Premier League Round 8 Predictions!

My Premier League predictor form has been gradually improving of late as in Round 7 I managed 7/10 correct picks - one more than I achieved in Round 6. The fact that there are some very close fixtures coming up this weekend means I'd be delighted if I could match yet alone beat that score in this upcoming round, especially as we all know there's usually a shock or two in each and every round of this league.

I was annoyed to miss out on the win point that 52% of Superbru players picked up thanks to Leicester's win over Newcastle as I really thought the Magpies would finally get something there. I'm now left with another huge dilemma concerning them and the increasingly unpredictable Manchester United as they face one another at Old Trafford on Saturday!

Here are the Round 8 Premier League fixtures. Remember, just by entering picks for each of these games you'll be in with chance of winning a prize thanks to the Superbru Exact Score Challenge. We had yet another winner last week meaning the record of a prize winner in every single PL round so far this season has been maintained.

Brighton vs. West Ham

This fixture takes place this evening so make sure you aren't caught out by the early round start and you get a prediction in! West Ham are absolutely flying now that they've recovered from their dreadful start and they go to the Amex with every chance of winning. Brighton have only won once this season (vs. Man Utd back in August) and have conceded twice in each of their three home games so I do worry for them given the Hammers' form. With a Premier League title winner in Manuel Pellegrini managing West Ham it's fair to assume this turnaround isn't just luck and I think they can win again tonight. Prediction: Brighton 1-2 West Ham

Burnley vs. Huddersfield

I get nervous predicting against teams on a run as terrible as the one Huddersfield are currently enduring because they have to win at some point but you have to go with Burnley here. I was wrong to doubt the Clarets last week as they defeated another struggling side (Cardiff) away and if they can win there then they can surely win a game of similar difficulty at Turf Moor. Huddersfield are struggling for goals and Burnley aren't a side that tend to gift them away. Prediction: Burnley 1-0 Huddersfield

Crystal Palace vs. Wolves

Wolves are now unbeaten in 5 games and will go level with Arsenal (at least momentarily) if they win this. I'm usually very hesitant to go against Palace at home but they haven't even managed a goal when playing at Selhurst Park so far this season and the consistent football and playing style Wolves have shown means they have every chance of another win. It's always a possibility that Zaha shows up and wins a game for Palace but I think a Wolves win is more likely. Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Wolves

Leicester vs. Everton

Fair play to Leicester. They've picked up two important wins in the last couple of weeks to get themselves up to eighth and I'm not sure they'll be beaten on Saturday either despite Everton coming into this off the back of a 3-0 home win over Fulham. The Toffees haven't won away yet and the King Power isn't an easy place to go. I see this as being Leicester's first draw of the league season. Prediction: Leicester 1-1 Everton

Tottenham vs. Cardiff

After two solid enough away wins I can't see anything other than a Spurs win here to take them into the international break with some positivity despite getting taught a lesson by Barcelona in midweek. It's really hard to see where Cardiff's points are going to come from after they lost against Burnley last week and when you look at their next five or six fixtures you think they simply have to beat Fulham at home in Round 9. Warnock will probably make this a tough first half for Tottenham but the Bluebirds' squad will start to lose motivation if they don't find a win soon. Prediction: Tottenham 2-0 Cardiff

Watford vs. Bournemouth

Bournemouth were lucky to grab the win they did against Palace given that silly penalty Sakho gave away but they now find themselves level on points with Watford going into this game. Each of these teams are far better at home than they are away so it's Watford I'm picking especially since they've impressed in virtually every game they've played so far this season. Javi Gracia seems to have set a really good vibe at Vicarage Road and I'm not sure the last three games have harmed the Hornets' momentum all that much. Prediction: Watford 3-1 Bournemouth

Manchester United vs. Newcastle

Given the current situation, Manchester United are very fortunate to be playing against Newcastle this weekend. If Jose Mourinho could have picked any team to play against this Saturday I'm fairly sure this is who he'd have chosen. United are in a real mess and I think they're in trouble for the next few seasons whether they sack Mourinho or not but the lack of a strong replacement is what will probably delay a departure any time soon. That said, if they lose this game it really is difficult to see him continuing as Newcastle have been woeful and the international break would provide the club with some time to sort things out. I see Man Utd picking up a far from convincing win that gives Mourinho a couple of weeks to prepare for some tough fixtures against Chelsea and Juventus. Prediction: Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle

Fulham vs. Arsenal

Fulham just aren't good enough at the back to be pickable against the Premier League's stronger teams. They're playing Arsenal at a good time as the Gunners have been were away in Azerbaijan yesterday but Emery rested his main attacking players and they should have enough to edge this one. The new manager has got Arsenal picking up points and they're winning games without performing especially well which I expect will also be the case on Sunday. Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Arsenal

Southampton vs. Chelsea

I don't see myself picking Southampton very much at all this season and Chelsea will arrive in fairly good shape after a strong performance against Liverpool and a home Europa League win that is naturally less tiresome than an away fixture. The Blues will have a lot of the ball and take control from the start of this one so I think Southampton's best hope is a 0-0 draw similar to the one West Ham managed. Chelsea should have enough to break them down though. Prediction: Southampton 0-2 Chelsea

Liverpool vs. Manchester City

A third huge game for Liverpool in the space of a week but I've gone from being confident this is the one they're most likely to win to feeling as though they may struggle. There's no question that the Reds are a strong side that will be up there come the end of the season but the fact their front three are never going to be able to repeat the kind of form they showed last season means they aren't as likely to defeat City in the way they did three times in that 2017/18 campaign. Mo Salah is of course the player with the highest expectations following last season and the Egyptian has been wasteful with some quite poor attempts in recent weeks. Unless Salah has a sudden change of form in this game, I don't see City losing.

Whilst Liverpool put in a poor display as they lost against Napoli in the Champions League, City showed great composure and quality to win after going behind against Hoffenheim (admittedly a weaker side than Napoli). Klopp's team appear to be better than all others at shaking Guardiola's side but I feel City should be well prepared for this match and can get a draw which would be a fantastic result. Prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City