Gameweek 3 Preview: Matches, Predictions, and Betting Tips

 

The international break’s left us with a few headaches – injuries, tired legs, and some spicy gossip. England’s Nations League games saw Harry Kane limp off (minor, he’s back, per Sky Sports), while Spain’s Álvaro Morata picked up a knock that could sideline him for Arsenal. The transfer window’s shut, but the drama’s alive – from Arsenal’s Isak snub to whispers of a match-fixing scandal swirling on social (no concrete ties to our games, but it’s got tongues wagging). Here’s our take on Gameweek 3’s big fixtures, with predictions and bets to keep you grinning.

 

Odds from Bet365 and Sky Bet, checked via OddsPortal. Liverpool vs. Arsenal (Anfield, September 13, 12:30 PM BST) What’s Cooking: The game of the weekend! Liverpool are buzzing after Ngumoha’s heroics against Newcastle, but their defence is leakier than my old boots in a downpour (five conceded in two games, per Opta). Arsenal’s new-look attack – Viktor Gyökeres and Eberechi Eze alongside Bukayo Saka – is a threat, but Morata’s injury doubt (hamstring, per Sky Sports) could blunt them. Arsenal’s failed £80m bid for Alexander Isak has fans on social fuming, but it’s fired up Gyökeres to prove a point. Sky Sports reports Isak’s back in Newcastle’s squad post-standoff, no direct impact here, but it’s got Arsenal’s focus razor-sharp. Liverpool’s depth (Wirtz, Ekitike) is an edge, but Arsenal’s league-best defence last season (29 goals conceded) is a wall. Five of the last five early-season top-six clashes ended in draws, per Sky Sports. Prediction: Draw 2-2. Both teams pack a punch, but Arsenal’s backline might nick a point.

Betting Tip: £5 on both teams to score at 4/6 (Bet365) – these two rarely blank (£8.33 return).
Live Bet: If 1-1 at 60 minutes, £3 on over 3.5 goals at 11/10 could return £6.30.

Player Prop: £3 on Florian Wirtz to assist at 7/4 (Bet365) – he’s Liverpool’s creative spark (£8.25 return).Manchester United vs. Tottenham (Old Trafford, September 13, 3:00 PM BST) What’s Cooking: United’s 2-1 win over Fulham got them back on track, but the international break brought drama – The Sun claims Bruno Fernandes’ row with Ruben Amorim over tactics has left the dressing room tense, and Fernandes picked up a minor knock for Portugal (he’s fit, per BBC). Spurs are flying after their Everton rout, but James Maddison’s injury from GW2 kept him out of England duty, and he’s 50/50, according to social posts. Spurs’ pursuit of Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White has Forest mulling a Premier League report, which could distract Ange’s camp. United’s home form is patchy, but Spurs’ high press leaves gaps. United are unbeaten in 23 home games vs. top-six sides (W18, D5), per Opta. Prediction: United win 2-1. Old Trafford’s roar edges it, despite the Fernandes saga. Betting Tip: £5 on over 2.5 goals at 8/11 (Sky Bet) – both teams love attacking (£8.64 return).
Live Bet: If United lead 1-0 at half-time, £3 on Benjamin Sesko to score at 7/4 could return £8.25.

Player Prop: £3 on Matheus Cunha to score or assist at 6/4 (Bet365) – he’s in form (£7.50 return). Aston Villa vs. Chelsea (Villa Park, September 13, 3:00 PM BST) What’s Cooking: Chelsea are purring after their 3-0 Burnley rout, with João Pedro and Cole Palmer on fire. The nightclub scandal was a non-issue (youth player per The Mirror), but Palmer’s heavy minutes for England could see him rotated, per social whispers. Villa’s 1-1 draw with Brentford showed Ollie Watkins’ class, but Unai Emery’s under pressure for a top-six push after missing the Champions League, per social media. Villa’s home crowd is lively, but Chelsea’s depth is scary. Chelsea won 3-1 here last season, per William Hill. Prediction: Chelsea win 2-1. Their attack should outshine Villa’s wobbly defence.
Betting Tip: £5 on João Pedro to score or assist at 6/5 (Bet365) – he’s unstoppable (£11 return).

Live Bet: If Chelsea lead 1-0 at 70 minutes, £2 on over 2.5 goals at 1/1 could return £4.
Player Prop: £3 on Cole Palmer to score or assist at 7/4 (Sky Bet) – even if rotated, he’s a game-changer (£8.25 return).Leicester vs. West Ham (King Power Stadium, September 14, 3:00 PM BST)What’s Cooking: Leicester’s 1-1 with Ipswich showed grit but no cutting edge (1.2 xG per game, per Opta). West Ham’s back-to-back losses to Sunderland and City have Graham Potter sweating, and The Daily Mail’s report of Callum Wilson’s bust-up over minutes (he’s eyeing a January move) isn’t helping. Wilson played for England but looked off-pace, per X posts, and might be benched. Leicester’s home crowd could make this a slog, but both teams’ attacks are misfiring. West Ham drew 0-0 here last season. Prediction: Draw 1-1. Neither side’s got the spark to win it.
Betting Tip: £5 on under 2.5 goals at 4/5 (Sky Bet) – cagey affair incoming (£9 return).
Live Bet: If 0-0 at 60 minutes, £3 on a draw at 5/4 could return £6.75.

