Dan’s EPL Predictions Week 3: A Draw for Arsenal v Chelsea and Massive Win for Man City?

Week 3 of the Premier League season is here, and Dan Smith is back with his latest round of predictions.

There are some fascinating fixtures this weekend, including Arsenal hosting Chelsea at the Emirates, while Dan also has plenty to say about the respective transfer business carried out by the champions and their rivals.

Here are Dan’s predictions for all ten games – and don’t forget to check the updated Just Arsenal European Cup standings at the bottom.

Ipswich 2-3 Liverpool

Gary O’Neil has been on the front foot in Ipswich’s first two Prem fixtures, so there is no reason to think Friday will be any different.

For nearly an hour at Old Trafford, the Tractor Boys played well, but then, in the space of five minutes, Greaves was scoring an own goal and conceding a penalty.

At this level, that’s how quickly a game can get away from you. Liverpool have the attacking talent to do the same.

Newcastle 2-2 Cherries

If not for stoppage-time goals, Bournemouth could be sitting on four points. That’s why Marco Rose won’t be panicking.

He might be more concerned that, in both games in charge so far, the Cherries have conceded from set pieces. There is nothing worse for a coach than identifying a long-term defensive issue, working on the problem in training, and yet still conceding.

Who would have thought Matthias Jaissle would have changed the mood on Tyneside so quickly?

Brentford 3-0 Sunderland

Get an early goal and this could be another comfortable home win for the Bees.

It might take the Black Cats’ new signings some time to settle, while Keith Andrews has more of a settled squad.

Brighton 2-2 Leeds

Daniel Farke switched to a back four at half-time last Sunday when his back five didn’t work, and it will be interesting to see what formation he lines up with at the Amex.

What Leeds have been good at in their opening games, though, is setting themselves up to be tough to beat and finding ways to stay in games.

Fulham 1-0 Crystal Palace

Ismaila Sarr and Mateta both remain at Selhurst Park despite both clearly wanting to be elsewhere.

The quicker Pierre Sage can get both back playing, the more chance he has of a first Prem point.

This weekend will come too soon for both, though.

Fulham didn’t manage a shot on target last Sunday, so don’t expect this London derby to be high-scoring.

It’s good news for Jurrien Timber that his twin brother has joined him in London.

Man City 5-0 Coventry

While Arsenal were standing still in the last few days of the transfer window, Man City were adding Fernandez and Ndiaye.

So the champions failed to improve their attack while the team who finished runners-up have replaced Rodri with Anderson, Bouaddi and now Fernandez.

The Gunners had their foot on their rivals’ throat and let them breathe again.

The last week could prove to be a missed opportunity in our history.

When you compare the ambition shown, they probably deserve the title more than us.

Forest 2-1 Spurs

These two sides are not under the same amount of pressure compared to the last time they played, but the losing manager will be under pressure early on.

After two years of using injuries as an excuse for consecutive 17th-place finishes, some Spurs fans are now trying to hide behind new players needing time to settle in.

Which is true, but it’s not like they have not signed individuals who are used to the division.

Tonali doesn’t need to adjust to a new culture for us to know he can’t do what a talent worth £100 million should do. There doesn’t need to be a transition period to know that Marmoush and Savinhio don’t guarantee you the goals that you would expect for approximately £130 million.

While Spurs had to overspend to get these names to avoid a bidding war, more and more it’s become a scattergun approach.

Investing £300 million means they will avoid a relegation fight, but I’m not sure it’s brought them anyone outstanding.

Hull 2-2 Aston Villa

The best chance newly promoted clubs have of staying in the division is getting points on the board early.

After two straight wins, the pressure is off the Tigers, while it’s a good time to play a Villa side that looks almost like a different team from last season.

Unai Emery is bullish to claim quality-wise there have been like-for-like replacements, but is smart enough to know it’s going to take time for everyone to settle in.

Everton 2-1 Man United

Getting £65 million for Ndiaye, £14 million for Beto and using that money to loan Grealish and Maitland-Niles is smart business for the Toffees. It’s great to see the Hale End graduate back in England.

Balogun having a change of heart leaves David Moyes short in attack, which begs the question: why do clubs leave deals so late when they had months to prepare?

As he showed last year before his injury, Grealish is the type of player Evertonians will fall in love with.

Is Sunday made for him?

Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea

The last few days of the transfer window seemed to clarify that the champions will be relying on their defensive ability to retain their Premiership.

Many within the sport assumed that once the Gunners got over the line in the title race, the priority would be to fix our attack.

Somehow, we have managed to make it weaker this summer, and some Gooners will be quick to point that out if Chelsea rock up at the Emirates with better attacking options.

Unlike Arsenal, our neighbours have tried to fix their issues. Martinez for £7.5 million might be the bargain of the season.

That makes our rivals challengers for our crown, but Alonso might not have enough defensively to get over the line.

We’ve regressed offensively. Both might be apparent on Sunday.

Dan Smith

So, after two weeks, Michelle remains top of the Just Arsenal European Cup table with 20 points, but GB and IGL are only one point behind.

How many of Dan’s Week 3 predictions do you agree with? And what’s your score prediction for Arsenal against Chelsea on Sunday?

Get your predictions in below and let’s see who is sitting top after Week 3.

Just Arsenal European Cup standings

The top 36 qualify for the Just Arsenal European Cup.

Michelle 20

GB 19

IGL 19

Dave 18

Gunnerstew 18

Jo-Gunz 17

Stephanie 16

Amba 16

Ayan 16

ric ionta 16

Okobino 16

ejs 15

Antivirus 15

Ackshay 14

Joe Gunner 14

Sue 14

Cynthia 14

Enzo W 13

Achizzy 13

Gunsmoke 12

Kendrick Ohis 12

Adeski 12

Ladi 12

Obuche Achiel 12

Biggest aketi 12

Terrah 12

NT Gunnerz 12

YY 11

Sue P 11

Alfie G 11

Onyango 11

Wale Akinlatun 11

Timothy Adegbola 11

Matthew 11

Sagie 11

Akeem 11

Tblaze 10

Teteu 10

waal2waal 9

Dan Kit 9

I 9

The Shoba Reality Show 9

Mena93- 9

MTG 9

MOSES HILLARY Akuno 8

Chronicles 8

Me 8

Kenya001 8

Solwills 7

JRA 7

Shaw 7

Q.B 6

Bacuna 6

Uzi Ozil 5

Drayton 5

Famochi 4

Uzezi 4

Jimmymac 60 2

Emma123@arsenal 1
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