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 Congrats to Phil Mila, who top-scored in week 3 of Premier League Pickem, accumulating 28 points. Joe Hiegel was just one point adrift to claim the runners-up spot, while David Cords was third with 26 points. Skip Wilson (25) and Andrew Maher (24) rounded out the top 5. A total of eight competitors reached the 20-point mark, slightly down on last week. Mila and Hiegel had the most correct picks (6) and Mila the most perfect games (3). Week 3's average per pick made was 1.855 points, down from last week but slightly higher than week 1's mark. No game was unanimously backed by all participants, but a Chelsea victory attracted all but one person, with the Blues obliging in a narrow 3-2 win over West Brom. The game's 2.00 points average was the week's highest. Meanwhile, nobody reckoned on Bournemouth notching their maiden top flight victory at West Ham, with the Cherries' 4-3 triumph only yielding a 0.03 points average. For the third week running, Andrew Maher (79) has a seven-point cushion at the top of the overall standings. Joe Hiegel (72) slots into second place this week, while David Cords and Nathan Susanto (both with 67) are in a tie for third. Phil Mila completes the current top 5. Maher has selected the most correct picks (16), while Mila has forecast the most perfect games (7). In week 4, league leaders Manchester City will look to extend their perfect start to the season when they host promoted-club Watford. Remember to make your Premier League Pickem predictions before the deadline of each game. Week 4's schedule begins on Saturday with a 7:45 AM ET match, with six 10 AM ET kickoffs to follow. The day ends with a 12:30 PM ET game. Sunday has two games, the first beginning at 8:30 AM ET and the week's final fixture starts at 11 AM ET. Here we preview the ten games in the upcoming week of the English Premier League. The title of each game section is a link to pick the result of that game. Arsenal (9th) at Newcastle United (17th) (Sat, 7:45 AM ET) Arsenal manager Arsčne Wenger has described the start of the club's campaign as average and that's understandable with the Gunners already five points off the pace. A week 1 defeat to West Ham was followed by an away victory at Crystal Palace. Then last time out, Arsenal hosted Liverpool and played out a 0-0 tie, though both sides had chances. Newcastle has had a difficult start to their league campaign but they finally recorded their first win of the season in midweek with a 4-1 League Cup victory over Northampton. So far in the Premier League, the Magpies have collected two points from their first three fixtures having tied with Southampton and Manchester United and lost to Swansea. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle Newcastle 1-4 Arsenal (reverse fixture) Last 6 (all competitions): Arsenal lead 6-0-0. Last 3 at Newcastle (all competitions): Arsenal lead 3-0-0. All-time (all competitions): Arsenal lead 72-66-38. Team News Arsenal (from): Cech, Ospina, Bellerin, Chambers, Debuchy, Gabriel, Gibbs, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Arteta, Cazorla, Coquelin, Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Ramsey, Campbell, Giroud, Sanchez. Doubts: Mertesacker (illness), Koscielny (back). Out (reason, expected return date): Wilshere (shin, Sep 19), Welbeck, (knee, Sep 12), Rosicky (knee, no date). Newcastle (from): Darlow, Elliot, Krul, Coloccini, Dummett, Haidara, Janmaat, Lascelles, Mbemba, Taylor, Williamson, Aarons, Anita, Bigirimana, Colback, De Jong, Gouffran, Obertan, Sissoko, Thauvin, Tiote, Wijnaldum, Cisse, Mitrovic, Perez, Toney. Out (reason, expected return date): Marveux (groin, Sep 14), Good (hip, no date), Riviere (knee, no date). Leicester City (2nd) at A.F.C. Bournemouth (13th) (Sat, 10 AM ET) Despite ending last term