Manchester United get a kick-start, Chelsea goal fest: Premier League predictions

Some huge matches in store for Matchday 3 in England

SATURDAY - Brighton v Manchester United (3.30pm kick off UAE): An absolute shocker for Manchester United in their season's opener, beaten 3-1 at Old Trafford by Crystal Palace. Hopes were high for a big campaign from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team, and one defeat can soon be overcome. But on the other hand, a bad result at Brighton - beaten by Chelsea last week - would be real cause for concern. Prediction: Brighton 1 Manchester United 3. PA

Crystal Palace v Everton (6pm): Palace are flying after their classy win at Manchester United followed an opening day victory over Southampton. And so will Everton after wins at Tottenham and home to West Brom. A top-of-the-table clash at Selhurst Park - who would have predicted that! Prediction: Crystal Palace 1 Everton 2. Getty

West Brom v Chelsea (8.30pm): West Brom have conceded eight in two games, after the 3-0 defeat home to Leicester and 5-2 at Everton. Chelsea, inspired by new £71 million signing Kai Kavertz, stuck six past Barnsley on Wednesday night. Might not be much fun for the Baggies. Prediction: West Brom 1 Chelsea 4. EPA

Burnley v Southampton (11pm): The Saints were supposed to be good this season, after a strong finish to the 2019/20 campaign, but have lost both games, at Palace and home to Spurs. Burnley have only played once in the Premier League, a 4-2 defeat at Leicester. Both very keen to get off the mark. Prediction: Burnley 1 Southampton 0. Getty

SUNDAY - Sheffield United v Leeds (3pm): A lip-smacking no-holds-barred Yorkshire derby, with the Blades yet to notch a point, and Leeds having conceded seven in two - but winning one of them 4-3, against Fulham. Not one for the faint hearted, and probably far few goals. Prediction: Sheffield United 1 Leeds 1. Reuters

Tottenham v Newcastle (5pm): Could be a cracker at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. After a dour defeat home to Everton, Jose Mourinho's side found their shooting boots with a 5-2 win at Southampton. Newcastle can be fabulous ... or rank awful. Prediction: Tottenham 3 Newcastle 2. EPA

Manchester City v Leicester (7.30pm): A delayed start for Manchester City, but then a fine 3-1 win at Wolves. Leicester are top of the table (again), and this will be a tough test for both sides and perhaps an indication of City - or indeed both - can truly challenge Liverpool this term. Prediction: Manchester City 2 Leicester 1. AFP

West Ham v Wolverhampton Wanderers (1pm): Zero points for the Hammers, and a lack of spirit which is as much of a concern as the defeats. Wolves will be keen to bounce back from the Manchester City defeat - and if they do, there will be some worried looks at West Ham. Prediction: West Ham 1 Wolves 2. AFP

MONDAY - Fulham v Aston Villa (8.45pm): Fulham were expected to struggle and they have so far, with defeats against Leeds and Arsenal. This might be a better opportunity to get off the mark, though Villa will fancy this after beating Sheffield United. Prediction: Fulham 0 Aston Villa 1. AP

Liverpool v Arsenal (11pm): A belter to round off the match week. Mikel Arteta thinks Arsenal are evolving in the right way. We'll know if he's right after this trip to the champions, who are two wins from two. Prediction: Liverpool 3 Arsenal 1. EPA

Sep 24, 2020

Week three of the new Premier League campaign already, and the season is beginning to take shape - certainly for those teams that are yet to get a point.

Manchester United, Burnley, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham, Sheffield United, Fulham and Southampton are yet to register. If they go through this round in the same position, this shortened season will seem like a long battle for the strugglers.

'Everything I wanted from him': Kai Havertz smashes Chelsea hat-trick - in pictures

Alvaro Morata, Nelson Semedo, Arturo Vidal and more than 100 big transfers

Manchester United can't be classed in that category, yet their trip to Brighton - first game up on Saturday - will be critical for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the defeat at Crystal Palace last weekend.

Also on Saturday Everton go to Palace, West Brom host Chelsea, and Burnley take on Southampton.

Sunday's fixtures kick off with Sheffield United against Leeds, followed by Tottenham against Newcastle United. Manchester City face off against Leicester, and the day concludes with West Ham against Wolves.

Best match of the round - potentially - is on Monday, with Liverpool against Arsenal, shortly after Fulham v Aston Villa.

To see our predictions for the upcoming matches, look through the photo gallery above and click on the arrows or swipe to look at the next image.

Updated: September 24, 2020, 11:42 AM