EPL Week Three Preview

After the midweek round of games I am back at .500 with a record of 13 out of 26. To hopefully this week will push me into positive territory.

Chelsea vs Burnley
Who would have expected Burnley to be three points ahead of Liverpool after three games? It has been a great start to the season for Burnley, but playing Chelsea away from home is very different than playing Everton or Man United at home. Chelsea have looked really good this season and I expect them to win this one easily.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-0

Blackburn vs West Ham
It has been a horrible start to the season for Blackburn with no points from their first two games. This week they play at West Ham team that is struggling to get enough fit forwards to play. Big Sam will be desperate to avoid an 0 for 3 start and desperate wins this one.

Prediction: Blackburn 1-0

Bolton vs Liverpool
Speaking of desperate teams, then there is Liverpool. Two defeats in their first three games is not the performance of Champions and Liverpool need to make sure that Chelsea do not gain anymore points on them before their meeting on October 4.

Bolton created enough chances in their first two games to win them but they are missing that bit of quality in front of goal. Similar to the Blackburn game, Liverpool is the team most desperate for the win and I think they get it.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1

Stoke vs Sunderland
Stoke stayed up last year because of their home form, but Sunderland are a different team under Steve Bruce. Bent and Jones up-front are causing havoc for every team that plays them and I expect Sunderland to pick up their second away win of the season here.

Prediction: Sunderland 2-1

Tottenham v Birmingham
Spurs have had a fantastic start to the season scoring 14 goals in four games. They should add to that number this week as Birmingham is a team that will be battling relegation this season.

Prediction: Spurs 3-1

Wolves vs Hull
Amercian Jozy Altidore has looked great for Hull in his two appearances this season and I think he will really help them this season. With two wins in a week confidence at Hull will be pretty high and I think they can get a draw at Wolves.

Prediction: Hull 1 Wolves 1

Manchester United v Arsenal
After beating Wigan 5-0 last week all the newspapers said that United are back, but I am not so sure. They seem to be missing a dominate player in midfield this season and I think that will cost them points against the better teams.

Arsenal have been so impressive this season in the league and Champions League and they are getting United early enough in the season when they have not figured out how to replace Ronaldo. I am looking for the upset here, as Arsenal go to Old Trafford and win.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1

Portsmouth vs Man City
Portsmouth is just a bad team and unless their new Arab owners can bring in a bunch of new players this month, I am picking them for relegation. Manchester City is still a work in progress, but they have more than enough quality to get win here.

Prediction: Man City 2-0

Everton vs Wigan
Another desperate team is Everton who have made a terrible start to the season. There is no way that Everton can go winless in their first three games is their? I don’t think so. Wigan is a team that will get better as the season progresses, but this week they are playing someone just a little more desperate than they are. And that will be the difference.

Prediction: Everton 2-0

Aston Villa vs Fulham
Which Villa team will show up this week? The one that lost at home to Wigan or the one that won at Anfield? I am picking the latter, partly because Fulham had to travel to Russia in midweek for a Europa League game and I expect them to be a little bit tired.

Prediction: Aston Villa 1-0