EPL Matchday 3 Preview

by Scott Kerr

Matchday 2 closely followed the plot until it arrived at the Amex Stadium where Brighton and Hove Albion stunned Manchester United. Several massively entertaining matches, highlighted by the Chelsea-Arsenal derby at Stamford Bridge, were sprinkled throughout the weekend. As the championship heads into its third weekend, there is another Top 6 clash to go along with another London Derby. Here is a quick look at the weekend’s matches.

Saturday, August 25th

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester City

City has ripped off two wins to start their title defense, scoring 8 goals while surrendering just 1. Kevin De Bruyne continues to be a long term injury absence, but with a plethora of attacking riches it is a mere inconvenience for Pep Guardiola. David Silva, Kun Aguero and Riyah Mahrez should give Wolves fits in the midfield as the City press will look to disrupt the Prem newcomers. For their part, Wolves have played well and may feel hard done by to only have a single point on the season. Slick buildup play has been let down by poor finishing and Wolves defense has looked naïve to say the least. The Molineux will be raucous in welcoming the defending champs, but City should continue to roll with a 4-1 win over Wolverhampton.

Arsenal v West Ham United

Storylines abound in this match: a long-time London Derby, both teams increasingly unconvinced fans, the return of longtime Gunner Jack Wilshere to the Emirates Stadium, the enigma that is Mesut Ozil. Neither side has managed a point yet this season and the Arsenal will be desperate to keep their dominance in this London Derby intact. Manager Unai Emery showed his ruthless side last weekend by hooking Granit Xhaka off at halftime and replacing Ozil around 65 minutes. His selections in this match will tell how high the Spaniard’s standard of play is for a team hoping to be in the Top Four come season’s end. West Ham has looked anything but settled with Manuel Pellegrini’s new playing style. Through two matches the Hammers haven’t offered much going forward and their defense has been lacking. Interesting midfield battles should define this feisty encounter which Arsenal will hope to pull-out in a 3-1 win.

AFC Bournemouth v Everton

Bournemouth are sitting on six points from six to start the season and Eddie Howe’s men have played their typically attractive brand of football. Cherries fans should feel confident the side can remain in the top half of the table all season, and may be dreaming about a Europa League spot. Everton and new manager Marco Silva have impressed in the opening two matches while capturing four points. Richarlison has been the action man for the Toffees and he claims to be taking aim at the Golden Boot. This match will showcase a clash of playing styles: the possession based Cherries versus the high press of Everton. The team that is able to control the tempo will leave the Vitality Stadium with the points, and I give a slight edge to Everton in a 3-2 thriller.

Huddersfield Town v Cardiff City

Two teams who are looking to survive the drop meet in an early season six-pointer. Huddersfield’s early fixtures were murderous – Chelsea then at Man City – so few would have expected them to pick up any points there. A match against newly promoted Cardiff City represents both a step down in class and a chance to break their duck. Defense must improve for the Terriers if they plan to have any shot against Cardiff City. The Bluebirds have created chances galore in their opening matches, only to be let down by the finishing. Neil Warnock’s side will always be defense first, so it is important to capitalize on any chances they create. I expect this match to be a low scoring affair with a set piece to be the difference maker. I give Cardiff the nod 2-1 at the John Smith Stadium.

Southampton v Leicester City

Two managers who seem to be continually under fire – Southampton’s Mark Hughes and Leicester’s Claude Puel – meet up at St. Mary’s in this clash. Southampton has played well in the opening matches but has only a solitary point to show. The Saints have been able to create chances on offense, but the final touch has been missing. Defensively they have been solid so the Saints have a platform to build upon. Danny Ings has been a spark offensively, and Southampton fans will hope he continues his fine form. Leicester fans were mildly satisfied after last weekend’s victory, although losing Jamie Vardy to a red card stunted any widespread celebration. It will fall to Harry Maguire and the back line to keep the Saints at bay if the Foxes are to have any hope. Southampton and Danny Ings will find a way and the three points will stay at St. Mary’s.

