Match 1: Premier League
Fixture: Fulham vs Chelsea
Local Kick-off Time: 30th August at 12:30
Recommended Team: Chelsea
Comprehensive Analysis:
The first match of the 3rd round of the Premier League sees Chelsea host Fulham. Frankly, both teams have put in decent performances so far this season—Chelsea have picked up 1 win and 1 draw, and their last match was a remarkable 5-1 away comeback victory over West Ham United. As for Fulham, despite making almost no signings in the summer transfer window, they have held both Brighton and Manchester United to draws, a result that deserves recognition. Particularly in their last match against Manchester United’s star-studded attack, Fulham restricted the Red Devils to just 10 shots, and outperformed United in statistics such as possession, number of shots, shots on target, passes completed, and pass accuracy.
Heading to Stamford Bridge, Marco Silva is likely to adopt a tactic of solid defense with counterattacks. For Chelsea to secure a home win, they need to find a way to break through Fulham’s dense defense. Last season at this venue, Fulham claimed a 2-1 away victory over the Blues. However, looking at Chelsea’s last match, although Cole Palmer is injured (and still highly unlikely to feature in this game), Estêvão has showcased all-round skills in dribbling, cutting through defenses, and delivering crosses from the flanks. Pedro remains the core of Chelsea’s attack, and Enzo Maresca will most likely continue to deploy the front three of Estêvão-Pedro-Neto. Attention still needs to be paid to Chelsea’s defense, but considering Fulham played in the EFL Cup in midweek (with half of their first-team squad featuring), coupled with their lack of squad depth for this away trip, Chelsea may gain momentum in the latter stages of the match. It is highly probable that the Blues will secure a narrow away win in this game.
Match 2: Premier League
Fixture: Manchester United vs Burnley
Local Kick-off Time: 30th August at 15:00
Recommended Team: Burnley
Comprehensive Analysis:
Both teams played in the 2nd round of the EFL Cup in midweek. Burnley defeated EFL Championship side Derby County 2-1 to progress to the 3rd round, where they will face EFL League One side Cardiff City—boosting their chances of advancing further. In contrast, Manchester United fielded their full-strength squad against EFL League Two (fourth-tier) side Grimsby Town, yet were held to a penalty shootout and eliminated. It is worth noting that Grimsby’s entire squad has a market value of just €3.45 million, even less than that of Diego León, the 18-year-old Paraguayan defender Manchester United signed this summer (valued at €4 million)!
Manchester United are winless in their first three games of the season (2 league matches, 1 EFL Cup match). If they still fail to secure all three points at Old Trafford this Saturday, Rúben Amorim’s position as head coach will become increasingly precarious. Additionally, with two former Manchester United managers—Ole Gunnar Solskjær and José Mourinho—having recently been sacked from their roles in the Turkish Super League, the Red Devils now have more options for the head coach position.
Furthermore, Manchester United’s new attacking trident, for which they spent a total of €225 million, has still not delivered the expected number of goals. In the EFL Cup against League Two defenders, Benjamin Šeško won just 2 out of 12 duels! Jeremy Doku and Matheus Cunha have only increased the team’s shot count without improving efficiency.
Compared to Manchester United, who fielded their full squad and fought until penalties in the midweek EFL Cup, Burnley used mostly a rotated squad. Meanwhile, it is Amorim who faces immense pressure when hosting at Old Trafford. Scott Parker, Burnley’s head coach, spoke calmly in his press conference about the match against Manchester United: “There’s no doubt Manchester United are in an uncomfortable position right now. Playing against the players of this world-class team is like facing an injured beast, but on the other hand, they might show some impatience. All in all, we will fight for a good result.”
The last time the two teams met at Old Trafford was on 24th April 2024, with Erik ten Hag and Vincent Kompany as the respective managers, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw. Comprehensive analysis suggests that if Parker sets up a compact defensive formation and launches timely counterattacks, it is not impossible for Burnley to pick up a point here. Normally, Manchester United would have a higher chance of winning, but considering the Red Devils’ uncertainties and the current handicap of Manchester United -1.5 set by bookmakers, a draw or even a Burnley victory could occur in this match.
