Into game-week 3 we go! With the table starting to be formed, here is another crucial game-week for many teams, and here is our preview for what we expect to see in the upcoming matches:
Burnley Vs Manchester United
Both team are now winless, with Manchester United only having as single point and Burnley on zero. Both teams will be looking to put their first 3 points on the board, especially Louis van Gaal and his team, possibly making this a very cagey affair.
STAR MAN – Juan MATA
The £37.1 million signing needed to start producing the goods to justify his price tag, and after scoring his first of the season, we expect to see more of the same.
Manchester City Vs Stoke City
Stoke struggled to get a draw at home to 10 men Hull City, so if the Potters manage to come away with anything from Manchester, it should be regarded as a success. Manchester City on the other hand will be looking for nothing other than a win, after their 3-1 victory over Liverpool.
STAR MAN – Sergio AGUERO
The Argentine managed to score within 26 seconds of coming on the pitch against Liverpool, and with Aguero easing back into the team after injury & the World Cup, we expect to see him start this coming game-week.
Newcastle United Vs Crystal Palace
After 2 games Newcastle are sitting on a single point. However, they do show signs of promise and will look to get their first win on the board along with a needed confidence boost. Crystal Palace on the other hand seem in free-fall since the departure of Tony Pulis, and will look to take anything away from Newcastle.
STAR MAN – Remy CABELLA
The french winger has looked very promising and shows signs of class and flair in his first two games in the Premier League. Against Crystal Palace, Cabella could be looking to get his first goal in the Premier League.
QPR Vs Sunderland
Newbies QPR are sitting on zero points after two straight losses, whereas Sunderland currently have more points now than they did mid-October last year. Gus Poyet and his team will look to build on this, whereas Harry Redknapp will look to get the team’s first point or three on the board.
STAR MAN – Jack RODWELL
After bagging his first goal for the Black Cats at the weekend against Manchester United, Jack will have huge confidence going into his next game and may play a big part in helping Sunderland to their first win of the season.
Swansea City Vs West Brom
Swansea have looked very impressive in the start to the season with two straight wins against Manchester United and Burnley, whereas West Brom have managed 2 draws out of 2 games. This could be a very tight affair, however we think that Swansea’s new found class will edge out the game.
STAR MAN – Gylfi SIGURDSSON
The Icelandic midfielder has had a really positive start with his new team after leaving Spurs. We expect him to carry on this form after he has already got himself 2 assists and 1 goal in the last 2 games.
West Ham Vs Southampton
With Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll out, it looked as if West Ham may struggle but after a 1-3 win at Crystal Palace, they will go into this game full of confidence. Southampton on the other hand have only scored 1 goal in their first two games, and seem to be lacking in the final third.
STAR MAN – Mauro ZARATE
After bagging himself a goal on his Premier League debut at Selhurst Park, we imagine Big Sam will opt to play his new signing once again after he carried his good form from pre-season into the game against Palace. With Southampton struggling for goals and the Hammers being at home, we think Zarate will have an impact in this fixture.
Everton Vs Chelsea
After a tough two games which were both drawn 2-2, Everton will look to get their first win on the board, but it may be tough for them against Chelsea who have looked very impressive with their new signings. The London club has managed 2 wins in as many games and this fixture is likely to be a close call.
STAR MAN – Diego COSTA
Diego Costa has started life in the Premier League with 2 goals in 2 games. He may not be instrumental in build up play but he’s putting the ball in the net and we back him to do the same here.
Aston Villa Vs Hull City
With both of these teams sitting on 4 points, we can see this being a close game. Aston Villa have managed to keep 2 clean sheets in their first 2 games and they will be hoping to carry that on against Hull at home.
STAR MAN – Andreas WEIMANN
The Austrian has already got himself a goal this season and looks the most likely goal threat for Aston Villa. We feel he may increase his goal tally this coming game-week which is why we have backed him as our star man.
Tottenham Vs Liverpool
After two games and 6 points on the board, Spurs have looked really impressive, winning their last game against QPR 4-0 resulting in them sitting pretty at the top of the league on goal difference. Liverpool on the other hand have managed 1 win in 2 games, following their defeat to Manchester City.
STAR MAN – Emmanuel ADEBAYOR
Liverpool crushed Spurs 5-0 in this fixture last season, with the help of 2 Luis Suarez goals, that saw the end of Andre Villas-Boas. This year, Liverpool are without the Uruguayan and we feel the match may turn out slightly differently. Adebayor is clearly the favoured striker in the Spurs line-up at the moment and he repaid the manager for the trust he had put in him with a goal and an assist against QPR. As he is favoured, we back him to have a significant portion of play-time in this match too and could prove tricky for the unproven Liverpool defence.
Leicester City Vs Arsenal
New boys Leicester have put in two performances any promoted club would be proud of but due to the difficulty of their start, they only have a single point to show for it. This match will prove to be an interesting one as Arsenal haven’t managed to hit the ground running just yet. A last minute winner was required in the first game and a late 2 goal come-back in the last 8 minutes of the game against Everton shows there is room for improvement.
STAR MAN – Aaron RAMSEY
Ramsey’s form seems to have continued into this season, getting a goal in both of Arsenal’s Premier League fixtures to date this season. If there are goals for Arsenal in this game, we back Aaron to play some part in them.
