Manchester City's perfect start continued with a 3–0 win at Anfield last weekend, while Arsenal kept pace in second. Matchday 8 brings a fascinating spread: two unbeaten sides meet at Goodison, Liverpool need an immediate response at Brentford, and Monday night serves up a basement battle between Spurs and Coventry.
📅 Saturday 17 October
Everton vs Chelsea
Two sides level on 10 points and both still unbeaten in Everton's case — the Toffees ground out a 2–2 draw at Hull last weekend and remain very hard to beat at Goodison. Chelsea's season has been streaky, but they carry the bigger individual threat. This has draw written all over it, though one moment of quality could steal it.
Prediction: Everton 1–1 ChelseaBrentford vs Liverpool
Brentford are one of the division's surprise packages — unbeaten, organised, and ruthless on the counter. Liverpool, by contrast, were dismantled 3–0 by City at Anfield and badly need a response. The Bees' home record against rattled giants makes this the weekend's trickiest away trip for the visitors.
Prediction: Brentford 2–1 LiverpoolFulham vs Hull City
Fulham prop up the table and are running out of excuses, while Hull — newly promoted — keep defying expectations and held Everton 2–2 last time out. The Tigers' confidence is sky-high and Fulham's is fragile; an away win wouldn't shock anyone.
Prediction: Fulham 1–2 Hull CityManchester City vs Ipswich Town
Seven wins from seven after the Anfield statement, and now a home game against mid-table Ipswich. City have made a habit of turning these fixtures into processions. Ipswich's best hope is damage limitation and a set-piece — anything else would be the upset of the season.
Prediction: Man City 3–0 IpswichNewcastle United vs Aston Villa
Newcastle's game in hand keeps them in the top half despite an uneven start, and St James' Park remains a fortress on Saturday evenings. Villa have steadied after a poor opening but still look vulnerable away from home. Expect the hosts' intensity to tell in the second half.
Prediction: Newcastle 2–0 Aston Villa📅 Sunday 18 October
AFC Bournemouth vs Sunderland
A genuine relegation six-pointer. Bournemouth are winless and Sunderland only marginally better — neither can afford to lose this. Expect tension, few risks, and a game decided by a single mistake or a set-piece.
Prediction: Bournemouth 1–1 SunderlandBrighton & Hove Albion vs Crystal Palace
The M23 derby and arguably the tie of the round. Brighton sit third with the league's best goal difference (+13) and play the most thrilling football in the division. Palace, though, arrive buoyant after beating Forest 3–1 last weekend. Derbies defy form — but Brighton's attack should just have too much.
Prediction: Brighton 2–1 Crystal PalaceLeeds United vs Manchester United
The Roses rivalry returns with Leeds the form side — unbeaten in five and above United in the table. United's season continues to stutter and Elland Road will be ferocious. Leeds' discipline against United's individual quality: honours even feels right.
Prediction: Leeds 1–1 Man UnitedNottingham Forest vs Arsenal
Forest were well beaten 3–1 at Palace last weekend and now face the league's most ruthless machine. Arsenal have won five of six and smell blood. Unless Forest produce the defensive performance of their season, this is comfortable for the visitors.
Prediction: Nott'm Forest 0–2 Arsenal📅 Monday 19 October
Tottenham Hotspur vs Coventry City
Monday night under the lights with both clubs desperate — Spurs winless and sliding, Coventry propping up the newcomers' end of the table. The hosts simply have to win this; the pressure on them is enormous, but home advantage against the league's leakiest defences should be enough.
Prediction: Spurs 2–1 CoventryAll Matchday 8 predictions at a glance
| Fixture | Date | Our prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Everton vs Chelsea | Sat 17 Oct | 1–1 |
| Brentford vs Liverpool | Sat 17 Oct | 2–1 |
| Fulham vs Hull City | Sat 17 Oct | 1–2 |
| Man City vs Ipswich | Sat 17 Oct | 3–0 |
| Newcastle vs Aston Villa | Sat 17 Oct | 2–0 |
| Bournemouth vs Sunderland | Sun 18 Oct | 1–1 |
| Brighton vs Crystal Palace | Sun 18 Oct | 2–1 |
| Leeds vs Man United | Sun 18 Oct | 1–1 |
| Nott'm Forest vs Arsenal | Sun 18 Oct | 0–2 |
| Spurs vs Coventry | Mon 19 Oct | 2–1 |
Premier League table (after Matchday 6)
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Man City | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | +11 | 18 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | +5 | 15 |
| 3 | Brighton | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | +13 | 13 |
| 4 | Brentford | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | +6 | 10 |
| 5 | Everton | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | +3 | 10 |
| 6 | Chelsea | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | +2 | 10 |
| 7 | Leeds | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | +3 | 9 |
| 8 | Hull City | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 9 |
| 9 | Liverpool | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| 10 | Ipswich | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | −3 | 9 |
| 11 | Newcastle | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| 12 | Crystal Palace | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | −3 | 7 |
| 13 | Man United | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 14 | Nott'm Forest | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −3 | 5 |
| 15 | Aston Villa | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −5 | 5 |
| 16 | Sunderland | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −6 | 4 |
| 17 | Bournemouth | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | −6 | 3 |
| 18 | Spurs | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | −6 | 3 |
| 19 | Coventry | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | −9 | 3 |
| 20 | Fulham | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | −4 | 2 |
Frequently asked questions
When is Premier League Matchday 8?
Saturday 17 to Monday 19 October 2026 — five games Saturday, four Sunday, Spurs v Coventry on Monday night.
What time are the games in Pakistan?
PKT kick-offs: Sat 16:30, 19:00 (×3), 21:30; Sun 18:00 (×3), 20:30; Mon 00:00 (Tuesday).
Who are the favourites?
Man City (home to Ipswich) and Arsenal (away at Forest) are the strongest favourites; Brighton v Palace is the tie of the round.
Where can I watch legally in Europe?
Rights vary by country — Sky/TNT in the UK, DAZN/Canal+/Viaplay/Sky across mainland Europe. Check local listings; never use unlicensed streams.
🔗 See also
- Weekend Results Roundup (11 Oct) — all MD7 scores
- Bundesliga Matchday 6 Preview — Bayern v Leipzig headlines
- Football Hub — live scores, fixtures & tables
Fixture & table data: ESPN scoreboard APIs, checked 12 Oct 2026. Predictions are editorial opinion, not betting advice.