Premier League 21/22: Matchday 3 predictions

This season, the team's predictions will be available in weekly articles and they'll be in competition with a league too!

Read our pundits predictions below

Man City v Arsenal - Saturday, 28th August - 12:30pm

Arsenal's last win over Manchester City was the 2020 FA Cup semi-final at Wembley

Ryan Kirk

Manchester City got back to winning ways last weekend with a comfortable 5-0 win over Norwich, whilst Arsenal’s poor start to the season continued as they were beaten 2-0 at home to Chelsea. The Gunners are missing some key players, but even if they return for this fixture, it’s going to take a miracle for them to take all three points! Arteta needs to turn things around fast, otherwise it wouldn’t surprise me to see him become the first Premier League manager to leave this season.

Prediction: 3-0

Chris Stott

After 2 defeats from 2, the last pplace the Gunners want to visit is the Etihad surely? Arsenal did ok against Chelsea in spells but were simply bullied by Lukaku. They won't have that kind of issue to deal with this time around however with City's lack of an established number 9. The sky blues walloped Norwich but that was fully expected. City for me still have a few questions to answer, but Arsenal have far more.

Prediction: 2-0

Chris Coughlin: 3-0

Joe Richardson: 3-0

Harry Reynolds: 3-0

Aston Villa v Brentford - Saturday, 28th August - 3pm

Harry Reynolds

Villa won as expected against Newcastle last week, while Brentford kept another clean sheet away at Palace. I think this will be a very decent game, but I just think the quality of Villa will see them over the line, though I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Brentford nicked something.

Prediction: 1-0

Chris Coughlin

After their sensational opening day win against Arsenal, Brentford saw another side of the Premier League last week as they had to battle for a point at Palace. Villa meanwhile got off the mark with an expected and ultimately comfortable win over Newcastle. Danny Ings in particular will be full of confidence going into this and I'll go for a second home win on the bounce for Dean Smith's men.

Prediction: 2-0

Ryan Kirk: 1-0

Chris Stott: 2-1

Joe Richardson: 2-1

Brighton v Everton - Saturday, 28th August - 3pm

Ryan Kirk

I’ve been impressed by Brighton so far, who have recorded two wins from two going into this one. They don’t seem phased about the sale of Ben White, they’re extremely organised and the likes of Bissouma, who has been linked with many clubs including Liverpool and Manchester United, has focussed and got on with his career. We all know how experienced, qualified and organised Rafael Benitez is, though. Another draw at the Amex between these two sides.

Prediction: 1-1

Joe Richardson

It’s early days, but the signs are good for both these sides. Brighton have maximum points, and looked a very solid outfit against Watford. I still think they lack goals, but if they could bring in a forward player to provide more output, they could be looking at a very good season. Everton meanwhile have scored five goals so far and could have had more if Dominic Calvert-Lewin had been more clinical. I struggle to split these sides at present, so I’m sitting on the fence.

Prediction: 1-1

Chris Stott

An attractive game on paper. Both have had proosing starts to the season. Brighton have scored twice in back to back games which was a rarety last term, and have played the style we have very much come to expect. Everton have shown some really positive signs for me. The siging of Gray looks a great bit of business! He looked really sharp against Leeds. Tough one to call this so I'll go draw.

Prediction: 1-1

Chris Coughlin: 2-1

Harry Reynolds: 1-2

Newcastle v Southampton - Saturday, 28th August - 3pm

Harry Reynolds

Two teams who’ll be fighting at the wrong end of the table this season for me. Newcastle haven’t replicated their end of season form at all, and although Southampton got a point against Man United I still think they’re a very poor side. I fancy a stalemate in this one

Prediction: 0-0

Chris Coughlin

Saints did really well to earn a deserved point against Manchester United and, to be honest, they'll have been disappointed to not have claimed all three when you look at Adam Armstrong's second half chances. Other than the first half against West Ham, Newcastle haven't had much to cheer so far this season but I'll go for a draw here, with the Magpies getting their first point on the board.

Prediction: 1-1

Joe Richardson: 1-2

Chris Stott: 1-1

Ryan Kirk: 1-1

Norwich v Leicester - Saturday, 28th August - 3pm

Norwich's last Premier League win came against Leicester, a 1-0 win in February 2020

Chris Stott

After a trophy and an opening day win, it was a heck of a setback for the Foxes on Monday. The justified sending off for Perez didn't help matters. Norwich have had it tough - borderline brutal in fact in terms of their opening set of fixtures. We can't really assess them after the first two games other than the obvious frailties against high quality attacks. At home this could be a little tighter but I still fancy Leicester to bounce back.

Prediction: 1-3

Chris Coughlin

Are Norwich planning for their next Championship foray already? While result against the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City will not define how the Canaries get on this season, they have been horrendous defensively which doesn't suggest they've learnt since their bottom placed finish in 2020. They welcome a bruised Leicester after their thumping on Monday night. The Foxes will be keen to make a point after they loss and I'm backing them to bounce back at Carrow Road, leaving Norwich pointless after a cruel and unforgiving start to the season.

Prediction: 1-3

Harry Reynolds: 0-2

Joe Richardson: 1-2

Ryan Kirk: 1-2

West Ham V Crystal Palace - Saturday, 28th August - 3pm

Joe Richardson

West Ham fans have been crying out for the club to bring in another striker with Michail Antonio their sole out and out no 9. But on the evidence of Monday night, any reinforcement would have to play second fiddle to Antonio, who was unplayable and I’m sure Leicester’s defenders will have been mightily relieved to hear the final whistle. Palace’s back line will be quaking in their boots and could find it tough as they settle into life under Patrick Vieira.

