SO Fulham are definitely getting relegated, Everton are nailed on for a top six finish, and Leeds are guaranteed to avoid relegation after their promising defeat at Anfield. You just can't beat the knee-jerk certainty of the first few weeks of a Premier League season.
Plenty more where that came from this week, not least with Liverpool's visit to Chelsea helping us officially decide whether Jurgen Klopp or Frank Lampard is a total fraud. Here are this Saturday's Premier League tips.
Everton vs West Brom | Saturday September 19, 12:30
After their promising start against Spurs, Everton can secure back-to-back wins to start a Premier League season for the first time since 2012/13. And with Carlo Ancelotti never losing any of his 15 matches against newly-promoted sides (11 wins, four draws), West Brom's visit bodes well.
The Baggies have kept more clean sheets against Everton (and Sunderland) than they have against any other side (both eight) but adding to that record seems optimistic considering the manner in which Slaven Bilc's side conceded three at home to Leicester.
James Rodriguez's five chances created were the most by a Premier League debutant for five years while fellow new signing Abdoulaye Doucoure managed four. Dominic Calvert-Lewin put his post-lockdown blues behind him to get off the mark, and peroxide-maned Richarlison did everything but score. He'll put that right on Saturday. Back the Toffees to make it two from two.
Match odds: Everton (13/25) Draw (10/3) West Brom (21/4)
Correct score: Everton 2-0 West Brom (13/2)
Tip: Match multi – Everton to win and Richarlison to score (6/4)
Leeds vs Fulham | Saturday, September 19, 15:00
Football fans tend not to enjoy defeats but perhaps there was an exception in Yorkshire last weekend as Leeds, back in the big time after an absence of 16 years, matched champions Liverpool stride for stride at Anfield with only Mo Salah's brilliance separating the sides. But the fixture gods have been kind, if Fulham's woeful defending against Arsenal is anything to go by.
The Cottagers were comfortably beaten 3-0 last week, and they were comfortably beaten 3-0 in June when they faced Marcelo Bielsa's side in the Championship. Leeds can therefore win consecutive games against Fulham for the first time since 2003, the last time they played in the Premier League. It might not be as eye-catching as week but with Patrick Bamford started a Premier League season far better than he finished his last one, there is cause for confidence in this attack. Back Leeds for a narrow win.
Match odds: Leeds (8/13) Draw (3/1) Fulham (19/4)
Correct score: Leeds 2-1 Fulham (7/1)
Tip: Both teams to score, Total goals over 2.5 (29/20)
Man Utd vs Crystal Palace | Saturday September 19, 17:30
No Premier League side has won their opening fixture more often than Man Utd (19) although Crystal Palace's encouraging victory over Southampton suggests the Red Devils will need to have their wits about them to emerge with three points.
Palace have surely started to quite enjoy their trips to Manchester. In their last four away clashes against United and City, the Eagles have two wins and two draws. Last season, Patrick van Aanholt scored the only ever last-minute winner against United at Old Trafford in the Premier League. That was however Palace's only Premier League win over Man Utd in 22 outings.
The summer has not seen the sort of transformative signings United fans crave to see their side competitive in the title race, but with the classy Donny van de Beek added to a lineup that really began to take shape following Bruno Fernandes' January arrival, there is plenty to be excited about. Palace will keep it tight, but United's immense quality should shine through.
Match odds: Man Utd (33/100) Draw (22/5) Crystal Palace (17/2)
Correct score: Man Utd 2-0 Crystal Palace (11/2)
Tip: James McCarthy to get a card (5/2)
Arsenal vs West Ham | Sunday, September 19, 20:00
When David Moyes declared "That's what I do, I win" on being appointed West Ham boss, we can assume there was no reference to away days at Arsenal contained within. Moyes has never won away at the Gunners, his sides losing 15 of 19 matches. Indeed the high point of Moyes' career – when Everton's fourth place finish was confirmed – was immediately followed by a 7-0 drubbing at Highbury.
West Ham have lost more matches against Arsenal (31) than against any other side, and the evidence of last weekend suggests that'll become 32 without much resistance. Arsenal were fantastic against Fulham, from front to back, from start to finish. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's goal, a carbon copy of his opener against Liverpool in the Community Shield, revealed the rapid development that has occurred under Mikel Arteta.
It'll be more of the same this weekend. Plenty of possession for Arsenal, minimal threat for West Ham. With Aubameyang bagging eight goals in his last six games, back him to celebrate his long overdue new contract by scoring again.
Match odds: Arsenal (11/20) Draw (17/5) West Ham (7/1)
Correct score: Arsenal 2-1 West Ham (7/1)
Tip: Arsenal to win and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to score (57/50)
Click here to read our preview of Sunday's Premier League fixtures, including Chelsea vs Liverpool.
