Premier League Week 3: Predictions, Odds and Results
Pintsized Background
Welcome one and all to Week 3 of Premier League picks, tricks and all the in-between. Top of the billing is the question – How do you solve a problem like Maaa-nchester United? In the short term, you give Casemiro a wage that rivals a small country’s GDP. A more educated approach would see United go for a younger, cheaper defensive workhorse in the midfield – Walace (Udinese) or Kouadio Kone (Borussia Mönchengladbach).
The real story of last weekend’s action was Super Tommy Tickle and Antonio Conte scrapping at Stamford Bridge. For all the Brit boxing fans out there, the handshake debacle screamed Froch-Groves II face-to-face. It’s linked below for all you lucky readers.
Pintsized Football content from the week before:
🚀 Preview: Premier League Week 2 Predictions
⚽ PI’s Recommended Match: Chelsea vs Tottenham
Travel down the Pintsized rabbit hole:
📺 YouTube: Pintsized Channel
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Premier League Week 3: Picks & Odds
| Fixtures | Pintsized | Ryan | Steviano | Results |
| Saturday, 20 August | ||||
| Tottenham (5/12) Wolves (8/1) | 1-0 | 2-1 | 3-1 | 1-0 |
| Everton (1/1) Notts Forest (16/5) | 1-1 | 1-1 | 0-2 | 1-1 |
| Leicester (11/12) Southampton (16/5) | 2-2 | 0-0 | 1-1 | 1-2 |
| Fulham (8/5) Brentford (2/1) | 1-2 | 2-1 | 1-1 | 3-2 |
| Crystal Palace (13/8) Aston Villa (39/19) | 1-3 | 3-1 | 2-1 | 3-1 |
| Bournemouth (38/5) Arsenal (5/11) | 1-1 | 0-3 | 0-2 | 0-3 |
| Sunday, 21 August | ||||
| West Ham (7/5) Brighton (9/4) | 2-0 | 2-2 | 2-1 | 0-2 |
| Leeds (5/1) Chelsea (3/5) | 0-1 | 1-3 | 2-2 | 3-0 |
| Newcastle (41/5) Manchester City (2/5) | 1-3 | 0-3 | 1-2 | 3-3 |
| Monday, 22 August | ||||
| Manchester United (24/5) Liverpool (11/17) | 0-3 | 0-3 | 1-4 | 2-1 |
Premier League Week 3
Saturday, 20 August 2022
Tottenham vs Wolves
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Conte’s second-half fight back against Chelsea was a strategic masterclass. Harry Kane’s equaliser was scrappy, but the Spud army had been dominated in the early proceedings. Trust the tiny Italian, he will deliver England’s big lump some much-needed silverware. Meanwhile, Wolves have spent the entire summer social distancing from a striker to lead their dire attack.
Prediction: 1-0
Ryan
My first prediction is that there’ll be more fire from Conte’s antics with Tuchel than there will be from this match, especially without the Italian bouncing around on the sideline for a few weeks. Wolves put their first point on the board although a home draw against Fulham is far from inspiring. Arguably Spurs should have lost against Chelsea with a dodgy hair pull being completely brushed under the carpet by the typically useless referee and officials but they should have enough to beat a dogged Wolves side.
Prediction: 2-1
Steviano
Wolves have smashed their record to bring in Nunes who will add real class to the midfield – that said they still look short up front and I don’t expect them to have as strong a season as last time. Spurs should continue their strong start to the season – a feisty point at the Battle of the Bridge reflected the Conte influence.
Prediction: 3-1
Everton vs Nottingham Forest
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An early-season relegation scrap. Frank Lampard continues to look tactically out-of-depth in the PL. Granted, Everton has a fat injury list which includes their star forward – Dominic Calvert-Lewin. A strikeforce of Dwight McNeil, Anthony Gordon and Demarai Gray is Championship fodder, however. Forest continues to throw money at a wall. Albeit, the recently promoted side has made shrewd business on most of the transfers and they lost much of their promotion squad.
Prediction: 1-1
Ryan
Is it too early to say that Everton might be in yet another relegation scrap? An unfortunate injury crisis doesn’t explain why they didn’t get going until after Villa’s second goal in the 85th minute. Worrying times there. Their visitors Forest were impressive, pulling out an unlikely win over a strong West Ham team. It’s difficult to predict how the away side will perform as they could be like a box of Allsorts but what does seem likely is the pressure to pile on the home team.
