Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 3

FRIDAY:

IPSWICH V LIVERPOOL

Ipswich started brightly against Man United but were ultimately taught a harsh lesson about Premier League football in the second half.

They're likely to receive more of them as the season progresses including in this one as they'll be up against another quality side.

Liverpool have had to come from behind twice in both of their games so far which have highlighted the problems they have at the moment.

They look open in midfield whilst in defence they look vulnerable and they didn't address both issues during the transfer window.

The players they've brought in do look promising, but their fans will still be disappointed that they didn't do more as their squad also lacks depth alongside the issues they have in midfield and defence.

Bradley Barcola could make his debut in this game following his arrival from PSG before deadline day and it will be interesting to see where he plays because he prefers to play on the way and arrives as a potential replacement for Salah.

Ipswich will definitely be competitive in this one as they're at home and are looking a better equipped side to compete in the Premier League than they were last time.

But I think Liverpool will have enough quality to come out on top here despite the problems they have.

PREDICTION: 1-2

SATURDAY:

NEWCASTLE V BOURNEMOUTH

Newcastle have made a promising start under new boss Matthias Jaissle and they could be a potential surprise package this season.

After losing the players they lost alongside Eddie Howe their expectations were of course relatively low and they're clearly using that to their advantage with the start they've made.

It wouldn't at all surprise me if they challenged for Europe and not being in Europe will help with that as they'll have fewer games to play.

Bournemouth have conceded late in each of their two games under Marco Rose so far and have dropped points because of this.

They'll need to snap out of that habit quickly if they're to get points on the board and especially with some tough fixtures coming up alongside games in Europe.

But I can only see it happening again because I'm backing Newcastle to keep up their good start with another win in this one and a late one too.

PREDICTION: 2-1

BRENTFORD V SUNDERLAND

Brentford have been strong at home ever since they've been in the Premier League and especially during the first half of a season as has been the case in the last two.

Sunderland didn't have a great record on the road last season but they did get off the mark last weekend against Fulham which will give them confidence coming into this game.

But because of how strong Brentford are at home, I've got to give them the win here and I can see it being reasonably straightforward for them.

PREDICTION: 2-0

BRIGHTON V LEEDS

Brighton have been right among the goals this season as they already have seven which is the joint most in the league this season.

They put four past Villa the last time they played at home and they'll be looking to do the same against a Leeds side who they put three past in this fixture last season.

Leeds have been a tougher team to play against since that game and I think they'll set themselves to be resolute and hard to break down in this one.

But I still think Brighton will just edge this one because of the goal scoring form they're in and the decent record they have at home.

PREDICTION: 2-1

FULHAM V CRYSTAL PALACE

Both sides are still waiting for their first points under their respective new managers so something has to give here.

Fulham showed some encouraging signs in their opening game against Chelsea but were disappointing last weekend against Sunderland.

Palace have shown encouraging signs in both of their games despite the results and they'll be glad that they managed to hold onto both Mateta and Sarr.

Sarr will again be unavailable for this one due to injury and I have a feeling that Pierre Sage will slowly integrate him back into the team because of his proposed move to Liverpool not happening, which may have affcted him mentally.

The Eagles have won this fixture in each of the last two seasons and as they've shown the more encouraging signs between the two sides, I think they'll get another win in this one to give Sage his first win in charge.

PREDICTION: 1-2

MAN CITY V COVENTRY

Man City looked very good against Crystal Palace last Friday where they showed that they're a side not to be written off.

They just got over the line in their opening game against Bournemouth where they neeed two late goals to win the game but against Palace, they showed why they're going to there or there abouts.

They got a couple of players through the door before the deadline in Iliman Ndiaye and Enzo Fernandez and both players could make their debuts in this one.

Fernandez will definitely be a starter and especially as he worked under Maresca at Chelsea but Ndiaye will likely be a player who comes off the bench and especially when Jeremy Doku comes back.

Coventry will see their defeat to Hull as an opportunity missed as it represented their best chance to get their first win back in the top flight.

Another defeat for them here will leave them with a lot of work to do as is usually the case for any team who starts the season with three defeats from three and especially the newly promoted ones.

Their game plan in this one should be to keep the score down and focus on damage limitation because they know that they're probably not going to get anything due to the quality of side they're facing.

They'll certainly try their best to keep the score down, but I still see City winning this one and fairly comfortably.

PREDICTION: 4-0

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V TOTTENHAM

Forest are still waiting for their first win under Oliver Glasner and they might fancy themselves to get it in this one given the start Spurs have made.

They've done the double over Spurs in each of the last two seasons and their 3-0 win towards the end of last season was the start of their late-season surge towards the survival and marked the end of Igor Tudor's time in charge of Spurs.

Spurs appear to be paying the price for bringing in a lot of players as they've looked like a team of individuals so far this season.

It can take time for a team to come together following a big number of arrivals, but Spurs need to start playing like a team now because they need points on the board.

I'm afraid their wait for their first points of the season is going to have to wait because I'm backing Forest to get off the mark in this one as they're more of a team than Spurs are at the moment.

PREDICTION: 2-0

HULL V ASTON VILLA

Hull have got off to a flyer by winning both of their opening two games so far and by doing so are proving their doubters wrong.

They were written off by pretty much everyone during pre season and they're showing that they can compeete at this level by being tough to beat and hitting teams on the counter.

Villa haven't started at all well following two straight defeats but they were much improved against Arsenal on Monday.

They started slowly last season as well and went on to have a brilliant season but this season feels different as they've lost key players.

They did bring in players during the final days of the transfer window but whether they'll have the same impact as the players they've lost did remains to be seen.

Hull may be the side with the most confidence, but I do think Villa will do enough to earn a point as I see the Tigers making it difficult for them.

PREDICTION: 1-1

SUNDAY:

EVERTON V MAN UNITED

Everton have made a reasonably solid start to the season with a win and a draw from their two games so far.

It was disappointing to see their deal for Folarin Balogun fall through as he was exactly what they needed in terms of a clinical no.9.

Thierno Barry looks set to be the man to lead their attack and especially as he's their only recognised centre forward following the departure of Beto.

Man United were much improved against Ipswich compared to the flat performance they put in against Hull, but they did have a bit of luck on their side in that their second goal should never have been given as Harry Maguire clearly handled the ball in the lead up to the goal.

United defensively have shown that they can be got at and Everton have players in their attack who can exploit that weakness.

I think both teams will look to play on the counter attack in this one because they're both suited to playing that way.

Because of this I can see the points being shared.

PREDICTION: 1-1

ARSENAL V CHELSEA

Arsenal had to work for their win over Villa on Monday and doing so shows why they're champions and why they're the favourites to defend their title.

This will be their first test of the season with it being against a London rival and a side that could potentially challenge them this season.

Chelsea have started strongly under Xabi Alonso and this game could decide whether they could be title contenders or not.

They've shown in both of their games so far why they could and won't challenge in that they're good going forward but defensively look vulnerable.

They've scored seven but conceded five so far this season and I know there's a long way to go, but if the blues are to challenge for the title, they need to tighten up at the back because they have the quality in other areas.

Arsenal showed against City in the Community Shield how dangerous they can be going forward and I think they'll show it in this one as I'm backing them to win this game and reasonably comfortably.

PREDICTION: 3-1