Prediction: 3-0

Ryan Kirk

West Ham look the real deal, I just hope for their sake they can keep it up, especially with European football approaching. David Moyes looks to be getting the very best out of these set of players. Antonio is on fire, their full-backs and midfield are brilliant, and Benrahma looks like he’s going to have a great season. It’ll be tough for them to improve on last season’s league position, especially because of how busy other clubs have been in the transfer market, but they’ll give it a good go. Comfortable three points for the Hammers.

Prediction: 2-0

Harry Reynolds: 2-0

Chris Stott: 3-1

Chris Coughlin: 3-0

Liverpool v Chelsea - Saturday, 28th August - 3pm

Last season's meeting at Anfield ended in a Chelsea win, what will Saturday evening hold in store?

Joe Richardson

I expect this to be cagey and tight as it so often is with early season clashes between title contenders. The way that Chelsea set up, they will look to frustrate Liverpool and have real firepower to hurt their hosts. The matchup between Virgil Van Dijk and Romelu Lukaku will be key in deciding the outcome, but with the strength across the whole team, I think Chelsea come away with the points and put a real marker down.

Prediction: 0-1

Ryan Kirk

What a game this is going to be. Liverpool vs Chelsea, Klopp vs Tuchel, Van Dijk vs Lukaku. Both sides have won their first two games, have scored 5 goals, and are both yet to concede this season. We saw Chelsea win this fixture last time around, but I think the Anfield crowd will play a huge part in this one. A tight game but Jurgen Klopp’s men to edge it, making it three wins from three.

Prediction: 2-1

Chris Stott

The big of the week which includes the tantalising battle between Van Dijk and Lukaku! How will Klopp look to stop what the Blues did to Arsenal, and in particular the menace of Lukaku. Liverpool of course will be a massive threat themselves. Salah has looked sharp as ever and the atmosphere at Anfield will be exceptional. This is could well tell us a lot about both of these contenders despite the season only being three weeks old. This Chelsea sides reminds me so much of the famed squad from Mourinho's early days. And for that reason, I fancy them to nick this and really put down a marker.

Prediction: 0-1

Chris Coughlin: 2-1

Harry Reynolds: 1-1

Burnley v Leeds - Sunday, 29th August - 2pm

Harry Reynolds

This might be the year that Burnley get dragged into the mud after 5 seasons in the top flight. Leeds will always score goals and their attacking brand of football should be far too much for the home side to handle in this one

Prediction: 0-2

Ryan Kirk

A miserable start to the season for the Clarets, but hardly a surprise. Sean Dyche is the most important man at Burnley Football Club, but even he might struggle to keep them up this season. Leeds are still as entertaining to watch as ever, whether that’s because of the way they leak goals or score them! Raphinha to shine as Leeds go marching on.

Prediction: 1-2

Joe Richardson: 0-3

Chris Stott: 1-2

Chris Coughlin: 1-3

Spurs v Watford - Sunday, 29th August - 2pm

Chris Stott

It's been a good start for Nuno at Spurs. Two 1-0 wins is a very positive return, especially given the fixtures faced. This is a game however in which they have to flex their muscles. But Watford have shown what they are capable of, in particular in their opening day win. If the first two game for Spurs under Nuno are anything to go by then you would fancy them to claim the clean sheet, and if Kane is playing then they should bag a couple.

Prediction: 2-0

Chris Coughlin

Writing this before Spurs' second leg against Pacos in their Europa Conference League qualifier on Thursday evening, should Spurs get through it's all of a sudden been a good start for Nuno at Tottenham. Two 1-0 wins in the Premier League and they can now call upon Harry Kane again who's said he will not leave North London "this summer" - read into that what you will. It was a good opening win for Watford against Villa but they pushed the self-destruct button against Brighton last week. I'll for Spurs to, almost under the radar, make it a 100 per cent start after three games.

Prediction: 2-0

Harry Kane affirms his commitment to Tottenham on social media...for now at least

Harry Reynolds: 2-0

Joe Richardson: 2-0

Ryan Kirk: 2-0

Wolves v Man United - Sunday, 29th August - 4:30pm

Joe Richardson

This is already an important game for United to win after their unexpected slip up at Southampton. There is no room for inconsistency if they are to sustain a title challenge, but this is a nice fixture for them. I struggle to see where the goals are coming from for Wolves, with the unknown of whether Raul Jimenez will recapture the goalscoring touch he had prior to his horrific injury last season. I see United winning and winning quite comfortably.

Prediction: 1-3

Ryan Kirk

Manchester United were mediocre last weekend against Southampton, so they’ll be looking to bounce back. I agree with Jamie Carragher when he says they have the squad to be challenging for the title but will underachieve. They’ve spent hundreds of millions of pounds, so they have no excuses. I’m interested to see how Varane will get on as I expect him to make his Premier League debut at Molineux. We saw how good United can be when they thrashed Leeds on the opening day, so I expect a performance like that one here. They’ll be eager to avoid defeat to own the record of longest unbeaten run in Premier League history, after going level with Arsenal last weekend.

Prediction: 1-3

Harry Reynolds: 0-2

Chris Stott: 0-2

Chris Coughlin: 1-3

And here is how the leaderboard looks after matchday two...