they have only managed to win once, draw twice, and have lost 4 times. Their form is not good, and their goal difference shows they have issues with scoring and conceding goals, having let in 12 while only scoring 5. Ndoye and Hudson-Odoi each have one goal.
The team is managed by Ange Postecoglou, who has a lot of work to do to improve the team’s performance. On Thursday, they will face FC Porto in the group stage of the Europa League.
Chelsea is in 7th place with 11 points. They have gone 3 matches without a win, with one draw and two losses, but last week they beat Liverpool at home 2:1. Still, they have a great team and individual players who score goals. Pedro Joao has scored two goals so far, and midfielders Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez have each scored 3 goals. After playing 7 matches, they have achieved three wins, two draws, and two losses.
Tactically, Enzo Maresca’s team maintains a high possession and plays offensively. On Wednesday, they will host Ajax in the group stage of the Champions League.
Chelsea has a more effective attack, while Nottingham struggles against teams with organized pressing. If the home team doesn’t take control of the center, it will be hard for them to achieve a favorable result.
2 (Chelsea to Win)
Predicted CS: 0:2
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Brighton vs Newcastle
Brighton is currently in the middle of the table, sitting at 12th place with 9 points earned so far. After playing 7 matches, they have achieved two wins, three draws, and two losses. They score goals but also concede them, having netted 10 goals and allowed the same number. They haven’t lost in their last 3 matches, which includes one win and two draws.
In the final moments, Welbeck has contributed with two goals, and several other players have scored one goal each. In the midfield, we have Baleba, Gomez, and Wieffer.
Newcastle is in 11th place with the same number of points as their opponent today. They have a weak scoring record with only 6 goals so far, but their defense is strong, having conceded just five goals. In the last round, they secured 3 points by defeating Nottingham at home with a score of 2:0.
Under Eddie Howe’s leadership, they are well-positioned in the midfield and make good use of their chances. Nick Woltemade is the top scorer with three goals, and in the midfield, Bruno Guimaraes is creating plays and has scored two goals so far. On Tuesday, they will host Benfica in the group stage of the Champions League.
Both teams will be focused on getting all 3 points; Brighton has the advantage of playing at home, while the visitors will be playing on Tuesday.
X (Draw)
Predicted CS: 1:1
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Burnley vs Leeds
Burnley is still in the relegation zone, sitting in 20th place with only 4 points so far. After playing 7 matches, they have managed just one win, one draw, and five losses. In their last match, they lost to Aston Villa away with a score of 2-1. They have scored 7 goals but have conceded a whopping 15.
The most effective player in attack is Anthony, who has scored 4 goals. The defense, having allowed 15 goals so far, is a recurring issue. Under Scott Parker’s leadership, the team needs to improve their defense if they want to achieve better results.
Leeds also hasn’t started the season well and is currently in 15th place with 8 points, three points ahead of today’s opponent. After 7 matches, they have two wins, two draws, and three losses. In their last match, they lost to Tottenham at home with a score of 1-2. So far, they have scored 7 goals and conceded 11.
The most effective player in attack is Okafor, who has scored two goals, while Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha have each scored one. Daniel Farke prefers an attacking formation, and Leeds’ matches are often decided by small details.
Both teams are eager to get into winning form, but so far we have seen that they are struggling.
3+ (Over 2.5)
Predicted CS: 1:2
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Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth
Crystal Palace has had a good start to the season, and after playing 7 matches, they have three wins, three draws, and only one loss. They are currently in 6th place with 12 points earned so far. They have scored 9 goals and only conceded 5 goals up to this point. They hadn’t lost for a long time, but in the last round, they were defeated by Everton away with a score of 2-1.
Ismaila Sarr is the top scorer with three goals so far, while Mateta has scored two goals. Under the management of Oliver Glasner, Palace is playing excellently and is dangerous in transition, and their defense has been commendable throughout the season. On Thursday, they have a match in the group stage of the Conference league, where they will host AEK Larnaca.
Bournemouth, under the management of Andoni Iraola, is in great form, currently sitting in 4th place with 14 points earned so far, just two points behind the leaders, Arsenal. In their last match, they achieved an impressive victory over Fulham, winning 3-1. So far, they have scored 11 goals and conceded only 4.
