All eyes will be on Manchester United when they go to Aston Villa on Sunday, but will the result decide the future of under-pressure manager Erik ten Hag?
“Which United will we see?” said BBC Sport’s football expert Chris Sutton. “Will it be the United who turned up against Tottenham? Because if they play as badly as that again, they will get a pasting.”
“In the past United have always pulled a performance out of the bag when Ten Hag has really needed it. It is critical for him that the same happens again this time.”
Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.
For week seven, he takes on Will Champion and Jonny Buckland from Coldplay, whose latest album, Moon Music, is out on Friday.
Do you agree with their forecasts? You can make your own predictions below.
The most popular scoreline selected for each game is used in the scoreboards and tables at the bottom of this page.
Will supports Southampton, while Jonny is a Tottenham fan.
“I don’t think I had much choice, I was born in Southampton with a family history of Saints supporting,” Will told BBC Sport. “The first game I remember watching, and having a programme for, was in 1982 when Kevin Keegan and Alan Ball were playing for us.
“Some friends of my parents had a flat on the top floor of a block of flats called Overdale Court that overlooked our old ground, The Dell, on Milton Road so we would go on a Saturday for the home games, buy a programme and go up to the balcony and watch.
“I had many happy days there, and used to go to into The Dell a lot as well, and then when we moved to St Mary’s in 2001, I managed to get a couple of season tickets for the Kingsland Road stand, so my dad and I go.
“We have a pair – he goes more than I do to be fair, I am normally travelling – so it has been a lifelong affliction, and you don’t get to choose it really.
“We have been narrowly avoiding or actively getting relegated for most of my life, but at least that has meant getting promoted too.
“When we went down and down again, into League One with the points deduction for administration, that was pretty grim – but then we had the joy of going up twice, in back-to-back seasons under Nigel Adkins, an amazing promotion specialist.
“So we have had some fun moments, but given where we are now I would take mid-table obscurity year in, year out.
“This season is 100% just about staying up and it would be lovely to do it sticking to Russell Martin’s approach, because we play some fantastic football, but at the moment we are still a bit brittle, and things can collapse very easily.”
Jonny has been following Tottenham’s fortunes for just as long as Will has been watching Saints, but his first experience of seeing them in action was very different.
“The first game I remember was the 1982 FA Cup final,” he said. “I wasn’t there, I was watching on TV, but everyone there was a Spurs fan, or at least that’s how it seemed, so I thought to myself: I must be a Spurs fan then.
“It just sort of happened, really. I don’t think any of my family really supported them even though we lived in north London at the time.
“Then, almost immediately, we moved to north Wales and I became the only Spurs fan in the whole region – everyone supported Liverpool, Manchester United or Everton.
“The first game I actually went to was at Old Trafford, in 1992. It was the last match with the Stretford End as it used to be, all standing, as a terrace – and it was also the last match that Gary Lineker played for Spurs, and in English football.
“I was in the Stretford End with my United-supporting friend. I was 14 and I had never experienced anything like that.
“We walked down the middle because I thought we’d go and get the best standing spot, and then a load of big blokes turned around and were like ‘what the heck are you doing here?’ … so we went to the corners instead.”
Chris Sutton, Will and Jonny were speaking to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.
Saturday, 5 October
Selhurst Park, 12:30 BST
It is always a balancing act for clubs in the Champions League and the Premier League, but especially so for Liverpool here, away from home and with the early kick-off.
For Arne Slot’s side it is just about getting a win, however they do it, going into the international break.
They got over the line against Bologna on Wednesday without being at their best and, while I expect this to be close, I do see them getting the job done against a Crystal Palace team who are in a bit of bother really.
Along with Wolves, Southampton, Leicester and Ipswich, the Eagles are one of five teams without a league win so far.
Oliver Glasner got some great results when he took charge last season but he has got to be careful – at this rate, Roy Hodgson will be back in charge by Christmas.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-2
Will: Jonny and I had a Euro 2024 prediction head-to-head, and I won – but only because I sussed out pretty early that a lot of international games end in a draw, so I predicted way more draws than he did. This time, we are pretty much aligned on our predictions, so we are going to take on Chris together.
Will and Jonny’s prediction: Palace have got so much ability going forward, but they are not scoring – they have only managed five goals in their first six games. Liverpool will be too strong. 0-2
Emirates Stadium, 15:00
Arsenal are so adaptable and know how to win any game, something you cannot say about Southampton at the moment.
I was a bit worried to see Saints boss Russell Martin call his players out publicly after their defeat by Bournemouth, because that never bodes well.
I have lots of admiration for Russell, who sticks to his principles about how he wants his team to play, but Arsenal are so streetwise and ruthless, this could turn into a tough afternoon for them.
The Gunners’ defence is so strong, they will keep a clean sheet – I am expecting everyone to go for a 3-0 Arsenal win here, the readers included!
Sutton’s prediction: 3-0
Jonny: Will thinks Arsenal are going to beat Southampton 3-0.
Will: You go with head or heart… and of course heart always wants to say we will win.
Jonny: As a Spurs fan, my heart agrees here by the way!
