Two weeks without Premier League football is simply too long, but the beloved English top flight makes its return this weekend, and there are a selection of intriguing storylines to whet fans' appetite for gameweek eight.
Victory for Arsenal against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium would see the Gunners temporarily rise above Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table, before their title rivals endeavour to respond on Sunday.
Liverpool face a stern test of their championship credentials at home to Chelsea, though, while Man City take on a Wolverhampton Wanderers side fighting for their lives at the wrong end of the Premier League table.
Before all that, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United kick off the gameweek with a lunchtime London derby, while Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag could hardly be under any more pressure ahead of the Red Devils' visit of Brentford.
This week's prediction competition pits Sports Mole against the lead guitarist of new rock band proFESSional Rob Hennebry, a loyal Fulham supporter, with a little help from his bandmates Jonny (drummer and West Ham United fan) and Marco (bassist and Arsenal fan).
Read on to find out how Sports Mole and Hennebry anticipate this weekend's matches playing out, as well as seeing how we fared against Kids In Glass Houses guitarist Iain Mahanty two weekends ago.
Spurs vs. West Ham
Saturday, 12.30pm
© Imago
Rob: Spurs 0-5 West Ham
Sports Mole: Spurs 3-2 West Ham
The first Premier League game back after the international break promises entertainment, as both Spurs and West Ham are forces to be reckoned with in the final third while also possessing defensive weaknesses for the other to exploit.
Another 3-2 involving Postecoglou's side is not beyond the realm of possibility, but on this occasion, we expect a refreshed Spurs to come out on the right end of such a scoreline.
Fulham vs. Aston Villa
Saturday, 3pm
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Rob: Fulham 2-1 Aston Villa
Sports Mole: Fulham 1-1 Aston Villa
Aston Villa did the double over Fulham last season and will be confident of success again this weekend. However, the Cottagers have looked strong on home soil and will be no pushovers for Emery's side. With that in mind, we can see the hosts frustrating the visitors and the spoils being shared.
Ipswich vs. Everton
Saturday, 3pm
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Rob: Ipswich 0-1 Everton
Sports Mole: Ipswich 1-1 Everton
Everton's troubles on the road are well-documented, as they are without a win away from Goodison since mid-December, and Ipswich have proven difficult to beat at home since their return to the top flight.
Only Liverpool have won here at Portman Road so far, but unfortunately for Ipswich, that also includes them, and while this will be pinpointed as a winnable encounter, there is little to separate the sides.
Man Utd vs. Brentford
Saturday, 3pm
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Rob: Man Utd 1-3 Brentford
Sports Mole: Man Utd 2-2 Brentford
While Brentford can travel to Old Trafford without any pressure on their shoulders, that cannot be said for Ten Hag who can ill-afford to see his Man United side produce another below-par performance on home soil, where they have lost their last two league games by a 3-0 scoreline.
Both teams - who will not be at full strength on Saturday - have looked vulnerable in defence this season and goals are to be expected here, but it is difficult to confidently predict a winner on this occasion, so an entertaining score draw could be on the cards.
Newcastle vs. Brighton
Saturday, 3pm
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Rob: Newcastle 2-1 Brighton
Sports Mole: Newcastle 2-2 Brighton
Each of Brighton's last four games have seen at least four goals scored and another entertaining end-to-end contest could be on the cards at St James' Park this weekend.
Newcastle have a solid home record against Brighton, but we are backing the Seagulls to come away with at least a share of the spoils on this occasion.
Southampton vs. Leicester
Saturday, 3pm
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Rob: Southampton 1-1 Leicester
Sports Mole: Southampton 1-1 Leicester
Defending was not on Southampton's agenda in either meeting with Leicester last season, but the Saints could be incredibly proud of their rearguard efforts for an hour against Arsenal before silly mistakes let them down.
Martin's men should not come out unscathed against a Leicester side who always come good in the final third, but the Foxes have already shipped eight goals on the road this term and may have to accept one point, albeit one that leaves the hosts still searching for that elusive victory.
