Premier League Week 3 Matchup Preview

Aston Villa vs. Everton

August 23rd 3:00pm ET– Aston Villa, the home team, has started their newly promoted season with two losses. Despite this, they still have the energy of a new team and have scored a goal in each of their games so far. Everton is looking like a strong team this season and this game should be a win for them. However, I expect Aston Villa to put up a fight with the Toffees and will not let them win easy.

Norwich vs. Chelsea

August 24th 7:30am ET– Entering this season, Norwich may not have expected to already have three points to start. Teemu Pukki for Norwich is the top goalscorer in the league and is going to be hungry to beat up a failing giant in the Premier League. On the other hand, Chelsea has been a top four team for years, but this year may be different. With Frank Lampard’s new management, they have not won a game yet. Chelsea will want this game to give confidence to their fifteenth place squad.

Brighton vs. Southampton

August 24th 10:00am ET– Brighton is currently fifth place in the league, which is abnormal two weeks in. Now, they want to show the league that they can hold their position and will be difficult to beat this season. Conversely, Southampton is struggling. Two losses to start the season to Burnley and Liverpool is disappointing, but a game like this can change their season. Brighton is vying to stay in the top ten, but Southampton will want to demolish Brighton’s hopes and get the Saints’ first points of the season.

Man United vs. Crystal Palace

August 24th 10:00am ET– After their first dropped points of the season in a draw with Wolves, Man United is coming back home. In their home debut, they thrashed Chelsea 4-0 and will want to give the home crowd more confidence. Palace has only one point to start this season and lost last week to Sheffield United. In my opinion, a team in the Premier League should never lose to a newly promoted team this early and Palace needs to get on a right track.

Sheffield United vs. Leicester

August 24th 10:00am ET– As the new up and coming team in the Premier League, Sheffield United has four points already. They are really proving their worth in the Premier League after beating Crystal Palace and drawing against Bournemouth. Proving they are ready to challenge, Sheffield United takes on a strong Leicester team. Despite drawing their first two games, Leicester is a really strong team with players, like James Maddison, that look dominant. Leicester will want their first win of the season.

Watford vs. West Ham

August 24th 10:00am ET– Right now, I think Watford is at the top of my relegation list. Losses to Brighton and Everton were not even close. Watford needs to get everything together if they want to stay in the League. They at least need to score once. Similarly, West Ham drew their Week Two matchup and lost their opening match. West Ham will want to get a strong away victory, like Brighton at Watford in Week One. Both teams have something to prove this game.

Liverpool vs. Arsenal

August 24th 12:30pm ET– The Game of the Week is undoubtedly this. Liverpool and Arsenal, both top of the table with two wins out of two games. A great start to their season. However, one or both teams are going to drop points. It just depends on who cracks first. Liverpool and their endless amount of goals (from players like Mané, Firmino, or Salah) has proved they will do anything to get to be Champions this year. Arsenal with their new players are looking star studded and ready to prove themselves. It is all on the line in this game.

Bournemouth vs. Man City

August 25th 9:00am ET– After finishing their first two games of the season against two newly promoted teams, Bournemouth got four points out of them. It honestly is not too bad for the Cherries and they may prove to be a good force in the Premier League the rest of the season. On the other hand, they are facing a dominant Man City team that can obliterate them. Man City had 30 shots in their draw with Tottenham last week. If they sink those chances, they can beat any team.

Tottenham vs. Newcastle

August 25th 11:30am ET– For Tottenham, drawing with a team like Man City is a big deal. They were able to hold off an onslaught of shots and hold on with help of VAR. As a result, they have what it takes to deal with a Newcastle team that does not have a point yet. Due to that, Newcastle has a lot to prove to the rest of the League. If they were to get at least point against Tottenham, then Newcastle can show the League they are not a pushover.

Wolverhampton vs. Burnley

August 25th 11:30am ET– Wolves are coming off two draws both to tough teams in Leicester and Man United. The draw to Man United is definitely huge for Wolves’ confidence. Their team’s experience so far may carry them just over their seventh place finish from last year. Conversely, Burnley has a win against Southampton and a loss to Arsenal. Burnley definitely has what it takes to make it deep in the top 10 this year, but will want to prove they can do anything against Wolves.