Corners: £5 on over 9.5 corners at 17/20 (Sky Bet) – both teams will scrap for set-pieces (£9.25 return). Brighton vs. Manchester City (Amex Stadium, September 14, 2:00 PM BST) What’s Cooking: Brighton’s 1-1 with Fulham and 2-0 loss to Everton show they’re scrappy but blunt. City’s 2-1 over West Ham kept them rolling, but the 115 charges saga rumbles on, per social posts. Haaland’s rested after Norway duty, and Foden’s in form post-England. Brighton’s 2-1 win over City last season was a shock, but City’s away record (W12 in 15) is fierce. Danny Welbeck’s sub heroics for Brighton in GW2 make him a dark horse, per analysis.Prediction: City win 2-1. Haaland’s too much for Brighton’s defence.
Betting Tip: £5 on Haaland to score 2+ goals at 5/2 (Bet365) – he’s a machine (£17.50 return).
Live Bet: If City lead 1-0 at half-time, £3 on over 2.5 goals at 1/1 could return £6.
Player Prop: £3 on Danny Welbeck to score at 3/1 (Bet365) – sneaky punt on his form (£12 return).

Off-Field Gossip and Scandals: International Break Fallout

 

The international break brought more drama than a VAR check in stoppage time. Here’s how it could sway Gameweek 3:

 

• Arsenal’s Morata Blow: Morata’s hamstring niggle for Spain (doubtful, per Sky Sports) could see Gyökeres carry the load, boosting BTTS odds vs. Liverpool. Arsenal’s Isak snub still stings, firing up their attack.
• United’s Fernandes Tension: The Sun’s report of Fernandes’ row with Ruben Amorim lingers, and his Portugal knock hasn’t helped vibes. If he’s off, Spurs could exploit, but United’s home record holds firm.
• West Ham’s Wilson Woe: Wilson’s lacklustre England cameo and bust-up with Potter (per The Daily Mail) could see him benched, making West Ham’s attack flat and under 2.5 goals a banker.
• Chelsea’s Palmer Risk: Heavy England minutes might force rotation, per X, but Chelsea’s depth should cover it at Villa Park.
• Match-Fixing Whispers: X chatter about five PL players approached for fixing is murky but adds spice. No direct ties to our games, but it’s worth watching.

Betting Impact: Live betting’s your pal. If Spurs press United early, grab over 2.5 goals in-play. If West Ham look flat, under 2.5 is gold. Check Sky Sports or Flashscore for real-time stats.

Betting Strategies: Play Smart, Stay Cool

 

Gameweek 2’s acca, Salah, Kudus, and Chelsea to nil were bangers, but the Spurs under 2.5 flop taught us to respect Frank’s attack. Here’s the Gameweek 3 playbook:

 

• Bankroll Management: 1-5% of your budget (£0.50-£2.50 on £50 pot). It’s a marathon, not a sprint – don’t blow it like I did chasing wingers in my last season.
• Value Betting: João Pedro at 6/5 to score/assist vs. Villa – four goal involvements in two games, per Opta. Haaland at 5/2 for 2+ goals is backed by his six in six at Brighton.
• Mix Safe and Risky: Pair Chelsea’s win (4/6) with Welbeck to score (3/1). A £5 acca on Chelsea, United, City could return £25+.
• Live Betting: Watch Sky Sports or TNT Sports. If Liverpool-Arsenal is 0-0 at half-time, BTTS at 4/5 is a steal. If Leicester-West Ham is cagey, under 2.5 in-play.
• Psychology Tip: Don’t let international break injuries or gossip sway you – stick to stats. Fernandes’ drama might tempt a Spurs punt, but United’s home form says no. Take a breather after a loss.

