Mate, Gameweek 2 was a proper rollercoaster – goals flying in, red cards and a late, late show that had us all buzzing. Our predictions were decent but a few went astray, like my old set-pieces when the wind got hold of ‘em. Here’s the rundown:

• Newcastle vs. Liverpool (Predicted: Liverpool win 2-1): What a game! Liverpool edged a 3-2 thriller at St. James’ Park, but it was pure chaos. Ryan Gravenberch’s rocket opened the scoring, Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon saw red, Hugo Ekitike bagged his second in two games, and Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula levelled it before 18-year-old Rio Ngumoha became Liverpool’s youngest-ever Premier League scorer with a 100th-minute winner. Our Mo Salah anytime scorer bet at 6/5 landed (£5 returned £11) and the over 2.5 goals live bet at evens would’ve bagged £10 from £5.
• Tottenham vs. Everton (Predicted: Spurs win 2-0, under 2.5 goals): Off the mark here. Spurs won 3-1, with Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison tearing Everton apart, and Jack Grealish nicking a late one on loan from City. Our under 2.5 goals bet at 3/1 flopped, but Kudus to score at 2/1 was a cracker – £3 returned £9. Everton’s defence is shakier than my knees were in extra time.
• West Ham vs. Manchester City (Predicted: City win 3-1, BTTS): Nailed the BTTS but missed the scoreline. City won 2-1, with Erling Haaland and Tijjani Reijnders running the show, though West Ham’s Callum Wilson pulled one back. Our BTTS bet at 4/5 landed (£5 returned £9) but City’s off-field 115 charges drama didn’t slow them down as much as we thought.
• Chelsea vs. Burnley (Predicted: Chelsea win 3-0, to nil): Spot on! Chelsea battered Burnley 3-0 at Stamford Bridge, with João Pedro and Cole Palmer running riot. No nightclub scandal derailed them – turns out it was a youth player, not a star, per X chatter. Our win to nil bet at 11/10 landed (£5 returned £10.50), and the live bet on over 2.5 goals at 6/5 would’ve returned £6.60 from £3.
• Acca (Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal wins): Three out of four ain’t bad! Arsenal smashed Southampton 3-0, with Eberechi Eze dazzling, so our 5/1 acca landed – £5 turned into £30. Southampton’s relegation odds (1/100) still look like a banker.
• Relegation Watch: Southampton lost again, cementing their 1/100 drop odds. Burnley were toothless against Chelsea, and Leeds got thumped 3-0 by Arsenal. Sunderland, though, held firm with a 1-1 draw against Burnley – those Black Cats are scrapping.
• Missed Call: Didn’t predict Sunderland’s draw or Crystal Palace’s 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest. Palace’s form is sneaking under the radar.

Betting Takeaway: The acca and player bets (Salah, Kudus, Chelsea to nil) were bangers but the Spurs under 2.5 goals bet was a howler. Live betting saved us in the Newcastle-Liverpool thriller. Let’s keep the momentum going for week three.

Gameweek 3 Preview:

Matches, Predictions and Betting Tips

Week three’s fixture list is loaded with drama, and with the transfer window slamming shut on September 1, 2025, the gossip mill’s in overdrive. We’ll dive into the key games, mix in the latest off-field scandals and pick out the best bets. Odds are from Bet365 and Sky Bet, checked via OddsPortal for value. Bet responsibly, 18+ – don’t punt what you can’t afford to lose.

1. Liverpool vs. Arsenal (Anfield, August 30, 12:30 PM BST)

• What’s Cooking: The game of the weekend! Liverpool are flying after Ngumoha’s heroics, but their shaky backline faces a stern test against Arsenal’s new-look attack, with Viktor Gyökeres and Eberechi Eze joining Bukayo Saka. The big off-field story is Alexander Isak – Sky Sports reports Liverpool’s £80m bid was rejected but he’s back in Newcastle’s squad after his training standoff, easing tensions. No direct impact here, but Arsenal’s failed Isak chase has fans on X fuming, which could fire up their focus. Liverpool’s depth, with Wirtz and Ekitike, gives them an edge but Arsenal’s elite defence (best in the league last season) is a brick wall.
• Prediction: Draw 2-2. Both sides are loaded with attacking talent but Arsenal’s defence might hold firm enough to nick a point.
• Betting Tip: £5 on both teams to score at 4/6 (Bet365) – these two rarely blank. Returns £8.33. Live bet: If it’s 1-1 at 60 minutes, £3 on over 3.5 goals at 11/10 could return £6.30.

