Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 3

SATURDAY:

CHELSEA V FULHAM

Chelsea were very good against West Ham where they showed that they're not as reliant on Cole Palmer as they used to be with Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro both stepping on on the goals front.

Fulham usually compete well when they take on the big teams and they got a draw against one last weekend against Man United.

Marco Silva's side won this fixture last season and they'll surely be looking to give the blues another good game in this one.

But I think Chelsea will end up on top this time as they do have a decent record at home.

PREDICTION: 2-1

MAN UNITED V BURNLEY

Man United have to show a reaction here following their Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby in midweek where they got outplayed in the first half.

I even asked myself after the game if Ruben Amorim is the right man for them because I don't think his system suits the players they have.

I do hope he gets time to turn things around but if his side don't win at least two of their next few games, he could be in trouble.

Burnley got off the mark last weekend with their win over Sunderland and will make it difficult for United in this one as they're a resolute team who are tough to break down.

But I think United will come out on top here whether they play poorly or badly.

PREDICTION: 2-0

SUNDERLAND V BRENTFORD

Sunderland's home form will be key if they're to stay up this season and their season got off to a flying start against West Ham at home a couple of weekends ago.

Brentford got off the mark last weekend against Villa and it was a crucial win for them as a lot of people were beginning to doubt them after being comfortably beaten by Forest on the opening day.

The Bees didn't have a fantastic away record last season and especially early on where they were losing pretty much every game they had on the road.

With Sunderland being at home and getting off to that good start at home against West Ham a couple of weekends ago, I'm backing them to get another one here.

PREDICTION: 2-0

TOTTENHAM V BOURNEMOUTH

Spurs have got off to a fine start under Thomas Frank and the way they beat Man City last weekend was very impressive.

They're a more adaptable team than they were last season under Ange Postecoglou in that they're able to change the way they play depending on the opposition which is a good thing for them moving forward.

Bournemouth got off the mark last weekend against Wolves after giving Liverpool a scare on the opening day and I think they'll give Spurs a good game here as well.

Both teams will definitely score but I think Spurs will have enough quality to get the result over the line.

PREDICTION: 3-2

WOLVES V EVERTON

Wolves have not started the season well following defeats in their first two games against Man City and Bournemouth.

But they did win in the Carabao Cup against West Ham in midweek and they will have hopefully gained a lot of confidence from that win to help them get their league campaign up and running.

I was glad that Everton got off to a winning start in their new stadium because it's good to see a team win their first game at their new stadium.

Jack Grealish impressed in that win against Brighton where he set up both goals and played with a freedom, something he probably didn't have at Man City.

This fixture ended in a 1-1 draw last season and I think this will end the same way as I can see it being a close game with not much between the two sides.

PREDICTION: 1-1

LEEDS V NEWCASTLE

Leeds got well beaten by Arsenal last weekend just as I thought they would because of how vulnerable they are and can be defensively.

Newcastle deserve a huge amount of credit for their performance against Liverpool on Monday and especially as they had 10 men for a lot of the match.

They'll be without three of their key players for this one in Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, who are both injured, and Anthony Gordon who is of course suspended after being sent off on Monday.

Leeds will fancy themselves knowing that Newcastle are without those three players and with them being at home and I might fancy them to win this one.

PREDICTION: 3-1

SUNDAY:

BRIGHTON V MAN CITY

Brighton have started the last few seasons reasonably well and I'm a bit surprised that they've made a slow start to this season.

Man City were brought back down to earth following their defeat to Spurs after a comfortable win over Wolves in their opening game, which led to a number of people saying that they were back.

I said after that game that they should put Ederson back in goal despite the speculation surrounding his future because he's a more proven keeper at the top level than James Trafford.

Trafford will one day be City's no.1, but at the moment he's not ready to make the step up and his error against Spurs showed why.

Brighton away has been a tough game for City in the past including last season where they lost 2-1.

But I think they'll bounce back here with a fairly routine win but I do think Brighton will score.

PREDICTION: 1-3

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V WEST HAM

There was a lot of speculation surrounding Nuno Espirito Santo's future at Forest going into their draw with Crystal Palace following his comments on his relationship with the owner Evangelos Marinakis.

He probably didn't cover himself in glory when he said what he said, but he still deserves to remain in charge as he's done a very good job since he's been there in keeping them up in his first season before leading them into Europe last season.

The signs already look worrying for West Ham and Graham Potter a lot of people are even tipping them to be in a relegation battle.

I don't blame them for saying that because they look like a side who could be in one as they're so easy to play against at the moment.

The midfield is undoubtedly their biggest worry due to the lack of legs in there and they need to get someone in there before the window closes otherwise they will be in a relegation battle.

Because of Forest having a strong record at home and West Ham being in such a state, I've got no choice but to predict a Forest win and a comfortable one.

PREDICTION: 3-0

LIVERPOOL V ARSENAL

Liverpool have looked shaky at the back this season and their defence was once again exposed against Newcastle on Monday.

They were very fortunate to win that game as Newcastle were the better side due to the amount of pressure they the reds under particularly in the second half.

Arsenal will be without easily their two most important players for this one in Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka who both went off injured against Leeds.

But they will still fancy themselves here as they have arguably more depth than they have done in recent seasons with the signing of Eberechi Eze bolstering it further.

The Gunners will definitely cause Liverpool problems in this game, but their record at Anfield is poor and with Liverpool having such a good record at home, I think the points will be shared.

PREDICTION: 2-2

ASTON VILLA V CRYSTAL PALACE

Aston Villa were disappointing against Brentford as they offered very little going forward and it was the same issue in their opening game against Newcastle.

Crystal Palace come into this game off the back of playing in Europe and I still see them struggling to compete on both fronts. Especially with Eberechi Eze gone and a lack of squad depth.

Villa have made a stuttering start to their season, but I still think they'll show up and put in a performance here and especially with Palace likely to feel tired after playing in Europe on Thursday.

PREDICTION: 2-0