Premier League predictions: Chelsea smash Spurs, Liverpool looking good

We pick out the winners and losers from Matchday 5 of the English top-flight

FRIDAY - Newcastle v Leeds (8pm kick-off UAE): A miserable start to the season for both clubs who have yet to earn a win between them. The vultures are already circling around Newcastle manager Steve Bruce after one point from four games, while Marcelo Bielsa has seen his team draw two and lose two. Prediction: Newcastle 2 Leeds 3. AFP

SATURDAY - Wolves v Brentford (3.30pm): Wolves ended their three-game losing streak last time out with a 2-0 win at Watford, while Brentford's unbeaten start came to an end after a narrow defeat at home to Brighton. More disappointment on the way for the Bees here. Prediction: Wolves 2 Brentford 0. Getty

Burnley v Arsenal (6pm): Much relief at the Emirates last week when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's goal sealed a win against Norwich and eased the pressure on manager Mikel Arteta ... for a little while anyway. Burnley have just one point in the bag and look in desperate trouble this season. Prediction: Burnley 1 Arsenal 2. Getty

Liverpool v Crystal Palace (6pm): Mixed emotions for the Reds last week - a 3-0 win at Leeds with Mohamed Salah reaching 100 Premier League goals, soured by a horror injury to midfielder Harvey Elliott. Palace were full value for their win over Spurs by the same scoreline but are heading back down to earth with bump at Anfield. Prediction: Liverpool 3 Palace 1. Reuters

Manchester City v Southampton (6pm): Following on from two 5-0 wins in a row, last week's 1-0 win at Leicester showed Pep Guardiola's team have the ability to fight their way to tight victories - as well as blowing teams away. Signs not looking good for the Saints who are set to come up against the ruthless version of City at the Etihad. Prediction: City 4 Southampton 0. Getty

Norwich v Watford (6pm): This already feels like a relegation six-pointer. Norwich have lost four games in a row, scoring one and conceding 11, while Watford have not secured a point since their opening-weekend win against Aston Villa. A frustrating draw for all concerned: Prediction: Norwich 1 Watford 1. Getty

Aston Villa v Everton (8.30pm): While they have benefitted from a kind start to the fixture list, Everton should still be delighted to be joint top of the table, with only the Manchester clubs having scored more goals. They face a Villa team in need of some consistency with four points from a possible 12 on the board. Prediction: Villa 1 Everton 2. Reuters

SUNDAY - Brighton v Leicester (5pm): What a start to the season Brighton are enjoying. Last week's win at Brentford was their third in four games and means they sit one point outside the top four. For Leicester, it's two wins and two defeats so far, but another three points in the bag here. Prediction: Brighton 1 Leicester 2. Getty

West Ham v Manchester United (6pm): Such was the inevitability of Cristiano Ronaldo's double on his Red Devils return last week at home to Newcastle, the only real surprise is that he didn't go on to complete his hat-trick. A good test for Ronaldo and United here at a West Ham side still unbeaten after four games. Prediction: West Ham 0 Man United 1. AFP

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on September 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh / Getty Images)

After four games of the new Premier League season and the top eight is already looking pretty much as predicted at the start of the campaign.

You did not need to be Nostradamus to foresee Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City sitting in the top six - although there is one, arguably two, surprise packages alongside them.

Certainly perennial strugglers Brighton sitting one point off the top spot is a shock and even Everton - whose summer signings have been out of the bargain bucket - being kept from leading the pack only by goal difference can be considered something of an eyebrow raiser.

Kicking-off this week's action on Friday, attentions turn to the other end of the table where winless duo Newcastle United and Leeds United face-off at St James' Park.

Wolves' home game with Brentford starts the proceedings on Saturday, followed by Burnley against Arsenal at Turf Moor and then Liverpool versus Crystal Palace on Merseyside.

Manchester City take on Southampton at the Etihad Stadium, Norwich travel to Watford and Aston Villa's clash with Everton in the Midlands occupying the day's late slot.

Sunday sees Brighton play host to Leicester City, West Ham United tackle Manchester United at the London Stadium and then, staying in the capital, Tottenham Hotspur against Chelsea in the game of the weekend.

You can see our predictions from this weekend's fixtures in the above gallery.