Premier League 2026/27: Gameweek 5 Preview and Predictions
Before the three-week international break begins, Premier League teams will feature in Gameweek 5 of the 2026/27 season before their players leave for their respective national camps.
There are some entertaining fixtures lined up for the weekend, with the Bees welcoming Chelsea at the Gtech Community Stadium, the Cherries hosting Liverpool at the Vitality, the Seagulls facing off against the defending champions, and Fulham looking for their first win of the season against the Red Devils.
Here, we present our previews and predictions for all matches of Gameweek 5 of the 2026/27 Premier League season.
Brentford vs Chelsea
Brentford defeated Reading in their Carabao Cup fixture this midweek, while Chelsea’s last game was a 2–2 draw against Hull City at home.
Defensive issues are still troubling the Blues, even though they have looked dangerous in attack. Chelsea have now conceded nine goals in four league games, which is a particular source of worry for coach Xabi Alonso.
Injury-wise, Brentford have a few worries, with Nathan Collins, Sepp van den Berg, Antonio Milambo, and Joshua Dasilva sidelined and Mathias Jensen doubtful for this fixture. Chelsea, too, have a few injury problems, with Dastan Satpaev, Moisés Caicedo, and Emanuel Emegha out and Jordan Henderson and Marco Palestra doubtful for this game.
Brentford boast a strong home record. As for Chelsea, their attacking line is very dangerous and will look to score against the Bees, but they could find containing them and their physical, long-ball approach difficult. The hosts are also decent in set-piece situations as well. Difficult to call this one, but we feel it will be an end-to-end affair that’s likely to end in a draw.
Score Prediction: Brentford 2–2 Chelsea
Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa
Spurs are yet to win a game this season and have also exited the League Cup after a 3–1 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield in midweek. Aston Villa, meanwhile, haven’t done well in the league themselves, though they won their League Cup third-round fixture against Coventry City.
Injury-wise, Spurs have a fair few players out, with Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons, Mykhaylo Mudryk, and Wilson Odobert sidelined and Pedro Porro doubtful for this game. Villa, on the other hand, also have a few injury issues, with Amadou Onana, Leon Goretzka, and Brian Madjo unavailable and Matty Cash and Pau Torres doubtful for this game.
Both Spurs and Villa are yet to record a single win in the league, making this a massive game for both. Spurs, after investing a lot of money in new players over the summer, have been struggling to convert their chances despite creating a fair few of them. As for the Villans, they too have made signings, but they have lost key players as well.
Playing at home, this is a game Spurs need to win to get their confidence going, although Villa do have the players to hurt them. This is a tricky one to call, and another one that may end in a draw.
Score Prediction: Spurs 1–1 Aston Villa
Everton vs Ipswich Town
The Toffees come into this game still unbeaten in the league and having reached the fourth round of the League Cup after a narrow win over Wolves this midweek. As for the Tractor Boys, they aren’t doing great after winning their opening game. They were also thrashed by Arsenal in the League Cup this midweek.
Everton don’t have many injury problems barring Christian Nørgaard, who is out for this game, with Merlin Röhl doubtful. Ipswich Town, meanwhile, have Jack Taylor unavailable, with Azor Matusiwa and Emersonn doubtful for this game.
Everton and Ipswich have played only two games against each other, with Everton beating them away and drawing at home. Ipswich have already faced Man United and Liverpool in the league and Arsenal in the League Cup; having started the season with difficult games, it’s hard to gauge where they are, but they cannot be taken for granted. Everton have been solid at home, though, and should be able to win this encounter.
Score Prediction: Everton 2–1 Ipswich Town
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal
Both Brighton and Arsenal won their respective games last weekend and in the League Cup convincingly. The Seagulls came back from a 2–0 deficit at Old Trafford to upset Man United, while the Gunners handed Ipswich a 4–2 defeat at Portman Road. In the league, Arsenal are unbeaten so far and are sitting pretty at the top of the table, while Brighton, with the exception of a 4–3 defeat at Stamford Bridge, have been decent as well, having scored eight goals in their last two games.
The South Coast side have numerous injury issues though, which could cause a problem for them against Arsenal. Mats Wieffer, Jack Hinshelwood, Michael Svoboda, Evan Ferguson, Kaoru Mitoma, Stefanos Tzimas, Yankuba Minteh, and Zadok Yohanna are all unavailable for this fixture, with Georginio Rutter doubtful. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be without William Saliba and Ben White for this game, with Cristhian Mosquera also a doubt.
Arsenal definitely have the edge over Brighton as far as the head-to-head record is concerned, but travelling away to the Amex is never an easy proposition, as Brighton are an aggressive team and like to play on the front foot and dominate teams at home. However, they will be up against one of the best defensive units in Europe, and breaching them will be a tough task. We feel this is going to be a very scrappy game that ends in a narrow Arsenal win.
Score Prediction: Brighton 0–1 Arsenal
Newcastle United vs Hull City
Newcastle United suffered a damning defeat at Elland Road this week, while Hull came away with a valuable point from Stamford Bridge at the weekend. Newcastle lost 4–1 to Leeds, while Hull came back once to lead at Stamford Bridge but couldn’t hold on to it as Chelsea ensured parity to earn a point.
Both the Magpies and the Tigers have been weakened by injuries. Newcastle will be without Dan Burn, Joelinton, Anthony Elanga, and William Osula for this game, with Ewen Jaouen and Nico González doubtful. Hull City, meanwhile, have a long list of injuries too, with Charlie Hughes, Jack Butland, Nobel Mendy, Darko Gyabi, Eliot Matazo, Hidemasa Morita, and Ilyas Ansah on the sidelines and Paddy McNair doubtful for this game.
