Premier League Predictor: Round 3 Picks

It's fair to say things haven't been going well for me so far in the Premier League predictor! I was reliant on Sunday rescuing my round last weekend but Manchester United and Chelsea really let me down as I only needed an extra goal from each of them (Paul Pogba's missed pen was particularly annoying). Then there was Sheffield United vs. Crystal Palace where I couldn't remember which team I'd picked to win 1-0 so it was also annoying to discover it was Palace!

However, I'm still moving on to Round 3 with optimism as there's a very long way to go. Things have been pretty tough for all players so far so if you're also struggling, my advice is to keep looking at the community averages and the % of people that have got each result wrong so far rather than reading about the Round 2 cash prize winner who picked up 7 exacts last weekend..

Here are my Round Three Premier League predictions:

Aston Villa vs. Everton

I'm going for Everton here as they're the stronger side and Aston Villa lost at home to Bournemouth last week but I am hesitant as there is bound to be a home win for Villa sooner rather than later. I backed them for a draw last time out as the Cherries aren't great away so they'll have been very disappointed to go 2 down so early on. Everton are a good side and are beginning to look far more solid under Silva than they were early in his reign so I think they'll get the job done. Prediction: Aston Villa 1-2 Everton

Norwich vs. Chelsea

Norwich and especially Teemu Pukki showed how dangerous they can be last week but you have to go with Chelsea here. The Canaries will try and play out as usual but that will put them in danger against Chelsea's high press - just as it did against Liverpool at Anfield. Frank Lampard has seen some encouraging football from his team but they're yet to put in a good performance that last 90 minutes in the Premier League. This is a golden opportunity for their first three points and so long as they can be more clinical they should take it. Prediction: Norwich 1-3 Chelsea

Brighton vs. Southampton

This is a very even looking game but I think you have to side with Brighton which would mean a nightmare start of three straight losses for Southampton. The Seagulls have looked strong against both Watford and West Ham while the Saints were very ordinary in their opening away game at Burnley. There's often draws between these two and I was tempted to pick a narrow 1-0 victory but Brighton have been more adventurous following Hughton's departure so let's go for more goals in the game. Prediction: Brighton 2-1 Southampton

Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace have never won a Premier League match against United and I don't see that changing this weekend. The Eagles have looked short of ideas when going forward and Old Trafford isn't going to be an easy place to keep a clean sheet. There seems to be a better feeling around this Man United team this season and I think they'll pick up the points but it will be interesting to see how they fare against a team who will be parking the bus against them for the first time this season. Prediction: Man Utd 2-0 Crystal Palace

Sheffield United vs. Leicester

What a start Sheffield United have made this season. Two excellent results in their opening matches will have Bramall Lane bouncing for this one but Leicester are a very good side. I think Brendan Rodgers will be fairly happy to still be unbeaten after matches against Wolves and Chelsea and three points in this one would mean a very good start for the Foxes. They should pick up three points but it won't be easy. Prediction: Sheffield United 0-1 Leicester

Watford vs. West Ham

A very tough pick. Team news feels significant for this one as West Ham are likely to have Anderson, Haller and Noble back while Watford are without Troy Deeney. I never feel comfortable picking West Ham games because they're awfully inconsistent but Watford have started this season very poorly and now look as though they lack goals even more. It sounds as if Welbeck and Sarr still aren't fully fit either so I'm going to go with a brave upset pick here and back the Hammers even though I have very little confidence in them. Prediction: Watford 0-2 West Ham

Liverpool vs. Arsenal

This feels like a much easier pick because Arsenal have been consistently dreadful at Anfield for a few years now. You'd have thought that the Gunners would play with a more defensive approach at Liverpool last season since they were under Emery for the first time but that loss was arguably the worst of the lot as they were beaten 5-1. I can see the hosts scoring plenty again tomorrow but I do think Arsenal will find the net themselves as well. Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal

Bournemouth vs. Manchester City

The match stats from this game last season were ridiculous. City only won 0-1 but had virtually all of the ball and Bournemouth didn't even manage a shot. City were similarly dominant against Tottenham last week despite drawing 2-2 and they should control this fixture with ease again. Bournemouth bounced back well from an opening day draw with that win at Villa Park but this is an incredibly difficult game for them. Prediction: Bournemouth 0-2 Manchester City

Tottenham vs. Newcastle

You'd have to be a very brave bru to pick Newcastle here. It's been a poor start for the Magpies whereas Tottenham will be full of confidence back on their home turf after stealing a point at the Etihad. Spurs just look far too strong in my opinion and after last week you can't really consider picking Newcastle in any game until they start showing us more. Prediction: Tottenham 3-0 Newcastle

Wolves vs. Burnley

Wolves picked up a great Europa League result in Turin meaning despite having so many fixtures, their great early season form has kept strong. These matches against lower quality opposition were a concern for Nuno's side last season but I think they've shown against Leicester and Manchester United that they can play at a high level regardless of their UEL commitments. I'm backing Wolves and won't change that unless the team announcements are hugely surprising but I don't expect many goals. Prediction: Wolves 1-0 Burnley

Best of luck in Round Three!