GAMEWEEK 8: FORM MEETS FIREPOWER
Brighton take their red-hot form to Anfield, Foden looks to continue his resurgence, and Spurs finally find a win. Plus, our weekend predictions and three things to watch.
THIS WEEKEND FIXTURES All times ET / PT
MONDAY NIGHT SOCCER RECAP
Tottenham 3-1 Coventry
Tottenham finally got their first Premier League win of the season, beating Coventry 3–1 after a nervy second half. James Maddison marked his return to the starting lineup with a stunning opener, but Jack Rudoni equalized shortly after the break, leaving Spurs facing another frustrating night.
Omar Marmoush restored the lead with a superb strike before veteran defender Ben Davies wrapped up the win in stoppage time. The biggest cheer of the night came when Dejan Kulusevski finally returned from a long-term injury, giving Spurs fans another reason to celebrate.
BOT90 Prediction: Tottenham 2 - 1 Coventry
BOT90 Verdict: We were close, but Ben Davies had to go and ruin it in injury time. A much-needed win for Roberto De Zerbi, although Spurs still have plenty to prove. Coventry made them work for it, but Tottenham finally secured the three points they desperately needed, keeping De Zerbi's job safe, for now. With their attack struggling so far this season, the return of Maddison and Kulusevski could be crucial to getting Spurs back on track.
GAME OF THE WEEK
LIVERPOOL vs BRIGHTON
WHY THIS GAME:
Liverpool at Anfield is always a tough test, but Brighton arrive as one of the Premier League's most exciting teams. The Seagulls sit third with 16 points and have scored an incredible 23 goals in seven league games, including last weekend's 5-0 demolition of Crystal Palace. They're playing with confidence, creating chances from everywhere and showing they can hurt anyone.
Liverpool have their own momentum, though. They came back from two goals down to beat Villarreal 4-3 in the Champions League on Tuesday, after a 2-1 comeback win at Brentford. However, their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in their last home league game showed they can be vulnerable against dangerous attacking sides.
Both sides have plenty of firepower, making this a mouth-watering matchup. Brighton have been scoring for fun, while Liverpool have plenty of firepower of their own, with players also returning from injury. Both teams like to attack, move the ball quickly and create chances, so this has all the ingredients for an entertaining, high-scoring game.
KEY BATTLES TO WATCH:
Can Liverpool's defense cope with Brighton's attacking movement? Diego Gómez grabbed the headlines last weekend with his astonishing halfway-line goal. Meanwhile, Yasin Ayari and Charalampos Kostoulas have been dangerous up front, while Pascal Groß pulls the strings in midfield. With Brighton seemingly scoring for fun, Liverpool's back line will need to improve, as it has looked shaky at times this season.
Liverpool have attacking threats of their own. Alexander Isak scored the winner against Brentford after coming back from injury, Alexis Mac Allister netted twice against Villarreal, and teenager Rio Ngumoha produced two assists in that European comeback. Add Bradley Barcola and the fit-again Cody Gakpo, and Liverpool carry momentum into Sunday’s game, setting up a difficult test for Brighton's defense.
BOT90 PREDICTION:
Liverpool 2-2 Brighton
Brighton are playing some brilliant football and are our favorite team to watch this season. Still, Anfield is a difficult place to visit, especially with Liverpool coming off two consecutive comeback wins. We expect the hosts to create plenty of chances, but Brighton's confidence and attacking quality should be equal, and we think they will cancel each other out in an entertaining draw.
PLAYER TO WATCH
PHIL FODEN
WHY HIM:
Phil Foden is finally starting to look like his old self again. After nearly ten months without a goal, the Englishman scored against Ipswich last weekend, then produced a stunning hat-trick in Tuesday's 5–1 Champions League win over AEK Athens. That's four goals in two games and a timely reminder of the quality that made him the PFA Player of the Year in 2024.
Foden was also left out of England’s World Cup squad in May after an inconsistent season with Manchester City, having struggled to make an impact during the club’s final games before the squad announcement. Now, he's responding exactly as he'd hoped, determined to show he still belongs among the game's elite.
WATCH FOR:
Foden's movement between the lines, quick combinations, and ability to arrive late in the box make him incredibly difficult to track when he's confident and in form. His recent performances suggest he's regaining that sharpness under new manager Enzo Maresca, and with Manchester City facing Aston Villa this weekend, he'll have another chance to prove his revival is real.
