Predictions for English Premier League Gameweek 7

It's that time of the week again, when I attempt to predict the outcomes of the upcoming Premier League games.

Chelsea are the current pace setters and will be looking to increase their advantage with a home win over Norwich, while some of the other challengers have tougher games.

I didn't do too well in my predictions last week, but I still scored 75 points in my predictions league—thanks to doing well with bonuses. That score moves me into second place in the league, but I'll have to improve to catch the leader, who had already built up a substantial lead.

Here's a look at how the Top 10 in my predictions league stand:

Position	Player	Last Week's Score	Total
1	antonius_ronny_s	75	525
2	JamrockRover	75	395
3	RSun624	25	370
4	Plasticninja	110	355
5	nawa87	45	300
6	AFC_Ollie95	25	265
7	AblockGooner	110	265
8	ahujag	80	265
9	iancampbell11	-30	260
10	sakura	125	255

Manchester City vs. Sunderland

Saturday October 6, 12.45pm BST, Etihad Stadium, Manchester

City just about scraped a win away at Fulham last week, but they couldn't win at home against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Their defence is still struggling and they haven't managed a clean sheet yet this season. They are still unbeaten in the league this season though, and they won't give up their title without a fight.

With City's defence struggling to keep clean sheets, their attacking players are probably the best fantasy buys. Yaya Toure seems to be the pick of them at the moment, with Sergio Aguero looking likely to score a few goals too.

Sunderland are still unbeaten in the league this season, but they have only win one in their first five games. That win came at home versus Wigan last week, but a trip to City will be a much tougher task for the Black Cats.

Stephen Fletcher had been in fine goal-scoring form since joining Sunderland, and Simon Mignolet has being doing very well in goal too.

I think City will be too strong, as they inflict Sunderland's first defeat of the season on them.

Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Sunderland

Chelsea vs. Norwich City

Saturday October 6, 3pm BST, Stamford Bridge, London

Chelsea are on top of the league with five wins and a draw in their first six games.

They played very well away at Arsenal and deserved their narrow victory. They will see a home game against Norwich as an ideal opportunity to stretch their lead at the top.

Chelsea have quite a few players doing the business for fantasy managers at the moment.

Norwich were well beaten in their first game, but they seemed to have improved until last week's 5-2 defeat at home to Liverpool. Norwich created a lot of chances in that game, but their defence was torn apart far too easily.

A trip to the current champions of Europe is hardly what they would have wanted in their next game.

Robert Snodgrass is probably the best fantasy choice among the Norwich players, but Grant Holt may have got his shooting boots back on again too.

Chelsea should win this game very easily, as long as they approach it in the right manner.

Prediction: Chelsea 4-0 Norwich

Swansea City vs. Reading

Saturday October 6, 3pm BST, Liberty Stadium, Swansea

Swansea started the season very well, but things have gone wrong for them in the last few weeks.

They have lost their last three games in a row, as their defence has being struggling badly. A home game against a newly promoted side, who have not won a game yet, could be just what they need though.

Miguel Michu is still Swansea's outstanding fantasy performer, but the goals have dried up for him recently.

Reading have only two points from five games and, like a few other teams, their defence is struggling. Reading are second-last in the table, and they need to get their first win under their belts.

They will see a Swansea team who have struggled recently as a possible chance of getting that win.

There aren't any Reading players who look likely to do well for fantasy managers at the moment, but maybe Jobi McAnuff could be worth a gamble.

I think this will be a very close game, but Swansea might just edge it.

Prediction: Swansea City 3-2 Reading

West Bromwich Albion vs. Queens Park Rangers

Saturday October 6, 3pm BST, The Hawthorns, Birmingham

West Brom have had a great start to the season and they're in a very lofty sixth-place at the moment, as they have won all three of their home games so far without conceding a goal. A home game against the bottom club should be a prospect their fans are eagerly awaiting.

Ben Foster, Gareth McAuley, James Morrison and Shane Long are probably the pick of the West Brom players at the moment.

QPR have only two points from their first six games, and they're rooted to the foot of the table. Mark Hughes received the chairman's dreaded "vote of confidence" this week, but he won't be around for much longer if they don't start winning games.

QPR players should be viewed as off limits for fantasy managers at the moment.

I can see West Brom continuing their winning ways at home, as Hughes heads closer to a QPR exit.

Prediction: West Brom 2-0 Queens Park Rangers

Wigan Athletic vs. Everton

Saturday October 6, 3pm BST, DW Stadium, Wigan

Wigan finished last season very well to avoid relegation, but they look like they will have another season-long battle against the drop on their hands this season. Wigan are still finding it very hard to score goals and they need to change that statistic, or face another season of uncertainty.

Ali Al-Habsi always does well for fantasy managers, but there are no other Wigan players who are setting the fantasy football world alight.

Everton have had a great start to the season and they're currently second in the table.

