Gameweek 3 Predictions
Southampton 1-2 Manchester United
Chelsea 3-0 Sheffield United
Crystal Palace 0-0 Aston Villa
Leicester 3-1 Bournemouth
Manchester City 4-0 Brighton
Newcastle 1-1 Watford
West Ham 3-2 Norwich
Burnley 0-2 Liverpool
Everton 1-1 Wolves
Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham
Summary
Liverpool look likely to remain 100% whilst City will have no issues remaining in touch, by thumping Brighton. Leicester and Chelsea look like solid picks at very backable odds.
Manchester United haven’t played badly this season, but aren’t a team I want to back this weekend, although I do see them winning. Everton vs Wolves, Newcastle vs Watford and Palace vs Villa all look like draw candidates- all paying out over 5/2 to end up level. Meanwhile, Norwich’s visit to West Ham guarantees goals, much like the North London Derby and City’s cruise against Brighton.
Game of the Week: Arsenal vs Tottenham
The North London Derby almost guarantees goals this Sunday. Arsenal kept a clean sheet in just 21% of their Premier League games last season, and have conceded 3 in 4 so far. Meanwhile, Spurs are now winless in their last 7 Premier League away matches and have conceded 2 or more goals in 5 of them. On Sunday they come up against an Arsenal side that have scored 2 or more goals in 10 of their last 11 home league games.
Summer signing Nicolas Pepe is yet to get off the mark for Arsenal, but the combination of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted 35 league goals last season, with Aubameyang scoring 22 of them. The Gabonese forward has scored 7 goals in his last 8 Premier League appearances and has found the net in each of his last 3 league games at the Emirates.
Tottenham carry their own threats, with Harry Kane leading the line, accompanied by the likes of Moura, Lamela, Son and Eriksen, although there has been a lot of uncertainty surrounding the latter. This has played a big part in what has been an ominous start to the campaign for Spurs.
Eriksen came off the bench against Aston Villa to help salvage 3 points on the opening weekend, but couldn’t do anything to prevent a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Newcastle.
Prediction
Spurs dominate the combined XI, but there were a lot of close calls. Both teams are weak at full-back, with all 4 first choice full backs out of action. I prefer Vertonghen and Alderweireld over Sanchez and Luiz. Arsenal edge out Spurs in midfield, with Dele Alli and Ndombele also out. Son over Pepe was the big call up top.
Even though the combined XI favours Spurs, history doesn’t. Spurs haven’t won at the Emirates since 2010, and that won’t change this Sunday. Spurs haven’t looked good this season, despite they fact they stole a point at Manchester City. Arsenal may have lost away to Liverpool, but Arsenal routinely lose away to the top 6, while performing exceptionally well at home to compensate. I nailed my 3-1 score prediction last week, and I’m going for the same again this weekend.
