Premier League GW4 predictions: Man United to suffer Manchester derby heartache, perfect Liverpool to march on

The Etihad Stadium will host the latest instalment of the Manchester derby, as Manchester City welcome Manchester United for a blockbuster Premier League affair on Sunday afternoon.

Domestic football returns following the September internationals, and gameweek four in the Premier League kicks off at the Emirates Stadium, with Arsenal hosting Nottingham Forest.

There are eight games in total on Saturday, including West Ham United's home fixture with Tottenham Hotspur, while the late start sees Brentford host Chelsea.

On Sunday, the reigning champions Liverpool will be aiming to make it four straight wins at the start of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign when they head to Burnley, before the Manchester derby brings the latest set of games in England's top flight to a close.

In the fourth set of fixtures, Sports Mole are facing off against rapper Piers James, who is an Arsenal fan.

Read on to discover Piers' and our predictions for gameweek four of the 2025-26 campaign, in addition to a look at how Katherine Parlour from indie rock band Picture Parlour performed in the third set of fixtures this season.

Arsenal vs. Nottingham Forest

Saturday, 12.30pm

Piers: Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Sports Mole: Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Only Sunderland have generated fewer Expected Goals from open play than Arsenal (1.54) in the current Premier League season, and the Gunners' normally trusty set-pieces also let them down when they paid a visit to Liverpool two weekends ago.

However, Forest's rearguard action over the past few months has left a lot to be desired, and even if the new manager bounce does take effect for the visitors, it should only earn them a consolation goal as Arsenal get back to winning ways.

Bournemouth vs. Brighton & Hove Albion

Saturday, 3pm

Piers: Bournemouth 1-2 Brighton

Sports Mole: Bournemouth 2-2 Brighton

At least three goals have been scored across the last four meetings between Bournemouth and Brighton, and another entertaining contest between two attack-minded teams could be on the cards this weekend.

The Seagulls have got the better of the Cherries more often than not in recent encounters, but we are backing Iraola’s side to come away with at least a point on this occasion.

Newcastle United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers

Saturday, 3pm

Piers: Newcastle 2-1 Wolves

Sports Mole: Newcastle 2-0 Wolves

Newcastle have flattered to deceive on the road, but they were brilliant in defeat against Liverpool with 10 men at home, and showing even a fraction of that performance here could be enough.

No team in the Premier League has looked as lethargic and uninspiring than Wolves so far, and Pereira needs a reaction fast before the gap to safety becomes substantial, even at this early stage.

Everton vs. Aston Villa

Saturday, 3pm

Piers: Everton 1-2 Aston Villa

Sports Mole: Everton 1-1 Aston Villa

Everton are the team in form at present, but Villa have got something over them, shown by the fact the hosts have won none of the previous 12 meetings.

Villa have too much quality in their ranks for their dismal run to continue much longer, and even though this will be a tough match to win, you fancy them to get off the mark in front of goal.

Crystal Palace vs. Sunderland

Saturday, 3pm

Piers: Crystal Palace 2-1 Sunderland

Sports Mole: Crystal Palace 2-0 Sunderland

Sunderland have shown that they are certainly no pushovers and are ready to complete in the top flight with an exciting new-look squad that has the potential to cause an upset at Selhurst Park this weekend.

The absence of Sarr and Wharton is a blow for Crystal Palace, but they still possess plenty of quality across the pitch and we are backing the home side to come out on top and extend their unbeaten start to the new campaign.

Fulham vs. Leeds United

Saturday, 3pm

Piers: Fulham 2-2 Leeds

Sports Mole: Fulham 2-1 Leeds

The last four Premier League encounters between Fulham and Leeds have produced 18 goals (4.5 per game), with both teams finding the net on each occasions, and another end-to-end contest could be in store this weekend.

Boosted by the arrival of three new players, Fulham will be considered as slight favourites on home soil against a newly-promoted team, though, and they may just have enough to edge past their West Yorkshire-based counterparts.

West Ham United vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Saturday, 5.30pm

Piers: West Ham 1-2 Tottenham

Sports Mole: West Ham 2-3 Tottenham

Whether West Ham can pick up where they left off before the international break remains to be seen, but Spurs were fortunate to only lose by one against Bournemouth, so Potter's men can no doubt hurt their derby foes in the final third.

However, a Tottenham side reinforced by some exciting new attacking options can bite back even harder to return to triumphant ways, in what ought to be a thrilling watch for the neutrals.

Brentford vs. Chelsea

Saturday, 8pm

Piers: Brentford 1-2 Chelsea

Sports Mole: Brentford 0-1 Chelsea

No team has taken fewer shots in the league than Brentford (24), and Chelsea are in fine form defensively, so the hosts could struggle to break down the visiting backline, but the Blues have not looked convincing either.

Both of Chelsea’s home matches this season saw them fortunate not to lose, but they were convincing winners at West Ham, and another three points could follow, albeit in less emphatic fashion.

Burnley vs. Liverpool

Sunday, 2pm

Piers: Burnley 0-3 Liverpool

Sports Mole: Burnley 0-4 Liverpool

The Clarets have already shipped three goals against Spurs and Man United, and Liverpool are a few classes above both sides, and with the addition of Isak in attack, the visitors could fill their boots here.

Burnley’s record against Liverpool is woeful, losing each of the last six here at Turf Moor, and there is little reason to suggest they will arrest that run this weekend.

Manchester City vs. Manchester United

Sunday, 4.30pm

Piers: Man City 3-1 Man United

Sports Mole: Man City 1-1 Man United

Man United are winless in their last six Premier League away games, but they have never shown fear away to City, no matter what form they bring into the fixture, and that could play a factor here.

City have looked utterly out-of-sorts so far, performing dismally against both Spurs and Brighton, and they have had some difficulties against United in recent times, so it is set to be a close encounter again.

Piers James Q&A

How did you come to support Arsenal and what are your favourite memories from your time as a fan?

Piers: My dad supported Arsenal from early, so by the time I was three I was already locked in as a Gooner. I did try to back Ipswich (my hometown) too, but with both clubs having their ups and downs, one had to go and Arsenal always had my heart.

Favourite memories? The fiery Arsenal–United clashes in the early 2000s when Patrick Vieira set the tone, Thierry Henry’s iconic return goal against Leeds, and more recently moments like Declan Rice burying that free-kick against Madrid. Those are the moments that remind you why you love the game.

Who have been your favourite five players for Arsenal?

Piers: Thierry Henry, Ian Wright with the gold tooth, Patrick Vieira, Dennis Bergkamp and of course starboy Bukayo Saka. All of them are ballers who brought flair, leadership, and that winning mentality to the club.

What's going on with you at the moment?

Piers: Right now I’m in the middle of rolling out my next chapter. I’ve just released my new track F.O.E (Form Of Expression). It's all about hunger, resilience, and carving your own lane, which for me is the same mentality you need in sport. Football and music connect on that level for me: it’s about belief, resilience, and carrying your crew with you.

‘F.O.E (Form Of Expression)’ by Piers James is available to stream now.

You can follow Piers James on Instagram.