Match 3: Premier League
Fixture: Sunderland vs Brentford
Local Kick-off Time: 30th August at 15:00
Recommended Team: Sunderland
Comprehensive Analysis:
Both teams played in the EFL Cup in midweek and advanced to the next round. The difference is that the Black Cats (Sunderland) narrowly won via a penalty shootout, while Brentford secured a 2-0 away victory over Bournemouth. In the first two rounds of the league, both teams have recorded 1 win and 1 loss.
Interestingly, Brentford’s center-back Zanka Jørgensen—despite playing as a defender—has averaged at least one shot per game in 14 out of his last 16 starts. In fact, he has taken 17 shots across these 16 matches! When compared to defenders like Virgil van Dijk and Jurriën Timber, it is clear how strong the attacking instincts of Dutch center-backs are. However, considering Sunderland will be playing at home, this match still favors Sunderland to avoid defeat on their own turf.
Match 4: Premier League
Fixture: Tottenham Hotspur vs Bournemouth
Local Kick-off Time: 30th August at 15:00
Recommended Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Comprehensive Analysis:
Ange Postecoglou’s pragmatic style of play has already yielded results this new season; at the same time, his ability to develop strikers has once again proven successful—Richarlison’s performance this season is sufficient evidence of this. The Brazilian has returned to the aggressive, hungry form he displayed during his time at Everton. In fact, under Postecoglou’s management, players like Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney, Jeremy Doku, and Yoane Wissa have all reached high levels of performance.
On Bournemouth’s side, they lost 0-2 at home to Brentford in midweek. Although they fielded a rotated squad, their start to the season (1 win, 2 losses) and 6 goals conceded in three matches are directly related to the departure of almost their entire defensive line in the summer transfer window. Additionally, Andoni Iraola favors a high-pressing tactic, which will precisely leave ample space for Brennan Johnson, Mohammed Kudus, and Timo Werner—under Postecoglou—to make attacking runs. Therefore, based on the current situation of both teams, Tottenham Hotspur are highly likely to secure another convincing victory in this match.
Match 5: Premier League
Fixture: Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Everton
Local Kick-off Time: 30th August at 15:00
Recommended Team: Everton
Comprehensive Analysis:
In Everton’s last match at their new home ground, Goodison Park (Note: The original text mentions “Hill-Dickinson Stadium,” which may be a typo; Everton’s home is traditionally Goodison Park), Jack Grealish—making his first start for the Toffees this season—provided two assists to help the team defeat Brighton 2-0, securing their first win of the season. The English winger, who joined Everton on loan from Manchester City this summer due to limited playing time, showcased his long-lost creativity and attacking threat in the match, and his role at Everton is increasingly resembling his status as the core player he was at Aston Villa.
Last season, David Moyes’ Everton team was known for their solid defense, but in attack, they still relied on simple long balls and counterattack tactics. The main reason for this was the lack of a creative attacking core in the forward line, and Grealish’s arrival has exactly filled this tactical gap for Moyes. Facing Wolverhampton Wanderers, who have an average defense, Grealish will still pose a major threat in the attacking third. This match favors Everton to claim an away victory.
Match 6: Premier League
Fixture: Leeds United vs Newcastle United
Local Kick-off Time: 30th August at 17:30
Recommended Team: Leeds United
Comprehensive Analysis:
After two rounds of the Premier League, all three newly promoted teams have secured one victory each—all at home. It is worth noting that last season, Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton collectively won only 6 home matches! This season, the home grounds of the three promoted teams have already caused difficulties for West Ham United and Everton.
For Newcastle United, the issue with Alexander Isak remains unresolved; in fact, the Magpies have begun to strategically move on. According to the latest news, they have paid £70 million to sign German striker Waldemar Anton from VfB Stuttgart—clearly signaling him as Isak’s replacement. However, the 22-year-old German striker will obviously not be available to travel to Elland Road for this match. Alongside him, Newcastle will also be without Anthony Gordon (sent off in the last match), Sandro Tonali (injured), and Bruno Guimarães. Eddie Howe will lead a squad lacking key players in both attack and defense for this away trip, making it very difficult for them to pick up points. Leeds United are favored to defend their home ground.
Match 7: Premier League
Fixture: Brighton & Hove Albion vs Manchester City
Local Kick-off Time: 31st August at 14:00
Recommended Team: Manchester City
Comprehensive Analysis:
Brighton’s biggest signing of the summer transfer window was the €35 million acquisition of 18-year-old striker Kostas Tsimikas from Olympiacos. They aim to carry forward their form from the midweek EFL Cup and put up a strong fight against Manchester City. In their last league match, Brighton lost to Everton, who broke through the Seagulls’ defense with two diagonal long balls from the left flank by Jack Grealish.
