Premier League Predictions: Essential Football vs Football Muse

We’re back for another round of Premier League predictions – this time, we’ll be going cross-site to take on our good friends at Football Muse.

Last time out, we were defeated by Joey Peeps – oof, madone! Let me tell you a couple or three things – we certainly ain’t no Quasimodo.

With the North London derby and Manchester City taking on Newcastle United this weekend, who will come out on top this time around?

Aston Villa vs Leeds United

Essential Football: Aston Villa have hit a bit of speedbump in terms of their form. A win over a lacklustre Brighton outfit last time out did little to paper over the cracks.

Despite this, Leeds have struggled manfully on the road this season. Meanwhile, the Villans are very strong at home – but we feel that the Whites will have enough in their locker to snatch a draw.

EF Prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Leeds United

Football Muse: Two wins in six in the Premier League for Aston Villa, coupled with a disappointing FA Cup exit, have seen title talk disappear.

However, just two teams have taken more points at home than Unai Emery’s men this season. Leeds, meanwhile, are poor travellers with only 26% of their points won on the road. Villa should have enough to get over the line here.

FM Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Leeds United

Brentford vs Brighton

Essential Football: Somehow, Keith Andrews has managed to build upon and surpass the legacy of Thomas Frank at Brentford. He is doing a phenomenal job in charge of the Bees, as they currently sit seventh in the Premier League table.

Brighton, on the other hand, are spinning their wheels. Fabian Hurzeler’s inexperience has begun to show – it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to break down such a rugged outfit.

EF Prediction: Brentford 2-0 Brighton

Football Muse: Brentford head coach Keith Andrews really ought to be in Manager of the Season conversations.

Despite big name exits, Brentford are pushing for Europe. Brighton, in contrast, have become muddled under Fabian Hurzeler and lack identity.

FM Prediction: Brentford 3-1 Brighton

Chelsea vs Burnley

Essential Football: Chelsea have picked up since Liam Rosenior arrived at the club – Burnley, meanwhile, are still mired in a relegation fight.

While the Clarets were victorious last time out, the Blues will have far too much for them. They’ll put up a fight, but a Chelsea win seems inevitable.

EF Prediction: Chelsea 4-2 Burnley

Football Muse: Burnley breathed some life into their survival fight last time out, but remain up against it. Few will expect Scott Parker to get a result against his former team this weekend.

Chelsea have made a positive start under Liam Rosenior and we expect that to continue at Stamford Bridge.

FM Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Burnley

West Ham United vs Bournemouth

Essential Football: West Ham are enjoying a bouyant spell of form as of late, but so are Bournemouth – on paper, the Cherries have a much stronger squad.

Furthermore, the Hammers have struggled at the London Stadium this season. As such, a Cherries win seems like the most likely outcome.

EF Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Bournemouth

Football Muse: No team in the Premier League has won more points than Bournemouth across their last six games (14), a figure matched only by Manchester United. Andoni Iraola and the Cherries’ recruitment team deserve huge credit for combatting big losses and continuing to impress. Rayan, who arrived as Antoine Semenyo’s replacement, as hit the ground running on the South Coast.

Their opponents, West Ham, are scrapping for survival. Three wins in their last six have given the Hammers hope, as does a strong record in this fixture. West Ham are unbeaten in the last 10 meetings in all competitions. Five of the last six have been draws and we predict another stalemate here.

FM Prediction: West Ham 2-2 Bournemouth

Manchester City vs Newcastle United

Essential Football: Manchester City are enjoying a resurgence in form as of late, while Newcastle United have won just two of their last six Premier League outings. You can never write Eddie Howe’s men off, but the Sky Blues will probably have too much for them.

With Bruno Guimaraes being ruled out and their attacking players hitting the buffers, we’re expecting City to overwhelm the Toon in this one.

EF Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Newcastle United

Football Muse: Newcastle have earned impressive wins on the road at Tottenham and Aston Villa in league and cup of late, but their record at the Etihad is woeful.

Defeat at Manchester City in the Carabao Cup earlier this month means Newcastle have won once in 23 attempts at the venue. It’s been over a decade since their last win at City. Home win, once again.

FM Prediction: Manchester City 2-0 Newcastle

Crystal Palace vs Wolves

Essential Football: Crystal Palace are all at sea – a win over Brighton came as a breath of fresh air, but they were soon brought back down to earth after an ignominious defeat at home to Burnley.

