Due to a lack of police resources (and a train strike that is no longer going ahead), there are only seven Premier League fixtures this weekend.
To make matters more confusing, the postponement of Gameweek 7 means we head into Gameweek 8 with teams having only played six games!
And there’s two Friday night fixtures this week? Goodness gracious, it’s all gone topsy-turvy in the Premier League.
Here’s 90min’s predictions for the upcoming weekend.
Aston Villa vs Southampton
Sky Sports’ pick for Friday Night Football comes from Villa Park, where Aston Villa entertain Southampton.
Steven Gerrard’s men were controversially denied a stunning late win against Manchester City last time out, and the Villa boss is probably wary that he’ll now need a positive result against the Saints to keep his critics at bay over the international break.
While Gerrard is in trouble, Ralph Hasenhuttl looks rejuvenated in part due to some of the fresh blood in his young Southampton side. This might be a step too far for them, however.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Southampton
Nottingham Forest vs Fulham
Across the midlands, Nottingham Forest welcome Fulham to the City Ground in a battle of two sides promoted from the Championship.
Marco Silva bemoaned the Whites’ summer spending prior to the beginning of the season, but he has managed to get quite a tune out of his charges thus far.
The same can’t be said for Steve Cooper, who is still trying to figure out how to get 22 new signings reading from the same hymn sheet and has since been linked with the vacant Brighton job.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Fulham
Wolves vs Manchester City
Saturday’s early kick-off sees Wolves host champions Manchester City.
All eyes will be on whether Bruno Lage bites the bullet and throws new signing Diego Costa into the fold after completing his move to Molineux.
Wolves might need just about any form of s**thousery they can find in order to contain Erling Haaland, who has now scored 13 goals in just nine games for City. Expect him to add to that tally here.
Prediction: Wolves 0-2 Manchester City
Newcastle United vs Bournemouth
This weekend’s only 3pm match will see Eddie Howe take on former team Bournemouth with his Newcastle United side, who sit level in the standings on seven points.
While there remains plenty of optimism on Tyneside, it’s gone under the radar that the Magpies are without a league win since the opening day of the season.
Nevertheless, the Cherries and interim boss Gary O’Neill have a huge task on their…
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