In this round, they unfortunately face Manchester City, a team with sharp attacking threats on both flanks, plus Erling Haaland—whose aerial ability in the center-forward position is gradually improving—making it likely that Brighton will struggle to cope. Manchester City, on the other hand, have recorded 1 win and 1 loss in their first two matches of the new season, showing obvious inconsistency in form. Although summer signings Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Tijjani Reijnders have both scored in the league, new defensive signing Nathan Aké has clearly not yet integrated into the team’s system.
Currently, the Asian Handicap only offers Manchester City -0.5, a relatively shallow line. Bookmakers have clearly not shown sufficient trust in Manchester City. After all, Brighton—having just lost their last match—lacks strong appeal in the market, and there are signs that the handicap is intentionally protecting Manchester City. Therefore, Manchester City can still be trusted to secure all three points away from home in this match.
Match 8: Premier League
Fixture: Nottingham Forest vs West Ham United
Local Kick-off Time: 31st August at 14:00
Recommended Team: Nottingham Forest
Comprehensive Analysis:
In the midweek EFL Cup, West Ham United surrendered a two-goal lead to Wolverhampton Wanderers, conceding two goals in two minutes before eventually losing 3-2 and being eliminated. This defeat marked West Ham’s third consecutive loss to start the season (with 10 goals conceded in three matches), and Graham Potter is now on the verge of being sacked.
As for Nottingham Forest, although they were held to a draw by Crystal Palace in their last EFL Cup match, compared to West Ham—who played twice in a week—Forest have the advantage of playing at home, as well as superior fitness and tactical cohesion. They are expected to secure all three points at home.
Match 9: Premier League
Fixture: Liverpool vs Arsenal
Local Kick-off Time: 31st August at 16:30
Recommended Team: Arsenal
Comprehensive Analysis:
This match is the highlight of the round, with Liverpool hosting Arsenal at Anfield. Both teams currently have two consecutive wins, sitting first and third in the standings respectively. Meanwhile, both sides have invested heavily in their attack lines this summer: Liverpool have signed Marcus Thuram, Florian Wirtz, and two full-backs with strong attacking threat—Kostas Tsimikas and Jeremie Frimpong; Arsenal, on the other hand, have added Dominik Szoboszlai, Eberechi Eze, and Madueke.
Notably, Eze’s arrival has made Arsenal’s attack under Mikel Arteta more creative. Last season, Arsenal’s attack focused primarily on the right flank where Bukayo Saka plays, but Eze’s presence allows Arteta to truly implement an attacking style with threats on both wings. Compared to Liverpool’s high-intensity pressing and aggressive counter-pressing in the middle and front thirds, Arsenal have the upper hand; at the same time, their solid defense makes them the only team among the “Big Six” without obvious weaknesses.
However, it is worth noting that the two teams drew 2-2 in both of their encounters last season, and four out of their last nine official matches have ended in draws. Looking at Liverpool’s performance in their first two league matches, their midfield lacks sufficient physicality, and they are more vulnerable to counterattacks from opponents during transitions. Comprehensive analysis suggests that Arsenal have a chance to pick up points at Anfield in this match.
Match 10: Premier League
Fixture: Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
Local Kick-off Time: 31st August at 19:00
Recommended Team: Crystal Palace
Comprehensive Analysis:
Aston Villa have started the new season with 1 draw and 1 loss, failing to reach the form they showed last season. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, have remained unbeaten in their last five official matches against Villa (4 wins, 1 draw), with a goal difference of 16-4. Last season, under Oliver Glasner’s management (even after Michael Olise’s departure), Palace recorded 1 win and 1 draw in the league, and a convincing 3-0 victory in the FA Cup.
In their last match, despite Eze’s departure, Crystal Palace still managed to pick up a point away to Nottingham Forest—further demonstrating Glasner’s tactical acumen. Additionally, Crystal Palace traveled to Norway midweek and held Fredrikstad to a 0-0 draw, successfully qualifying for the Europa Conference League group stage. This match continues to favor Crystal Palace to pick up points away from home.