Liverpool v Brighton and Hove Albion

Not even take-over speculation can slow down the Liverpool pressing machine assembled by Jurgen Klopp. A bigger surprise has been the Reds defense, as big transfer spending has secured the backline and produced two clean sheets. The offensive firepower of Mo Salah, Roberto “Bobby Chompers” Firmino and Sadio Mane has been irresistible early in the season. Brighton shocked even their own fans last weekend as they demolished Manchester United in a deceiving 3-2 win. Except for a conceded penalty in the last minute of stoppage time, the Seagulls were compact in midfield and countered with pace to create scoring opportunities. Glen Murray continues to be the action man for Brighton, but Liverpool’s defense should be well-prepped for him. The Anfield faithful will go home happy after a big 4-1 win and all three points.

Sunday, August 26^th

Watford v Crystal Palace

Two sides who have shown the potential for upward mobility so far this season meet at Vicarage Road for the early match on Sunday. Watford stunned Burnley last weekend at Turf Moor and Javi Garcia will hope his side can push on against another entertaining side. Roberto Pereya continues to drive the Hornets forward and Troy Deeney bullies defenders as well as ever. Crystal Palace dropped to defeat against Liverpool last weekend, but the scoreline wasn’t a full reflection of the match. Wilfried Zaha has been in fine form and Christian Benteke has shown flashes of returning to his scoring ways. This match at Vicarage Road should be fun to watch as the teams go end-to-end in a 2-all draw.

Newcastle United v Chelsea

St. James Park will host two teams who have not been short of controversy the past several months. Rafa Benetiz had to be seething after Kenedy – on loan from Chelsea – missed a late penalty last weekend which would have given his side the three points. The mental focus has been lacking on both ends – defensive errors and poor passes in the final third – to deny Newcastle the opportunity to have at least one win. Chelsea beat Arsenal last weekend in a wide-open affair at Stamford Bridge. The Blues were dominant the first half hour, AWOL the next half hour, then scratched out a late Marcos Alonso goal set up by talisman Eden Hazard to win 3-2. Sarri-ball hasn’t fully taken root at Chelsea, but the squad’s talent is undeniable. Alvaro Morata and Pedro have looked menacing in the early season, and I think the Blues take this match to return home from the Northeast with all three points.

Fulham v Burnley

Fulham has played exceptionally well only to be let down by some poor defense and bad finishing. The Cottagers lost last weekend 3-1 to Tottenham but played Spurs even for large portions of the match. After bringing in a host of new players, Fulham will be hoping the squad continues to gel and can pick up some points before the international break. Burnley collapsed last weekend, shipping two goals in under four minutes after halftime to turn a tight match into a rout. The Clarets may be showing the toll of early season Europa League qualifying as they looked very sluggish in a 3-1 loss at Olympiakos on Thursday. Sean Dyche will need to reenergize the squad quickly, and a road test at Craven Cottage will be no Sunday stroll. James Tarkowski and Ben Mee will need to neutralize Newcastle danger man Aleksander Mitrovic if they want to take any of the points. I think Burnley will battle through the Europa fatigue to split the points and draw with Fulham.

Monday, August 27^th

Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur

Monday holds the matchday’s premier game as Top Four (and erstwhile championship) contenders Manchester United and Tottenham square off at Old Trafford. The soap opera that is ‘As Manchester United Turns’ – boardroom drama, player unrest, the Special One getting testy … ohhhh what about Ed Woodward??? – was thrown off plot last weekend as Brighton spanked the Red Devils on the South Coast. Mourinho and Paul Pogba drove to training together mid-week, all smiles over their coffee, but deeper problems exist at United. A lack of consistent creative mid-field play means the United attack is often disjointed and stuttering while simultaneously being unable to protect the back four. Tottenham has picked up two wins on the trot and Mauricio Pochettino’s squad has been able to overcome the World Cup hangover. Spurs aren’t deep, but the players at the top end of the roster are world class. Dele, Harry Kane and Lucas Moura have all looked to be on their respective games, and Christian Eriksen has pulled the strings to perfection in the midfield. Tottenham will attack at Old Trafford, the question is how does Jose Mourinho counter? If the Special One goes turtle and parks the bus, the United fans may tire of the utilitarian football that brought Mourinho so much success at the beginning of his coaching career. I’d like to say draw, but I think Spurs announce their title credentials with a 3-1 win in the “Theatre of Dreams.”