The English Premier League reaches matchweek three this weekend and it feels like things are firmly in full swing, with a bumper crop of seven EPL fixtures hogging the limelight on Saturday.
But there’s plenty to go at either side for football fans the world over, not least Sunday’s pair of top flight contests.
Reigning champions Arsenal have made the perfect start to their title defence with two wins from two.
And now it’s London derby time as Chelsea make the short trip across town for a famous red on blue rivalry.
The Blues have also made a 100% start to life under new coach Xavi Alonso, albeit in far more rollercoaster fashion than their Emirates Stadium hosts who are, true to form, yet to concede a goal.
Another tantalising indicator of early season form looks set to be revealed at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, where Manchester United are in town to meet Everton.
Michael Carrick was relieved to see his Red Devils bounce back from their dismal opening day with an Old Trafford cakewalk in matchweek two.
The grim demeanor on Merseyside of former chief David Moyes, meanwhile, goes against a Toffees opening that has seen them wrap up four points from six heading into the north west clash.
It’s Ipswich who need to recover sharpish from their 5-2 drubbing at United and it doesn’t get any easier on Friday night, as Liverpool roll into Suffolk for a night under the lights at Portman Road.
Andoni Iraola’s Reds have flattered to deceive with two draws to kick off the Spaniard’s reign, while Gary O’Neil did at least begin the new campaign with victory on home turf for the Tractor Boys two weeks ago.
Saturday’s seven Premier League games include a dangerous looking outing for Frank Lampard’s promoted Coventry, who go to Manchester City.
Enzo Maresca’s charges come into the weekend top of the nascent table on goal difference, while Cov go to the Etihad having been brushed aside twice upon their return to the EPL for the first time in a generation.
You can’t read much into the standings at this stage, of course. Unless you have the doom-laden air of a Tottenham Hotspur supporter.
Spurs remain pointless despite parachuting in Roberto de Zerbi to the hottest of seats and spending a fortune on a swathe of summer transfer signings, to zero positive effect so far.
Fans of their City Ground hosts know all about the revolving door and are hoping for some relative calm since the appointment of Oliver Glasner, who has so far collected a single point.
Aston Villa have made an equally ominous start to the new term as Spurs, albeit having sold most of their supposed star players instead of having just brought them in.
Unai Emery is cutting a frustrated figure and they will have to be right on it in the Saturday evening kick off when they go to Hull.
The Tigers, promoted via the carnage of last season’s Championship play-offs, have defied everyone with back-to-back opening victories, not least their dismantling of Manchester United on the opening Saturday at the MKM Stadium.
Newcastle bring up the curtain on Saturday’s EPL programme when they welcome Bournemouth to St James’ Park.
The Toon Army are unbeaten under Matthias Jaissle while the Cherries are yet to win since the arrival of Marco Rose – and spare a thought for the travelling fans, who make the longest Premier League journey of the season for the lunchtime kick off.
A mere hop across the River Thames for an away game stands in stark contrast, with Fulham nipping south to meet capital city rivals Crystal Palace.
At season’s dawn we may be but plenty rests on this one early doors, with both clubs failing to pick up a point so far, meaning something has to give at Selhurst Park.
Brighton and Leeds are both determined to be looking up the table rather than down.
Both have registered a win from their opening two games and go head-to-head at the Amex Stadium with Daniel Farke looking to get one over young pretender Fabian Hurzeler.
Brentford have picked up exactly from where they left off at the end of Keith Andrews’ rookie campaign at the helm – which could spell troublel for Sunderland.
The Wearsiders have home advantage at the raucous Stadium of Light and they may well need it, as they bid to avoid a case of second season syndrome under impressive coach Regis le Bris.
EPL Predictions for this weekend
Ipswich Town v Liverpool
| Result prediction | Ipswich Town to win (18% / 15% / 12%) |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Ipswich Town |
| Predicted Scorers | Ekitiké; Szoboszlai; Dijk |
| Avg. Goals | 3.38 |
Newcastle United v AFC Bournemouth
| Result prediction | Newcastle United to win (25% / 24% / 22%) |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Newcastle United |
| Predicted Scorers | Kroupi; Guimarães; Osula |
| Avg. Goals | 3.09 |
Fulham v Crystal Palace
| Result prediction | draw (17% / 17% / 11%) |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / draw |
| Predicted Scorers | Sarr; Mateta; Muñoz |
| Avg. Goals | 2.58 |
Brentford v Sunderland
| Result prediction | Brentford to win (41% / 22% / 20%) |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Brentford / Brentford |
| Predicted Scorers | Thiago; Schade; Ouattara |
| Avg. Goals | 3.00 |
Manchester City v Coventry City
| Result prediction | Manchester City to win (57% / 18% / 15%) |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Manchester City / Manchester City |
| Predicted Scorers | Haaland; Semenyo; Foden |
| Avg. Goals | 2.80 |
Brighton & Hove Albion v Leeds United
| Result prediction | Brighton & Hove Albion to win (26% / 16% / 13%) |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Brighton & Hove Albion |
| Predicted Scorers | Calvert-Lewin; Okafor; Hinshelwood |
| Avg. Goals | 2.60 |
Nottingham Forest v Tottenham Hotspur
| Result prediction | Nottingham Forest to win (33% / 12% / 11%) |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Nottingham Forest / Nottingham Forest |
| Predicted Scorers | Gibbs-White; Palhinha; Ven |
| Avg. Goals | 2.64 |
Hull City v Aston Villa
| Result prediction | Hull City to win (8% / 5% / 5%) |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Hull City |
| Predicted Scorers | Millar; Mendy; Ajayi |
| Avg. Goals | 2.38 |
Everton v Manchester United
| Result prediction | Everton to win (28% / 22% / 21%) |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Everton |
| Predicted Scorers | Mbeumo; Sesko; Cunha |
| Avg. Goals | 2.83 |
Arsenal v Chelsea
| Result prediction | Arsenal to win (32% / 24% / 18%) |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Arsenal / Arsenal |
| Predicted Scorers | Pedro; Gyökeres; Saka |
| Avg. Goals | 2.82 |