The main driving force is their offensive leader, Semenyo, who has scored 6 goals and provided 3 assists. In the midfield, Tavernier and Scott have each scored one goal. Their attack is diverse, and they easily create scoring opportunities.
Palace will try to control the midfield, while the visitors will aim to score through quick transitions. Both teams play efficient matches, so we expect at least one goal from each side.
GG (BTTS-Yes)
Predicted CS: 1:1
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Manchester City vs Everton
Manchester City, after a shaky start to the season, has bounced back into winning form. After playing eight matches, they have secured 4 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss, and they haven’t lost in their last 4 games, winning 3 of them. They currently sit in 5th place with 13 points earned so far.
Despite some ups and downs, their attack is the best in the league, having scored 15 goals, with Erling Haaland being the standout player, netting 9 goals. The creativity on the field comes from Cherki, Foden, Nunes, and Bernardo Silva. Pep Guardiola maintains a high possession style and prefers aggressive pressing. In the group stage of the Champions League, they will host Villarreal on Tuesday.
Everton started the season in varying form and is currently in 8th place with 11 points secured so far. After playing 7 matches, they have achieved three wins, two losses, and two draws. In the last round, they won against Crystal Palace at home with a score of 2-1.
Key players in the attack include Iliman Ndiaye, who has scored three goals so far, and Beto, who has one goal. Overall, they have scored 9 goals and conceded 7. Under the management of David Moyes, they are performing well defensively and are taking advantage of goal-scoring opportunities.
Manchester City is the favorite at home, while Everton will aim to secure a draw.
The quality and form are on the side of the home team, and we expect them to earn three points in this match.
1 (Manchester City to Win)
Predicted CS: 3:1
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Sunderland vs Wolves
Sunderland is currently in the middle of the table, sitting at 9th place with 11 points earned so far. After playing 7 matches, they have achieved three wins, two draws, and two losses. They have scored 7 goals, but their defense is impressive, having only conceded 6 goals up to now. They have not lost in 4 matches, although in the last round, they were defeated by Manchester Utd away with a score of 2-0.
Despite the loss, the team has a solid defense, and in attack, Wilson Isidor stands out with three goals scored so far. The midfield is stable with Xhaka and Enzo Le Fee. Under the guidance of Regis Le Bris, Sunderland plays in an organized and mature manner.
Wolves are having a really bad season and are currently in last place with only two points earned so far. After playing 7 matches, they still haven’t won, having drawn twice in the last two games and lost five times. They have a weak offense with only five goals scored so far, and their defense has issues, having conceded 14 goals. Under the leadership of Vitor Pereira, the team is looking for stability in defense and needs to improve their attack.
Sunderland, on the other hand, statistically concedes few goals, while Wolves struggle to score. If the home team sets the pace and manages to score, they will likely keep the lead until the end of the match.
0-2 (Under 2.5)
Predicted CS: 1:0
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Fulham vs Arsenal
Fulham didn’t start the season very well and is currently in 14th place with a total of points earned so far. After playing 7 matches, they have achieved two wins, two draws, and three losses. They have scored 8 goals but have conceded 11 goals up to this point. They have lost their last two matches, and in the previous round, they were defeated by Bournemouth with a score of 3-1.
In the final moments, they have more players who score goals, including Jimenez, Rodrigo, and Sessegnon. Their defense, having conceded 11 goals, is not at the desired level. Under the leadership of Marco Silva, the team is trying to catch up in the upper part of the table.
Arsenal is at the top of the table with 16 points so far, having one point more than second-placed Liverpool. They have a great attack with 14 goals scored so far, and they also have the best defense in the league, having only conceded three goals. After playing 7 matches, they have achieved five wins, one draw, and one loss.
The most effective player in attack is Gyokeres with three goals, while Saka, Zubimendi, and Timber have each scored two goals. Under the leadership of Mikel Arteta, Arsenal controls the pace of the game and rarely makes mistakes. In the group stage of the Champions League, they will host Atl. Madrid on Tuesday.
