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By TAS MAVRIDIS, SAM JARDEN, SHILADITYA BISWAS and PARTH SONECHA
On matchday 3 of the Premier League, Liverpool and Manchester City will hope to continue their impressive starts to the season, while a Tottenham's trip to Old Trafford and a London derby between West Ham and Arsenal headline the action.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester City
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Premier League newcomers Wolverhampton Wanderers face their biggest challenge yet this Saturday as reigning champions Manchester City make the trip to Molineux.
Wolves will come into the match fresh off a disappointing loss to Leicester City in which they dominated play in the first 45 minutes of the game yet went into halftime trailing 2-0.
Meanwhile, Manchester City are flying high following a 6-1 thrashing of Huddersfield last weekend.
Talking points
Manchester City aren’t slowing down: After the Citizens comfortably won the league last season, questions were asked as to whether they could continue their stellar form in this campaign. So far, they’ve shown no signs of letting up. Pep Guardiola’s side have looked dominant in both of their first two matches, playing an entertaining, attacking brand of football. After just two games, it seems the question we should be asking is: can anyone keep up with City?
Wolves look to reach the winner’s circle: Despite promising performances against Everton and Leicester, Wolves enter the third week of the campaign with just one point to their name. While promising performances are all well and good, pretty soon they’re going to have to start getting results if they want to avoid a relegation scrap. Wolves lost just two matches at home all of last season on their way to the Championship title, but can they hold their own against arguably the most talented team in England?
Key players
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City): Before the season started, a serious injury to playmaker Kevin De Bruyne threatened to derail the Citizens’ attack. However, after two games it looks like they hardly miss the Belgian at all. Clinical finishing has been key to City’s early season success, highlighted by Aguero’s superb hat-trick last time out against Huddersfield. Look for the Argentine to get on the scoresheet again in this one against a slightly shaky Wolves’ defence.
Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton): The strength of Wolves undoubtedly lies in their midfield. Portuguese compatriots João Moutinho and Rúben Neves have looked like a solid pairing in both games so far, showcased in a Neves screamer against Everton two weeks ago. If Neves is given the chance to pull the strings again from midfield, Wolves will have a chance of winning this match.
Sam Jarden's prediction: Manchester City 3 - Wolverhampton 1
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Arsenal v West Ham United
With neither side picking up a point from their first two matches, this game will be seen by both managers as a crucial chance to get their campaigns up and running.
Both teams are under new management.
Arsenal under Unai Emery would not have expected a lot from their first two games against Chelsea and Manchester City.
The Gunners have shown some defensive issues early on, with Emery’s philosophy showing some growing pains.
West Ham have struggled to adapt to their new attacking approach under Manuel Pellegrini which has seen them leak six goals in their first two matches.
Talking points
Jack Wilshere out to prove a point: After spending 17 years at Arsenal, Jack Wilshere was forced out of his boyhood club by incoming manager Unai Emery. Despite some injury riddled years, WIlshere has made his desire to prove the new gunners boss wrong believing that he still has what it takes to make it at the very top. Now 26 and in what should be the prime of his career, Wilshere will play a pivotal role in giving West Ham control of the midfield, something the Hammers have struggled to do so far this season.
Desperation to turn things around: The season might only be two games old, but with both sides failing to get anything out of their first couple of games with signs of leaky defence, the pressure is building. European qualification was the aim for both sides prior to the season, however with neither side showing early promise of achieving this goal, the pressure will continue to build on both managers without a result.
Key players
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Arsenal) : Since switching from Manchester United in January, Mkhitaryan has proven himself as a critical cog under new coach Unai Emery. With the ability to play in an attacking midfield or wide midfield role, Mkhitaryan’s creative vision and ability to pick a pass will be central in carrying Arsenal towards the top four. In Arsenal’s last match against Chelsea, Mkhitaryan’s goal and assist highlighted that he is ready to take the league by storm. With his ability to link with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Arsenal could reap the rewards from the prolific partnership the two formed at Borussia Dortmund.
Marko Arnautovic (West Ham): The Austrian forward who was voted as player of the year last season, got off the mark last week against Bournemouth and will be crucial in propelling the Hammers up the table. After suffering what looked like an injury in the opening match of the season against Liverpool, Arnautovic will be hoping that midfielders such as Wilshere and Felipe Anderson can provide him with some much-needed service.
Tas Mavridis's prediction: Arsenal 2 - West Ham 1
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Liverpool v Brighton and Hove Albion
Both sides will be coming into this clash full of confidence.
Liverpool have had a perfect start to the season with two wins while Brighton will be hoping they can cause a boil over after beating Manchester United on match day two.
Talking points
Hughton v Liverpool: Brighton coach Chris Hughton hasn’t had a good time when coming up against Liverpool in recent times. During his spell at Norwich, Hughton oversaw several heavy defeats with Luis Suarez doing the damage on most of these occasions. His poor record against Liverpool also continued into last season where Liverpool won 5-1 and 4-0 in their meetings. Despite upsetting Manchester United last weekend, Brighton will be facing a side who will no doubt be looking at pressing and putting Albion under immense pressure. It remains to be seen whether Hughton can tactically outdo Jurgen Klopp and gain a victory over the reds.
