Premier League predictions: Gameweek 3

27 August 2021 17:45

The Premier League is back in full swing and *checks notes* there's new sheriffs in town at the top of the table - David Moyes' wonderful West Ham.

Okay, we're only two weeks into the season, but not many would have predicted the Hammers to carry on their impressive form from last season, let alone score eight goals in the process.

Hot on their heels are the usual suspects with Chelsea and Liverpool in particular looking impressive during their opening two outings of the campaign. At the other end, it's already looking like it will be a long old season for Norwich, and they are joined in the relegation with two defeats out of two by Newcastle and...Arsenal?!

Burnley and Wolves are also point-less, but that could all change as we head into matchday three of the campaign. But who's playing who and what do 90min think the scores will be?

Read on to find out...


Saturday

Manchester City vs Arsenal

Master meets apprentice at the Etihad | Getty Images/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 12:30 (BST)
Where is it being played? Etihad Stadium
TV channel? BT Sport 1 (UK), Peacock Premium (US)

Matchday three of the Premier League will get off to a bang as Manchester City welcome Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium.

After coming unstuck against Tottenham on opening weekend, City bounced back emphatically with a 5-0 thumping of Norwich, reminding everyone of just how good they really are.

As for Arsenal, they're still looking for both their first point and their first goal of the campaign. Mikel Arteta is under real pressure to turn things around and a meeting with his former employers could well be the last thing he wanted to deal with right now.

Read 90min's full match preview here
Man City predicted lineup


Arsenal predicted lineup

Prediction: Man City 3-0 Arsenal


Aston Villa vs Brentford

Thomas Frank is off to face old boss Dean Smith | Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 15:00 (BST)
Where is it being played? Villa Park
TV channel? fuboTV (US), CNBC (US)

The Dean Smith derby is handed a Premier League debut on Saturday afternoon as the Aston Villa manager plays host to former side Brentford at Villa Park.

Three games into the new campaign and both sides have two victories split between the top flight and EFL Cup. However, that is where the similarities end.

While Villa parted ways with their talismanic captain Jack Grealish, it was a pre-season where newly-promoted Brentford didn't have to sell any of their stars. Villa's groggy start to the campaign was simply a continuation of their dramatic tailing-off last term, while the Bees have lost just one of their last 18 games.

Read 90min's full match preview here
Aston Villa predicted lineup

Brentford predicted lineup

Prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Brentford


Newcastle vs Southampton

Ralph Hasenhuttl was pleased with what he saw against Manchester United | Visionhaus/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 15:00 (BST)
Where is it being played? St James' Park
TV channel? Peacock Premium (US)

Southampton are back on the road this weekend, heading to St James' Park to take on Newcastle.

The Magpies have endured a rather disappointing start to their campaign, losing at home to West Ham - leading twice before eventually falling to a 4-2 defeat - and then suffering a 2-0 defeat away at Villa Park, before losing a midweek penalty shootout to Burnley in the Carabao Cup.

Ralph Hasenhuttl will be keen to keep the Southampton momentum flowing into Saturday's trip to Newcastle, after an 8-0 spanking of Newport in the Carabao Cup followed a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at St Mary's.

Read 90min's full match preview here
Newcastle predicted lineup
Southampton predicted lineup

Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Southampton


Brighton vs Everton

Brighton cruised to victory last time out | Eddie Keogh/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 15:00 (BST)
Where is it being played? Amex Stadium
TV channel? fuboTV (US), NBCSN (US)

Brighton will look to maintain their positive start to the season when they host Everton at the AMEX Stadium on Saturday.

Wins against Burnley and Watford have seen the Seagulls pick up six points, while their opponents are a couple behind having beaten Southampton before drawing with Leeds.

This clash will also be the first time that managers Graham Potter and Rafa Benitez have ever faced off on the touchlines.

Read 90min's full match preview here

Prediction: Brighton 1-1 Everton


Norwich vs Leicester

Leicester were humbled by West Ham on Monday night | Michael Regan/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 15:00 (BST)
Where is it being played? Carrow Road
TV channel? Peacock Premium (US)

Bottom of the table Norwich have the opportunity to get their first points of the season on the board against Leicester at Carrow Road.