They have no European football to worry about, which should help to keep their players fit, and if they continue to play like they are at the moment, they have to be considered for a Top Four finish.

Leighton Baines, Marouane Fellaini, Steven Pienaar and Nikica Jelavic are all in fine form for Everton at the moment.

I think Everton will continue their good start to the season by taking another three points in this game.

Prediction: Wigan 1-3 Everton

West Ham United vs. Arsenal

Saturday October 6, 5.30pm BST, Upton Park, London

West Ham have had a great start to the season since their return to the Premier League.

They're sixth in the league at the moment, with three wins and two draws in six games. They play to their strengths and they will look to score on Arsenal from set pieces.

Kevin Nolan keeps racking up the points every week, and he's a very good fantasy buy at his current value.

Arsenal lost for the first time last week at home to Chelsea.

They managed to bounce back by beating Olympiacos at home in the Champions League on Wednesday night, but they were far from convincing. They will have their work cut out coping with West Ham's direct approach—Andy Carroll in particular.

Despite the setback lady week, Arsenal defenders still look like a good fantasy bet, as do Gervinho, Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla.

I think Arsenal will have just about enough to shade a very tight game.

Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Arsenal

Southampton vs. Fulham

Sunday October 7, 1.30pm BST, St Mary's Stadium, Southampton

Southampton are just outside the relegation zone, with one win and five defeats in their first six games.

They will need to take more points at home if they are going to have a chance of avoiding relegation straight back to the Championship. They look good going forward, but there defence is far too leaky for their own good.

Adam Lallana, Gaston Ramirez and Rickie Lambert are probably the three Southampton players to look out for.

Fulham have won three and lost three of their first six games.

They almost got a draw at home to champions Manchester City last week. If they can stay tight at the back there could be something in this game for them, despite their usual poor form on the road.

With Dimitar Berbatov injured, Damien Duff and John Arne Riise are probably the best fantasy bets on the Fulham side.

I can see Southampton getting their second win of the season in this game.

Prediction: Southampton 2-1 Fulham

Liverpool vs. Stoke City

Sunday October 7, 3pm BST, Anfield, Liverpool

Liverpool got their first win of the season against Norwich last week.

Liverpool scored five goals in that game, but they gave Norwich far too many good scoring chances too. They need to improve an awful lot on defence or they will continue to struggle in the league.

Luis Suarez might have scored a hat trick last week but he's still a risk for any fantasy manager. Steven Gerrard might not be a bad buy, but it's hard to see other players doing too well for Liverpool.

Stoke have struggled on their travels since they were promoted to the Premier League a few years ago.

They're never an easy team to beat, but they struggle to score goals too. They will look to defend in this game and try to take advantage of Liverpool at set pieces.

Ryan Shawcross, Jonathan Walters and Peter Crouch are the Stoke players most likely to perform for fantasy managers.

I think Liverpool might just sneak what would be a rare home win for them.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Stoke City

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Aston Villa

Sunday October 7, 3pm BST, White Hart Lane, London

Tottenham have won their last three Premier League games in a row and risen to fifth in the process. Spurs have failed to keep a clean sheet in the league so far this season, and they will need to tighten up at the back before they play some of the better teams in the league.

Gareth Bale is racking up the fantasy points again for Spurs, and Clint Dempsey may well pick up his scoring rate now that he has his first goal.

Villa have struggled a little under Paul Lambert this season, but they look like they could be capable of a mid-table finish. They need to find the net more often though, and Darren Bent is surely their best choice up front, no matter what his manager thinks.

I still think Ciaran Clark is the best fantasy bet among the Villa players, and Bent might do well too if he gets to play.

I think Spurs will have more than enough to take all three points in this game.

Prediction: Tottenham 2-0 Aston Villa

Newcastle United vs. Manchester United

Sunday October 7, 4pm BST, Sports Direct Arena, Newcastle

Newcastle haven't quite set the league alight like they did last season, but they're still in a good position, with a tough proposition at home this week. Newcastle have some very good attacking players who will cause the Manchester United defence a lot of problems.

Demba Ba is in great goalscoring form at the moment, and Hatem Ben Arfa is likely to do well against any team for fantasy managers.

Manchester United suffered their second defeat in six league games at home to Spurs last week. They were in shambles on defence, but it was their offense, which missed enough chances to get something out of the game, that let them down.

United have been far from convincing this season, and they need to improve if they are going to challenge for the league title.

Robin van Persie is the standout player for United, as they threaten to become a one-man team—he may be aided by Wayne Rooney now that he has returned from injury. Both Shinji Kagawa and Rafael da Silva are worth considering too.

I think Newcastle have a real chance of getting something out of this game, as it will end in a draw.

Prediction: Newcastle 2-2 United

That's it for this week, but as always feel free to tell me where I may have gone right or wrong as the case might be.

See you next week.