Gameweek 7
Gameweek 7: FotMob’s six highest-rated performers in the 2025/26 Premier League
FotMob named the six highest-rated players from Premier League Gameweek 7 across several clubs today
The October international break arrived just as the 2025–26 Premier League appeared to be settling into its rhythm. Midweek continental fixtures produced a heavy Sunday schedule after Friday night’s match on the south coast, and FotMob’s ratings highlighted six standout contributions from Gameweek 7.
Declan Rice delivered a decisive showing in Arsenal’s meeting with West Ham United. With Nuno Espírito Santo in the away dugout, Rice — who has been in red and white since 2023 — smashed home inside the Hammers box after Alphonse Areola had saved well from Eberechi Eze. Rice led the game with three chances created and provided the driving engine in midfield that underpinned Arsenal’s balanced display.
Tottenham Hotspur were more varied and unpredictable in attack at Elland Road, but Mohammed Kudus repeatedly carried the right flank. Kudus teed up Mathys Tel’s first goal of 2025–26 and later bullied Gabriel Gudmundsson before firing a fierce deflected effort beyond Karl Darlow to restore Spurs’ advantage.
Ruben Amorim’s tweaks aided one of the best performances of his tenure against Sunderland, and Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens matched Kudus’s 8.6 FotMob rating on his Premier League bow. Excluding one sweeping mishap, Lammens was a figure of stability, making three saves en route to a clean sheet.
Newcastle United’s match with Nottingham Forest was broken open by Bruno Guimarães. The Brazilian dispossessed Morgan Gibbs-White in the lead-up before curling magnificently beyond Matz Sels from the edge of the Forest box. Guimarães finished with a joint game-high ten duels won and seven defensive contributions and was later fouled by Elliot Anderson to win Newcastle a penalty that sealed the victory.
Aston Villa’s recent recovery continued as Emiliano Buendia remained central to the side’s resurgence. Donyell Malen, who had scored just three Premier League goals entering the weekend, doubled his tally by scoring either side of half-time against Burnley. Lined up as Ollie Watkins’ strike partner, Malen’s two finishes came from the right inside channel, a reward for Unai Emery’s decision to deploy a front two.
Bournemouth
Premier League Gameweek 7: Fixture-by-fixture predictions ahead of the international break
Gameweek 7 previews: the final Premier League round before the mid-October international break. info
Gameweek 7 is the last full set of Premier League fixtures before the international break in mid-October. The weekend opens with Bournemouth hosting Fulham on Friday, a match that tests the Cherries’ resilience. Bournemouth were expected to struggle after the dismantling of their defence in the transfer market, yet they are unbeaten in their last five and have climbed to sixth. Fulham will be tasked with denting their confidence on Friday night, having lost a controversial 3–1 game at Aston Villa last weekend. The west Londoners have not won at the Vitality Stadium since 2019. Prediction: Bournemouth 2–1 Fulham (8 p.m. BST).
Saturday offers a standout late kickoff as out-of-sorts Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge. Liverpool have lost their last two matches and have been dismal defensively, a weakness Chelsea will aim to exploit. The Blues have been in patchy form but could record a statement result. Prediction: Chelsea 2–2 Liverpool (5.30 p.m. BST). Earlier on Saturday, Leeds host Tottenham as Spurs contend with midweek travel to the Arctic Circle; Tottenham were forced to fight back from two goals down to secure a draw at Bodø/Glimt and have won just one of their last four matches in all competitions. Prediction: Leeds 1–1 Tottenham (12.30 p.m. BST). Arsenal, fresh from midweek victory over Olympiacos and last weekend’s late win at Newcastle United, face West Ham as Nuno Espírito Santo prepares for his second match in the Irons hot seat. Prediction: Arsenal 2–0 West Ham (3 p.m. BST). Manchester United, reeling after a dreadful defeat at Brentford last weekend, host Sunderland. United’s only wins this campaign have come at Old Trafford; Sunderland sit fifth heading into Gameweek 7. Prediction: Man Utd 2–1 Sunderland (3 p.m. BST).
Sunday is busy. Aston Villa seek back-to-back home wins against Burnley. Crystal Palace, the only unbeaten team after a last-gasp win over Liverpool, travel to Everton, who chase a first league victory since the end of August. Newcastle, having faced European action, meet Nottingham Forest, who also had Europa League involvement at home; Ange Postecoglou’s underwhelming start as Forest boss makes Newcastle favourites. Wolverhampton remain the only side yet to register a Premier League win and host Brighton, whose recent run includes wins over Manchester City and Chelsea and a draw with Spurs. The round concludes with Manchester City visiting Brentford; Pep Guardiola’s men should still come out on top.
