FRIDAY:
LUTON V WEST HAM
Luton have been looking forward to this game for a long time with it being their first home game back in the flight. They've had to wait for a home game because of Kenilworth Road being redeveloped and their fans will be mega excited heading into this one.
It will be important that they get a result here as their home form will be vital if they're to stay up. Newly promoted teams of the past have relied heavily on their home form and Luton will need to do the same.
Despite having a difficult summer, West Ham have got off to a very good start. James Ward-Prowse is looking like a good signing and has shown that in their last two games against Chelsea and Brighton.
The Hammers were disappointing on the road last season but I think they'll record back to back away victories here after beating Brighton last weekend.
PREDICTION: 0-3
SATURDAY:
SHEFFIELD UNITED V EVERTON
Sheffield United haven't got off to a good start on their return to the top flight but they did give Man City a good game. Their performance on the day was very encouraging from Paul Heckingbottom's side and one they'll look to build on.
I fancy them to get off the mark here because they're at home and Everton obviously can't score goals.
The Toffees did sign a striker during the week in Beto from Udinese who scored on his debut against Doncaster in the Carabao Cup in midweek. But I don't see him making an impact until at least after the international break.
Sean Dyche's side have been poor on the road over the last couple of seasons and it's another reason why I think they'll get beat here.
PREDICTION: 1-0
BRENTFORD V BOURNEMOUTH
Brentford have been strong at home since they've been in the Premier League and especially last season where they lost just twice. Them being at home here will give them a massive advantage.
The Bees have started this campaign reasonably well collecting five points from the first three games which represents a decent start. They've coped well without Ivan Toney and I think they'll get another good result here.
Bournemouth have got off to a tough start under Andoni Iraola which I'm not all surprised with as they're adjusting to a different style of play. That and the fact that they've had both Liverpool and Spurs in two of their opening three games which is always tough.
They have spent a lot of money this summer which has quite possibly raised expectations. But it will still take time for them to fully adapt to the way that Iraola wants them to play.
PREDICTION: 2-0
BURNLEY V TOTTENHAM
It's been a tough start for Burnley on their return to the top flight and it's not going to get any easier. They face Man United, Newcastle and Chelsea in three of their next four after this tricky one against a reenergised Spurs team.
The Clarets have had their chances in both of their games so far but have left gaps at the back. Especially in their most recent game against Aston Villa where their defence got breached on a number of occasions.
Spurs have made a very good start under Ange Postecoglou under whom the football is better to watch. They might've gone out of the Carabao Cup in midweek to Fulham but in terms of the league, it's still been a decent start.
Spurs will definitely look to exploit the gaps that Burnley leave in their defence with the creativity of James Maddison and the pace of Son and Kulusevski out wide.
The Clarets will definitely go for it but I think Spurs will have more than enough here.
PREDICTION: 1-3
CHELSEA V NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Chelsea got off the mark last week with their win over Luton which was their best performance in a long time. Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson linked up well in that one and the pair of them could establish a strong partnership as the season progresses.
Sterling in particular has started the season in good form but wasn't included in Gareth Southgate's latest England squad. I thought he would be included given the form he's been in and I'm backing him to show why he should've been recalled here.
Nottingham Forest took points off Chelsea both home and away last season including their 2-2 draw in this fixture which pushed them closer to safety.
Steve Cooper's side had the worst away record in the league last season and were not handed a nice start on the road this season. They've already faced Arsenal and Man United on the road this season and after this one, they face Man City and Liverpool in two of their next three away games.
Their away form could be their Achilles heal again this season.
PREDICTION: 3-1
MAN CITY V FULHAM
Man City were given a good game by Sheffield United last weekend where they had to dig deep to get the result. I was surprised that Phil Foden didn't start one after his brilliant performance against Newcastle the week before. They did bring him on late in the game but they could've done it earlier as they lacked someone to open up the Blades defence for much of the game.
I do think Foden will start this one and he has to because City need someone to run the show in midfield whilst Kevin De Bruyne is out and Foden is the most likely player to do that.
Fulham had a good go against Arsenal last weekend and you'd expect them to approach this one in the same way. Joao Palhinha's return to the side was crucial in that game and keeping hold of him in the window was arguably even more crucial.
They won't play too open here because they know the quality that City possess but they'll still have a good go like they did whenever they took on the big teams last season.
PREDICTION: 2-0
BRIGHTON V NEWCASTLE
Brighton had a lot of possession and chances against West Ham but they weren't able to make the most of either. I was expecting them to win that game because of how well they started the season. But they got done on the counter after leaving spaces in behind.
Newcastle also missed some big chances in their game against Liverpool which will feel like an opportunity missed because of them having an extra player and not making the most of it. They were the better side in the first half but their lack of cutting edge in the second came back to bite them.
Most games between these two sides have ended in draws and especially in this fixture. They'll both have a good go but I can't see either side winning it.
PREDICTION: 1-1
SUNDAY:
CRYSTAL PALACE V WOLVES
Crystal Palace have had a rather mixed start to the season picking up different results in each of their three games so far. But in all fairness, they're probably satisfied with it as the results they've had were probably the ones they expected.
Wolves got their first win under Gary O'Neil last time out with their victory at Everton which was a massive result for them. That win should give them the confidence to get their season properly up and running.
But I don't see it happening here as Palace are strong at home. Both sides don't have many goals in them but I think the Eagles will just edge it as they'll have the home crowd on their side.
PREDICTION: 1-0
LIVERPOOL V ASTON VILLA
Liverpool's subs made the difference in their win over Newcastle and especially Darwin Nunez who will surely start in this one following the impact he made off the bench.
He has to start here because Villa are on organised team defensively and Nunez is someone who could cause them problems like he did against Newcastle with his pace and movement.
Aston Villa have recovered well from their 5-1 defeat to Newcastle on the opening day and will very well fancy their chances here against a Liverpool side who do look suspect at the back. Especially without Virgil Van Dijk who is suspended following his red card against Newcastle.
Unai Emery's side will definitely ask questions of the Liverpool defence but with this game being at Anfield where Liverpool have such a good record under Jurgen Klopp, I think they'll fall short.
PREDICTION: 2-1
ARSENAL V MAN UNITED
Arsenal are yet to convince this season despite them winning 7 points from their opening 3 games. I can see why they're making the changes to their team as it's something they're going to have to get used to later in the season. But it's unsettling the defence which is looking shaky at the moment.
Man United also haven't been convincing this season and were fortunate to come away with all three points against Nottingham Forest. They did show character to come form behind and win the game but there were moments during the game where they looked fragile.
Their away form was pretty poor last season and especially against the big teams. They gained just two points on the road against the big teams last season and it's something they'll need to address if they're to challenge this season. But I don't see them doing something about it here.
Arsenal are a strong team at home and with United missing a number of defensive players through injury, I think the Gunners will come out on top here.
PREDICTION: 3-1
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