It’s game week 3 in the English Premier League, and two of the surviving four 100% records will face each other this weekend. Are we expecting upsets anywhere? Here’s what we think of the upcoming games this weekend.

Friday

Ipswich vs Liverpool. Portman Road. 8:00pm.

Just like that, it’s game week three. The Tractor Boys are starting this one, sitting pretty above Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool. It’s too early to throw Liverpool out of the title race, but every time the Kops have gone on to do great things, they have always started well. Two points in two games doesn’t look like a good start, but with Bradley Barcola in line for a start on Friday, Liverpool might be up to something. There’s no shame in losing at Old Trafford for Ipswich; their first game gave them a win, now they must avoid a real hammering. The goal is to stay in the league, and they can see this one as a free hit.

Verdict: Liverpool to win.

Saturday

Newcastle vs Bournemouth. St. James’s Park. 12:30pm

It’s another early kickoff for Newcastle United, and this one is against Bournemouth in the sunshine on Saturday. The Cherries have made a slow start to the league season, but it’s understandable after the mass exodus they suffered in the summer and their injury record. Newcastle started brightly against Liverpool in the opening weekend, and followed up with a sensational 2-0 wiin over Spurs last weekend. Anthony Elanga and Yoan Wissa are clicking brilliantly, and they will both stretch the Bournemouth defense on Saturday. Marco Rose must set up his team to be pragmatic, but we won’t complain as this one is expected to rain goals.

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals.

Brentford vs Sunderland. G-Tech Stadium. 3:00pm

This is an interesting fixture. Two teams who punched heavily above their weights last season, and have started strongly this season too. The Bees have four points on the board, while the Black Cats are one shy of their hosts’ numbers. They have an almost identical form with both winning four of their last five respective games, now you wonder if this is going to be a stalemate. We don’t know if we’ll see any of the new boys, especially Fofana, who gave us a story to milk in the transfer window. This game should deliver value.

Verdict: Full time draw.

Brighton vs Leeds. The Amex. 3:00pm

Leeds United rallied to earn a point against Brighton last weekend, they will expect a stiffer test at Brighton this weekend. The Seagulls swung from mediocrity to brilliance in split seconds last weekend at Chelsea, they will sure try their best to avoid a slow start at home against Leeds. After putting four past Aston Villa in the opening half hour of their opening day encounter, Brighton found themselves three goals down within half an hour at Stamford Bridge. The 4-3 scoreline doesn’t tell the whole story, but a strong start against Leeds will help them avoid such an anomaly.

Verdict: Brighton to win.

Fulham vs Crystal Palace. Craven Cottage. 3:00pm

Two games, two losses for the duo of Fulham and Crystal Palace, but you can’t compare the Lilywhites to the Eagles. Fulham was quite unlucky against Chelsea on the opening day, and the 1-0 loss at Sunderland was a harrowing one that wasn’t down to lack of effort. Crystal Palace isn’t in a good place, with many of their players either injured or seeking an exit. The transfer window is over, and Ismaila Sarr is still a Palace player, and so is Jean Philippe Mateta, who sought court help to tear up his Palace contract so he could move to Aston Villa. Fulham has the advantage for this game; will Alvaro Arbeloa’s team take it?

Verdict: Fulham to win or draw.

Manchester City vs Coventry City. Etihad Stadium. 3:00pm

It’s been two wins out of two for Manchester City, but you can’t exactly call them vintage yet. The new players are integrating gradually, and Enzo Maresca is stamping his authority on the team. Coventry had a baptism of fire on the opening day against the champions, but Frank Lampard will feel his side missed an opportunity against Hull City last weekend. The Tigers beat Coventry City away from home, heaping pressure on the former Chelsea captain, but this game at the Etihad, where Lampard had a short stint, would feel like a free hit. The more free hits you have, the closer you get to relegation. Are we triple captaining Erling Haaland this weekend?

Verdict: Manchester City to win

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham. The City Ground. 3:00pm

Tottenham spent so much in the summer, overhauled the entire team just to avoid being linked to relegation this season, but they’re still bottom after two games. Two losses in two games got Roberto De Zerbi struggling at the presser at the weekend, something must change in this game. Forest would feel they deserve more than a point at Anfield last weekend, but their inability to hold on to a 2-1 lead led them to settling for a point. Forest made Europe two seasons ago, the goal this season with Oliver Glasner will be to repeat the feat. Is Spurs in trouble again?

Verdict: Forest to win or draw.

Hull City vs Aston Villa. MKM Stadium. 5:30pm

Two games back in the top flight, two wins for Hull City, and that earned their manager and their goalkeeper nominations for the manager of the month and player of the month respectively. Aston Villa can’t say the same, in fact, it’s the exact opposite as the home loss to the champions last Monday followed up an opening day embarrassment at Brighton. Unai Emery has brought in fresh players, he must get things ticking very quickly ahead of the international break. No one expects Aston Villa to win the league, but they’re expected to be in the mix for the top six at least. Hull City is still many pundits’ favorite to go down, but the Tigers have earned the right to stay.

Verdict: Villa to win.

Sunday

Everton vs Manchester United. Hill Dickinson Stadium. 2:00pm

Manchester United will be away to Everton on Sunday with some good news on the injury front. Mason Mount is back in training and nothing has been confirmed on the rumored Benjamin Sesko injury. This is an opportunity for Manchester United to build on their strong win over Ipswich last weekend. David Moyes is never afraid of facing Manchester United. With Jack Grealish back in town, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in top form, it would be a great evening for the neutrals to enjoy end-to-end football. United can’t afford to lose this one, as it would drop them down the ladder so early, but will Everton come easy at home?

Verdict: Manchester United to win.

Arsenal vs Chelsea. Emirates Stadium. 4:30pm

The final game of the weekend is the marquee game of game week 3. It’s the champions against Chelsea at the Emirates. It’s the first taste of this fixture for Xabi Alonso, and it’s a game he must be careful with. The Blues are the highest-scoring team in the league this season after two games, but they have conceded five goals as well. Arsenal took care of business, albeit the hard way, against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Monday. Chelsea will be a different proposition, but you will have to travel back to 2021 to remember the last time Chelsea beat Arsenal in the Premier League. Chelsea couldn’t find a replacement for Enzo Fernandez, and Moisés Caicedo is a doubt for this one. How will that midfield cope with Declan Rice and Bruno Guimarães?

Verdict: Arsenal to win.