Premier League Preview - Week 3 - September 4th-6th

Let's take a look at our week three selections from the EPL.

The Magpies return to home comforts in high spirits after four points picked up from their first two games under new boss Matthias Jaissle. After an entertaining 2-2 draw with Liverpool, Newcastle were deserved 2-0 winners at Tottenham last weekend. 

Still searching for their first win of the season, Bournemouth come into this weekend’s clash after throwing away three points in a 1-1 draw against Everton last Saturday. The Cherries began the season with a painful 2-1 defeat at Manchester City, who needed a pair of late goals to claim the spoils at the Etihad.

Recent meetings between these sides at St James’ Park make a compelling case for goals. Each of the last four competitive encounters at this venue finished with BTTS and over 2.5 goals, with final scorelines of 2-2, 1-4, 3-3 and 1-2. 

Bournemouth have also proved something of a bogey side for Newcastle, going unbeaten in the last six Premier League meetings between the teams.

With both sides carrying plenty of attacking threat, I’m banking on another entertaining contest on Tyneside.

The Seagulls have been in fine goal-scoring form, with four scored in a dominant clean-sheet victory against Aston Villa on the opening weekend of the season.

Fabian Hurzeler’s men also scored four in an easy Conference League win against Tromso, after a convincing 3-0 friendly win against Roma earlier this month.

Leeds have made an encouraging start to the campaign, collecting four points from their opening two fixtures. Daniel Farke’s men picked up a 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest and a 1-1 draw against Brentford.

Still, past trips to the Amex have proved fruitless for the Peacocks. Leeds slipped to 2-0, 1-0 and 3-0 reversals in their last three matches at this venue.

With Brighton sharp in the forward areas, I fancy a home win and the Seagulls to score at least two goals.

The Tigers stunned Manchester United with a 2-0 victory on the opening weekend before Liam Millar’s late goal secured a 1-0 win at Coventry last Saturday. Pre-season favourites for relegation, Sergej Jakirovic’s side already have six points on the board.

Villa could hardly have endured a more contrasting start. Unai Emery’s much-changed side were hammered 4-0 at Brighton before an underwhelming 1-0 home defeat against Arsenal on Monday.

The Villans look a long way short of the side that secured Champions League qualification last season and, with so many changes to their squad, are likely to need time to gel before they find something like their best form.

With that in mind, I fancy the Tigers to at least avoid defeat against a Villa side that looks short of attacking quality.

Hull’s perfect start will eventually come to an end, but there is little reason to oppose them against a Villa side that has yet to offer much attacking threat.

The Gunners have made a typically assured start, following their 3-0 victory against Coventry with a hard-fought 1-0 success at Aston Villa. Mikel Arteta’s men remain defensively solid, but were again accused of a lack of creativity in their win at Villa Park. 

Contrastingly, the Blues look likely to earn the tag of Premier League entertainers this season, with Xabi Alonso’s side edging to a 3-2 win at Fulham before surviving a remarkable second-half fightback to beat Brighton 4-3 at Stamford Bridge last weekend.

Goals at both ends have also been relatively frequent in this fixture. Five of the last seven Premier League meetings saw BTTS, including both encounters last season, which finished 1-1 at Stamford Bridge and 2-1 to Arsenal at the Emirates.

While the hosts will have their backers, I expect Chelsea to at least bring up the BTTS pick in a likely competitive contest in North London.

Friday night’s fixture sees Ipswich host Liverpool at Portman Road. The Tractor Boys have scored in both of their opening league games, including twice in last weekend’s 5-2 defeat at Manchester United, while Liverpool have played out successive 2-2 draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest. 

With the Reds yet to keep a clean sheet, BTTS and over 2.5 goals looks like the best bet.

On Saturday, Brentford welcome Sunderland to the Gtech Community Stadium. The Bees have collected four points from their opening two matches, including an emphatic 3-0 victory against Tottenham.

After last season’s remarkable seventh-placed EPL finish, Sunderland bounced back from their opening day defeat at Ipswich with a narrow 1-0 home win against Fulham.

Given the hosts' impressive early-season form, and Sunderland's road struggles last season, the Bees look likely to claim the spoils this weekend.

In another 3 pm kick-off, Fulham take on Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage with both teams still searching for their first points of the season. 

Palace have made a miserable start following defeats against Everton and Manchester City, but they have enjoyed this fixture recently, winning on each of their last two Premier League visits to Craven Cottage. 

A tough one to call, under 2.5 goals could prove the best bet, with neither side yet to impress in the forward areas.

At the Etihad, Manchester City host Coventry after making it two wins from two with an emphatic 4-1 victory at Crystal Palace. Enzo Maresca’s men have already scored six Premier League goals, while Coventry remain pointless and are yet to score following defeats against Arsenal and Hull.

A routine home victory seems likely, with Manchester City to score 3+ goals my preferred pick. Adding Erling Haaland anytime makes sense, bringing up an even-money double selection.

Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest entertain Tottenham at the City Ground. Spurs are yet to score after successive defeats against Brentford and Newcastle, while Forest showed improvement in last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Anfield. 

Forest have also won each of their last four Premier League meetings with Tottenham, including back-to-back 3-0 victories last season. Another home win appeals at a generous price.

Finally on Sunday, Everton face Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Toffees remain unbeaten after collecting four points from their first two fixtures against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.

Still, the loss of Iliman Ndiaye and Beto, combined with their failure to sign a replacement striker, has left the Toffees badly short of attacking quality.

United bounced back from a shock 2-0 defeat at Hull with a thumping 5-2 victory against Ipswich and should carry that momentum into their trip to Merseyside.

The Red Devils won four of the last six league meetings between these sides and can build on last weekend’s improved display with a hard-fought away victory.