Premier League Preview Week 3

We are now into the third week of the season with teams starting to settle into position and looking at what they may need before the transfer window closes next week.

Leicester continue to shock teams and were unlucky not to come away with all three points last week against Spurs, whilst Manchester City continue to set the pace. Chelsea got back on track with a win and Liverpool also remain unbeaten this season. Take a look at this week’s preview of the weekends action.

Saturday

Newcastle United v Arsenal – Kick off – 12:45 – St James Park

The early game see’s Arsenal travel to take on Steve McLaren’s side with both sides looking to get a much needed win on the board. Newcastle are going under the radar so far  but sit just above the relegation zone after two draws and a loss from their opening three games. Papiss Cisse could return to spearhead Newcastle’s attack ahead of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Daryl Janmaat will return from suspension to boost the defence.

Arsenal have had a mixed start to the season and need a win to get themselves back into the title mix as they don’t want to be losing early ground to the other contenders. There are doubts over both Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny but one or the other should play but Theo Walcott will again be forced to play a role of the bench. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also pushing for a start.

Prediction 1-2

Aston Villa v Sunderland – Kick off – 15:00 – Villa Park

Both sides will be looking to get much needed points on the board if they are going to avoid a relegation scrap and Tim Sherwood may drop Gabriel Agbonlahor to the bench with Rudy Gestede pushing for a start. Jores Okore and Gary Gardner are still missing through injury but Villa will hope that Scott Sinclair continues his early season form.

Sunderland are desperate for a win and look void of any confidence. They are struggling to score goals and their defence continues to leak goals. They fought hard in last week’s draw and will need a similar performance if they are to get anything out of this game. Jermain Defoe will again lead the attack with only Younes Kaboul looking like missing out for the Black Cats

Prediction 1-1

Bournemouth v Leicester City – Kick off – 15:00 – Vitality Stadium

Bournemouth picked up their first ever win in the Premier League last week with a 4-3 victory at West Ham. Callum Wilson picked up a hat-trick and they look strong going forwards. They led comfortably last week but allowed the Hammers back into the game, but were able to snatch the win. If they want to avoid relegation they will need to learn quickly but they do have all the tools to survive.

Leicester continue to pick up where they left off at the back-end of last season and are flying under new boss Claudio Ranieri. There is a positive vibe at the club and they look a hard side to break down. Joe Dodoo could be in line for a place on the bench after his midweek hat-trick in the cup and we could see former Napoli midfielder Gokhan Inler get the nod in midfield.

Prediction 1-2

Chelsea v Crystal Palace – Kick off – 15:00 – Stamford Bridge

Chelsea got a much needed win last week and will want to continue that momentum at home for the visit of Crystal Palace. John Terry is suspended after his sending off last week so Gary Cahill is in line to return to partner Kurt Zouma at the back. Pedro is likely to start again after impressing with a goal last week but Oscar is still nursing an injury and could miss out.

Palace will be without Patrick Bamford who is ineligible to face his parent club and Connor Wickham is struggling with a rib injury so Glen Murray will likely continue up front. Yannick Bolasie should return after missing last week but Mile Jedinak is still out. Alan Pardew’s side will have hopes of coming away from the Bridge with a point after an impressive start to the season.

Prediction 3-1

Liverpool v West Ham United – Kick off – 15:00 – Anfield

Liverpool will again miss the services of their skipper Jordan Henderson who has failed to recover and Adam Lallana also looks like he could miss out again so Lucas Leiva will be holding the fort in midfield alongside Roberto Firmino who is gradually finding his feet in the Premier League.

West Ham will want to bounce back after a couple of home defeats to Leicester and Bournemouth but have an issue at right-back Carl Jenkinson suspended. Kevin Nolan has left the club this week and so Matt Jarvis may come into contention for a place in the starting XI.

Prediction 2-1