Premier League actions returns after the international break with Gameweek 8, which has in store a mouth-watering contest between iconic rivals, some bottom-of-the-table struggles, and interesting mid-table clashes, thus promising to be a treat for fans of English topflight football.
Here, we present our preview and predictions for all matches of Gameweek 8 of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Nottingham Forest haven’t earned a single win from their last five games and have three consecutive losses coming into this fixture, while Chelsea have three wins from their last five games.
Forest lost their last league game against Newcastle United, while the injury-hit Blues got the better of the defending champions and won the game in a stoppage-time thriller.
Chelsea have a lot of availability concerns, with Liam Delap, Cole Palmer, Reece James, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, and Enzo Fernández all doubtful for this game. In addition, head coach Enzo Maresca has been suspended from the touchline for this game. As for Forest, they have Ola Aina out for this fixture, while it will be touch and go for both Douglas Luiz and Oleksandr Zinchenko ahead of kick-off.
Looking at the form and quality of the two sides, Chelsea remain the superior side despite their defensive and personnel woes. The head-to-head record also doesn’t favour the Tricky Trees, making Chelsea our favourites for all three points here.
Score prediction: Nottingham Forest 1–2 Chelsea
Sunderland have made a great start to life back in the top flight. The Wearside team have been a surprise package so far, and barring the last game that they lost to Manchester United, they’ve gotten decent results. Wolves, on the other hand, had an abysmal start to the season but have put a stop to their losing streak and haven’t lost in their last three games.
The Black Cats have been decimated by injuries, with Habib Diarra, Leo Hjelde, Dennis Cirkin, Aji Alese, and Romaine Mundle all unavailable for this game, while fullback Reinildo Mandava will be serving the final game of a three-match suspension. Over the international break, Omar Alderete and Noah Sadiki picked up muscle and ankle problems, respectively, though Régis Le Bris has confirmed that a late call will be made regarding the duo.
As for Wolves, Matt Doherty recently underwent surgery on his wrist and will remain in the treatment room alongside Leon Chiwome (knee), though defender Toti Gomes could be ready to return after suffering from a bout of flu.
Sunderland are proving to be a tough cookie to crack at home and come into this encounter having the upper hand. Though Wolves have tightened up at the back and started to get some momentum, Sunderland will be raring to go after defeat in the last round. This could be a tight affair, but our money is on the hosts to grab all three points.
Score prediction: Sunderland 2–1 Wolves
Since their promotion to the top flight, Burnley have been given a harsh reality check. Having lost four out of their last five games, it’s business as usual for the Clarets in terms of their Premier League performances in recent seasons. Leeds, on the other hand, are in a better state with two losses, a win, and two draws in their last five fixtures, having even nicked a point against in-form sides like Bournemouth and Newcastle.
As far as injury issues are concerned, Burnley have Connor Roberts, Jordan Beyer, and Zeki Amdouni on the sidelines. Manager Scott Parker has also confirmed that Lyle Foster sustained only a dead leg on international duty and could feature against Leeds, while there’s hope that Jaidon Anthony will also be fit in time after suffering a hit to his quad against Aston Villa.
Leeds, meanwhile, will be without Willy Gnonto and Harry Gray, both of whom are ruled out through injury, whereas Noah Okafor also remains doubtful. Dan James and Lucas Perri have a chance of featuring in the matchday squad after recovering from ankle and muscle issues, respectively.
Looking at their current form, Leeds should be winning this game. Burnley, however, will play a defensive low block and make it difficult for them to score. Given both sides have plenty of experience of playing each other in the Championship and the Premier League in recent years, this could end in a cagey draw.
Score prediction: Burnley 1–1 Leeds United
While Palace have improved leaps and bounds under Oliver Glasner and become a really difficult team to beat, Bournemouth have been one of the most entertaining sides to watch under Andoni Iraola. Both teams are dangerous on transitions, with pacy wingers offering width on the flanks, but Palace boast a better defensive structure than the Cherries, which could prove to be decisive in this game.