The Canaries have been schooled by Liverpool and Manchester City so far - a tough test for any side, let alone a promoted one - but they showed what they can do in midweek by dismantling Bournemouth 6-0 in the Carabao Cup.

Leicester won't be frightened of that result but should be frightened by some of their defending Monday on night against West Ham. A 4-1 mauling at the London Stadium can be slightly attributed to Ayoze Perez's red card, but they were all over the shop at the back.

Prediction: Norwich 2-2 Leicester


West Ham vs Crystal Palace

Things are going well for David Moyes and West Ham | Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 15:00 (BST)
Where is it being played? London Stadium
TV channel?  Peacock Premium (US)

West Ham's ascent to the top of the Premier League is the reward for two excellent performances, and the hosts have every chance of staying there with two relatively kind fixtures coming up.

Crystal Palace are first up and although they are no pushovers, they are yet to score a goal under Patrick Vieira - in either the Premier League or Carabao Cup. That, coupled with flowing confidence at the London Stadium, should mean one thing, even though the Eagles have a decent record in east London.

West Ham predicted lineup
Crystal Palace predicted lineup

Prediction: West Ham 3-1 Crystal Palace


Liverpool vs Chelsea

Thomas Tuchel travels to Jurgen Klopp for the game of the weekend | Getty Images/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 17:30 (BST)
Where is it being played? Anfield
TV channel? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), fuboTV (US)

Liverpool and Chelsea go head to head on Saturday evening, with both sides aiming to maintain their perfect starts to the 2021/22 campaign.

The Reds have cruised through their opening two matches, beating Norwich City and Burnley 3-0 and 2-0 respectively. Similarly, the Blues have made an equally impressive start, defeating Crystal Palace and Arsenal by the same score lines.

Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel will see this as their first major test of the season, a clash between two potential Premier League title candidates. Chelsea are seen as challengers to Manchester City's reign, while Liverpool are flying under the radar after last year's poor campaign.

Read 90min's full match preview here
Liverpool predicted lineup
Chelsea predicted lineup

Prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea


Sunday

Tottenham vs Watford

Harry Kane is back in the good books....and the goals | Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 14:00 (BST)
Where is it being played? Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
TV channel? Peacock Premium (US)

Everything is hunky dory in north London once more. Tottenham have won two games out of two in the Premier League, are through to the group stages of the Europa Conference League, and Harry Kane no longer wants to push through a move to Manchester City.

Do newly promoted Watford stand a chance this weekend then? Yes, is the absolute honest answer to that, but it'll take something special from the Hornets to smash down the feel good factor at the *checks notes again* Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Someone please rename that thing.

Prediction: Tottenham 2-0 Watford


Burnley vs Leeds

A complete contrast of styles clash at Turf Moor | Pool/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 14:00 (BST)
Where is it being played? Turf Moor
TV channel? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), fuboTV (US)

Sean Dyche vs Marcelo Bielsa is the kind of match anybody would pay to watch at Wrestlemania - or perhaps on a CM Punk-headlined AEW Rampage card, depending on your wrestling preference.

Instead, the grandest stages of them all will have to do without as win-less Burnley entertain a Leeds side at Turf Moor who are still running 150,000km every game under their masterful Argentine tactician.

It'll be physical, it'll be fast paced and it should have goals in it.

Burnley predicted lineup
Leeds predicted lineup

Prediction: Burnley 1-3 Leeds


Wolves vs Manchester United

Pogba has five assists in two Premier League games | Visionhaus/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 16:30 (BST)
Where is it being played? Molineux
TV channel? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), fuboTV (US)

At the time of writing, Manchester United are neck deep in negotiations for a sensational Cristiano Ronaldo return.

That slightly overshadows their visit to Wolves this weekend, but game faces will need to be on if United are to get back on the winning trail. Last week against Southampton, the Red Devils' quality in central midfield was pretty bleak to say the least, and they ended up drawing a game they really should have won.

Wolves, meanwhile, slipped to a second straight defeat, courtesy of a Dele Alli penalty for Spurs. The home side deserved better, and took out their frustration on Nottingham Forest midweek with a thumping win. Whether that's enough to get anything from this game is another story.

Prediction: Wolves 1-2 Manchester United

Source: 90min