Gameweek six of the 2024-25 Premier League season sees Mo Chara from Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap take on our weekly predictions challenge.
The weekend is headlined by an intriguing showdown between two top-four hopefuls as Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Sunday, with the sides sitting in mid-table and locked on seven points apiece after five games.
That is one of two matches on Sunday, after another busy Saturday which sees seven games take place, including all of the rest of the 'big six' in action.
The gameweek begins with champions Manchester City visiting Newcastle United in another eye-catching fixture, before Chelsea host Brighton & Hove Albion, Arsenal entertain Leicester City and Liverpool make the trip to face Wolverhampton Wanderers later in the day.
The curtain then comes down with a South Coast clash between Bournemouth and Southampton on Monday night.
Read on below to find out both our and Mo Chara's predictions for the weekend, as well as finding out how we fared in last week's challenge against Blitz Vega's Kav Sandhu.
Newcastle vs. Man City
Saturday, 12.30pm
© Imago
Mo: Newcastle 0-3 Man City
Sports Mole: Newcastle 1-2 Man City
In front of a roaring St James' Park crowd, Howe will be seeking a reaction from his Newcastle side after losing last weekend, but whether they can step up for the big occasion against a Rodri-less Man City remains to be seen.
Indeed, the Citizens may be without their star lynchpin, but Guardiola still has a number of quality players who are capable of filling the void short term. With goal machine Haaland also set to lead the line, we can see the reigning champions coming out on top against the Magpies once again.
Arsenal vs. Leicester
Saturday, 3pm
© Imago
Mo: Arsenal 2-0 Leicester
Sports Mole: Arsenal 3-0 Leicester
Each of Leicester's five Premier League games this season has seen the Foxes both score and concede, but even with Arsenal's chief nemesis Vardy back in the XI, the visitors' golden streak at the correct end should cease at the Emirates.
With a plethora of big-hitters enjoying a complete rest or only playing cameo roles in midweek, Arsenal should not run into too many obstacles on Saturday, as they warm up for PSG in perfect fashion.
Brentford vs. West Ham
Saturday, 3pm
© Imago
Mo: Brentford 1-1 West Ham
Sports Mole: Brentford 2-1 West Ham
A total of 11 goals were scored across the two meetings between Brentford and West Ham last season and we could be in for another entertaining, end-to-end contest on Saturday.
It is fair to say that the Bees enter this fixture in higher spirits than the Hammers, and when you also factor in their strong start to the season on home soil, we can see Frank's men claiming maximum points.
Chelsea vs. Brighton
Saturday, 3pm
© Imago
Mo: Chelsea 2-1 Brighton
Sports Mole: Chelsea 2-1 Brighton
At least three goals have been scored across each of the last four Premier League meetings between these two attack-minded teams, and another entertaining contest could be in store at Stamford Bridge this weekend.
Brighton have several technically gifted forwards who could cause Chelsea problems and end the club's run of three consecutive clean sheets, but we feel that the West Londoners will ultimately find a way to outscore their opponents and claim their first home league victory of the season.
Everton vs. Crystal Palace
Saturday, 3pm
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Mo: Everton 0-0 Crystal Palace
Sports Mole: Everton 1-1 Crystal Palace
Everton have lost only one of their last 19 Premier League meetings with Palace - under the infamous, short-lived reign of Rafael Benitez in 2021 - but confidence in some of their key players is at rock bottom currently, and Palace may prove tricky customers.
The visitors have played better than their points total suggests so far, and taking chances when they come their way is the only thing stopping them from being in the top half at present, but they may have to hope Branthwaite is still rusty if they are to take a rare Goodison win.
Nott'm Forest vs. Fulham
Saturday, 3pm
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Mo: Nott'm Forest 3-2 Fulham
Sports Mole: Nott'm Forest 1-1 Fulham
So much of Forest's bright attacking play goes through Gibbs-White, whose absence ought to hit the hosts hard against a Fulham side boasting their own chief creator in Andreas Pereira, whose 66 chances fashioned for his teammates in 2024 is the second most in the Premier League behind Kevin De Bruyne.