2. Manchester United vs. Tottenham (Old Trafford, August 30, 3:00 PM BST)

• What’s Cooking: United bounced back from their Arsenal loss with a 2-1 win over Fulham, with Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko linking well. But the tabloids are buzzing with a fresh scandal – The Sun claims Bruno Fernandes was caught in a heated row with Ruben Amorim over tactics after the Fulham game, sparking dressing-room tension. Spurs, meanwhile, are flying after their Everton win, but Maddison’s injury and pre-injury clash with Thomas Frank still linger, per X posts. United’s home form is patchy, but Spurs’ high press could leave gaps.
• Prediction: United win 2-1. Old Trafford’s atmosphere should edge it, despite the Fernandes drama.
• Betting Tip: £5 on over 2.5 goals at 8/11 (Sky Bet) – both teams love attacking. Returns £8.64. Live bet: If United lead 1-0 at half-time, £3 on Sesko to score at 7/4 could return £8.25.

3. Aston Villa vs. Chelsea (Villa Park, August 30, 3:00 PM BST)

• What’s Cooking: Chelsea are purring after their Burnley rout, with João Pedro and Cole Palmer in top form. The nightclub scandal fizzled out – no key players involved, per The Mirror – but Enzo Maresca’s warned his squad to stay focused. Villa drew 1-1 with Brentford in week two, with Ollie Watkins looking sharp. No major gossip, but social media posts suggest Unai Emery’s under pressure to deliver a top-six push after missing Champions League last season. Villa’s home crowd is a factor, but Chelsea’s depth is scary.
• Prediction: Chelsea win 2-1. Their attack should overpower Villa’s inconsistent defence.
• Betting Tip: £5 on João Pedro to score or assist at 6/5 (Bet365) – he’s on fire. Returns £11. Live bet: If Chelsea are 1-0 up at 70 minutes, £2 on over 2.5 goals at 1/1 could return £4.

4. Leicester vs. West Ham (King Power Stadium, August 31, 3:00 PM BST)

• What’s Cooking: Newly promoted Leicester drew 1-1 with Ipswich in week two, showing fight but lacking quality. West Ham’s back-to-back losses (Sunderland, City) have Graham Potter on the hot seat, and The Daily Mail reports a bust-up between Callum Wilson and Potter over limited minutes, with Wilson eyeing a January move. The London Stadium’s toxic atmosphere could carry over to this away trip, but Leicester’s defence is leaky.
• Prediction: Draw 1-1. Both sides are struggling and Potter’s under too much pressure to inspire a win.
• Betting Tip: £5 on under 2.5 goals at 4/5 (Sky Bet) – neither team’s attack is firing. Returns £9. Live bet: If it’s 0-0 at 60 minutes, £3 on a draw at 5/4 could return £6.75.

Off-Field Gossip and Scandals: How They’ll Impact Games

The Premier League’s gossip mill never stops, and week three’s got some crackers that could sway results:

• Arsenal’s Isak Snub: Arsenal’s failed £80m bid for Isak has fans raging, but it’s lit a fire under Gyökeres and Eze, who’ll be out to prove a point against Liverpool. Could make Arsenal’s attack even more lethal, boosting BTTS odds.
• United’s Fernandes Fiasco: The Sun’s report of Fernandes’ row with Amorim is a worry. If the captain’s not on board, United’s midfield could lack spark against Spurs’ press, making the over 2.5 goals bet a safe pick.
• West Ham’s Wilson Woe: Wilson’s reported bust-up with Potter could see him benched or half-hearted at Leicester, weakening West Ham’s attack. A low-scoring draw feels likely.
• Chelsea’s Clean Slate: The nightclub scandal being a non-issue has Chelsea focused, per The Mirror. Their young squad’s buzzing, which bodes well for a win at Villa Park.