Will: Unfortunately, having seen Arsenal then unless we can learn how to defend corners very quickly, we are going to find this very tricky! They have the best defence in the league by a country mile and we are struggling to score so, as much as I would love to see us pull out an amazing victory, I expect it is going to be very different.
Jonny: Arsenal are a long-throw specialist from being Stoke in 2007!
Will and Jonny’s prediction: 3-0
Will’s favourite Southampton player: It is hard to look past Matthew Le Tissier.
Johnny: Ah, the number of times we watched his greatest goals tape!
Will: Yes! Matt Le Tissier Unbelievable, narrated by David Baddiel – it is a brilliant video – it was like he had his own Goal of the Season competition every year in that 1990s era, because there was always a Le Tiss one in there.
There are some other more obscure fans favourites that stand out for me too, like Marian Pahars for example, who really did a lot to ingratiate himself at the club, but it has to be Le Tiss.
We’ve had lots of fantastic young players down the years but the excitement this season has been all about young Tyler Dibling, who is phenomenal and looks every inch the part of the nonchalant wide player.
He gets compared to Jack Grealish, mostly because he has his socks around his ankles, but like Jack he has that ability to carry the ball, attract attention and keep the ball in tight spaces while beating players very easily. He is only 18 so he is probably going to be another player we will end up losing at some point, but I hope he has a great season because he looks wonderful.
Gtech Community Stadium, 15:00
Wolves are still bottom, with only one point so far, but they have actually been playing OK – including in last week’s defeat against Liverpool.
Eventually it will click for Gary O’Neil’s side, and maybe it will happen here, but I also think Brentford have been better than their recent results have suggested.
The Bees have scored in the first minute of their past three league games, so Wolves need to be prepared for a fast start.
Brentford did not go on to win any of those matches, but I have a feeling they will get over the line here, especially because they are at home.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
Jonny: Brentford were pretty good against Spurs, even though we beat them.
Will: Brentford are well-drilled, physical and they have players who can score at will. They will have too much for Wolves.
Will and Jonny’s prediction: 2-1
King Power Stadium, 15:00
Bournemouth are a good team, and they are showing it. I watched them against Liverpool a couple of weeks ago and, although they ended up being beaten 3-0, they carried a threat and have got a goal or two in them.
Evanilson is off the mark now too, after scoring against Southampton, and Antoine Semenyo is important for the Cherries too. I’m convinced they will do enough here to pinch a win.
Leicester boss Steve Cooper is coming under a bit of pressure, but that’s more because of his history at their rivals Nottingham Forest. Still, he needs a win… but I can’t see him getting one this weekend.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-2
Will: The goals have really dried up for Leicester compared to when they were in the Championship last season.
Jonny: This has got draw written all over it.
Will and Jonny’s prediction: 1-1
Etihad Stadium, 15:00
I’ve got Fulham wrong a few times this season by underestimating them… I am still not going to back them to get anything at Etihad Stadium though.
Manchester City were not quite at it against Newcastle last weekend, whether that was down to Rodri’s absence or not, and they will have to do better this time – which is what I am expecting to happen.
Fulham have got a nice balance to them, but can they keep City out? They lost this fixture 5-1 last season with Erling Haaland scoring a hat-trick and, while they might suffer less damage this time, I can still only see one outcome.
The big question for me is whether City keep a clean sheet. They have conceded in their past five league games, but based on the law of averages – so nothing scientific – I think that run will end here.
Sutton’s prediction: 3-0
Jonny: Fulham have been really good.
Will: They will score, but Haaland will score another three.
Will and Jonny’s prediction: 3-1
London Stadium, 15:00
This is hard. I don’t like to give credit to Ipswich if I can help it, but they have really impressed me.
At this moment in time, they are a better structured team than West Ham. They showed it with the way they finished their draw with Aston Villa last week, and the only downside from the way they have started the season is the fact they don’t have a win yet.
With the quality the Hammers have got, eventually it has to click for them, but it has not happened yet.
As much as I hate to predict an Ipswich defeat, I am going to stick my neck out and say the Hammers will get their act together this time.
Basically, I am backing them to produce a performance that they have not managed all season under Julen Lopetegui.
They have to really. There was so much made of him taking over from David Moyes, that he really needs a result – West Ham fans are not always the most patient bunch, and they are expecting more than they have seen so far.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-0
Will: Again, two more teams who don’t quite have the firepower.
Jonny: I expected more from West Ham.
Will and Jonny’s prediction: 1-1
Goodison Park, 17:30
I’ve got a big coin here and I am just tossing it up. That’s how hard it is to call this one.
Newcastle produced their best performance of the season against Manchester City last week, but can they back it up here? I am not convinced they will.
Everton will be buoyed after getting their first win, over Crystal Palace. Iliman Ndiaye looks sharp in attack and they have Jarrad Branthwaite back fit in defence, which I think is big.
I really don’t know what to expect, so I am going to sit firmly on the fence and go for a draw.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
Jonny: We both thought Newcastle would win, but I thought Everton might score.
Will: Let’s do it!