Fulham will need to push themselves if they want a good result in this match. The form and individual quality are in favor of the visitors, so we expect them to secure 3 points in this game.
1 (Arsenal to Win)
Predicted CS: 0:2
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Tottenham vs Aston Villa
Tottenham has had a good start to the season, currently sitting in 3rd place with 14 points earned so far. They have the same number of points as Bournemouth, but two points less than the first-place team, Arsenal. After playing 7 matches, they have achieved 4 wins, 2 draws, and only 1 loss. So far, they have scored 13 goals and conceded 5.
Under the guidance of Thomas Frank, they play disciplined football, and in the last round, they defeated Leeds away from home. The most effective player in attack is Richarlison, who has scored 3 goals, while Johnson and Palhinha have each scored 2 goals. On Wednesday, they will visit Monaco in the group stage of the Champions League.
Aston Villa didn’t start the season as expected, but as time goes on, they are improving their form. They are currently in 13th place with 9 points earned so far. After playing 7 matches, they have achieved two wins, 3 draws, and two losses. In their last 4 games, they haven’t lost, with two draws and two wins, and they recently defeated Fulham and Burnley.
The team is managed by Unai Emery, and in attack, Malen stands out with two goals, while McGinn and Buendia have each scored one goal. On Wednesday, they will visit G.A. Eagles in the group stage of the Europa League.
Tottenham will look to take an early lead with aggressive pressing at the start of the match; Villa will try to slow down the game. Given the difference in efficiency, we give the home team the advantage to win.
1 (Tottenham to Win)
Predicted CS: 2:1
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Liverpool vs Manchester Utd
Liverpool is in second place with 15 points earned so far. In the last two matches, they lost twice, once to Crystal Palace and once to Chelsea, which caused them to lose the top spot on the table. Overall, after playing 7 matches, they have achieved 5 wins and 2 losses. The drop in form is clear, especially since they also lost to Galatasaray in the group stage of the Champions League.
The team is led by Arne Slot and has players with great individual talent. In attack, the most effective player is Ekitike, who has scored three goals, while Gakpo, Chiesa, Salah, and Gravenberch each have two goals. On Wednesday, they will host Eintracht Frankfurt in the group stage of the Champions League.
Manchester Utd is currently in a fluctuating form, sitting in 10th place with 10 points earned so far, and they are looking to string together two wins in the league. After playing 7 matches, they have achieved 3 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses. In their last game, they defeated Sunderland at home with a score of 2-0.
Ruben Amorim needs to balance the attack and defense. So far, they have scored 9 goals but conceded 11. As an away team, they have played 3 matches, resulting in 1 draw and 2 losses. Sesko and Bruno Fernandes are the top scorers with 2 goals each.
Liverpool has more options to score and a better momentum. United will be looking for quick breaks and counterattacks. We give the home team the advantage to win, which would end their losing streak.
1 (Liverpool to Win)
Predicted CS: 3:1
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West Ham vs Brentford
West Ham, after playing 7 matches this season, has only managed to secure one win, one draw, and five losses. They are currently in second to last place, sitting at 19th with just 4 points earned so far. Their scoring is weak, with only 6 goals scored, and they have the worst defense in the league, having conceded 16 goals. They haven’t won in their last 4 matches, suffering 3 losses, and in the last round, they were defeated by Arsenal.
In attack, all plays go through Bowen Jarrod, who has scored 3 goals so far, while in midfield, Diouf has provided 3 assists. Nuno Espirito Santo has just taken over the job and will be looking for urgent defensive improvements.
Brentford also started the season in poor form and is currently in 16th place with 7 points earned so far. After 7 matches, they have achieved two wins, one draw, and have lost 4 times. They play efficient matches, having scored 9 goals, while conceding 12.
The team is led by Keith Andrews, and their attack relies on Igor Thiago, who has scored 4 goals so far, with several midfield players contributing one goal each. They just need to improve their defensive play, and the team will likely see much better results.
Both teams are at the bottom of the table, with West Ham having significant issues in defense.
3+ (Over 2.5)
Predicted CS: 1:3
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