Betting Impact: Live betting’s your friend with these dramas. If United’s midfield looks disjointed early, grab Spurs to score next in-play. If West Ham are flat, under 2.5 goals could be a banker. Check Sky Sports or Flashscore for real-time stats to time your punts.

Betting Strategies: Play Smart, Stay Cool

Our Gameweek 2 acca and player bets were mostly on point, but the Spurs under 2.5 goals bet was a lesson in caution. Here’s the week three playbook:

• Bankroll Management: Keep bets at 1-5% of your budget (£0.50-£2.50 on a £50 monthly 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 or assist vs. Villa is golden – he’s been involved in four goals already. Back it with Opta stats from BBC Sport showing his shot volume.
• Mix Safe and Risky: Pair Chelsea’s win (4/6) with a punt like Sesko to score for United at 7/4. A £5 acca could return £25+.
• Live Betting: Watch games on Sky Sports or TNT Sports for cues. If Liverpool-Arsenal is goalless at half-time, BTTS at 4/5 is a steal. If Leicester-West Ham is cagey, under 2.5 goals in-play is your mate.

Psychology Tip: Don’t let a bad bet make you punt like a nutter. Fernandes’ drama might tempt you to fade United, but stick to stats, not hype. Take a 24-hour breather after a loss and keep bets fun, not stressful.

Week 3 Betting Picks: Let’s Have ItHere’s my Gameweek 3 betting card:

• Acca of the Week: Chelsea, United, and Palace (vs. Wolves, August 30, 3:00 PM) to win, plus Arsenal-Liverpool draw. £5 at 7/1 (Bet365) could return £40. Palace’s 2-1 win last week makes them a sneaky pick.
• Top Goalscorer: Stick with Isak at 5/1 (Sky Bet) for the season. He’s back in Newcastle’s squad and his quality shines through. £5 could bag £30.
• Player Prop: £3 on Florian Wirtz for an assist vs. Arsenal at 7/4 (Bet365). He’s Liverpool’s creative spark. Returns £8.25.
• Corners: Leicester vs. West Ham – over 9.5 corners at 17/20 (Sky Bet). Both teams will scrap, racking up set-pieces. £5 returns £9.25.
• Live Bet: If Liverpool-Arsenal is 1-1 at 60 minutes, £3 on Gyökeres to score next at 2/1 could return £9.

FPL and Betting: Double the Fun

FPL’s a treasure trove for betting. Week two showed Salah and Kudus delivering and here’s how to use FPL for week three:

• Top Picks: Mo Salah (FPL: £12.5m, Bet365: 6/5 anytime scorer vs. Arsenal) – £5 returns £11. João Pedro (FPL: £8m, Bet365: 6/5 score or assist vs. Villa) – £5 returns £11.
• Cheeky Punt: Benjamin Sesko (FPL: £7m, Sky Bet: 7/4 anytime scorer vs. Spurs). Low ownership, high upside. £3 could bag £8.25.
• Tip: Use FPL’s Fixture Difficulty Ratings. Chelsea vs. Villa is green for Chelsea – back Pedro for an assist. Liverpool-Arsenal is tough, so BTTS is a safer bet.

Final Whistle: Bet Clever

Week three’s a belter, with Liverpool-Arsenal stealing the show, United facing a Spurs test, and Chelsea looking to keep their mojo. The Fernandes row and West Ham’s Wilson drama could shake things up, so live betting’s where the value’s at. Our week two acca was a beauty – let’s keep mixing safe bets like Chelsea’s win with spicy punts like Wirtz’s assists.Hit up Bet365 or Sky Bet for odds, check OddsPortal for value, and bookmark www.eplfanzone.com for weekly tips. Bet responsibly, 18+, and let’s keep the banter flowing. What’s your week three punt?