Matchweek Three
Manchester City ($1.22) vs Arsenal ($12.00) – Saturday 28th August @9:30pm
Manchester City take on a beleaguered Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium at 9:30pm Saturday.
The defending champions notched their first win of the campaign by thrashing Norwich 5-0 on Sunday morning.
Arsenal’s season has started in disastrous fashion, losing to newly-promoted Brentford on the opening day of the season before being outclassed by London rivals Chelsea at the Emirates on Monday morning.
Beleaguered Arsenal manger Mikel Arteta finally received some welcomed news as his side smashed West Brom 6-0 midweek in the Carabao Cup. He should also see a host of his first team players return for the trip to Manchester including club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, while Martin Odegaard could make his first appearance for the club since signing permanently.
City remain without Phil Foden, while Kevin de Bruyne is still working his way back to full fitness.
Despite Arsenal’s midweek progression to the third round of the Carabao Cup, this feels like a fait accompli for City, who should get at the Gunners’ meagre defence with relative ease.
Best Bets
Match Result: Manchester City ($1.22)
Brighton & Hove Albion ($2.37) vs Everton ($3.00) – Sunday 29th August @1:00am
High-flying Brighton face undefeated Everton at the Amex Stadium on Sunday at 1am.
The Seagulls have started their campaign in excellent fashion after recording wins against Burnley and Watford, and will be looking to make it three straight wins against the Toffees.
Everton’s new life under Rafa Benitez has got underway promisingly, beating Southampton on the opening weekend of the season before holding Leeds to a 2-2 draw at Elland Road.
Brighton will likely be without Joel Veltman, Tariq Lamptey and Dan Burn, though Danny Welbeck could return to the bench.
Moise Kean will miss the match through suspension, while James Rodriguez is also unlikely to be involved for Everton.
Both sides have been impressive in their opening two games, Brighton’s Graham Potter is quickly becoming one of the best young managers in the Premier League, while the wily Benitez looks like he could silence his detractors following his controversial appointment to the blue half of Merseyside.
Best Bets
Match Result: Draw ($3.20)
Liverpool ($2.40) vs Chelsea ($2.87) – Sunday 29th August @2:30am
Liverpool will welcome Chelsea to Anfield in what is the biggest game of the season so far.
Both sides have put forward their credentials as title contenders by winning their opening two games – and neither side has conceded a goal either.
Liverpool, who have flown under the radar slightly to begin the season, swept aside newly-promoted Norwich to kick off their campaign, before outclassing Burnley 2-0 at Anfield last Saturday.
Chelsea swept aside London rivals Crystal Palace 3-0 to lift off their campaign and followed up that impressive performance by dismantling Arsenal at the Emirates 2-0.
Leicester’s injury nightmare has carried over from last season, with Jonny Evans (ankle), Ryan Bertrand (Covid-19), James Justin (knee) and Wesley Fofana (calf) all sidelined.
Both sides will fancy their chances here and we should be in for goals, neither side is water-tight in defence.
Liverpool could receive a huge boost with left-back Andy Robertson looking likely to return to the side, while Chelsea could also welcome back a pivotal player in N’Golo Kante.
The Reds and the Blues could be the two teams to beat this season, with a feeling that Manchester City might come up short if they don’t bring in a recognised striker. A draw will not halt the momentum for either side.
Best Bets
Match Result: Draw ($3.20)
