Premier League: Preview, live streaming and predicted lineups of ‘Matchweek 3’ Sunday fixtures

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New Delhi: With six fixtures kicking off Matchday 3, drama unfolded at both ends of the table. Chelsea began the day with a victory over Fulham while Bournemouth edged Tottenham Hotspur by a single goal.

Brighton secured all three points with a 3-2 win over Wolves at a damp Molineux. The newly promoted side shocked Brentford as they struck in stoppage time to seal a 2-1 triumph. Manchester United finally picked up their first victory of the season, while Leeds United and Newcastle shared the spoils in a draw.

With Man City looking to secure their first win of the season after two defeats, followed by the highlight clash between Liverpool and Arsenal, the day is set for drama and epic battles. But before the action kicks in, let’s take a look at which side holds the upper hand over the other.

Brighton vs Man City (6:30 pm)

Both Brighton and Manchester City will be aiming for their first win of the season at the Amex Stadium after failing to take three points from their opening two fixtures. Last weekend, the Seagulls fell 2-0 to Everton, while City were thrashed 2-0 by Spurs on home soil. To make matters worse, City lost new signing Rayan Ait-Nouri to injury in the first half, and they now need a strong response with arch-rivals Arsenal and Liverpool coming up as crucial early three-point battles. Meanwhile, Brighton let their opening game slip against Fulham after conceding in the dying minutes, followed by the defeat to the Toffees, marking a sobering start for the Seagulls.

Predicted line-ups

Brighton: Verbruggen; Wieffer, Dunk, Van Hecke, De Cuyper; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, O’Riley, Mitoma; Welbeck

Man City: Trafford; Lewis, Stones, Dias, O’Reilly; Rodri; Cherki, Silva, Reijnders, Marmoush; Haaland

Nottingham Forest vs West Ham (6:30 pm)

Nottingham Forest welcome West Ham to the City Ground on Sunday as Nuno Espirito Santo looks to steady his side amid uncertainty over his future. Forest remain unbeaten after two games, grinding out a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace thanks to Callum Hudson-Odoi but defensive issues linger with no clean sheet in their last ten league matches. Still, victory would see them win their opening two home fixtures of a Premier League season for the first time.

Meanwhile, West Ham arrive in crisis after suffering their worst top-flight start in 71 years. They conceded three points to newly promoted Sunderland and five to Chelsea which has already increased pressure over Graham Potter with a 3-2 EFL Cup defeat to Wolves adding to the gloom. The Irons have taken the fewest points in the division since Potter’s appointment and lost each of their last three league meetings with Forest making this match crucial to win.

Predicted line-ups

Nottingham Forest: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Anderson, Yates; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood

West Ham: Hermansen; Todibo, Kilman, Aguerd; Wan-Bissaka, Soucek, Ward-Prowse, Diouf; Paqueta, Fernandes; Bowen

Liverpool vs Arsenal (9 pm)

Liverpool and Arsenal put their perfect starts on the line in Sunday’s heavyweight clash at Anfield. The champions edged Newcastle 3-2 in a thriller as 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha’s stoppage-time strike but defensive lapses remain a concern for Arne Slot’s side. The Reds need just one goal to set a new club record of 37 straight league games on the scoresheet.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will arrive in fine form after dispatching Leeds 4-0 behind Viktor Gyokeres’s brace and Jurrien Timber’s standout display. Arteta’s men could open a Premier League season with three wins and three clean sheets for the first time in 101 years. The Gunners are unbeaten in six against Liverpool and will look to keep the winning streak on going.

Predicted line-ups

Liverpool: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike

Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli

Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace (11:30 pm)

Aston Villa and Crystal Palace meet at Villa Park with both still searching for their first Premier League win of the season. Unai Emery’s men have yet to score, drawing with Newcastle before a 1-0 defeat to Brentford while their final-day loss to Manchester United means Villa are three league games without a goal.

On the other hand, Palace arrive unbeaten across all competitions, holding Chelsea and Nottingham Forest to draws before edging Fredrikstad in Europe to reach the Conference League group stage. Oliver Glasner’s side boast one of the best away records in the league with just two defeats on the road since last November. With the Eagles on look to keep their winning streak on going the Villans will be desperate to end their barren run.

Predicted line-ups

Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Onana, Tielemans; Malen, Rogers, McGinn; Watkins

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Devenny; Mateta