Prediction for the 7th round of the Premier League 2025/26: Battle of the giants at Stamford Bridge, London derby and key bets

The English Premier League is approaching its seventh game week of the 2025/26 season, and this round promises to be not just another series of matches, but a real indicator of the ambitions and current form of the teams. The seventh round will be the last game weekend before the October international break, which adds psychological weight to each result - the clubs are looking to leave for a two-week break in a good mood and with a strong standings.

After six matches played, the standings are beginning to take on recognisable outlines, but the intrigue is only growing. Liverpool lead the race alone with 15 points, but their flawless start to five wins in a row was overshadowed by the first defeat last round and then the Champions League setback. This casts doubt on their psychological stability on the eve of the most difficult trip. Arsenal is breathing down the Reds' back, scoring 13 points and demonstrating mature and consistent football worthy of a title contender.

The real surprise of the start of the season was the rise of Crystal Palace, which with 12 points sensationally occupies the third place, ahead of Tottenham, which closes the top 4. At the same time, a drama is unfolding at the bottom of the table: Wolverhampton, West Ham and Burnley are in desperate need of points, and for them, each next match acquires the status of a decisive.

The key intrigues of the 7th round revolve around several central confrontations:

• Will Liverpool be able to recover from two defeats in a row and prove their leadership status against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge?
• Will Arsenal take advantage of a potential misfire in the London derby against one of the main outsiders, West Ham?
• How will the current epidemic of injuries affect Tottenham's performance away from the uncompromising Leeds?

To better understand the balance of power before the start of the round, below is the current standings.

Table 1: Premier League standings (Top 6 and relegation zone before Matchday 7)

Source: Data as of after the 6th round.

Central match of the round: Chelsea - Liverpool

Pre-match analysis: Crisis management at Stamford Bridge

Saturday night at Stamford Bridge will be the stage for one of the most anticipated confrontations of the season. However, this match is not just a meeting between two historical giants of English football. For Liverpool, this is a fundamental test of mental resilience after the first failures of the season. For Chelsea, which after six rounds is in a modest eighth place with 8 points, this is a great opportunity to prove their worth in the fight for the top 4 and rehabilitate themselves in front of the fans for unstable results.

Current form and latest results

Chelsea are approaching the match in an extremely contradictory state. In the last five Premier League games, the team has two wins, one draw and two losses, which perfectly illustrates their unpredictability. The Blues are able to give a bright attacking performance and defeat West Ham with a score of 5:1, but in the next matches lose to Manchester United (2:1) and Brighton (3:1). The main problem of the team remains defence: 8 goals conceded in 6 games is too much for a club with ambitions for the Champions League. Despite a 1-0 victory over Benfica in the Champions League in midweek, the team's performance did not look convincing.  

Liverpool, on the other hand, looked like a scoring machine until recently. A perfect start to five consecutive league wins has created the image of the main favourite for the season. However, over the past week, this aura of invincibility has been shattered. First, the Reds sensationally lost 2-1 away to Crystal Palace in their first defeat in the Premier League, and then lost away to Galatasaray in the Champions League (1-0). season, and how they react to it will say a lot about their championship prospects.  

Personnel losses are a decisive factor

The situation for both teams is aggravated by serious personnel problems, which can become a determining factor in the upcoming match.

Chelsea's injury list is deeply troubling. A key attacking player, Cole Palmer, is out for several weeks with a groin injury. His creativity and ability to tackle episodes alone have been vital for the Blues. An even more serious blow was the injury to first-choice centre-back Levi Colville, who is out for a long time with a torn cruciate ligament in his knee. and in terms of the team's defensive potential.  

Liverpool are also suffering losses that can be described as colossal. The main goalkeeper Alisson Becker has been injured and will not be able to take part in the match. The Brazilian has repeatedly saved the team in the most difficult situations, and his absence is a huge problem for the Reds' defensive line.  

Head-to-head history

The statistics of head-to-head confrontations add intrigue. In the last ten meetings between Chelsea and Liverpool, six draws have been recorded in all competitions. This fact speaks volumes about the tenacious and equal nature of the struggle, where teams are often effective at neutralizing each other's strengths. Only one of the last five games in the Premier League has not been a draw.