Liverpool front three just warming up: Sadio Mane has started the season on fire, netting three times in the opening two matches while Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino have only netted one between them. However, with six goals netted in the first two matches, there is no doubt that the chemistry and movement between the trio and the midfield behind them is getting stronger every week. Questions over Firmino suffering from a World Cup hangover have been raised, but with his integral movement and positioning allowing his fellow teammates to cause scoreboard damage, there is no doubt that Firmino is still effectively playing his role.
Key players
Naby Keita (Liverpool): While the front three have rightly taken the headlines for much of the last season, Keita’s arrival is already working a treat. His linking play with attackers, ability to break up opposition play and his passing adding some steel to Liverpool’s midfield have all allowed him to settle into the midfield seamlessly. At times Keita has looked like he was trying too hard by taking a couple of extra touches or playing an unnecessary pass. However, his turn against Crystal Palace, which made highlight packages across the world, demonstrated his class.
Shane Duffy (Brighton): Brighton will most likely have very limited attacking opportunities against Liverpool which means it will be up to their defence to hold firm for as long as possible. In the absence of injured Lewis Dunk, Duffy will be required to lead a disciplined defence to combat the constant threat the reds will pose. He is a threat in the attacking box, as seen against United, which will also be important on the rare occasion that Brighton to forge an attacking set piece.
Tas Mavridis's prediction: Liverpool 4 – Brighton and Hove Albion 1
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Newcastle United v Chelsea
Mauricio Sarri’s Chelsea travel to St James Park to take on a Newcastle side looking to bounce back after a disappointing result against Cardiff on matchday two.
Talking points
Personnel leaving both sides vulnerable: A leaky defence and an inexperienced goalkeeper should be causing Sarri to lose sleep ahead of the game. Similarly, after taking only one point from the first two games, Rafael Benitez will be hoping to bolster and energize his squad to get a favourable result.
Protect the keeper: With both goalkeepers under pressure from a shaky start, their respective managers will need to find a way to keep them as far away from the action as possible. For Chelsea this will be easier as they hold a high line allowing their players to hold onto the ball in the final third. For the Toon this won’t be as easy.
Key players
Pedro (Chelsea): Coming off a successful pre-season and already scoring goals in both the opening games, the Spaniard will be hoping to capitalise on his good form in the front third of the pitch and lead his side to a third win in three games.
Joselu (Newcastle) : The Spanish forward scored Newcastle’s only goal of the campaign so far. Against a shaky Chelsea defence, his aerial abilities will pay dividends if he gets the right deliveries.
Shiladitya Biswas's prediction: Newcastle 1 – Chelsea 2
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Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
The final game of the round sees Tottenham travel to Old Trafford to face a United team looking to bounce back after a dismal game against Brighton.
However, Spurs will be full of confidence after chalking up two wins from their first two matches.
Talking points
Pressing a thorn in United’s defence: Brighton pressed Manchester United into conceding three goals last time around, so you can expect more of the same from Spurs. United looked nervous on the ball and against an energetic Spurs side which is a recipe for disaster. Jose Mourinho’s men might punt it long to Romelu Lukaku and beat the press but that will only work for so long. United need their midfielders to show up. Paul Pogba can go from dominant to invisible in between halves, but this week he needs to lead his side through the entirety of what will likely be a very tricky game.
Can Spurs carve United open?: Tottenham will know what to expect when they visit Old Trafford, but the Spurs will have to change their shape if they want to split United’s defence. Playing a back three with Christian Eriksen sitting just ahead or in line with Eric Dier won’t work. With United likely to sit deep and force Spurs to break down their defence, Christian Eriksen’s ability to pick out passes in tight situations will be pivotal. Moussa Dembele will play a crucial role in preventing Pogba from running the show. Don’t rule out a surprise start from either Victor Wanyama or Harry Winks to ensure Spurs maintain complete control of the ball.
Key players
Paul Pogba (Manchester United): After a torrid outing against Brighton, United must turn to their makeshift captain for inspiration. Capable of brilliant play, the Frenchman has to be United’s answer on the counter as Spurs will look to dominate possession. Having started the season with two goals from two games, don’t be surprise to see an energetic Pogba, looking to banish last week’s demons.
Harry Kane (Tottenham): If United sit deep, chances will be few and far between for Tottenham. This will mean Harry Kane, who didn’t score his first goal in August for more than 1000 minutes, should find it difficult to find space in the channels to do what he does best. However, on the back of a World Cup golden boot and after ending his career’s worst drought, it is difficult to imagine that anyone other than Kane will be leading the charge at Old Trafford.
Parth Sonecha's prediction: Manchester United 1 – Tottenham Hotspur 1