Premier League Week 3 Fixtures: EPL Picks and Predictions

Tottenham Hotspur will play host to Liverpool to kick off Week 3 of the 2016-17 Premier League season in what should be a crucial fixture with an eye on the race for the European places.

Both teams have UEFA Champions League qualification on their minds and have already dropped points, with Spurs drawing at Everton on the opening matchday and Liverpool losing at Burnley in Week 2.

Elsewhere, Arsenal will travel to Watford, Chelsea will host Burnley and Manchester United face a trip to Hull City. Here's a look at the schedule for Week 3, complete with picks and predictions:

Date	Home	Away	Prediction
Saturday, August 27	Tottenham Hotspur	Liverpool	1-1
Saturday, August 27	Watford	Arsenal	2-2
Saturday, August 27	Southampton	Sunderland	2-0
Saturday, August 27	Leicester	Swansea	1-0
Saturday, August 27	Everton	Stoke City	2-1
Saturday, August 27	Cyrstal Palace	Bournemouth	0-0
Saturday, August 27	Chelsea	Burnley	2-0
Saturday, August 27	Hull	Manchester United	1-2
Sunday, August 28	WBA	Middlesbrough	1-1
Sunday, August 28	Manchester City	West Ham	3-1

Preview

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Liverpool's 2-0 loss at Burnley in Week 2 came as a huge shock and once again highlighted the defensive issues that tend to plague the Reds early in the season. Manager Jurgen Klopp's troops almost blew a healthy lead against Arsenal in their first match, and two more goals conceded against the Clarets is cause for real concern.

On paper, the struggling Reds defence should provide Tottenham striker Harry Kane with the perfect remedy for his scoring woes. The 23-year-old has looked sluggish so far this season, and he's yet to find the back of the net.

Per Giuseppe Muro of the London Evening Standard, he didn't seem too worried after the win over Crystal Palace, and his relaxed state was evident in his comments:

"

We went through a lot last season, both highs and lows, so we have got that experience together.

The gaffer has created a brotherhood between the players and we have a great team bond. We said before the Palace game that we did not want to fall too far behind the leaders already. There are some top teams this season and we have to stay up the top.

"

Liverpool desperately want to join that mix of top teams, and while the team's attack was on point throughout pre-season and in their opener, a lack of creativity held them back against the Clarets. The teams are still searching for their form however, so expect Klopp's men to improve on a weekly basis.

Arsenal are also looking for their form after starting the season with just one out of a possible six points, losing to Liverpool before drawing with Leicester. The Gunners will now travel to Watford in desperate need of a win, something forward Theo Walcott acknowledged:

Manager Arsene Wenger is once again facing criticism for his inability to keep adding talent to his team in a summer that got off to a promising start, with the signing of Granit Xhaka.

The issues are most prominent in the heart of defence and in attack, where fans are still holding out hope for a new striker. BenchWarmers couldn't help themselves:

"

SPOTTED: Arsene Wenger outside a Poundland in London this morning... pic.twitter.com/CLMJb1hp5z

— BenchWarmers (@BeWarmers) August 22, 2016"

Watford earned a draw against Southampton and made life difficult for Chelsea, so Arsenal fans shouldn't expect an easy outing.

Hull are still perfect after two matchdays and will play host to Manchester United, one of the three other teams with a perfect record. The Tigers have conceded just one goal so far and scored four, while the Red Devils have hit the ground running under new manager Jose Mourinho, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring in both of his Premier League contests.