Premier League Predictions: More pain for Potter while Reds make title point

There were three correct scores among the three of us in last weekend's Premier League Predictions, as Simon and I (Nick) both correctly backed Nottingham Forest to draw 1-1 at Crystal Palace, while Simon claimed another Sunday afternoon success by correctly tipping Everton to open up their home campaign with a 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.

We're back to provide you with our scorelines for Gameweek 3, which you can check out below.

Chelsea vs Fulham - 2-1 @ 7/1

Chelsea were held to a goalless draw at home by Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener, but some ringrustiness was perhaps understandable given they had played just two pre-season games following their successful exploits at the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup in the USA.

The Blues claimed a first win of the season in sensational fashion last Friday, thrashing West Ham United 5-1 at the London Stadium, and play a third consecutive capital derby on Saturday afternoon as they welcome west London rivals Fulham to Stamford Bridge.

The Cottagers claimed a historic win at this ground last season, beating the Blues 2-1 thanks to an injury-time effort from substitute Rodrigo Muniz. It was their first victory at Stamford Bridge since 1979, but Marco Silva's side have barely strengthened in the summer and appear unlikely to pull off another positive result against Enzo Maresca's men, although they have shown their spirit in a pair of 1-1 draws with Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United so far this term.

Conor: 2-1

Simon: 3-0

Manchester United vs Burnley - 2-0 @ 11/2

The only surprise for me so far with Manchester United is that they are on one point after two games, rather than zero. I didn't hold out any hope for the Red Devils against Arsenal (0-1) nor Fulham (1-1), so they are actually ahead of where I expected them to be at this stage, although I will admit I didn't see their Carabao Cup exit at Grimsby Town coming.

Saturday is, arguably, their easiest league fixture of the season, as everyone's favourites for 20th, Burnley, pitch up at Old Trafford. Scott Parker's side got off the mark in style last weekend, beating fellow Premier League newbies Sunderland (2-0), but a 3-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur seven days prior is more relevant ahead of a short trip to the red side of Manchester.

This is a game for Man United's trio of attacking signings, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, to shine. Things were grim in midweek, but I'm backing things to improve against Burnley.

Conor: 2-2

Simon: 3-0 

Sunderland vs Brentford - 3-1 @ 22/1

Sunderland will have been bitterly disappointed by their defeat at Turf Moor last week, but on Saturday, they make a welcome return to the Stadium of Light, where they dismantled West Ham 3-0 in gameweek one.

The Black Cats will be looking to make their ground a fortress this season, and Brentford, despite bouncing back from a chastening opening-weekend 3-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest with a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa and a 2-0 triumph at AFC Bournemouth, the latter win in the Carabao Cup, may struggle to keep up with their Wearside hosts here.

Conor: 2-1

Simon: 1-0

Tottenham Hotspur vs AFC Bournemouth - 2-2 @ 11/1

Thomas Frank has made a perfect start to Premier League life with Tottenham following his summer switch from Brentford, inspiring the Lilywhites to two wins from two. After easing past Burnley in their opening game, Spurs went to the Etihad Stadium last Saturday and made light work of Manchester City, beating Pep Guardiola's star-studded side 2-0 to maintain their flawless defensive record.

Bournemouth, though, pose a major threat to the Dane's 100% league record, as the Cherries are the next team to try their luck at the reigning Uefa Europa League champions.

The Cherries gave Premier League title holders Liverpool a big scare on the opening day of the season, overturning a two-goal deficit at Anfield, only to lose 4-2 late on, and last weekend, they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 on the South Coast.

Andoni Iraola presided over a 1-0 win over Spurs at the Vitality last December before overseeing a 2-2 draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in March, and with the wealth of attacking talent on show, a repeat of that scoreline in north London feels more than possible.

Conor: 3-2

Simon: 2-0

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Everton - 1-1 @ 5/1

It's been a dismal start to the Premier League season for Wolves, who were thrashed 4-0 at home by Man City before losing at Bournemouth last weekend, with Toti's 49th-minute dismissal proving fatal to their chances of a comeback.

A 3-2 victory over West Ham in the Carabao Cup in midweek was a timely boost, and Vitor Pereira will hope his side take some confidence from that Molineux win.

Everton responded to their 1-0 defeat at Leeds United with a 2-0 victory over Brighton in their first-ever competitive contest at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but now head to a venue where they haven't won since triumphing 2-1 - without spectators - in January 2021.

Two of the last three head-to-heads at Molineux have ended 1-1, and that may be an agreeable scoreline for both this Saturday, with Wolves looking to get a first point on board, and the Blues looking to open their travel account.