Palace’s 19-game unbeaten streak came to an end last Gameweek when they lost to Everton, while the Cherries beat Fulham in their most recent PL fixture thanks to Antoine Semenyo’s lethal form.
With Yeremy Pino and Pape Sarr both shaking off concerns to return for the Everton fixture, Palace should only be missing Cheick Doucouré, Caleb Kporha, and Chadi Riad for Bournemouth’s visit. Bournemouth, on the other hand, have their players returning from the international break in relatively good shape, and Iraola may have the long-serving Adam Smith back from a thigh injury in time for the weekend, while Enes Ünal should not be too far away from a return either.
Having let go of almost their entire back line in the summer, Bournemouth have a new-look defence that is still trying to gel together, while Palace are very solid at the back. This is a tough one to call, as both sides are very competitive. Even their head-to-head record is very even, which makes it even harder for any other outcome to be more likely here than an entertaining draw.
Score prediction: Crystal Palace 1–1 Bournemouth
This is an interesting match-up between two very contrasting playing styles. While Brighton play a very attacking game, Newcastle prefer a more physical one and try to outmuscle their opponents. The Magpies are very dangerous from set pieces as well.
Both teams have been in decent form, losing only one game out of their last five. However, Newcastle’s defence has been looking solid and they’ve not conceded many goals, while Brighton have been conceding a goal almost every game, which is definitely a problem for Fabian Hürzeler.
As for injuries, both teams have players out for a long duration. Adam Webster, Solly March, and Jack Hinshelwood are unavailable for the Seagulls, while Kaoru Mitoma, Joël Veltman, Brajan Gruda, and Diego Gómez will be assessed ahead of kick-off. As for Newcastle, Yoane Wissa, Tino Livramento, and Lewis Hall all remain sidelined with injuries, while midfielders Jacob Ramsey and Lewis Miley are also doubtful.
Going by current form and their recent head-to-head encounters, even though Brighton can concede a goal or two, they are capable of outscoring Newcastle. Moreover, the Magpies haven’t beaten Brighton away from home in a while, making Brighton our pick for all three points here.
Score prediction: Brighton 2–1 Newcastle
A great advantage for City here is that the in-form Jack Grealish can’t play against his parent club, while Erling Haaland’s current form could also cause massive headaches for Everton manager David Moyes.
Both teams won their last respective league fixtures, with City beating Brentford away and Everton leaving it late to secure a comeback win against Crystal Palace.
Man City will hope to have Omar Marmoush, Rayan Aït-Nouri, and Abdukodir Khusanov back in the matchday squad after spells out through injury, while Rodri remains a major doubt due to a hamstring problem sustained during the win at Brentford a fortnight ago. As for Everton, Grealish is ineligible to play in this game, while Michael Keane, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Merlin Röhl will be assessed ahead of kick-off.
The Toffees will likely sit back and try to hit City on the counter, but giving City the majority of possession usually doesn’t work in the opposition’s favour, so if they want to get anything from this game, Everton will need to be on the front foot as well, for City do have vulnerabilities in defence and can concede goals if put under pressure. That said, City’s forward line has been in great form and should be able to outscore the Toffees to grab all three points here.
Score prediction: Man City 3–1 Everton
Marco Silva’s side haven’t been able to find the consistency from last season. Having lost their last two games and struggling for form, this isn’t really an encounter the Cottagers would want after the international break. Arsenal have four wins and a draw from their last five games and are looking imperious. True to form, Mikel Arteta’s back line is proving very difficult to break down; with a depleted forward line, the task has just become even more arduous for Fulham.
On the injury front, Fulham have Kenny Tete, Raúl Jiménez, Rodrigo Muniz, and Saša Lukic out with injuries, while Arsenal have Martin Ødegaard out short term, with Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, and Gabriel Jesus being the long-term absentees.