Wolves, meanwhile, have been rooted to the bottom of the table all season. Don’t expect fireworks from this one.

EF Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-0 Wolves

Football Muse: Two struggling sides meet at Selhurst Park, as Crystal Palace welcome Wolves to South London. Palace have won one of their last 11 in the Premier League and blew a 2-0 lead to lose at home to Burnley last time out.

Wolves, meanwhile, are perhaps playing for pride only. A whopping 18 points from safety, they’re yet to eclipse Derby County’s infamous 11-point record. We fancy Palace to edge this, with Jorgen Strand Larsen on target against his old side.

FM Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-0 Wolves

Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool

Essential Football: This is a difficult game to predict, as Nottingham Forest have recently installed a new head coach in the wake of Sean Dyche’s sacking. Despite this, Vitor Pereira certainly didn’t move mountains during his time in charge of Wolves.

Forest are in a lot of trouble, with West Ham United breathing down their neck. Liverpool have led a disappointing campaign, but they ought to be far too strong for the Trees in this game. Forest might have beaten Liverpool earlier in the season, but we expect the Reds to gain a modicum of vengeance here.

EF Prediction: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Liverpool

Football Muse: A game of great importance for both teams, at opposite ends of the Premier League table.

Forest remain mired in the relegation dogfight, while Liverpool look to catch those above them in the Champions League chase. This will be hard-fought, but the visitor’s extra quality may see them through.

FM Prediction: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool

Sunderland vs Fulham

Essential Football: Neither Sunderland or Fulham are in strong form at the moment – Sunderland have lost their last two Premier League games, while Fulham have lost their last three.

Sunderland’s home form has been very strong this season, outside of their defeat against Liverpool last time out. An out-of-form Fulham are no Liverpool – we expect Sunderland grind out a win here.

EF Prediction: Sunderland 1-0 Fulham

Football Muse: Sunderland’s unbeaten home run is over, but trips to The Stadium of Light will not be relished by any side.

Not least Fulham, who’ve won just three times away from their Craven Cottage comforts this season. Marco Silva’s side are entirely unpredictable, with his one of the toughest games to call. Let’s go draw.

FM Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Fulham

Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal

Essential Football: Another hard game to predict – not only will Tottenham have their new manager bounce, they also have the home advantage. In a local derby, especially one as ferocious as the North London derby, this can be a major factor.

With that being said, Spurs have been truly abysmal in 2025/26. Arsenal might labour in this one, as their opponents will certainly be up for it, but the Gunners should have enough quality to win the day and complete the double over their bitter rivals.

EF Prediction: Tottenham 1-3 Arsenal

Football Muse: A massive North London Derby headlines the Premier League weekend, as Tottenham take on Arsenal. The latter’s lead in the title race could be down to just a point at kick-off, if Manchester City beat Newcastle on Saturday evening.

Can Arsenal hold their nerve? The Gunners have won only two of their last six, and this is the sort of fixture that makes champions. Spurs will hope the arrival of Igor Tudor can provide a much needed ‘new manager bounce’ after Thomas Frank’s failings this season. Arsenal, just.

FM Prediction: Tottenham 1-2 Arsenal

Everton vs Manchester United

Essential Football: David Moyes has done a magnificent job at Everton since his return to the club. He isn’t the only one, though – Michael Carrick is also putting forth a brilliant effort at Manchester United.

Everton’s rigid, counterattacking style of play won’t play into United’s hands – they would much rather play against a free-flowing, high pressing team. As such, a draw is the most likely outcome here.

EF Prediction: Everton 1-1 Manchester United

Football Muse: Everton’s brand-spanking new stadium is a serious sight to behold, but there hasn’t been too much to cheer for the Toffees this season. Four home wins is a poor return, with David Moyes’s men much better on their travels. Hill Dickinson capitulations to Spurs and Newcastle remain fresh in the memory, as Everton adapt to their new surroundings post-Goodison Park.

On Monday night, Manchester United arrive in town. Michael Carrick’s winning run ended at West Ham but the Red Devils remain unbeaten under the caretaker coach. With confidence on the up, the visitors can take another three points here.

FM Prediction: Everton 0-1 Manchester United

Previous results

Essential Football 5-15 Carlton Cole (only five games predicted)

Essential Football 15-15 ChatGPT

Essential Football 20-30 Danny Murphy

Essential Football 35-30 Jenn Harrison

Essential Football 20-25 Joey Peeps