Michael Owen: Premier League Matchday 8

Brighton’s loss to Tottenham on Sunday extended their winless run to 6 matches in all competitions. Yet to win a Premier League match this season, Burnley come into this having lost 6 of their last 7 league games.

Interestingly, Brighton haven’t recorded a victory at home to Burnley since they met at the Amex in the Championship back in 2013.

That said, out of the two sides, I have been more impressed with the Seagulls this season. Despite their poor run of form, I think they can take the points here with a narrow win.

Southampton host Newcastle on Friday night with both sides coming into the match off the back of two good results. The Saints dispatched Villa 4-3 whilst Newcastle beat Everton 2-1, so each side will fancy their chances here.

Goals have been at a premium on the road for the Magpies. Each of their last four away games have featured under 2.5 goals. The same can be said for the Saints on home soil. Other than a 5-2 defeat to Tottenham, each of Southampton’s home matches have had under 2.5 goals.

With only 2 points separating the sides in the Premier League table, and with similar habits in front of goal, I can see the most likely result here being a low-scoring draw.

Everton’s great start to the Premier League season has taken a couple of blows in recent weeks. It’s now 3 matches since Everton last tasted victory. Key absences in their starting XI have taken their toll, however, Lucas Digne returns from suspension here and there is hope that James Rodriguez will make the squad.

United are enduring a miserable spell. They have had little time to prepare for this having just returned home from an embarrassing away defeat in Istanbul.

Ole Gunnar Solkjaer will demand nothing more than 3 points here and needs a big performance from his players. It must be noted that United have won their last 6 away Premier League matches. That said, there’s not much between these two right now, and I think they pair both have to settle for a draw.

Crystal Palace have won just one of their last five matches and scored only once in their 3 home games this season. Despite looking excellent at times, Leeds have only won one of their last four Premier League matches.

Leeds talisman Patrick Bamford scored a hat-trick away at Villa two weeks ago, however, he spurned a few opportunities last week against Leicester. With both sides out of form, this could be tight. However, Leeds have bagged 7 goals in their 3 away Premier League matches so far this season and I think that may be the difference here. If Bamford can find his scoring boots, I fancy him to be amongst the goals in an away win.

Chelsea seem to have settled down after their shaky start. A lot of this is down to both Edouard Mendy and Thiago Silva having the desired effect at the back for Frank Lampard.

Unbeaten in 10 matches, they have won their last three and for the first time in a decade they have had five consecutive clean sheets.

Sheffield United are improving. Brave performances against Liverpool and Manchester City earned the Steel City side plaudits, but if the Blues are firing here, I can see them running out comfortable winners.

Fulham travel to the London Stadium having secured their first 3 points of the season against West Brom last weekend. However, the Cottagers away form leaves a lot to be desired having failed to win 21 of their last 22 away matches.

This fixture has a history of goals. Ten of the last 11 meetings between the sides at West Ham have featured over 2.5 goals. Given Fulham’s away woes coupled with West Ham’s more than decent run of form this season, I think the Hammers will come out on top with both sides scoring.

Spurs travel to the Hawthorns having won their last 3 Premier League matches on the road. The hosts are looking for a spark to reinvigorate their season having failed to win in their last 7 Premier League fixtures. Their lack of fire power is a huge concern. The Baggies have seen under 2.5 goals scored in their last 4 Premier League matches, and I think that could be their undoing here again.

With the likes of Son, Bale and Kane it’s hard not to see Tottenham coming away with all 3 points. I think they’ll do just that and make it four Premier League away wins in a row.

Both Leicester and Wolves have had excellent starts to their respective Premier League campaigns. The Foxes are sitting nicely in 2^nd place and come into this on the back of two fantastic away results.

I think this could be tight. Wolves have recorded under 2.5 goals in 14 of their last 17 games, so there is no doubt they will turn up to the King Power very well organised.

With only 2 points separating the sides in the Premier League table, there clearly isn’t much between the pair, so a draw could well be on the cards.

I can’t wait for this one! Last season’s top two do battle in what I expect to be an enthralling encounter at the Etihad.

Man City may be 10^th in the table, but they come into this having won 8 of their last 9 home Premier League matches.

With Liverpool losing Virgil van Dijk to injury and Manchester City still to address their issues at the back, I can see goals in this one. There have been over 2.5 goals in 9 of Liverpool’s last 10 league matches, and I can see that trend continuing here with both sides playing out a score draw.

Arsenal claimed an excellent victory at Old Trafford last week. Mikel Arteta set his stall out perfectly, and the Gunners will be hoping to carry that momentum into this one.

Despite mounting a late comeback, Villa suffered defeat against Southampton last week, making it back-to-back loses for Dean Smith’s side.

This will be another tough one for Villa, and I expect Arsenal to have their tails up. I fancy the good vibes to continue for the home side with a comfortable win against the Villains.