Hull have been a revelation so far and remain undefeated in the league. Backed by a solid defence, they have performed beyond expectations so far. However, a trip to St James’ Park isn’t going to be easy for them. Considering Newcastle are playing at home, they do have an edge in this encounter and may finally be able to return to winning ways while putting an end to the Tigers’ mauling.
Score Prediction: Newcastle 2–1 Hull City
Nottingham Forest vs Coventry City
Nottingham Forest come into this game on the back of a great away result against Aston Villa, while Coventry City were knocked out of the League Cup in midweek and arrive at the City Ground in search of their first points of the season.
Injuries have definitely troubled the Sky Blues, but they have been quite abysmal since their return to the Premier League, having lost all four league games so far. Forest were also knocked out of the League Cup, in the second round, but since then they have been unbeaten in their last three games.
Forest only have one player unavailable, with Nicolò Savona out until mid-October. In contrast, Coventry have been decimated due to key players being injured, with Haji Wright, Josh Eccles, Luke Woolfenden, and Kaine Kesler-Hayden unavailable, Ellis Simms doubtful, and Taiwo Awoniyi suspended.
Coventry City haven’t beaten Nottingham Forest at the City Ground since 2004; looking at their current form and injury problems, it seems like a difficult outing awaits them again. Forest have been playing well since their two straight losses to Leeds, and we believe they will win at home comfortably.
Score Prediction: Forest 2–0 Coventry City
Bournemouth vs Liverpool
Both the Cherries and the Reds come into this fixture having won their midweek games. While Liverpool defeated Spurs in the third round of the League Cup, Bournemouth had a successful trip to Spain for their Europa League opener against Real Sociedad.
Liverpool have been unbeaten so far, but they have dropped far too many points for their liking through draws, especially at home. As for the hosts, Bournemouth have dropped points late in games from winning positions and will want to rectify that by keeping their focus until the end.
Injury-wise, Bournemouth will be without Eli Junior Kroupi, Amine Adli, Julian Araujo, and Veljko Milosavljevic. Liverpool, meanwhile, will miss Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, and Federico Chiesa for this game.
Both Liverpool and Bournemouth have played in midweek, though the Cherries will have rested less on account of their trip to Spain. Liverpool have had really entertaining encounters with Bournemouth in recent times, but the hosts haven’t been on the side of many wins against their much-famed opponents. Andoni Iraola will want to go into the international break with a win over his old side, and given the vulnerability of Bournemouth’s defence, the visitors could walk away with three important points from this game.
Score Prediction: Bournemouth 1–2 Liverpool
Leeds United vs Crystal Palace
Leeds United crushed Newcastle United 4–1 at home last weekend, while Crystal Palace also returned to winning ways with an emphatic 4–0 win over Polish opponents Lech Poznan in their Europa League campaign opener.
Leeds United are still unbeaten in the league with two wins and two draws from their first four games, with striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin in a particularly rich vein of form. In contrast, Palace have only won one game and lost three.
The Whites will miss Joe Rodon and Mateo Joseph for this fixture, while the Eagles will be without Dean Henderson, Chadi Riad, and Jean-Philippe Mateta, with Axel Disasi suspended for this fixture.
Leeds have been very solid at Elland Road since last season. Moreover, Palace players will also be fatigued due to their midweek game, while the hosts had a week-long rest. Looking at the two teams’ form, we have a feeling that Leeds will get the better of Palace here and win comfortably.
Score Prediction: Leeds 3–1 Palace
Manchester City vs Sunderland
Manchester City produced a five-star performance in their League Cup tie against Norwich City this midweek, while Sunderland opened their Europa League campaign with a narrow win over Dutch opponents AZ Alkmaar at home.
The Cityzens have been unbeaten so far, winning all their four league games as well as their EFL Cup tie, while the Black Cats have a win, a draw, and two defeats in their opening four league games.
City don’t have many player concerns and will only miss Jérémy Doku due to injury for this game, while Phil Foden is suspended. Sunderland, meanwhile, will have Habib Diarra and Romaine Mundle on the sidelines, with Omar Alderete doubtful for this fixture.
Despite not looking at their dominant best yet, City have shown incredible fighting spirit so far to keep their winning momentum going. Sunderland, on the other hand, haven’t been great on the road, so for us City are the overwhelming favourites to win this game. With Erling Haaland back in form, the visitors’ defence will be severely tested.
Score Prediction: Man City 3–0 Sunderland
Fulham vs Manchester United
After their goalless draw against Liverpool last weekend, Fulham won their League Cup game against West Ham this midweek. As for their opponents, Man United have now suffered two straight defeats at home, one in the Manchester Derby in the league and the second to Brighton in the League Cup after going 2–0 ahead inside ten minutes. This is a massive game for both head coaches to get a move on after a poor start to the season.
Fulham will be without Tom Cairney for this one, with Ryan Sessegnon and Kenny Tete doubtful, while Man United have a few players out in Amad Diallo, Tom Heaton, Carlos Baleba, Manuel Ugarte, and Matthijs de Ligt, with Luke Shaw doubtful.
The Cottagers have just one point from four league games so far and have struggled massively for momentum. They have looked good in attack at times but have been vulnerable defensively and have leaked goals. As for United, they struggled to beat a ten-man Man City at the weekend and then completely collapsed from a 2–0 lead against Brighton; there are some serious issues that they need to fix both in offence and defence.
That said, Fulham have only beaten Man United just once in the league in recent years. We feel the visitors will make amends for the two straight losses and end up bagging all three points in this one.
Score Prediction: Fulham 1–2 Man United
