PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS (WEEK 3)
After a series of heavyweight fixtures in the opening two weekends of the Premier League, the big boys have largely been kept apart for the third gameweek of the season. Every week we’ll be previewing and predicting every match featured in our Pick 10 league along with any other big fixtures - will you take our advice?
AFC Bournemouth vs Tottenham Hotspur
After settling for a point at home to West Ham, Bournemouth faced the dauting prospect of a visit to Anfield - a stadium they lost 9-0 at last season. The Cherries had a goal disallowed in the opening minute of their contest with Liverpool but were able to take the lead within three through the home side coughing up possession. Despite a fast start, the Cherries could only watch as their hosts for the afternoon scored three unanswered goals while playing the final third of the game with ten men. They had a great opportunity to exact revenge on their catastrophic defeat last season, but were unable despite posing a lively presence. At times they were far too open, something that will need to be addressed ahead of Tottenham’s visit to the Vitality Stadium this weekend.
Ange Postecoglou watched his Spurs side kick start their season last weekend with a deserved 2-0 victory over Manchester United. Despite pre-match demonstrations against chairman Daniel Levy and owners ENIC, the Australian manager was given a rapturous reception from the Tottenham faithful and in turn, his side delivered with a clear demonstration of their renewed attacking style. The desire and determination shown from the Spurs players should alleviate fears of a lost season amid the seismic departure of Harry Kane.
Prediction: AFC Bournemouth 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal vs Fulham
If things appeared a little shaky for Arsenal in their season opener against Nottingham Forest, Mikel Arteta’s side were made to work hard for consecutive victories as they narrowly edged Crystal Palace on Monday night. Takehiro Tomiyasu was sent off after a second yellow card leaving Arsenal to fend off a Palace side chasing an equaliser. If the winning habit escaped them in the spring, Arteta’s side have picked up maximum points after two games in which they have yet to show their true potential. Full-back could be an area of concern in the short term following a serious knee injury to summer signing Jurrien Timber and Oleksandr Zinchenko working his way back from a calf issue.
Fulham can count themselves lucky having picked up three points from their opening weekend win over Everton as they demonstrated a lack of cutting edge against Brentford in a 3-0 home defeat. The departure of Aleksandar Mitrovic to Saudi Arabia should prompt the Cottagers into swift action in the transfer market if Saturday’s performance was anything to go by - even if they did go down to ten men. Marco Silva will need to rally his troops ahead of their visit to the Emirates Stadium.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Fulham
Brentford vs Crystal Palace
The big concern facing Brentford entering this season was the suspension of Ivan Toney and how the Bees would cope without his goalscoring output. Step forward Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa who have both scored in Brentford’s opening two games to begin the season. Thomas Frank should deserve credit for the tactical versatility of his players, a back five held Spurs to a 2-2 draw, but here Brentford were in full control reverting to a back four. Another tilt towards European qualification shouldn’t be dismissed on the evidence of their two performances so far.
With three points already on the board, Monday night was a free hit for Crystal Palace against Arsenal. Unfortunately for Roy Hodgson and co, they came up against a dogged Arsenal side who were able to battle their way to victory despite going down to ten men. Since his return to Palace back in March, Hodgson has organised his side’s backline with opponents struggling to find the back of the net. Scoring goals themselves will be a greater challenge, Michael Olise has signed a new contract and Eberechi Eze became an England international in the summer. A target man is still needed following Wilfried Zaha’s departure.
Prediction: Brentford 1-0 Crystal Palace
Everton vs Wolves
If a home defeat to Fulham didn’t ring alarm bells, a 4-0 thumping at Villa Park certainly did with Everton already staring at another season of struggles. Both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Alex Iwobi hobbled off injured on Sunday afternoon but perhaps more worryingly is just how woeful the Toffee’s have been in their first two outings. Against Fulham they wasted numerous chances to score, but Villa exposed their defensive fragilities. Having revealed their inefficiencies both ends of the pitch, Sean Dyche has an uphill challenge to whip his squad into shape.
Wolves were dealt a tough start to the season coming up against Manchester United and Brighton, but despite an encouraging performance against the latter, Gary O’Neil’s side were dismantled by their visitors last weekend. 39 shots across their opening two games should provide some comfort, though frustratingly there's only one goal to show for their work so far and zero points. A chaotic summer has set Wolves up for lacklustre start to the season, but if they’re to pick points up from anywhere at the moment, it’s against an equally dreary Everton side.
Prediction: Everton 1-1 Wolves
Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest
An uninspiring victory over Wolves at Old Trafford gave Erik ten Hag’s side a false sense of security before their defeat to Tottenham in North London. Spurs outthought and outfought United who looked terribly unbalanced in the middle of the park. Casemiro struggled alongside Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes who were more concerned about getting forward. The Brazilian midfielder received little help defensively from Antony and Alejandro Garnacho as the visitors were under pressure at the back for the second week running. ten Hag’s side will concede goals, scoring them will dictate their results.
Nottingham Forest brushed off an opening weekend defeat to Arsenal by bouncing back with a 2-1 victory over Premier League newcomers Sheffield United. Forest’s home form proved pivotal in Steve Cooper's side remaining in the league last season and it could be key again this time around. Between Taiwo Awoniyi, Chris Wood and Brennan Johnson, goals shouldn’t be too hard to come by, though Forest have an uncanny knack of inviting on opposition pressure in key moments. They’ll have enough to cause United problems, can they cause an upset at Old Trafford?
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Nottingham Forest
Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United
Brighton top the table after consecutive 4-1 victories to open the season, granted they have played newly-promoted Luton and a dismal Wolves side. Under Roberto De Zerbi, Brighton are the most watchable team in the top-flight with the ability to swarm their opposition, the loss of Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister has barely been felt. If anything, Brighton look even better this season having found the back of the net eight times by six different goalscorers already. Tougher challenges lay ahead, but this could be a launchpad for another awe-inspiring season.
If an opening weekend draw at Bournemouth felt like two points dropped, an emphatic 3-1 win over London rivals Chelsea should provide enough evidence that West Ham can avoid further struggles in the Premier League. The Hammers have made moves in the transfer market following the departure of Declan Rice. James Ward Prowse made an instant impact on his debut, the addition of another striker will be essential for David Moyes between now and the end of the transfer window, but West Ham are well placed to steer clear of a relegation battle.
Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1 West Ham
18+ begambleaware.org