brilliantly, few people predicted Leicester would get out of the blocks fast this season. They go into week 4 still unbeaten, with striker Riyad Mahrez's league-leading four goals helping them to seven points via wins over Sunderland and West Ham and a 1-1 tie with Spurs. Leicester also dismissed Bury 4-1 in the League Cup. Bournemouth's first two matches were low-scoring affairs, with few clear-cut chances at either end, but that was far from the case in week 3. The Cherries lost their opening two fixtures 1-0 but they then traveled to West Ham and triumphed 4-3, with Callum Wilson firing a hat-trick. Bournemouth then defeated Hartlepool 4-0 in the League Cup. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Last met in 2014 Last 6 (all competitions): Leicester lead 5-1-0. Last 3 at Bournemouth (all competitions): Leicester lead 2-1-0. All-time (all competitions): Bournemouth lead 6-3-0. Team News Leicester (from): Schmeichel, Schwarzer, Benalouane, De Laet, Fuchs, Huth, Moore, Morgan, Simpson, Wasilewski, Albrighton, Drinkwater, Hammond, Inler, Kante, King, Mahrez, Schlupp, Dodoo, Kramaric, Okazaki, Ulloa, Vardy. Out (reason, expected return date): James (ACL, Feb). Bournemouth (from): Allsop, Boruc, Federici, Cargill, Cook, Daniels, Distin, Elphick, Francis, Mings, Smith, Ward, Atsu, Gosling, MacDonald, O'Kane, Pugh, Ritchie, Stanislas, Surman, Gradel, Kermorgant, King, Rantie, Tomlin, Wilson. Out (reason, expected return date): Artur (groin, Sep 12). Sunderland (19th) at Aston Villa (14th) (Sat, 10 AM ET) Sunderland's games to date have guaranteed goals, but the corresponding fixture last season produced a goalless affair. In three outings, the Black Cats have scored four but conceded eight. However, they earned a point against Swansea in week 3. Then in midweek, after a scare, Sunderland belatedly defeated Exeter 6-3 in the League Cup. Just like most of last term, there haven't been many scoring opportunities in Aston Villa's league matches in the first three weeks and they've failed to back up their 1-0 win over Bournemouth in week 1. Manchester United beat them the following week and last week Crystal Palace triumphed. However, Villa beat Notts County 5-3 in the League Cup. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Sunderland 0-0 Aston Villa Aston Villa 4-0 Sunderland (reverse fixture) Last 6 (all competitions): Aston Villa lead 4-0-2. Last 3 at Aston Villa (all competitions): Aston Villa lead 1-0-2. All-time (all competitions): Aston Villa lead 80-54-46. Team News Sunderland (from): Mannone, Pantilimon, Brown, Coates, Jones, Kaboul, Matthews, O'Shea, Van Aanholt, Bridcutt, Buckley, Cattermole, Giaccherini, Gomez, Larsson, M'Vila, Rodwell, Defoe, Fletcher, Graham, Lens, Toivonen. Doubts: Lens (knee). Out (reason, expected return date): Johnson (shoulder, Oct 17). Aston Villa (from): Bunn, Guzan, Steer, Amavi, Bacuna, Baker, Bennett, Clark, Hutton, Richards, Senderos, Cole, Gil, Gueye, Grealish, N'Zogbia, Richardson, Sanchez, Veretout, Westwood, Agbonlahor, Ayew, Gestede, Kozak, Sinclair, Traore. Doubts: Traore (ankle). Out (reason, expected return date): Okore (knee, Sep 26), Crespo (groin, Sep 13), Gardener (ankle, Sep 13). Crystal Palace (5th) at Chelsea (10th) (Sat, 10 AM ET) Crystal Palace ended the previous campaign with six victories in their final ten matches and they've continued into this season with two wins out of three. All three league outings have been closely fought, though, including last time out against Aston Villa. Palace was taken to extra-time by Shrewsbury in the League Cup, but eventually won 4-1. Chelsea's title defense has been anything but smooth to date, in stark contrast to their campaign last season. At no stage last season did any team have more points than the Blues but they already have a five-point deficit to bridge. However, after being thrashed by Manchester City in week 2, Chelsea bounced back to defeat West Brom last week. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea Chelsea 2-1 Crystal Palace (reverse fixture) Last 6 (all competitions): Chelsea lead 5-1-0. Last 3 at Chelsea (all competitions): Chelsea lead 3-0-0. All-time (all competitions): Chelsea lead 19-8-15. Team News Crystal Palace (from): Hennessey, McCarthy, Speroni, Dann, Delaney, Hangeland, Kelly, Mariappa, Souare, Ward, Bolasie, Cabaye, Guedioura, Ledley, Lee, McArthur, Mutch, Puncheon, Sako, Zaha, Bamford, Gayle, Murray. Out (reason, expected return date): Jedinak (hamstring, Sep 20), Chamakh (hamstring, no date), Campbell (hamstring, no date), Appiah (ACL, no date). Unavailable: Bamford (loanee; cannot face parent club). Chelsea (from): Begovic, Blackman, Courtois, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic, Rahman, Zouma, Fabregas, Hazard, Loftus-Cheek, Matic, Mikel, Moses, Oscar, Ramires, Traore, Willian, Costa, Falcao, Pedro, Remy. Doubts: Moses (knock), Oscar (knock). Suspended: Terry (one-match ban). West Ham United (11th) at Liverpool (=3rd) (Sat, 10 AM ET) After a superb victory on the road in week 1, West Ham has slipped to a pair of home defeats. The Hammers followed their 2-0 win over Arsenal on the opening day with a 2-1 defeat at home against Leicester. They were then involved in a seven-goal encounter against Premier League new boys Bournemouth and they came up short, going down 4-3. Liverpool concluded last season with goals being scored freely at either end of the field but this term has had a much different feel so far. Only two goals have been scored in the Reds' first three games of the campaign; the goals being Liverpool winners in 1-0 victories over Stoke and Bournemouth. Last time out they shared the spoils with Arsenal. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: West Ham 0-2 Liverpool Liverpool 1-3 West Ham (reverse fixture) Last 6 (all competitions): Liverpool lead 4-1-1. Last 3 at Liverpool (all competitions): Liverpool lead 2-0-1. All-time (all competitions): Liverpool lead 68-25-35. Team News West Ham (from): Spiegel, Randolph, Collins, Cresswell, Demel, Ogbonna, Oxford, Reid, Tomkins, Amalfitano, Jarvis, Kouyate, Lanzini, Noble, Obiang, Payet, Samuelsen, Maiga, Sakho. Out (reason, expected return date): Valencia (knee, Oct), Carroll (MCL, Sep 14), Zarate (hamstring, Sep 14). O'Brien (hamstring, Sep 14). Suspended: Adrián (second game of three-match ban), Jenkinson (one-match ban). Liverpool (from): Bogdan, Mignolet, Clyne, Jose Enrique, Gomez, Lovren, Moreno, Sakho, Skrtel, Toure, Can, Coutinho, Henderson, Ibe, Lallana, Lucas, Markovic, Milner, Benteke, Borini, Firmino, Ings, Origi. Doubts: Henderson (foot), Lallana (knock). Out (reason, expected return date): Flanagan (knee, Dec), Sturridge (thigh, Sep 12), Allen (hamstring, no date). Watford (12th) at Manchester City (1st) (Sat, 10 AM ET) Watford's previous Premier League campaign eight years ago began with no victories in their opening ten matches and they head into week 4 this time around still seeking a win. The Hornets were disappointed to be held to a 2-2 tie by Everton and they've had two 0-0 ties since. Watford was eliminated from the League Cup by Preston in midweek. Manchester City still boasts a 100% record in the league, the only team able to make such claims. The Citizens have scored eight goals to date, while keeping three successive cleansheets. They began with a pair of 3-0 victories, first against West Brom and then Chelsea. City then journeyed to Everton last weekend and left Goodison Park victorious. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Last met in 2014 Last 6 (all competitions): Manchester City lead 4-0-2 (includes 2 FA Cup games). Last 3 at Manchester City (all competitions): Manchester City lead 2-0-1 (includes 2 FA Cup games). All-time (all competitions): Manchester City lead 8-6-5. Team News Watford (from): Arlauskis, Gilmartin, Gomes, Angella, Belkalem, Cathcart, Hoban, Holebas, Layun, Nyom, Paredes, Prodl, Pudil, Abdi, Anya, Ake, Behrami, Capoue, Dyer, Jurado, Watson, Berghuis, Deeney, Diamanti, Ighalo, Forestieri, Vydra. Out (reason, expected return date): Doyley (neck, no date), Ekstrand (ACL, no date). Suspended: Britos (first game of three-match ban). Manchester City (from): Caballero, Hart, Wright, Clichy, Demichelis, Denayer, Kolarov, Kompany, Mangala, Otamendi, Sagna, Delph, Evans, Fernandinho, Fernando, Lopes, Nasri, Navas, Silva, Toure, Zuculini, Aguero, Bony, Iheanacho, Pozo, Sterling. Out (reason, expected return date): Zabaleta (knee, Sep 26). West Bromwich Albion (20th) at Stoke City (=15th) (Sat, 10 AM ET) West Brom has had a tough opening to this term's fixture list, having to play last season's top 2 in their first three games, so it's probably unsurprising they've struggled to date. The Baggies finally scored last week, but the goals came in a 3-2 defeat against Chelsea. They limped past Port Vale in the League Cup, though, winning on penalties. Stoke is another Premier League club that was taken to penalties by lower league opposition in the League Cup during the week. The Potters eventually scraped past Luton 8-7 on spot kicks having tied 1-1 after 120 minutes. In the league, Stoke is still pursuing their first win of the campaign having collected just two points from three games. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: West Brom 0-2 Stoke Stoke 0-1 West Brom (reverse fixture) Last 6 (all competitions): Stoke lead 3-1-2. Last 3 at Stoke (all competitions): Stoke lead 1-0-2. All-time (all competitions): Stoke lead 59-43-35. Team News West Brom (from): Myhill, Rose, Chester, Dawson, Gamboa, Lescott, McAuley, O'Neil, Olsson, Pocognoli, Brunt, Fletcher, Gardner, Gnabry, McClean, McManaman, Morrison, Sessegnon, Yacob, Anichebe, Berahino, Ideye, Lambert, Nabi, Rondon. Doubts: Brunt (hamstring). Out (reason, expected return date): Foster (ACL, Oct 1). Stoke (from): Butland, Haugaard, Given, Bardsley, Cameron, Johnson, Muniesa, Pieters, Teixeira, Wilson, Wollscheid, Adam, Afellay, Ireland, Moha, Shaqiri, Shenton, Sidwell, Van Ginkel, Whelan, Arnautovic, Bojan, Crouch, Diouf, Joselu, Odemwingie, Walters. Doubts: Odemwingie (hamstring). Out (reason, expected return date): Shawcross (back, no date). Everton (7th) at Tottenham Hotspur (=15th) (Sat, 12:30 PM ET) Everton has had an inconsistent start to their season and the saga surrounding the future of defender John Stones probably won't settle down until the end of the summer transfer window. The Toffeemen have recorded one win, one tie and one defeat in the league, while in the League Cup they were made to work hard by Barnsley for the victory. Tottenham has had a slow start to this season and is one of seven clubs still searching for a league victory. They got things started with a lackluster display against Manchester United, where they lost, and then they let a two-goal lead slip against Stoke, settling for a tie. In week 3, a late Spurs goal was quickly canceled out by a Leicester equalizer. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal (reverse fixture) Last 6 (all competitions): Arsenal lead 5-0-1. Last 3 at Tottenham (all competitions): Arsenal lead 2-0-1. All-time (all competitions): Arsenal lead 24-3-10. Team News Everton (from): Howard, Joel, Stanek, Browning, Coleman, Holgate, Jagielka, Oviedo, Stones, Barkley, Barry, Besic, Cleverley, McCarthy, McGeady, Mirallas, Osman, Deulofeu, Kone, Lukaku, McAleny, Naismith. Doubts: Galloway (knee). Out (reason, expected return date): Baines (ankle, Nov), Hibbert (knee, Sep 12), Gibson (ankle, Sep 12), Pienaar (hamstring, no date). Tottenham (from): Lloris, McGee, Vorm, Alderweireld, Davies, Dier, Fazio, Rose, Trippier, Vertonghen, Walker, Wimmer, Yedlin, Alli, Bentaleb, Carroll, Chadli, Dembele, Lamela, Mason, Onomah, Pritchard, Townsend, Winks, Kane, N'Jie. Out (reason, expected return date): Eriksen (knee, Sep 13). Norwich City (8th) at Southampton (18th) (Sun, 8:30 AM ET) Despite starting the season in disappointing fashion, Norwich will probably be relatively happy with where they are after three matches. The Canaries were a little unlucky to lose to Crystal Palace but they bounced back with a 3-1 victory at Sunderland. Last week they tied 1-1 with Stoke. In the League Cup, Norwich edged past Rotherham 2-1. Southampton can now concentrate on domestic duties after they were dumped out of the Europa League by Danish champions FC Midtjylland. It might be a blessing in disguise with the Saints struggling to reproduce their form from the previous two years. Southampton is still winless in the league having lost to Everton in between two tied games. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Last met in 2014 Last 6 (all competitions): Southampton lead 3-1-2 (includes 1 League Trophy game). Last 3 at Southampton (all competitions): Southampton lead 2-0-1 (includes 1 League Trophy game). All-time (all competitions): Southampton lead 38-32-29. Team News Norwich (from): Kean, Rudd, Ruddy, Bassong, R. Bennett, Martin, Toffolo, Whittaker, Wisdom, Andreu, E. Bennett, Brady, Dorrans, Hoolahan, Howson, Johnson, O'Neil, Odjidja-Ofoe, Redmond, Tettey, Hooper, Jerome, Van Wolfswinkel. Out (reason, expected return date): Mulumbu (Metatarsel, Sep 20), Olsson (shoulder, Sep 12), Lafferty (knee, no date). Suspended: Grabban (club suspension until Sep 2nd). Southampton (from): K. Davis, Gazzaniga, Stekelenburg, Caulker, Cedric, Fonte, Martina, McCarthy, Targett, Yoshida, S. Davis, Isgrove, Mane, McQueen, Ramirez, Reed, Romeu, Tadic, Wanyama, Ward-Prowse, Juanmi, Long, Pelle, Rodriguez. Doubts: Mané (hip), Wanyama (illness). Out (reason, expected return date): Forster (knee, Apr), Clasie (ankle, Sep 12), Bertrand (knee, Sep 12), Gardos (knee, no date). Manchester United (=3rd) at Swansea City (6th) (Sun, 11 AM ET) Louis van Gaal was determined to get Manchester United back into the Champions League and his charges are in the group stages after seeing off Club Brugge. In Tuesday's game, Wayne Rooney bagged a hat-trick, his first goals since April. In the league, United opened with two 1-0 victories before being held to a goalless tie at home by Newcastle. Swansea did the double over Manchester United last season and like their week 4 visitors they head into this clash with an unbeaten record. The Swans held champions Chelsea in week 1, before beating Newcastle 2-0. Last weekend Swansea was held to a 1-1 tie by Sunderland, however. Swansea comfortably defeated York 3-0 in the League Cup. Head-to-Head Stats Last season: Manchester United 1-2 Swansea Swansea 2-1 Manchester United (reverse fixture) Last 6 (all competitions): Tied 3-3-0 (includes 1 FA Cup game). Last 2 at Swansea (all competitions): Tied 1-1-1. All-time (all competitions): Manchester United lead 11-9-5. Team News Manchester United (from): De Gea, Romero, Johnstone, Lindegaard, Blackett, Darmian, Evans, McNair, Rojo, Shaw, Smalling, Blind, Carrick, Fellaini, Herrera, Lingard, Mata, Pereira, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Valencia, Young, Depay, Hernandez, Rooney, Wilson. Out (reason, expected return date): Jones (illness, Sep 12), Januzaj (knock, no date). Swansea (from): Fabianski, Nordfeldt, Tremmel, Amat, Bartley, Fernandez, Naughton, Rangel, Tabanou, Taylor, Tiendalli, Williams, Ayew, Britton, Cork, Dyer, Fulton, Grimes, Ki, Montero, Routledge, Shelvey, Sigurdsson, Eder, Emnes, Gomis. |
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