We’re approaching Matchweek Three in the Premier League with the pressure starting to mount on several managers already.
Nuno Espirito Santo remains the bookmakers’ favourite to depart first after his spat with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis while miserable starts to the season mean West Ham’s Graham Potter and Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim are under severe scrutiny.
Here, we take a look at this weekend’s fixtures and offer some thoughts on what might happen.
After all, who would’ve thought Grimsby and United would finish 2-2? Well, we did actually…
SATURDAY
Chelsea v Fulham (1230)
Chelsea looked mightily impressive in demolishing West Ham last Friday – although how much of that was down to the Hammers’ inadequacies?
The world champions certainly appear a cohesive unit at the minute after a lengthy spell of chaos at Stamford Bridge.
A West London derby against Fulham offers the chance for Enzo Maresca’s side to claim another three points as they look to launch a serious title bid this season.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
Tottenham v Bournemouth (1500)
Like Chelsea, Spurs have been impressive in the early weeks of the season with last weekend’s 2-0 win at Manchester City a real statement of intent.
Thomas Frank was always likely to install some calm and defensive organisation after the all-out attack philosophy of Ange Postecoglou.
Yes, there has been frustration on the transfer front but Spurs look well-set to make a huge improvement on last season’s woeful league form.
Bournemouth are about where you’d expect them to be – mid-table. They performed well at Liverpool on the opening night and backed that up with a solid showing, and three points, against Wolves. They are no mugs under Andoni Iraola.
Prediction: Tottenham 2-2 Bournemouth
Man United v Burnley (1500)
Where to start…
United lurch from one calamity to another – the latest being the humbling EFL Cup exit at Grimsby on Wednesday night. It was no fluke either, even if the game went to a penalty shoot-out. A vastly experienced United team were hopelessly outplayed for much of the game at Blundell Park.
Local rivals Burnley will rock up at Old Trafford desperate to heap even more misery on the home fans. Last weekend’s 2-0 defeat of fellow top-flight new-boys Sunderland was a welcome result and Scott Parker’s well-drilled side won’t be easy to break down.
Prediction: Man United 1-1 Burnley
Sunderland v Brentford (1500)
Sunderland’s optimism following the opening-weekend win over West Ham was severely dented by the defeat at Turf Moor and this could be a season-defining game for the Black Cats. Win, and it may be last weekend was a mere stumble on the road to survival; lose and it seems Regis Le Bris’ men are in for the long season many pundits predicted.
You could arguably say the same for Brentford, although the victory over Aston Villa last Saturday showed their squad is still in good shape despite several summer departures.
Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Brentford
Wolves v Everton (1500)
Wolves are in need of a win as one of two sides yet to register a point from two games.
The midweek EFL Cup triumph over West Ham was a morale-booster and they will be eager to keep hold of two-goal hero Jorgen Strand Larsen before the transfer window closes on Monday.
Everton arrive on the back of two wins – over Brighton and Mansfield – at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium and will fancy their chances of registering a third.
Prediction: Wolves 1-2 Everton
Leeds v Newcastle (1730)
Newcastle suffered the heartbreak of their last-gasp defeat at home to Liverpool on Monday night – and, just as crucially, lost four key players in the process.
Joelinton and Sandro Tonali both sustained injuries while defender Fabian Schar won’t play at Elland Road due to concussion protocols. Anthony Gordon starts a three-game suspension after being shown a red card for an appalling challenge on Virgil van Dijk.
It presents a real opportunity for Leeds to record a second home win.
Prediction: Leeds 2-1 Newcastle
SUNDAY
Nottingham Forest v West Ham (1400)
There will be as much scrutiny on the dugouts as the pitch with Nuno and Potter going head to head.
Nuno’s precarious hold on the Forest job is not due to results, though, and he undoubtedly has the better squad to work with.
West Ham appear a total mess and a heavy defeat here could spell the end of the road for Potter.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 3-0 West Ham
Brighton v Man City (1400)
City’s defeat to Tottenham showed some of the flaws that blighted their 2024/25 campaign remain. The jury is still out on many of the clubs recent signings and fans could be forgiven for thinking they should have kept hold of many of the players that have been moved on.
It has been a frustrating season for Brighton so far, conceding a 97th-minute equaliser to Fulham before seeing a series of excellent chances go begging in defeat at Everton.
Prediction: Brighton 2-1 Man City
Liverpool v Arsenal (1630)
The game of the weekend pits last season’s champions against the three-time Premier League runners-up.
Liverpool have six points from six but shown a vulnerability rarely on display last term. Bournemouth found plenty of joy on the break at Anfield while the 10-men of Newcastle were extremely effective with their basic, long-ball tactics at St James’ Park.
Arsenal certainly won’t replicate Newcastle’s approach but they will study Bournemouth’s performance closely and hope to find similar space in transition.
Arne Slot will be hoping for a calmer performance after the chaos that has preceded it but Arsenal have bought well this summer and this presents the ideal chance to put down an early title marker.
Prediction: Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal
Aston Villa v Crystal Palace (1900)
Palace travel to Norway for their Conference League playoff in midweek before heading to the West Midlands for the final game of the weekend. Neither of these teams has won yet, although neither Unai Emery nor Oliver Glasner are fearing for their jobs.
Villa have the edge on paper, particularly with Palace no longer having the magical talents of Eberechi Eze.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-0 Crystal Palace