Prediction: 1-1
Steviano
6-pointer anyone. The Forest supermarket sweep approach to transfers shows no sign of letting up whilst poor Frank is paying the price for previous Everton transfer fiascos and scratching around for any sort of a striker. Forest to continue their feel-good start to the season.
Prediction: 0-2
Leicester City vs Southampton
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Would Kasper have let six past him to open the season? Danny Ward has struggled to fill the huge hole left by a club legend. Youri Tielemans and James Maddison are holding together a worryingly paper-thin, out-of-sorts Foxes squad. Southampton is ironing out a starting XI littered with youth, but Hasenhüttl is a veteran of surfing the Premier League at this point.
Prediction: 2-2
Ryan
Yikes, where do we start with this? Two sides who barely have a point each and look unimpressive so far. Leicester crumbled to Arsenal whilst Southampton recovered well from their failed first venture with a comeback against resurgent Leeds rescuing a share of the spoils. With neither team high on confidence, this feels ripe for a boring, tight draw.
Prediction: 0-0
Steviano
Both teams should stay up this season but neither are going to set the league alight – Leicester are in transfer limbo so although the squad is still the same it’s not been refreshed which means everyone else is overtaking you and it will be interesting to see if Brenda wants to stick around longer term. Expecting a snorefest of a match.
Prediction: 1-1
Fulham vs Brentford
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I’m fairly sure Fulham fans would have snapped your hand off for two points to start their campaign against Liverpool and Wolves. Brentford has resumed its second top-flight gusto with the same success as 2021/22. Mitrovic finally appears to have made the transition to the PL, but time will tell if that form can sustain the full season. Brentford’s physical front-three may cause real problems at Craven Cottage.
Prediction: 1-2
Ryan
A few years ago, this was a Play Off final with a place in the Premiership on the line. Now for the first time since then, both teams reunite in the top flight. Both Fulham and Brentford have started this season on a positive note, the latter’s 4-0 demolition job of United a highlight in their club’s history. This could actually be an interesting match as opposed to the return game later in the season which may or may not be a relegation scrap. I’ll push for a home win here.
Prediction: 2-1
Steviano
Brentford will be buoyed with their mauling of United last week but will find a better organised team in Fulham – going for a draw in this one but wouldn’t be surprised by a win for the Bees.
Prediction: 1-1
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa
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Vieira’s second year in the Premier League hasn’t run so smooth, yet he is without last season’s talisman in Connor Gallagher. Replacing Ayew had to be on the top of the list over the summer, desperately needing to bolster the right flank. Villa continues to boom or bust under Gerrard without rhyme or reason, yet their exceptional individual talent is strong enough to secure points.
Prediction: 1-3
Ryan
The battle of two midfield destroyers takes place off the pitch as Vieira goes head to head with Gerrard. The Eagles were impressive against Liverpool and perhaps unlucky not to leave with 3 points. Speaking of 3 points, Villa got exactly that against Everton although it seems more difficult to lose against them nowadays. I can see Palace putting on a big show for their faithful and scoring a big win.
Prediction: 3-1
Steviano
Palace were perhaps fortunate to have got a point at Anfield even against 10-men but their spirited performance will put them in a good place to face a Villa team who aren’t living up to the initial Gerrard hype at this point – I fancy Viera’s team to take this one as there seems to be a real togetherness with the squad.
Prediction: 2-1
Bournemouth vs Arsenal
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Bournemouth has to turn the Vitality Stadium into a fortress if they wish to stay afloat by January. A 4-0 spanking to Manchester City should be like water off a duck’s back, though. Marcus Tavernier is emerging as a real baller – a summer move that is paying dividends early. Arteta’s system at Arsenal is reaping rewards after an awkward transition period, yet injuries to any of their primary creators could bring collapse.
Prediction: 1-1
Ryan
You have to feel for the home side here. Coming off a predictable battering at the Etihad, they have to face another top side in Arsenal who are looking fire this season with their refreshed squad. Could this be the time where Arsenal actually achieve top 4? It’s too early to say comprehensively but the signs look good. They should continue their hot streak here.
Prediction: 0-3
Steviano
I wouldn’t judge Bournemouth on the City result last week but they don’t have enough quality against the top teams – they are pretty well organised and will make a fist of it more than Norwich did last season. Arsenal are full of confidence and ability at the moment, Jesus is showing what he can do and lifting the quality of play around him – away win.
Prediction: 0-2
Premier League Week 3
Sunday, 21 August 2022
West Ham vs Brighton
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Say what you want about the Conference League in terms of tinpot, but it will provide ample opportunity against different outfits for a squad in transition. Hammering Denmark’s finest, Viborg FF, will hopefully settle Maxwel Cornet and Gianluca Scamacca into the Hammers. Potter continues to work his magic with a weak squad, but he will struggle to break through Moyes’ defensive chops.
