/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56353071/821848448.0.jpg)
We’re just hours away from the start of Game Week 3. Time to debate fantasy lineups and share team news ahead of the opening kickoff.
Saturday’s Matches:
Bournemouth vs Manchester City
Will the Citizens be able to get their title challenge back on track when they visit winless Bournemouth? Given that Bournemouth have never beaten City—and have never even scored on them at home—I’d have to say yes. But Jermain Defoe could make his first EPL start as a Cherry, and MC will be without the suspended Kyle Walker.
Crystal Palace vs Swansea City
Clash of the feckless: two teams who are winless and goalless. Give the edge to Palace because Swansea haven’t even had a shot on target yet. However, the Swans have only lost once in the last 12 meetings with Palace, and Palace are without Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Wilfried Zaha.
Huddersfield Town vs Southampton
Perfect Huddersfield hosts a Southampton side that is beginning to find its feet. Will Southampton be the first to score on Huddersfield’s excellent Jonas Lossl?
Newcastle United vs West Ham United
Rafa Benitez is under intense pressure to deliver a result after a scoreless start to his season. WHU will also be in search of their first result after running into Manchester United’s buzzsaw and then falling late to Southampton.
Watford vs Brighton and Hove Albion
Only the buccaneering Manchester United offense has generated more goals than Watford this term, and pointless Brighton have yet to score. Is this the recipe for a Watford field day, or will Brighton park the bus and confound Richarlison and company?
Manchester United vs Leicester City
United has scored 4 goals in each of its first two games this year, and funnily enough they scored 4 goals in this fixture last season. Will MU continue to pile up the goals? Can they keep their perfect clean sheet record intact against a Leicester attack led by Jamie Vardy, who has recovered from an ankle knock?
Sunday’s Matches
Chelsea vs Everton
Cesc Fabregas, Pedro, and Gylfi Sigurdsson should all make the starting lineup for this one, but Morgan Schneiderlin was shown red against Manchester City, so he will miss it. Also, Hazard has returned to training and could feature. Both clubs have had games filled with drama so far this season; expect more.
West Bromwich Albion vs Stoke City
Johnny Evans is a doubt, so West Brom’s 100% clean sheet record could be in jeopardy when Tony Pulis hosts his former club.
Liverpool vs Arsenal
Two teams who struggle at the back but bristle with offensive weaponry. This fixture promises fireworks, but Arsenal will definitely benefit from the return of Laurent Koscielny.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Burnley
This game would seem like the week’s biggest mismatch, but that’s what we thought when Burnley visited Stamford Bridge. Will Harry Kane finally shrug off his August curse to seal the deal for Tottenham’s first win at Wembley?
Show us your lineups, post team news, and share your thinking as we help each other put the finishing touches on our squads ahead of the deadline.