Following a two-week hiatus for the first international break of the 2024-25 season, Premier League football graces our screens once again this weekend, which also means Gameweek four of Sports Mole's prediction competition.
This week, we will be pitting our wits against Jack Jones - the frontman of Welsh alternative band Trampolene - who is a Swansea City fan at heart but also holds a soft spot for newly-promoted Southampton.
Jones's second team are coincidentally first up this weekend, hosting none other than Manchester United in Saturday's lunchtime kickoff, which is followed by seven more fixtures throughout the day.
Liverpool and Manchester City will both endeavour to maintain their perfect starts to the new term at home to Nottingham Forest and Brentford respectively, before Chelsea's trip to Bournemouth closes a breathless day of action.
However, the weekend's headline fixture undoubtedly comes on Sunday afternoon, when Tottenham Hotspur host Arsenal in the latest edition of the North London derby, always a captivating and chaotic fixture.
Read on to find out how Jack Jones sees this weekend's Premier League fixtures going, in addition to seeing who won out of Sports Mole and electronic dance music (EDM) rising star Kyle Starkey in Gameweek three.
Southampton vs. Man Utd
Saturday, 12.30pmJack: Southampton 0-1 Man Utd
Sports Mole: Southampton 1-2 Man Utd
Both teams find themselves under pressure to turn their fortunes around at this early stage in the season following underwhelming starts, and they will back themselves to come away from this fixture with a positive result.
Three of the last four meetings between these two sides have ended as a draw, and another tight affair could be in store on Saturday, but we are backing Man United to come away with a slender victory on this occasion.
Brighton vs. Ipswich
Saturday, 3pmJack: Brighton 4-1 Ipswich
Sports Mole: Brighton 3-1 Ipswich
Both Brighton and Ipswich will attempt to play on the front foot and push forward at any given opportunity, so an entertaining contest could be on the cards on Saturday.
However, the Seagulls will be regarded as favourites in front of their own fans and should have few problems outscoring their opponents, even if they are without a few first-team players due to fitness issues.
Crystal Palace vs. Leicester
Saturday, 3pmJack: Crystal Palace 1-1 Leicester
Sports Mole: Crystal Palace 3-1 Leicester
Palace and Leicester cannot both concede first on Saturday afternoon, even though both sides have a propensity to fall behind, but neither goalkeeper should add another clean sheet to their tally in the capital.
Glasner's men put in a much-improved performance at Stamford Bridge two weekends ago, though, and with the hosts also reinforced by several new arrivals, we are backing the Eagles to soar to their first Premier League win of 2024-25.
Fulham vs. West Ham
Saturday, 3pmJack: Fulham 2-2 West Ham
Sports Mole: Fulham 2-2 West Ham
Fulham have been a strong outfit on home soil for some time and will fancy their chances of success against a West Ham side who they thrashed 5-0 in this exact fixture last season. The Hammers will be no pushovers this time around, though, and even if Fullkrug misses out, they still have a number of players who can cause the Cottagers problems in the final third.
Only two of the last 16 meetings between these two teams in all competitions have ended all square, but we can see the spoils being shared in this weekend's contest.
Liverpool vs. Nott'm Forest
Saturday, 3pmJack: Liverpool 1-1 Nott'm Forest
Sports Mole: Liverpool 2-0 Nott'm Forest
While it is still very early days in Slot's reign, it is difficult to highlight any weaknesses in this current Liverpool team, who should have no problems keeping low-scoring specialists Forest at bay.
The international break should not have disrupted the Reds' momentum too much, so we can only picture Slot's 100% record staying intact as Forest head home empty-handed.
Man City vs. Brentford
Saturday, 3pmJack: Man City 5-1 Brentford
Sports Mole: Man City 3-1 Brentford
Brentford could cause Man City one or two problems in the final third through Mbeumo and Wissa, but it is difficult tn back against Guardiola's men outscoring their opponents on this occasion.
Also taking into consideration their exceptional unbeaten home record, the league-leading Citizens have our vote to kick-start September with maximum points and continue their perfect start to the new season.
Aston Villa vs. Everton
Saturday, 5.30pmJack: Aston Villa 2-0 Everton
Sports Mole: Aston Villa 2-1 Everton
English football's most-played fixture will quite likely go Aston Villa's way once again, as Everton have been worryingly shaky at the back and can be vulnerable to pace.
Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and co can open up the visitors' defence and post Villa's third league win from four, before embarking on an exciting European campaign.
Bournemouth vs. Chelsea
Saturday, 8pmJack: Bournemouth 0-1 Chelsea
Sports Mole: Bournemouth 1-2 Chelsea
Chelsea playing away from home almost always means no clean sheet for the men in blue, who should not end their streak without a shut-out against a goal-happy Bournemouth crop, even if the two-week hiatus came at the worst time for Iraola's side.
In contrast, a fortnight's reset should have done the Blues the world of good, and we have faith in Maresca's wealth of attacking options to breach a youthful Cherries backline at least twice en route to victory.
Spurs vs. Arsenal
Sunday, 2pmJack: Spurs 1-0 Arsenal
Sports Mole: Spurs 2-1 Arsenal
Merino-Rice-Odegaard would have been the perfect Arsenal midfield for Sunday's blockbuster derby, but the Gunners now face being overrun in the engine room while also losing Odegaard's invaluable ingenuity in the final third.
Arteta's troops can still expose Spurs' frailties at the back, but we cannot see a way for the visitors to earn the derby bragging rights with their current selection crisis; North London should be lilywhite this weekend.
Wolves vs. Newcastle
Sunday, 4.30pmJack: Wolves 1-0 Newcastle
Sports Mole: Wolves 1-2 Newcastle
Each of the nine previous Premier League showdowns between Wolves and Newcastle at Molineux has seen both teams score, and we can see that streak stretching to 10 on Sunday, taking into account Wolves' lack of clean sheets and the Magpies facing the most shots in the Premier League so far this term (54).
The potential returns of Schar and Tonali will add a bit more backbone to the visitors' XI, though, and the irrepressible trio up front should do what they do best to fire Howe's side to a gritty victory.
Jack Jones Q&A
How did you come to support your club and what are your favourite memories from your time as a fan?
Jack: My old man lived in Southampton (but is from Wales), took to me see Southampton when I was just a toddler, so they are my Premier League team. However, I then started going to see the Swans and they stole my heart. Winning the EFL Cup in 2013 at Wembley is by far my greatest personal football memory - it was the perfect day out.
Who have been your favourite five players for your club?
Jack: Lee Trundle, Alan Tate, Michu, Angel Rangel, Francis Benali
What's going on for you as an artist at the moment?
Jack: I'm just about to go on an in-store tour and release my first solo record...come and see me and say hello :)
Jack Jones releases his self-titled solo album on September 20th. Stream single 'Peaches Out Of Reach' now.
You can follow Jack Jones on Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter).
2024-25 SEASON LEADERBOARD (ARTISTS)
Scores are calculated as one point for a correct result and five points for a correct scoreline.
1. Kyle Starkey (16pts | Gameweek 3)
2. Make Friends' Max Lewin (15pts | Gameweek 2)
3. Everyone Says Hi's Nick Hodgson (13pts | Gameweek 1)
2024-25 COMPETITION HISTORY
Gameweek 1: Everyone Says Hi's Nick Hodgson 13-14 Sports Mole
Gameweek 2: Make Friends' Max Lewin 15-4 Sports Mole
Gameweek 3: Kyle Starkey 16-13 Sports Mole