Prediction: 2-0
Ryan
West Ham followed up their predictable first week loss with a more unpredictable second week loss at Nottingham Forest. They should be disappointed with that although their focus may well be on getting their spot in the Conference League sealed. With that in mind, Brighton have a good chance to remain unbeaten. A boring draw against Newcastle should make way for a more exciting draw here.
Prediction: 2-2
Steviano
Brighton have made a great start again to the season despite their annual asset stripping whilst the Hammers are unlucky to have nothing to show to date. I expect West Ham to kick start their season after a useful mid-week Europe win and a first goal for Scamacca.
Prediction: 2-1
Leeds United vs Chelsea
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If Jesse Marsch continues to win at Leeds, the American fanboys are going to fast become insufferable. Rodrigo is killing it up-top, an area that plagued the Yorkshire outfit last season with a litany of injuries. Chelsea is struggling without a typical striker leading the line, but shipping off Werner and Lukaku had to be done. Time for the Londoners to spend big on Ollie Watkins?
Prediction: 0-1
Ryan
Contrary to popular belief, Leeds have had a positive start to the season with an unbeaten couple of weeks matching their opponents Chelsea who have not been particularly convincing so far. They need a match to kickstart their campaign and this could be the right opportunity for them to do so.
Prediction: 1-3
Steviano
Chelsea lack the killer touch (Aubameyang £25m – really!) which will hamper their squad rebuild which otherwise shows no sign of limitations. Leeds have made a solid start with Jesse’s new recruits settling in and which should see them safely mid-table – expect this to be a fun game to watch.
Prediction: 2-2
Newcastle vs Manchester City
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When did Fabian Schar turn into prime Maldini? Newcastle’s back-four has forged into a formidable wall over the summer, with only Allan Saint-Maximin causing a few selection problems in the final third. City’s stupidly strong team will continue to roll over any opposition, home and away, however.
Prediction: 1-3
Ryan
Could this be considered the new version of El Cashico? The home team are still getting used to that image and remain sensible in their summer strategy. Two games without a loss is good going for a team who were looking at the Championship last season for a while. Their opponents meanwhile are looking at yet another title win and have started as they mean to go on. They’ll look to build a big gap away from their rivals early on and a bold statement here will further their ambitions.
Prediction: 0-3
Steviano
Newcastle fans will be satisfied with their start to the season and can rightly look towards the top of the table rather than the bottom for once. It will be a good acid test for the Toon’s aspirations against a City team still getting into full stride and learning to play with a “true” 9.
Prediction: 1-2
Premier League Week 3
Monday, 22 August 2022
Manchester United vs Liverpool
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A northwest derby that has more often felt like an older brother beating on a younger sibling in recently years. Liverpool will be without Darwin Nunez and have struggled without Mane, but United are a joke at the moment. Ten Hag has realised the current assortment of footballing failures cannot thrive in his technically-demanding style – and so the panic buys have begun.
Prediction: 0-3
Ryan
As a United fan, I don’t know where to start. I think the main aim this season should be off the pitch in driving the owners out. More rumblings than ever seem to be making the headlines with this, one can only hope they’re true. On the pitch remains an embarrassment. Even the prospective signing of a defensive powerhouse in Casemiro can’t wash away the justifiable feelings of anger and frustration.
Their opponents have been way below par by their recent lofty standards with sloppy draws to Fulham and Palace showing signs of a team dented in confidence. Still regardless of rivalry, Liverpool couldn’t have chosen a better time to play United. My hope is that we get the game called off with big protests but the reality is that it’ll be yet another low in a season which has already seen plenty despite being 3 weeks in.
Prediction: 0-3
Steviano
No-one would have predicted these teams having 2 points between them after 4 games – Liverpool’s form is a stuttering start (they could have had 6 points) whereas United’s is hide behind a cushion time. When Pep joined City he was given the tools to play the way he wanted (especially after the first trophyless season) – the fear for Ten Hag is he won’t get the first season to get the players he needs to play his way and to describe the current transfer strategy(?) as scattergun is an understatement.
Prediction: 1-4
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Pintsized Interests is just a baby finding its first steps in the big, bad world of sports journalism. If you enjoy the content that is regularly uploaded then please consider donating via the link below. Any amount is greatly appreciated, and will go towards ensuring the survival of Pintsized Interests in the long-term.