The Premier League resumes for gameweek three and even though it is still early days, the pretenders are already getting separated from the contenders. Here’s a run-down of the weekend’s fixtures:
Chelsea kick off with a Friday night game against newly promoted Luton Town. The Blues are without a win in two games, losing 3-1 to West Ham last weekend. Enzo Fernandez missed a penalty and record signing, Moises Caicedo, had a disaster of a debut, giving away a penalty that Lucas Paqueta converted. Mauricio Pochettino’s side will be hoping for better fortunes against a Luton Town team whose game was postponed last week due to delays with their stadium repair.
Saturday’s early kickoff sees Bournemouth host Ainge Postecoglou’s Tottenham. Bournemouth failed to make a man advantage count, losing 3-1 to Liverpool last weekend while Spurs will be in a buoyant mood after their 2-0 victory against Manchester United. The last time both sides met, Dango Ouattara scored a 95th-minute winner in a 3-2 thriller.
Arsenal host Fulham in a game where the hosts will be looking to extend their winning run. The Gunners had to dig deep on Monday after they played for half an hour with 10 men after Takehiro Tomiyasu was sent off for a second yellow card. They will however be looking for a more comfortable win at the Emirates against a Fulham team who also played with 10 men for over 30 minutes with Tim Ream sent off, but lost at home 3-0 to Brentford.
A third consecutive London derby awaits Brentford as they host Crystal Palace. The Bees have started the season in goalscoring fashion netting 5 goals with Yohan Wissa and Bryan Mbuema shouldering the goalscoring burden in the absence of suspended striker Ivan Toney. On the other hand, Crystal Palace could not get a point at home against Arsenal on Monday, struggling to break down a resolute Arsenal defence. The previous three fixtures between both sides have ended in draws, which could be a sign of what is to come.
The bottom two teams in the league face off as Everton welcome Wolves to Goodison Park. Everton have started the season in poor fashion, failing to score a goal and conceding five goals. Even worse is that striker Calvert Lewin is facing another spell on the sidelines following a collision with Emi Martinez last time out. Alex Iwobi also picked up a hamstring injury in the game. Wolves suffered a 4-1 humbling against Brighton as manager Gary O’Neil is facing a struggle to get his side firing. Manchester City target Matheus Nunes is suspended for this tie. Whatever happens, one or both sides will bag their first points of the season.
Injury-hit Manchester United host Nottingham Forest in a game the Red Devils have to win. It has been a terrible week for Erik ten Hag’s side with the loss to Tottenham and Luke Shaw and Mason Mount picking up injuries. Rasmus Hojlund is still unavailable according to reports. Forest have made a good start to the new season with Taiwo Awoniyi bagging in back-to-back games. They should fancy their chances against a Red Devil’s side who have faced the most shots inside the box (31).
Brighton will be looking to maintain their 100 percent start to the new Premier League season when they play host to West Ham. They kick-started the new campaign in emphatic fashion, winning their opening two games against Luton Town and Wolves by 4-1 scorelines.
They face a West Ham side who go into this game on the back of a big win in the London derby game against Chelsea. New signing, James Ward-Prowse provided two assists on his debut, helping Nayef Aguerd and Michail Antonio to score. The former got sent off but Lucas Paqueta scored late to secure all three points. West Ham have failed to win their last 12 games against Brighton 6 Losses 6 Draws
Without a point, Sheffield United face an uphill task as they host Champions Manchester City. The Blades lost to Nottingham Forest 2-1 while Manchester City Defeated Newcastle 1-0. Jeremy Doku looks set to make his debut after completing his 55.8m move from Rennes
Manchester City have won their last five games against Sheffield United, keeping five clean sheets in a row.
To round off the weekend is the week three star game as Newcastle host Liverpool.
The Magpies were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City last time out, while the Reds came from behind to defeat Bournemouth 3-1 at Anfield. Newcastle have only been beaten three times at St James' Park in the Premier League since the start of 2022, but two of those defeats have come against Liverpool. Alexis Mac Allister is available after his red card was rescinded but Ibrahima Konate is out with a muscle injury.