Conor: 1-2

Simon: 0-1

Leeds United vs Newcastle United - 1-2 @ 15/2

The only United to claim three points so far this season, Leeds were brought back down to earth last Saturday at the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal took them to task, obliterating the Whites 5-0 in north London.

Back in West Yorkshire, against a Newcastle side that followed up a goalless draw at Aston Villa with a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat at home to Liverpool on Monday, Daniel Farke's charges might fancy their chances of back-to-back home wins.

However, while I acknowledge the Magpies are still hamstrung by the lack of a senior centre-forward, with Alexander Isak still AWOL, I saw enough quality and spirit in Monday night's performance to suggest that they can claim a first victory at Elland Road this weekend.

Leeds were dumped out of the Carabao Cup in midweek by crisis Championship club Sheffield Wednesday, and I sense more disappointment for them on Saturday.

Conor: 1-3

Simon: 1-1

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Manchester City - 3-1 @ 25/1

I'm slightly annoyed at letting others talk me out of backing a Spurs victory over Man City last weekend. Pundits and supporters of clubs around the land appeared enchanted by one of the world's richest clubs making mincemeat of a poor Wolves side on the opening weekend, with some people even changing their view on where the title is headed based on that one game.

I think City will be in the race this season, but I need to see much more from them, against challenging opposition, before I tip too many positive results in their favour.

The Amex Stadium has been a difficult venue for the Citizens in the last four-and-a-half years, with the two sides trading two wins apiece, and drawing once.

The Seagulls won 2-1 there last November, and I can see a similar scoreline unfolding on Sunday. Fabian Hurzeler's side are winless after two games, drawing 1-1 at home to Fulham before losing 2-0 at Everton, but I've seen enough positive signs in attack to back them to trouble City again this weekend.

Conor: 2-2

Simon: 0-3

Today's Football Fixtures

Nottingham Forest vs West Ham United - 2-1 @ 7/1

Three defeats, two in the Premier League and one in the Carabao Cup, and it's not even September yet. You could forgive West Ham supporters for wishing the season to end already.

I don't expect things to get any better for the Irons this weekend as they head to the City Ground to take on an unbeaten Nottingham Forest side who followed up a 3-1 victory over Brentford with a creditable 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace.

The Tricky Trees have been flexing their muscles in the transfer market in recent weeks, too, and now boast serious strength in depth in the attacking areas, in stark contrast to a rudderless West Ham side.

Jarrod Bowen could get off the mark for Graham Potter's men, so long as he isn't busy battling their visiting support, but it could be a long wait for the Hammers to get off the mark with an international break to come next week.

Conor: 3-0

Simon: 2-0

Liverpool vs Arsenal - 3-1 @ 14/1

Liverpool haven't been convincing in either of their Premier League victories this term, but they've shown their never-say-die attitude twice already - the stuff of champions, some might say.

In fairness to the Reds, Bournemouth and Newcastle aren't exactly ideal opponents to kick off the campaign. Both teams play with high intensity and can make things really difficult for midfielders and defenders in their own half.

Arsenal are likely to present a different kind of challenge, but you'd expect an even sterner one. However, that may actually suit Liverpool, who can't afford to switch off as many times as they did against the Cherries and Magpies.

The Gunners were poor by their lofty standards against Manchester United before raising their level against Leeds, and head into the weekend top of the Premier League, alongside Spurs and Liverpool as the only clubs with a 100% record.

Injuries to Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka marred their victory over Leeds, though, and it remains to be seen whether either, let alone both, recover in time for Sunday's trip to Anfield, where they haven't tasted success since September 2012.

With Saka, a score draw, like the last three meetings on Merseyside, may be advisable, but working on the theory that he won't be fit, I'm backing Arne Slot's side to make an early-season statement.

Conor: 1-2

Simon: 0-2

Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace - 2-0 @ 8/1

Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are two of eight teams without a Premier League victory this season, but I'm backing the Villans to end their wait for a win on Monday.

The biggest reason for that is due to the Eagles' participation in the Uefa Conference League play-off round, with Oliver Glasner's side in action against Fredrikstad in Norway last Thursday evening.

With a threadbare squad, that match may have taken a lot out of them, and without the now-at-Arsenal Eberechi Eze, you wonder where the creativity is going to come from.

Villa are one of two clubs (alongside Wolves) not to have gotten on the scoresheet yet this term, but how long can Ollie Watkins be kept quiet for? Not much longer, I'd suggest, as I'm backing the England international to help Unai Emery's side to all three points at Villa Park.

Conor: 1-1

Simon: 2-1

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