Week 3 Betting Picks: Let’s Make It RainHere’s the Gameweek 3 betting card:

 

• Acca of the Week: Chelsea, United, City to win, plus Liverpool-Arsenal draw. £5 at 7/1 (Bet365) could return £40. City’s form and Chelsea’s depth make them bankers, while United’s home edge and the Anfield stalemate vibe are solid shouts.
• Top Goalscorer: Stick with Alexander Isak at 5/1 (Sky Bet) for the season. He’s back in Newcastle’s good books and his class will shine through, especially post-break. £5 could bag £30.
• Player Prop: £3 on Florian Wirtz to assist vs. Arsenal at 7/4 (Bet365) – he’s the heartbeat of Liverpool’s attack, threading passes like I used to thread a needle (badly). Returns £8.25.
• Corners: Leicester vs. West Ham – over 9.5 corners at 17/20 (Sky Bet). Expect a scrappy battle with plenty of set-piece action. £5 returns £9.25.
• Live Bet: If Liverpool-Arsenal is 1-1 at 60 minutes, £3 on Viktor Gyökeres to score at 2/1 could return £9 – he’s stepping up with Morata doubtful.
• Cheeky Punt: £3 on Danny Welbeck to score vs. City at 3/1 (Bet365). He’s been Brighton’s spark off the bench, and City’s high line could give him a sniff. Returns £12.

FPL and Betting: Double the FunFPL’s our secret weapon for betting, and Gameweek 2 proved it with Salah and Kudus cashing in. The international break’s shaken things up, but here’s how to use FPL for Gameweek 3:

 

• Top Picks: Mo Salah (FPL: £12.5m, Bet365: 6/5 anytime scorer vs. Arsenal) – he’s a lock for goals, especially at Anfield. £5 returns £11. João Pedro (FPL: £8m, Bet365: 6/5 score or assist vs. Villa) – four goal involvements already, a no-brainer. £5 returns £11.
• Cheeky Punt: Benjamin Sesko (FPL: £7m, Sky Bet: 7/4 anytime scorer vs. Spurs). Low ownership but high ceiling – he’s United’s rising star. £3 could bag £8.25.
• Differential: Danny Welbeck (FPL: £5.5m, Bet365: 3/1 anytime scorer vs. City). His Gameweek 2 cameo and Brighton’s counter-attacking style make him a sneaky pick. £3 could return £12.
• Tip: FPL’s Fixture Difficulty Ratings give Chelsea a green light against Villa – back Pedro for an assist. Liverpool vs. Arsenal is red for both, so BTTS is your safest bet. Check Opta stats on BBC Sport for shot volumes to confirm your picks.

Relegation Watch: Who’s Sinking?

 

Southampton’s 1/100 relegation odds are tighter than my old kit after a pie-heavy season – their 3-0 loss to Arsenal in Gameweek 2 was grim. Burnley’s toothless display against Chelsea keeps them in the danger zone, with 7/4 odds to go down (Bet365). Leicester’s scrappy draw vs. Ipswich shows fight, but their lack of goals (1.2 xG per game) is a worry. Crystal Palace, though, are flying under Glasner – their 2-1 win over Forest in Gameweek 2 has them at 20/1 to drop, per Sky Bet. Keep an eye on Sunderland; their draw with Burnley was gritty, but they’re not out of the woods yet.

International Break Fallout: Extra NuggetsThe Nations League slog has left its mark, and X is buzzing with more gossip than a pub on matchday:

 

• Injury Watch: Harry Kane’s minor knock for England (back, per Sky Sports) won’t keep him out of Spurs’ clash, but it’s a reminder to check line-ups before betting. Morata’s hamstring issue is the big one – if he’s out, Arsenal lean on Gyökeres, boosting his anytime scorer odds.
• Fatigue Factor: Players like Cole Palmer (England) and Bruno Fernandes (Portugal) racked up heavy minutes. X posts suggest managers might rotate, so watch for late team news on Sky Sports or Flashscore.
• Match-Fixing Murmurs: The X whispers about five PL players approached for fixing are spicy but unlinked to our games. Still, it’s a reminder to stick to stats over hype – no dodgy bets here, lads.

Betting Impact: Injuries and rotation make live betting king. If Arsenal look blunt without Morata, pivot to under 2.5 goals in-play. If United’s midfield lags post-Fernandes’ minutes, grab Spurs to score next. Use real-time stats to stay sharp.

Final Whistle: Bet Clever, Keep the Banter

 

Gameweek 3’s a proper feast, with Liverpool vs Arsenal headlining, United facing a spicy Spurs test, and Chelsea looking to keep their swagger at Villa Park. The international break’s left us with injury scares and juicy gossip, but our Gameweek 2 acca (£5 into £30) and player props (Salah, Kudus, Pedro) showed we’re on form. Let’s mix safe bets like Chelsea’s win and City’s dominance with cheeky punts like Welbeck’s goals to keep the good times rolling. Hit up Bet365 or Sky Bet for the best odds, check OddsPortal for value, and bookmark www.eplfanzone.com for weekly tips. Bet responsibly, 18+ – don’t punt what you can’t afford to lose, or you’ll be watching the next game from the cheap seats. What’s your Gameweek 3 shout? Drop it below, and let’s see who’s got the bottle to back a Leicester upset or a Welbeck screamer!

 

Keep the banter flowing, and let’s make Gameweek 3 a banger!