City do have injury concerns, with Mateo Kovačić, Matheus Nunes and Nico O'Reilly all facing fitness assessments, while Antoine Semenyo is out with a knee injury. With a busy schedule and options potentially limited, Foden could be even more important to City's attack.
BOT90 SAYS:
Foden looks like a player with a point to prove. Missing the World Cup will have hurt, but his response over the last week has been emphatic. City have the talent to cope with injuries, but a confident Foden gives them another major weapon as they look to maintain their perfect league start.
Prediction: Foden to score once
3 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE KICKOFF
PLAYING TO KEEP THEIR JOBS?
Four managers, two games, and an awful lot riding on the results this weekend!
Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage is under serious pressure after Brighton humiliated his side 5–0. Newcastle's Matthias Jaissle is also under scrutiny after back-to-back defeats to Coventry and Aston Villa, with frustrated fans questioning his approach. Neither can afford another bad afternoon when they meet at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Michael Carrick's Manchester United have hit another low after Como thrashed them 4–1 in the Champions League. They welcome Bournemouth, whose manager, Marco Rose, finally secured his first league win last weekend before following it up with a 3–0 European win over AC Milan.
Four managers desperate for three points. Could we be seeing a managerial casualty before the month is out?
FROM MARBELLA TO STAMFORD BRIDGE — HAVE SPURS FINALLY TURNED A CORNER?
A week in the Marbella sunshine seems to have done Spurs some good! Roberto De Zerbi finally picked up his first league win against Coventry, with James Maddison scoring on his return and Dejan Kulusevski making his long-awaited comeback.
But now comes the real test — a trip across London to face bitter rivals Chelsea, who have won their last two league games. With Palmer, Rogers and João Pedro leading the attack, the Blues will fancy their chances, although goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is out injured.
And here’s a stat Spurs fans won’t enjoy: Tottenham have won just once in 34 Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge! Has De Zerbi finally found the answer, or will Chelsea bring Spurs crashing back down to earth?
CAN HULL FRUSTRATE ANOTHER PREMIER LEAGUE FAVORITE?
Hull were tipped to struggle after returning to the Premier League, but they've already beaten Manchester United and Coventry and taken points off Aston Villa, Chelsea and Everton. They sit ninth after seven games and remain unbeaten at home, with just two goals conceded at the MKM Stadium.
Brentford visit on Sunday looking to bounce back from their first league defeat, but they'll be without suspended midfielders Vitaly Janelt and Yehor Yarmoliuk. Hull's organization and home confidence could make this a tricky afternoon for the visitors.
The Tigers have already shown they can compete with established Premier League sides. Can they extend their unbeaten home run and pull off another surprise?
BOT90 BIG TAKE
Bournemouth will beat Manchester United at Old Trafford.
United are in crisis. A 4–1 defeat to Como extended their winless run to seven games in all competitions, and Michael Carrick is under serious pressure. United have just one league win this season and still haven't kept a Premier League clean sheet.
Bournemouth have been inconsistent in the league, but Marco Rose's side have found momentum with wins over Sunderland, Sturm Graz, and an impressive 3–0 European win over Italian giants AC Milan. Even more worrying for United, Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last five meetings with the Red Devils.
Old Trafford could be tense on Sunday, and we're backing the Cherries to pile on the misery and leave Carrick facing even more questions.
Manchester United 1–2 Bournemouth
GAMEWEEK 7 RECAP: AFC ATLANTIC
GAME POINTS:
72 POINTS
BOT90 LEAGUE POSITION:
1ST
OVERALL POINTS:
497 POINTS
BEST PERFORMANCE:
ERLING HAALAND
BIGGEST MISTAKE
NO MISTAKES FROM HANK
BOT90 VERDICT
WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE
THE FANTASY HURDLE
CAPTAIN PICK:
ERLING HAALAND
NEVER BET AGAINST THE GOAL MACHINE
AVOID LIST:
BRUNO FERNANDES
BIG OUTBURST. LITTLE OUTPUT.
SLEEPER PICK:
ENZO LE FEE
LOW OWNERSHIP HIGH POTENTIAL. SUNDERLAND