Bournemouth vs. Arsenal
Saturday, 5.30pm
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Rob: Bournemouth 0-3 Arsenal
Sports Mole: Bournemouth 0-2 Arsenal
As toothless as Arsenal's first-half performance was against Southampton, Arteta kept his big-hitters in reserve before calling on the cavalry in the second half, and there is hope that both Saka and the in-form Martinelli will be given the green light to feature here.
The Gunners should therefore pick up where they left off before the hiatus, as Bournemouth have been indifferent in front of goal and have flattered to deceive versus top-10 sides in 2024.
Wolves vs. Man City
Sunday, 2pm
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Rob: Wolves 1-1 Man City
Sports Mole: Wolves 1-4 Man City
Even though Man City have conceded the first goal in four of their last six Premier League games, they have won a division-high 10 points from losing positions this term, and Sunday's match is surely a foregone conclusion from the off.
As clinical as Wolves can be up front, O'Neil's men are extremely frail at the back and will likely suffer a home humbling at the hands of Guardiola's champions.
Liverpool vs. Chelsea
Sunday, 4.30pm
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Rob: Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea
Sports Mole: Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
Sunday's mouthwatering match should no doubt live up to the pre-game billing, as the unstoppable attacking force of Chelsea meets the immovable defensive object of Liverpool, who arguably come into the clash as marginal favourites.
The suspensions of Fofana and Cucurella - two cornerstones of the Chelsea backline - may just tip the scales in the Reds' favour, especially with a well-rested Salah and Virgil van Dijk in the ranks, as Slot's side continue to sit atop their Premier League throne.
Nott'm Forest vs. Crystal Palace
Monday, 8pm
© Imago
Rob: Nott'm Forest 1-0 Crystal Palace
Sports Mole: TBC
Rob Hennebry Q&A
How did you come to support Fulham and what are your favourite memories from your time as a fan?
When I moved to London (from Ireland) I wanted to support a London team. Fulham had the cheapest season ticket and so I just went along to see the Prem. Slowly the style of the team got the hooks in me. Freezing nights by the Thames nicking three points from the big boys just got me addicted to the Cottage. Favourite memory is Clint Dempsey chipping in our fourth against Juventus at the Hammersmith End to send us into the semi-final of the Europa League. Absolute scenes.
Who have been your favourite five players for your club?
So many legends. We've had Bobby Moore, George Best and Johnny Haynes to name a few but it's probably more fair to name my favourites from my time as a fan. For the above mentioned goal alone, Clint Dempsey. Bobby Zamora for the goals and BY FAR the best chant ("when the ball hits your head and you're sat in row z...that's Zamora"). Mark Schwarzer just for staying. Berbatov for coming at all. Tom Cairney, for being instrumental in bringing us back to the Prem, twice!
What's going on with the band at the moment?
I'm on cloud nine at the moment. Playing lead guitar in a really brilliant band playing some really brilliant songs. Mani sent me two new riffs just today and I laid down the music for them and wrote out the separate parts ready for the rest of the boys in the studio. On top of that we are getting ready to head back into the amazing RAK studios in a couple of weeks to finish our debut album (Due out in June '25). Then just a week later we are playing some really big shows with The Levellers in Dreamland in Margate and The Luka State in Green Door Store in Brighton. We then play the 100 Club in London with our third single coming out that same week. So it's all systems go!
proFESSional latest tracks 'TELEVISION' and 'Pizza For Breakfast' are available to stream now.
You can follow proFESSional on Instagram
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)
= Kneecap's Mo Chara (9pts | Gameweek 6)
7. Kids in Glass Houses' Iain Mahanty (6pts | Gameweek 7)
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
Gameweek 6: Kneecap's Mo Chara 9-4 Sports Mole
Gameweek 7: Kids in Glass Houses' Iain Mahanty 6-3 Sports Mole
