Gameweek three of Sports Mole's Premier League predictions challenge sees us take on Kyle Starkey - a rising star in the world of electronic dance music.
As a Manchester United fan whose formative memories of supporting the club arose from a meeting with bitter rivals Liverpool, it is only fitting that he provides the predictions for a gameweek where that famous fixture tops the bill.
Liverpool make the trip to Old Trafford in the final game before the international break as one of four teams with a 100% record from the opening two games, but at least one of those perfect starts will come to an end this weekend.
Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion both boast two wins apiece ahead of their meeting in the opening game of the weekend, while champions Manchester City will look to extend their own faultless beginning to the season when they visit West Ham United in Saturday's late kickoff.
A showdown between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur and a London derby between Chelsea and Crystal Palace are among the other eye-catching matches this weekend.
But how does Kyle Starkey think all 10 matches this weekend will pan out? Read on for both his and our predictions, as well as to find out how we got on against Max Lewin of Make Friends last week.
Arsenal vs. Brighton
Saturday, 12.30pm
© Imago
Kyle: Arsenal 3-1 Brighton
Sports Mole: Arsenal 2-0 Brighton
During their earliest days as a Premier League force, Brighton often had Arsenal's number, but the Gunners' defensive steel in the English top flight has been unrivalled over the past 12 months.
Hurzeler's men can still be expected to put up a good fight, but Arteta's winning machine ought to make it three for three and end the visitors' perfect start, even if it is not another goal-laden showing.
Brentford vs. Southampton
Saturday, 3pm
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Kyle: Brentford 0-0 Southampton
Sports Mole: Brentford 2-0 Southampton
For all of their periods of plentiful possession, Southampton remain deprived of a killer touch in the final third, whereas Brentford always possess a clinical threat up top when Mbeumo and Wissa are working in tandem.
Also taking into account their phenomenal home record against newly-promoted clubs, the Bees have our vote to continue their sequence of wins to nil against the Saints.
Everton vs. Bournemouth
Saturday, 3pm
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Kyle: Everton 1-2 Bournemouth
Sports Mole: Everton 1-1 Bournemouth
Neither Dyche nor Iraola possess the managerial formula for success in August, but given the Cherries' propensity for fouls - they gave away 20 free kicks against Newcastle - Everton can at least get on the goalscoring board.
A Bournemouth side aiming to right their EFL Cup wrongs can fight fire with fire, but not enough for us to believe that they can end their sequence of 1-1 stalemates.
Ipswich vs. Fulham
Saturday, 3pm
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Kyle: Ipswich 0-2 Fulham
Sports Mole: Ipswich 1-2 Fulham
A refreshed set of Ipswich legs should not suffer a similar humiliation a la their Wimbledon woes, but McKenna's men are noticeably frail at the back and will certainly leave gaps for Fulham to exploit if they adopt a risky approach.
Silva's settled starting XI have had time to gel and were worthy winners over one newly-promoted side last weekend, so we expect the Cottagers to prolong Ipswich's wait for a first point of 2024-25.
Leicester vs. Aston Villa
Saturday, 3pm
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Kyle: Leicester 1-2 Aston Villa
Sports Mole: Leicester 1-3 Aston Villa
Goals are to be expected on Saturday as both sides have looked vulnerable at the back in the early weeks of the new season. In addition, nine of the last 13 meetings between these two teams have seen three or more goals scored.
Leicester have a solid top-flight record against Aston Villa, but if the visitors can learn from last week's defeat to Arsenal and manage to take their chances in the final third, they should find a way to come out on top in the East Midlands.
Nott'm Forest vs. Wolves
Saturday, 3pm
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Kyle: Nott'm Forest 1-2 Wolves
Sports Mole: Nott'm Forest 1-1 Wolves
Each of the last three Premier League meetings between Nottingham Forest and Wolves have ended as a draw and another closely-fought contest could be played out on Saturday.
Both teams will view this fixture as a winnable one, on paper, but it is difficult to separate them at this stage, so the spoils could be shared once again.
West Ham vs. Man City
Saturday, 5.30pm
© Imago
Kyle: West Ham 1-3 Man City
Sports Mole: West Ham 1-3 Man City
Man City have scored more away goals against West Ham than they have against any other Premier League opponent (42), while their 25 goals at the London Stadium is the most an away team has scored at a specific venue since its opening in 2016-17, so the Citizens have every right to feel confident of success on Saturday.
West Ham have attackers of their own who could cause Man City some problems, but it is difficult to back against the champions outscoring their opponents en route to a comfortable victory in the capital.
Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace
Sunday, 1.30pm
© Imago
Kyle: Chelsea 2-0 Crystal Palace
Sports Mole: Chelsea 2-1 Crystal Palace
With so many players at his disposal, it appears Maresca has stumbled across his strongest XI quite early into his spell, and an attacking performance which resembles anything like what they produced at Wolves will surely seal another three points here.
Palace have shown plenty of promising signs despite opening with two defeats, but defensive departures and injuries have weakened them, and the goals just have not been as free-flowing as they were in the latter stages of last season so far.
Newcastle vs. Spurs
Sunday, 1.30pm
© Imago
Kyle: Newcastle 2-1 Spurs
Sports Mole: Newcastle 2-3 Spurs
It would not be surprising if Sunday's game is a high-scoring affair given the nature of recent encounters between the sides.
While Spurs have defensive issues to contend with, Newcastle's backline has been decimated due to injury and suspension, and this could give the visitors the advantage this weekend.
Man Utd vs. Liverpool
Sunday, 4pm
© Imago
Kyle: Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool
Sports Mole: Man Utd 0-1 Liverpool
As well as racking up the highest number of expected goals so far this season, Liverpool's expected goals against total of one is also the best record in the division, so an up-and-down Man United will surely have their work cut out to penetrate Slot's defence.
The Reds' 3-0 pre-season thumping should not be taken at face value, but even if their margin of victory is far less emphatic this time around, we still back the visitors to knock down a few more Old Trafford walls.
Kyle Starkey Q&A
How did you come to support Man United and what are your favourite memories from your time as a fan?
Kyle: I remember watching Man United with my dad and we lost to Liverpool and then I asked him: 'Why can't I support Liverpool? They're the team that are winning'. He said: 'Because we'll win trophies', and then we ended up winning the league.
Who have been your favourite five players for your club?
Kyle: CR7, Rooney, RVP, Vidic and Giggs
What's going on for you as an artist at the moment?
Kyle: I've currently been touring around Europe playing at these amazing clubs every weekend and I'm super grateful for it! Along with that I've got some nice releases coming up through the rest of the year.
Kyle Starkey has teamed up with Inafekt for latest release 'What 2 Do', available now on all digital streaming platforms.
You can follow Kyle Starkey 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. Make Friends' Max Lewin (15pts | Gameweek 2)
2. Everyone Says Hi's Nick Hodgson (13pts | Gameweek 1)
2024-25 COMPETITION HISTORY
Gameweek 1: Everyone Says Hi's Nick Hodgson 13-14 Sports Mole
Gameweek 2: Make Friends' Max Lewin 15-4
