Friday Forecast: Lukaku v Van Dijk and a daunting task for Arsenal

The 2021/22 Premier League season continues this weekend. Enjoy it while it lasts because there’s an international break coming up.

Here are our predictions.

Game of the weekend 💪

Liverpool v Chelsea

What a game this promises to be.

Chelsea have made a perfect start to the new season and put down a marker with that statement victory at Arsenal.

But roared on by the vociferous Anfield crowd, Liverpool could well pick up that marker and lob it out of the stadium.

Romelu Lukaku vs Virgil van Dijk is just one of many battles that makes this game a must-watch. We cannot wait.

📊 Fun fact: Only Manchester United (12) have won more Premier League away games at Liverpool than Chelsea.

🔮 Our prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea

Potential upset 😨

Wolves v Manchester United

After making a blistering start to the season with that thrashing of Leeds, Manchester United were brought back to earth with a rather more humbling result at Southampton.

All signs still point to a promising season ahead for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men but they have a tricky assignment coming their way this weekend.

Wolves are yet to score a Premier League goal under Bruno Lage but that drought won’t last forever and a comprehensive EFL Cup victory at Nottingham Forest will have imbued them with confidence.

They’re an exciting team to watch again and Molineux will be right behind them this weekend.

📊 Fun fact: If they avoid defeat here, Manchester United will set a new record for longest unbeaten away run in English Football League history (28).

🔮 Our prediction: Wolves 2-1 Manchester United

Big favourites 👍

Manchester City v Arsenal

After defeats to Brentford and Chelsea, Arsenal need Saturday’s trip to face Manchester City like a hole in the head.

City looked like they were finding their groove in that 5-0 thrashing of Norwich and even without Harry Kane, the champions have an abundance of attacking talent.

The Gunners can certainly take heart from their rout of a youthful West Brom side in the EFL Cup but a trip to the Etihad is a different kettle of fish and it will be interesting to see whether Mikel Arteta’s side have the minerals for it.

📊 Fun fact: City have taken 28 of a possible 30 points against Arsenal under Pep Guardiola.

🔮 Our prediction: Manchester City 4-1 Arsenal

Too close to call 🤔

Brighton v Everton

There are some eye-catching fixtures in the Premier League this weekend but here’s a potentially excellent one that could slip under the radar.

We shouldn’t read too much into the first two games of the season but it’s looking like Graham Potter might have finally found a successful formula at Brighton and the Seagulls are currently perched nicely in the top four.

But the visit of Everton will be an interesting test of their credentials, with the Toffees having also made a decent start to the season under Rafael Benítez.

Catch this one if you can.

📊 Fun fact: Everton are winless in their last four away games against Brighton in all competitions.

🔮 Our prediction: Brighton 1-1 Everton

🔥 Your Fantasy Football captain should be …

Harry Kane (Tottenham)

And knowing him, you can bet he will score against Watford this season as he begins the process of repairing his fractured relationship with the Spurs fans.