Premier League Gameweek 3 Preview

Title rivals Liverpool and Arsenal go head-to-head at Anfield on Sunday in the highlight of Gameweek 3 in the Premier League. Elsewhere, Brighton host Manchester City, Chelsea take on Fulham in a west London derby and Tottenham entertain Bournemouth. It’s a packed weekend of top-flight action and we have a trio of selections to boost the entertainment. 

Tip 1: Aston Villa to beat Crystal Palace @ 10/11 with bet365

Aston Villa’s transfer plans have been hampered by financial constraints, but this is a team which has finished sixth and fourth in the last two Premier League campaigns and Unai Emery’s men were 13 points clear of Sunday’s rivals Crystal Palace last term. Palace have hardly been flying in the transfer market either and star forward Eberechi Eze made a big-money move to Arsenal. 

The Eagles faced a long trip to Norway on Thursday night and it’s not difficult to think that the south London side’s small squad will be stretched on Sunday. Oliver Glasner’s men have drawn their opening two Premier League games against Chelsea and Nottingham Forest and the Eagles may struggle to even take a point at Villa Park.

Tip 2: Brighton to beat Manchester City @ 31/10 with bet365

As always, Manchester City haven’t been shy in splashing the cash this summer, but the Citizens may not have upgraded on the players who are unavailable to them. Kevin de Bruyne was the driving force behind Pep Guardiola’s attack, while Rodri held the midfield together. Ederson has been a brilliant goalkeeper for City, while Kyle Walker was a stalwart in defence. Walker and de Bruyne left in the summer, Ederson now appears out of favour and Rodri is yet to return to his peak following a serious injury. It’s not difficult to have reservations over City and those doubts were deepened when Guardiola’s men were crushed 2-0 by Tottenham at the Etihad last weekend. 

Of course, there is room for the new Citizens to grow and improve, but is anyone going to be able to lay on the chances for Erling Haaland in the way de Bruyne was able to? That looks unlikely and Brighton appear to have a strong chance of upsetting City on the south coast. The Seagulls remain a team packed full of talent, and they only finished ten points off City last season.

Tip 3: 2-2 correct score in Liverpool v Arsenal @ 12/1 with bet365

There are plenty of games to come, but Liverpool’s Anfield clash against Arsenal on Sunday is a mouthwatering battle between two title rivals. The contest has the feel of a game which could go either way and crazy scorelines can’t be ruled out. Liverpool’s opening two Premier League matches have finished in 4-2 and 3-2 victories, while Arsenal hammered Leeds 5-0 last time out. 

Arne Slot appears to have thrown caution to the wind this term, and although Arsenal are likely to attempt a more circumspect approach, Mikel Arteta’s men may be unable to avoid a ding-dong battle. A 2-2 correct score punt at 12/1 appeals, which would be a repeat of how both league games between them finished last season.