Will and Jonny’s prediction: 1-2
Sunday, 6 October
Villa Park, 14:00 BST
The worry for Aston Villa is injuries – Amadou Onana limped off against Bayern Munich on Wednesday and Leon Bailey had to be subbed after coming on.
I was at Villa Park for 5 Live and saw Bailey warming up on his own with a fitness coach before the game, so I suspect that was injury-related too, and I am also concerned about Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who was brilliant against Bayern, because it looked like he had a hamstring issue.
But the main problem here is that I am writing this before Manchester United play Porto in the Europa League and, if they lose that, I may revisit my prediction for Sunday.
If United are well beaten on Thursday, it could be the end for United boss Erik ten Hag if he also loses at Villa Park, especially if it is another bad defeat – the way you lose is important as well.
If they get an absolute battering here, forget Erik ten Hag because it will be more like Erik ten minutes.
I am not expecting that to happen, though. United are desperate for a result and I have a feeling they might get something here.
I just wonder if after all the emotion of Wednesday night, Aston Villa feel drained and find it hard to raise themselves again.
The atmosphere will definitely not be the same as it was, at 2pm on a Sunday, and that will help United – as well as any Villa absentees, because they are stretched.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
Jonny: Villa will definitely win this.
Will: They are playing really well. They are a great side, and look really cohesive. I always think Youri Tielemans is one of most underrated midfielders in the Premier League.
Will and Jonny’s prediction: 2-1
Stamford Bridge, 14:00
Chelsea are a lot easier to predict this season. I am not getting their scores right, but I am having much more joy with their results.
Being a former Chelsea player, I obviously have that connection with the current players, the same way I linked up so well with the Chelsea team I played for.
Unfortunately, I am not doing too well with Nottingham Forest this time. They drew me in, to make me believe they would get something against Fulham last week, and let me down badly.
I am not getting sucked in again. Cole Palmer, who will go down as ‘the one that Manchester City let get away’, is on fire at the moment, and it is as if he has got eyes in the back of his head.
I absolutely love watching him play because everything is so easy for him, and it feels like he is going to score every time he plays.
Forest will probably nick a goal, because I am not convinced with how Chelsea defend, but this is definitely a home win – I am sure of it.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
Jonny: Chelsea seem to be finding a bit of consistency but we are predicting against that!
Will: We are going for a rogue one, because we feel like Chris is going to go for a Chelsea win so we are going for a draw.
Jonny: Forest are hard to beat, and we think they can score too.
Will and Jonny’s prediction: 1-1
Amex Stadium, 16:30
I love watching Spurs and the same applies to Brighton at the moment.
This should be known as the high-line derby, with the way both teams set up. It will be a great game for the neutral and there should be plenty of chances at both ends.
Brighton lost for the first time under new manager Fabian Hurzeler last week, so this is about how they respond. Can they cause Tottenham problems? Absolutely.
For Tottenham, it is about showing consistency after they put in an outstanding performance to beat Manchester United.
James Maddison was so integral to what they did at Old Trafford, as were the Spurs centre-halves.
As I’ve said many times, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero have to be their best players because they get left exposed, but they can handle that.
As I said this on this week’s Monday Night Club on Radio 5 Live, while everyone talks about the quality of Arsenal’s centre-halves, they always have the full-backs next to them. It is very different for the Spurs duo, because they leave the door open by playing the way they do.
So I am expecting goals, but I actually think Brighton will get something out of the game.
I have always felt that Spurs will soon give someone one hell of a beating sooner or later, but they are going to have to wait until after the international break because it is not happening here.
Sutton’s prediction: 3-3
Will: Brighton are a good side, playing good football, so it is going to be close.
Jonny: Will said this would be 2-2 but I made him change it to 2-3, just because I felt so positive after the Brentford and United games. Under Ange Postecoglou, I go into every game thinking we are going to try to win this, there is no pragmatism really. Whoever it is, however many men we have got on the pitch, we are going to go for it. It is always exciting to watch.
Will and Jonny’s prediction: 2-3
Jonny’s favourite Tottenham players: We’ve had some amazing midfielders, from Glenn Hoddle and Ossie Ardiles to Paul Gascoigne and, more recently, Luka Modric, but I was a defender myself so I always liked our centre-backs.
Richard Gough, I thought was amazing, and then I loved Ledley King and ‘the other guy’, the one who moved. While he was with us, I thought he was amazing. We are not known for our defence but we have had some great defenders.
Now? Well I love Brennan Johnson and the way he has come through the criticism he was getting from fans. His goal against Brentford a couple of weeks ago was unbelievable. He’s been brilliant plus, having the Welsh connection myself, it’s always great to have Welsh players at Spurs.
How did Sutton do last week?
It’s not quite his first win, but Chris Sutton is on the scoreboard at last.
He got four correct results from the 10 games in week six, including one exact score, giving him a total of 70 points.
That was enough for him to tie for victory with his guest, Maximo Park frontman Paul Smith, who also got four correct results with one exact score.
For once, you lot were off the pace. You got five correct results, but with no exact scores, for a total of 50 points.