Tactical analysis and key confrontations

Chelsea are expected to take to the pitch in a 4-3-3 formation, relying on ball control and creativity in midfield, where Enzo Fernández, who has already scored 3 goals this season, will play a key role. Liverpool are likely to respond with their classic 4-3-3 formation or its hybrid version of 4-2-3-1. The main weapon of Jurgen Klopp's team, as before, will remain high pressure and lightning-fast counterattacks through the flanks, where Mohamed Salah solos.

The decisive battle can unfold in the centre of the field. Chelsea defensive midfielder Moisés Caicedo will have to hold back Liverpool's powerful and mobile duo of Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch. Whoever wins this duel will gain control over the pace of the game.

This match is more than just a battle for three points. It carries great psychological significance, especially for guests. Liverpool dominated the first five rounds, creating the image of an unbeatable team, but two defeats in a row - to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray - seriously shook this confidence. The loss of key players, primarily Alisson, makes the team more vulnerable. An away match against a principal opponent right before the international break becomes the moment of truth. The result of this game will determine the psychological background for Liverpool in the coming weeks. Victory - and the crisis will be declared an accident. A defeat or even a draw - and the team will leave for the break with a heavy load of doubts, and the pursuers, primarily Arsenal, will receive a powerful moral impetus. This, in turn, could have an immediate impact on long-term bookmaker title quotes, where Liverpool's chances could decline and Arsenal and Manchester City could increase.

Bookmakers' odds and forecast

The bookies see Liverpool as a slight favourite, probably due to their higher position in the table.

• Chelsea to win: 2.90
• Draw: 3.80
• Liverpool to win: 2.45

Average odds are shown and may vary slightly from bookmaker to bookmaker.

Prediction: Given the history of head-to-head meetings with an abundance of draws, serious personnel problems of both teams and the reluctance to lose to the principal rival before the break, a draw looks like the most likely scenario. Both teams are unstable and are unlikely to take risks unnecessarily.  

• Main bet: Draw with odds of ~3.80.
• Alternative bet: "Both teams to score - Yes" with odds of ~1.50. Both teams have problems in defence, but at the same time they have a powerful attacking potential.  

London derby: Arsenal v West Ham

Pre-match analysis: A battle at different poles

On Saturday, the London derby will take place at the Emirates Stadium, which promises a fight, but in fact is a classic confrontation between teams from different poles of the standings. Arsenal, in second place, continues to chase the championship title, while West Ham, occupying the penultimate, 19th place, is in a desperate struggle for survival.

Form of the teams

Arsenal are in superb form. In their last five Premier League matches, Mikel Arteta's side have won four wins and drawn once, showing a confident and balanced game. The Gunners have scored 12 goals and conceded just 3, making their defence one of the most reliable in the league at the moment. The most important away victory over Newcastle (2:1) in the last round only strengthened their confidence in their own abilities.  

West Ham are in a deep crisis. In the last five matches, the Hammers have suffered four defeats and were able to get only one draw. The team conceded 14 goals in 6 games, which is one of the worst indicators in the league and indicates serious systemic problems in defence.  

History of the confrontation in the derby

Historically, Arsenal have completely dominated this confrontation. Of the 153 official meetings, the Gunners won 74, losing only 38 times. In the era of the Premier League, Arsenal's advantage is even more overwhelming. In the last ten matches of the championship, Arsenal have won seven victories with two draws and only one defeat. This match for West Ham is one of the most uncomfortable on the calendar.

West Ham's problem lies not only in their current poor form, but also in the systemic game crisis, which makes them an almost ideal opponent for Arsenal's well-oiled attacking machine. A comparison of the basic statistics (12 scored and 3 conceded for Arsenal against 6 scored and 14 conceded for West Ham) shows not just a difference in results, but a real gap in the quality of play in both halves of the field. Arsenal's attacking leaders are in great form, with newcomer Víctor Gyökeres already scoring three goals, and the team as a whole creates a huge number of chances at the opponents' goal (for example, 20 shots against Newcastle).

Thus, for Arsenal, this match is not just an opportunity to take the usual three points, but also a great chance to significantly improve the difference between goals scored and conceded, which can play a key role at the end of the season in a tight title race. The question shifts from "who will win?" to "what is the difference?". For West Ham, another crushing defeat could be the last drop of patience for the club's management and lead to the resignation of the head coach right before the international break, which will give the club time to look for a replacement.

Bets, odds and verdict

Bookmakers leave West Ham almost no chance, which fully reflects the current balance of power.

• Arsenal to win: 1.22
• Draw: 7.00
• West Ham to win: 15.00

Average odds are shown.

