GAMEWEEK 5: SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE
Winless giants search for answers, unbeaten runs face serious tests, and early-season pressure starts to build.
THIS WEEKEND FIXTURES All times ET / PT
MONDAY NIGHT SOCCER RECAP
Leeds United 4-1 Newcastle
Leeds produced one of the performances of the weekend, blowing Newcastle away at Elland Road. After a Lewis Miley own goal opened the scoring, Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored twice before half-time, while Noah Okafor added a fourth after the break. as Leeds raced into a 4-0 lead before Newcastle grabbed a late consolation.
Leeds’ intensity and pressing caused Newcastle problems throughout, and the result continued their excellent start to the season.
BOT90 Prediction: Leeds United 2-2 Newcastle
BOT90 Verdict: We predicted goals with our 2-2, but we certainly didn’t expect Leeds to get four of them. A huge performance at Elland Road and another sign that Leeds could be a real handful this season.
GAME OF THE WEEK
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs ASTON VILLA
WHY THIS GAME:
Tottenham and Aston Villa have both made poor starts to the season and find themselves near the bottom of the table after four games. Spurs have picked up just two points, while Villa have managed only one, with both teams struggling badly in front of goal.
Spurs spent heavily this summer as Roberto De Zerbi was given a huge budget to rebuild the squad. Villa's summer brought major changes of a different kind. After finishing fourth and winning the Europa League last season, they lost several key players and have been forced to rebuild without some of the quality that helped them succeed.
Now both teams are searching for a new identity, but neither has found it yet. With points hard to come by and the goals not flowing, the pressure is already starting to build.
ONE THING TO WATCH:
Spurs have looked much stronger defensively in their last two league games, keeping clean sheets against Nottingham Forest and Everton. The problem is at the other end, where they still haven't scored in the league this season.
Villa have managed just one goal in four games and are struggling to replace the attacking threat they lost over the summer, while the departure of Ezri Konsa has also left a sizable hole in their defense.
There is plenty riding on this one for both managers. De Zerbi needs his expensive rebuild to start delivering, while Emery needs to get Villa back on track.
BOT90 PREDICTION:
Tottenham 2-1 Aston Villa
This isn't our usual Game of the Week, and that's exactly why we've picked it. Two big clubs are struggling and desperate to turn their seasons around.
We think Spurs will have just enough at home to finally end their goal drought and edge a close contest.
PLAYER TO WATCH
MARTIN ØDEGAARD
WHY HIM:
Martin Ødegaard is making Arsenal tick this season.
The Arsenal captain looks like a different player this year, getting into more dangerous positions while still providing the creativity that makes the team work.
He has already scored four goals in five games in all competitions, including the winner against Napoli in the Champions League.
After a successful World Cup with Norway, where he captained them to their first-ever World Cup quarter-final, Ødegaard looks to have brought that confidence back to Arsenal.
WATCH FOR:
Ødegaard's ability to find space between Brighton's midfield and defense.
His vision, passing and movement can open up a defense, and if Arsenal's captain is given time on the ball, he can control the tempo and create opportunities for his teammates.
His passing and creativity could be especially important against Brighton. Ødegaard links Arsenal's midfield and attack, moving the ball into dangerous areas and keeping everything flowing.
The likes of Saka, Tzolis and Havertz often look to him for the pass that can unlock a defense, while Ødegaard himself remains a constant goal threat.
BOT90 SAYS:
Ødegaard has become one of the most important players in this Arsenal team.
If Arsenal are going to maintain their perfect start against a dangerous Brighton side, expect their captain to be right at the center of everything.
Prediction: Ødegaard to score as Arsenal win
3 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE KICKOFF
IRAOLA RETURNS TO BOURNEMOUTH
Andoni Iraola returns to the Vitality Stadium for the first time as Liverpool manager after spending three seasons in charge of Bournemouth. He faces his former club, which has drawn three of its opening four league games, while Liverpool have also drawn three of four in the Premier League.
Liverpool have plenty of attacking firepower, with Isak on three league goals, Gakpo adding a goal and three assists, and star signing Bradley Barcola looking to make an immediate impact.
Bournemouth beat Liverpool 3-2 at the Vitality last season. Can Marco Rose's new look side cause another upset, or will Iraola return to haunt his old club and get Liverpool's season back on track?
CAN HULL'S FAIRYTALE START CONTINUE?
Hull are still unbeaten after four games and have already taken points from Manchester United, Aston Villa and Chelsea. Now they face Newcastle at St James' Park, a completely different test of their ability to deal with pressure and a hostile away atmosphere. Newcastle have only one win from four, so this is also a chance for the Magpies to start turning their possession and attacking threat into results.
Can Hull continue their unbeaten start at one of the league's biggest stadiums, or will Newcastle bounce back after a disappointing loss?
ANOTHER GOAL FEST ON THE CARDS?
Leeds have been involved in some wild games lately. They scored three in a 6-3 Carabao Cup loss to Chelsea before putting four past Newcastle in their last Premier League game. Palace have also been part of some high-scoring matches, beating Fulham 3-2 before losing 3-2 to Ipswich.
Both teams have shown they can cause problems going forward, with plenty of attacking talent on both sides. Could we be in for another high-scoring game at Elland Road this weekend, or will their defenses cancel each other out?
BOT90 BIG TAKE
Fulham will hold Manchester United to a draw.
Fulham showed they can frustrate the big teams last weekend, holding Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at Anfield. Now they return home to face a Manchester United side that has struggled for consistency in the opening weeks.
United have just lost to Manchester City and suffered a midweek cup defeat to Brighton after throwing away a 2-0 lead. United will be desperate for a response, but Fulham have already shown they can make life difficult for stronger opponents.
We think Fulham will put up another fight at Craven Cottage, and United will once again struggle to find a way through, putting more pressure on Michael Carrick.
Fulham 1-1 Manchester United
GAME WEEK 4 RECAP: AFC ATLANTIC
GAME POINTS:
91 POINTS
BOT90 LEAGUE POSITION:
2ND
OVERALL POINTS:
292 POINTS
BEST PERFORMANCE:
PASCAL GROß - 18 POINTS
BIGGEST MISTAKE:
LEIF DAVIS LEFT ON THE BENCH
BOT90 VERDICT:
BACK UP TO 2ND - 18 POINTS BEHIND
THE FANTASY HURDLE
CAPTAIN PICK:
ERLING HAALAND
CITY’S BIGGEST GOAL THREAT, EXPECTING GOALS
AVOID LIST:
FLORIAN WIRTZ
BETTER VALUE EXISTS ELSEWHERE
SLEEPER PICK:
THIERNO BARRY
CREATING CHANCES - IPSWICH AT HOME