Forest's defence has still packed a mean punch this season, though, so even if Santo's side cannot get over the line without Gibbs-White, they ought to be good enough for a point as their unbeaten record lives another week.
Wolves vs. Liverpool
Saturday, 5.30pm
© Imago
Mo: Wolves 0-4 Liverpool
Sports Mole: Wolves 1-3 Liverpool
Wolves are capable of stringing together an effective attacking sequence more often than not, but the absence of Mosquera will only make the already-leaky hosts even more vulnerable at the back.
Liverpool triumphed 3-1 in this fixture last season, and an identical victory this time around looks to be a genuine possibility, as the rampant Reds remain on the coat-tails of Man City at the summit.
Ipswich vs. Aston Villa
Sunday, 2pm
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Mo: Ipswich 0-2 Aston Villa
Sports Mole: Ipswich 1-3 Aston Villa
A defensively depleted Villa may already be casting one eye over to the imminent visit of Bayern Munich and should not leave Portman Road with any clean sheets against an energetic Ipswich side, who can be sure to hustle and harry their visitors.
However, the Lions should make their presence felt at the other end of the field to extend their terrific winning sequence and remain on the coat-tails of Liverpool and Manchester City.
Man Utd vs. Spurs
Sunday, 4.30pm
© Imago
Mo: Man Utd 2-2 Spurs
Sports Mole: Man Utd 1-1 Spurs
While Tottenham only boast a paltry three away wins in the Premier League over the past 10 months, the Lilywhites have won a staggering 28 points from losing positions since the start of last season, second only to Manchester City's 31.
Therefore, even if Ten Hag's wildly inconsistent troops can draw first blood, they will surely be pegged back in a similar vein to midweek, as Spurs leave Old Trafford with a share of the spoils for the third season running.
Bournemouth vs. Southampton
Monday, 8pm
© Reuters
Mo: Bournemouth 2-0 Southampton
Sports Mole: Bournemouth 2-1 Southampton
The away side has prevailed in each of the last five meetings between Bournemouth and Southampton across all that tournaments, but Monday's visitors are still lacking that X-factor up front and have conceded in each of their last 17 Premier League games.
Even without Iraola barking orders from the touchline, an attack-minded Cherries outfit should capitalise on the Saints' woes to earn the South Coast bragging rights, potentially hammering another nail into Martin's coffin in the process.
Mo Chara Q&A
How did you come to support Celtic and what are your favourite memories from your time as a fan?
Due to the fact I wasn't dropped on my head as a child I support Celtic. My favourite memory is Henrik Larsson nutmegging and scoring in a derby win against Rangers for the Hoops.
Who have been your favourite five players for your club?
1. Henrik Larsson
2. Roy Keane
3. Bobo Balde
4. Callum McGregor
5. Jinky Johnstone
What's going on with the band at the moment?
We are about to go on an American tour for two weeks. Trying to drink plenty of water in the meantime.
KNEECAP's album 'Fine Art' is available now.
You can follow Kneecap on Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter).
2024-25 SEASON LEADERBOARD (ARTISTS)
Scores are calculated as one point for a correct result and five points for a correct scoreline.
1. Kyle Starkey (16pts | Gameweek 3)
2. Make Friends' Max Lewin (15pts | Gameweek 2)
3. Everyone Says Hi's Nick Hodgson (13pts | Gameweek 1)
4. Blitz Vega's Kav Sandhu (10pts | Gameweek 5)
5. Trampolene's Jack Jones (9pts | Gameweek 4)
2024-25 COMPETITION HISTORY
Gameweek 1: Everyone Says Hi's Nick Hodgson 13-14 Sports Mole
Gameweek 2: Make Friends' Max Lewin 15-4 Sports Mole
Gameweek 3: Kyle Starkey 16-13 Sports Mole
Gameweek 4: Trampolene's Jack Jones 9-9 Sports Mole
Gameweek 5: Blitz Vega's Kav Sandhu 10-11 Sports Mole
Barney Corkhill