Prediction: A confident victory for Arsenal with a difference of a few goals. Given the attacking power of the hosts and the disastrous defensive performance of the guests, we can expect a defeat. Experts also predict a score of around 3:0.  

• Main bet: Arsenal win with a handicap (-1.5) with odds of ~1.65.
• Riskier bet: Arsenal win with a handicap (-2.5) with odds of ~2.50.
• Bet on the player: Goal by Viktor Gyökeres. The Swedish striker is a specialist in goals against outsiders and will surely get several chances to score.  

Overview of other key meetings of the 7th round

Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur (4 October, 14:30)

This match can be safely called a "trap match" for Tottenham. Despite the high fourth place in the table, the team approaches the game in a terrible personnel condition. Spurs' infirmary is overcrowded: seven players of the main clip are injured at once, which is the worst indicator in the league. The absence of creative leader James Maddison (cruciate ligament rupture), as well as Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke, deprives the team of almost all attacking power.

Leeds is a team that is able to give a fight to any opponent on its own field. The history of head-to-head meetings also does not speak in favor of pragmatic football: matches between these teams have historically been very productive. In the last four head-to-head matches, 22 goals were scored, which averages an incredible 5.5 goals per game.

Prediction and bet: Given the vulnerability of Tottenham and the attacking orientation of Leeds at home, betting on the outcome looks risky. Betting on goals looks much more reliable.

• Bet: "Total over 2.5 goals" with odds of ~1.70.  

Brentford vs Manchester City (5 October, 18:30)

Manchester City, after not the most successful start (7th place), is trying to return to the championship race and not let the leaders go too far. However, the trip to Brentford is never an easy walk. The Bees are a tough nut to crack, especially at home, where they have not lost this season.

A key factor in this game, as with so many others, will be the phenomenal form of Erling Haaland. The Norwegian forward with 8 goals confidently leads the scorers' race and is the main contender for the Golden Boot. City have generally picked up a great move in attack, scoring 9 goals in their last three matches.

Prediction and bet: City is the favourite and should take three points, but Brentford almost always finds their goal on their own field.

• Bet: Manchester City to win and "Both teams to score - Yes" with odds of ~2.80.

Manchester United vs Sunderland (4 October, 17:00)

The confrontation at Old Trafford is interesting primarily for its narrative. Manchester United continues to be feverish - the team is only in 14th place and demonstrates an extremely unstable game. At the same time, Sunderland, who had just returned to the Premier League, became one of the main discoveries of the start of the season. The Black Cats are in 5th place with 11 points, having already managed to beat West Ham and Brentford.

Prediction and bet: Manchester United is the favourite on paper, but their current form does not allow us to talk about a confident victory. Sunderland are an organised and courageous team who may well surprise or at least impose a fight.

• Bet: Sunderland with a handicap (+1.5) with odds of ~1.60.

Predictions for the rest of the matches of the round (short review)

To complete the picture, below is a table with predictions for all matches of the 7th round of the English Premier League.

Table 2: Schedule and express predictions for all matches of the 7th round of the Premier League

Express prediction for the 7th round of the Premier League

For fans of combined bets, we offer an express of three, in our opinion, the most likely events of the 7th round.

1. Arsenal – West Ham: Arsenal win with a handicap (-1.5).
• Rationale: There is a huge difference in class, form and motivation. Arsenal is fighting for the championship, West Ham is in a deep crisis.  
2. Leeds – Tottenham: Total over 2.5 goals.
• Rationale: Historically, this is a very productive confrontation. Tottenham have serious problems in the squad, which can lead to an open game.  
3. Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Brighton: Brighton win.
• Rationale: Brighton are in great form and score a lot, while Wolverhampton are the main underdogs of the league at the moment.  

The final odds of the accumulator are ~4.50.

Conclusion: What to expect from Round 7?

The seventh round of the English Premier League is not just another round, but a potential bifurcation point in the championship race and the fight for survival. The result of the central match at Stamford Bridge could either strengthen Liverpool's lead and dispel rumours of an impending crisis, or put Arsenal at the top of the table, setting a whole new tone for the title race for the coming month.

At the bottom of the table, defeats for West Ham or Wolverhampton could trigger the first coaching resignations of the season, especially with the international break looming. Thus, after this weekend, the Premier League standings may look much different, and the intrigue in the championship will reach a new level. We are waiting for a weekend full of bright and unpredictable English football.