The English Premier League reaches its first mini-landmark of the new season this weekend, with round four of the campaign coming right before the international football break.
Only one perfect record remains even at this early stage and, in an ominous sign for the chasing pack, it belongs to reigning EPL champions Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s side tackle Fulham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday off the back of three wins from three, while their visitors have served up a mixed bag so far.
Arsenal were City’s closest challengers last time around and put their unbeaten start to the test on Sunday in a classic Premier League clash against Manchester United.
The Red Devils head south the the Emirates Stadium buoyed by a second consecutive get-out-of-jail-free performance at Old Trafford, with the match officials, VAR and the football gods smiling on Erik ten Hag’s stuttering side.
Another pair of impressive outfits meet on Sunday at Anfield, when Aston Villa make a visit to Liverpool.
Both were winners away from home last weekend, as they prepare to combine their domestic duties with continental competition in the coming months.
There is plenty more to go at for top flight fans at both ends of the early table on Saturday, building towards the long haul south for oil-rich Newcastle as they head to Brighton.
Big things are expected of both at home and abroad this season but both have already seen their unbeaten records go up in smoke, adding an edge to the Amex Stadium contest.
They have nothing on the angst in South Yorkshire, though, with promoted Sheffield United hosting Everton in an early relegation six-pointer.
The Blades were unlucky in falling to a home defeat against Manchester City last weekend, leaving them mired at the wrong end of the standings with their visitors, who yet again failed to get off the mark at Goodison Park.
We also have another chance to see how the puzzle pieces are beginning to fit for moneybags Chelsea.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues welcome Nottingham Forest to Stamford Bridge, with the visitors cursing the fixture schedule that sees them follow up their Old Trafford travesty with another stern test of their survival credentials.
Tottenham seem to have landed on their most popular head coach since the days of Pochettino, albeit early in the tenure of intriguing Australian Ange Postecoglou.
An attacking style and the impact of England international James Maddison has eased the concerns over the departure for Bayern Munich of legend Harry Kane, as Spurs go to the north west to face Vincent Kompany’s promoted Burnley.
A third London club has an unbeaten record to build on in the form of Brentford.
Thomas Frank’s Bees have brushed off the absence of the banned Ivan Toney to pick up from where they left off last season, with Bournemouth the visitors at the Community Stadium.
And there’s a fourth capital city side in similar shape, as West Ham become the first EPL team to stride out at Kenilworth Road, the dilapidated home of shock Championship play-off winners Luton.
David Moyes’ men will be in for a riotous atmosphere up the M1 motorway, not least with their hosts in early need of points on the Premier League board to prevent their dream from turning into a top flight nightmare.
Sunday’s third fixture completes the weekend programme, as Crystal Palace play host to Wolves.
Both have collected a first victory of the campaign in advance of their Selhurst Park meeting, with a nudge towards the top half now the name of the game.
English Premier League predictions for 1 – 3 September
Luton Town v West Ham United
Result prediction | West Ham United to win |
Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
HT / FT prediction | West Ham United / West Ham United to win |
Team to Score prediction | West Ham United |
Anytime Goalscorer prediction | C. Morris(Luton Town) J. Bowen(West Ham United) |
Sheffield United v Everton
Result prediction | draw |
Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
HT / FT prediction | draw / draw |
Team to Score prediction | Sheffield United |
Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Brentford v AFC Bournemouth
Result prediction | Brentford to win |
Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
HT / FT prediction | Brentford / Brentford to win |
Team to Score prediction | Brentford |
Anytime Goalscorer prediction | Y. Wissa(Brentford) B. Mbeumo(Brentford) |
Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur
Result prediction | Tottenham Hotspur to win |
Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
HT / FT prediction | Tottenham Hotspur / Tottenham Hotspur to win |
Team to Score prediction | both teams |
Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Chelsea v Nottingham Forest
Result prediction | Chelsea to win |
Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
HT / FT prediction | draw / Chelsea to win |
Team to Score prediction | both teams |
Anytime Goalscorer prediction | T. Awoniyi(Nottingham Forest) |
Manchester City v Fulham
Result prediction | Manchester City to win |
Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
HT / FT prediction | Manchester City / Manchester City to win |
Team to Score prediction | both teams |
Anytime Goalscorer prediction | E. Haaland(Manchester City) |
Brighton & Hove Albion v Newcastle United
Result prediction | Brighton & Hove Albion to win |
Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
HT / FT prediction | Brighton & Hove Albion / Brighton & Hove Albion to win |
Team to Score prediction | both teams |
Anytime Goalscorer prediction | S. March(Brighton & Hove Albion) |
Crystal Palace v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Result prediction | Crystal Palace to win |
Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
HT / FT prediction | draw / Crystal Palace to win |
Team to Score prediction | both teams |
Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Liverpool v Aston Villa
Result prediction | draw |
Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
HT / FT prediction | Aston Villa / draw |
Team to Score prediction | both teams |
Anytime Goalscorer prediction | Diogo Jota(Liverpool) |
Arsenal v Manchester United
Result prediction | Arsenal to win |
Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
HT / FT prediction | Arsenal / Arsenal to win |
Team to Score prediction | both teams |
Anytime Goalscorer prediction | B. Saka(Arsenal) Bruno Fernandes(Manchester United) |