While Fulham shared a point with Arsenal at home last season, the two teams seem miles apart right now. Considering Fulham’s current form and Arsenal looking unbeatable, this should be a comfortable win for the latter.
Score prediction: Fulham 0–2 Arsenal
Villa have found form, having won their last four games after an underwhelming start to the campaign. Spurs, meanwhile, are impressing under Thomas Frank and sit third in the table, though they have dropped points through two draws and a defeat in their last five fixtures.
Both teams have major issues in terms of injuries and player availability. Spurs are without Dejan Kulusevski, Dominic Solanke, James Maddison, and Radu Dragusin for the long term. Joining them on the sidelines is Yves Bissouma, who was stretchered off during Mali’s World Cup qualifying win over Madagascar, while Ben Davies sustained what appeared to be a muscular injury while representing Wales.
On Villa’s end, Ollie Watkins was handed a scare when he withdrew from the England squad with a knee issue, though there’s hope he could be cleared for this fixture. Tyrone Mings, Andrés García, and Emi Buendía may also be passed fit for the trip, though Youri Tielemans’s calf problem will take a few more weeks.
Looking at the form of the two teams, Villa appear more likely to get a result here. That said, Spurs’ home advantage cannot be discounted, and they do have dangerous players up front who can trouble the Villa defence. Considering both teams like to play attacking football, this could end an entertaining draw.
Score prediction: Spurs 1–1 Aston Villa
This one is surely the game of the weekend — an iconic rivalry dating back decades, with both sets of fans having witnessed many entertaining encounters between the two sides.
Liverpool have had a mini-slump in form of late, losing three games in a row across all competitions. With many new faces in the team, it’s never easy to get going instantly, but head coach Arne Slot needs to bring some control to the ongoing chaos, especially in the back line.
As for United, their form has been topsy-turvy as well, though they went into the international break with a win — unlike Liverpool, who lost to Chelsea. The Red Devils have also made major changes to their squad and boast a new-look front line. However, Ruben Amorim has issues of his own — mostly in midfield, where United are getting bypassed far too easily.
On the injury front, Liverpool have Alisson Becker out for a significant period of time, while the likes of Ibrahima Konaté, Federico Chiesa, Ryan Gravenberch, and Wataru Endo will all be in contention for this game after facing injury scares. Young defender Giovanni Leoni recently had an ACL surgery and will be out for a significant amount of time. United, meanwhile, have Lisandro Martínez and Noussair Mazraoui doubtful for this game, while young centre-back Ayden Heaven suffered an injury while representing the England U20s during the international break and is a major doubt for the game.
Even though they are going through a poor run of form, beating Liverpool at Anfield is a tough proposition. After a break, the Reds should get back to winning ways with a win here. Moreover, United’s away record hasn’t been great this season, and even though Liverpool can concede goals, it’s likely United will concede more.
Score prediction: Liverpool 2–1 Man United
Languishing in the bottom two, West Ham have sacked head coach Graham Potter and are in real danger of relegation this season, unless new boss Nuno Espírito Santo starts producing favourable results soon.
As for Brentford, they were depleted in the summer transfer window with many crucial players leaving. Even though they have performed better than West Ham, the Bees need to find their sting and string up some consistent performances.
On the personnel front, West Ham have George Earthy doubtful for this game and will likely be without Niclas Füllkrug, who suffered a muscle injury while representing Germany. Brentford, meanwhile, are without Gustavo Gomes, Edmond-Paris Maghoma, and Yehor Yarmolyuk and could also be missing Aaron Hickey and Antoni Milambo after the pair suffered injuries while on international duty.
Both teams need a win here. Playing at home, the relegation-threatened Hammers will be more desperate for the three points. However, Brentford do have a better head-to-head record in recent years and are likely to nick a win. It will take some time before Espírito Santo makes the West Ham defence reliable.
Score prediction: West Ham 0–1 Brentford
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