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Can United build on morale-boosting first win under Ten Hag?

Making a fist of it: Erik ten Hag endured a tough baptism in the English Premier League until Manchester United produced a performance of verve and steel to stun Liverpool at Old Trafford on Monday (Photograph by Dave Thompson/AP)

Manchester United closed out an entertaining and goal-filled week three of the 2022-23 season with their first league win under new manager Erik ten Hag — against bitter rivals Liverpool of all teams. Meanwhile, Leeds and Brighton are notably illustrating that no game is predictable in the English Premier League.

On the fantasy front, Harry Kane struck himself into the reckoning after becoming the most prolific scorer for a single club with 185 league goals for Spurs, passing Sergio Agüero, who scored 184 top-flight goals for Manchester City. Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is a strong budget option up front, while Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has kept consecutive clean sheets to emphasise his appeal.

Saturday

Southampton v Manchester United

8.30am

Che Adams scored twice to lead Southampton to a comeback away win over Leicester City. Romain Perraud (leg) and Tino Livramento (knee) remain out for the Saints.

Manchester United will miss Victor Lindelöf and Facundo Pellistri because of thigh and ankle injuries respectively for the trip to St Mary’s.

Although the South Coast side have earned draws in three of the past five encounters, the Red Devils have won 28 of the 46 total meetings.

Prediction: 1-2

Brentford v Everton

11am

Brentford suffered an early setback to their strong start with the 3-2 derby defeat at Fulham. Sergi Canós, Kristoffer Ajer and Ethan Pinnock are out for the Bees, the first two with hamstring injuries.

Demarai Gray netted the equaliser with two minutes of normal time remaining in Everton’s home stalemate with Nottingham Forest. Injury concerns mount for the Toffees, as Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey, Andros Townsend, André Gomes, Abdoulaye Doucouré and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are out.

The West London side won both meetings last season, the only times these sides have met in the top flight.

Prediction: 2-1

Brighton & Hove Albion v Leeds United

11am

Brighton continued their dominance over West Ham United, winning 2-0 at the London Stadium. Jakub Moder (knee) is still out, while Jeremy Sarmiento is a doubt owing to a knock.

Leeds impressively shut out Chelsea 3-0 at home on Sunday. Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas and Junior Firpo are out, with Liam Cooper and Patrick Bamford doubts for the trip to Hove.

The Seagulls are unbeaten against the Yorkshire side in four Premier League meetings, although their last two encounters have ended with honours even.

Prediction: 2-1

Chelsea v Leicester City

11am

Chelsea were battered by Leeds at Elland Road, and new signing Kalidou Koulibaly is suspended after receiving a second yellow card for his challenge on Joe Gelhardt. Marcos Alonso, Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kanté are also out, while Armando Broja is doubtful with a knock.

Leicester, amid pressure on manager Brendan Rodgers, also succumbed to defeat at home to Southampton at the weekend. Ricardo Pereira and Ryan Bertrand present injury concerns for the Scotsman.

The Blues dominate this match-up overall, winning 16 of 32 total meetings.

Prediction: 2-1

Liverpool v Bournemouth

11am

Liverpool must quickly recover from their first league loss of the calendar year. Injury concerns are hindering manager Jürgen Klopp, given Caoimhin Kelleher, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konaté, Calvin Ramsay, Thiago Alcântara, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota are out with various injuries. New striker Darwin Núñez, who was sent off against Crystal Palace, is suspended for another two games, while Naby Keita is doubtful with a knock.

Bournemouth come off the back of the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal. Joe Rothwell is out with a thigh injury, while Ryan Fredericks and David Brooks are out because of lack of fitness. Junior Stanislas (groin) and Dominic Solanke (ankle) are doubts.

The Merseyside outfit have lost just one of their ten Premier League meetings with the Cherries.

Prediction: 2-0

Manchester City v Crystal Palace

11am

Manchester City showed resilience to earn their thrilling 3-3 draw at Newcastle United. Aymeric Laporte is out with a knee injury, whereas Nathan Aké (groin) and Jack Grealish (knock) are doubts.

Palace demonstrated their team spirit to take the 3-1 home win over Aston Villa. This weekend, James Tomkins, Nathan Ferguson and James McArthur are out, while Jack Butland is a doubt with a hand injury.

The Eagles have provided a stern challenge for the reigning champions over recent seasons, taking at least a draw from two of their last three visits to the Etihad Stadium.

Prediction: 2-2

Arsenal v Fulham

1.30pm

Martin Odegaard scored his first brace for Arsenal in their 3-0 road win over Bournemouth. Reiss Nelson is out with a muscle injury, the only missing piece for an otherwise strong squad.

Fulham remain unbeaten after a late winner from Serbia striker Aleksandar Mitrovic secured a dramatic 3-2 home win over West London neighbours Brentford. For this London derby, Harry Wilson and new recruit Manor Solomon remain out with knee injuries, while Neeskens Kebano is doubtful with a groin strain.

Fulham snatched a 1-1 draw from their latest visit to the Emirates Stadium.

Prediction: 3-1

Sunday

Aston Villa v West Ham United

10am

Aston Villa were punished for a lack of clinical edge by Crystal Palace in the 3-1 away defeat on Saturday. Diego Carlos, their key signing from Sevilla, continues to recover after successful surgery on a ruptured Achilles tendon.

West Ham, having wasted several chances in their 2-0 home loss to Brighton, remain the only side yet to register a goal or point in the top flight. New defender Nayef Aguerd remains out with an ankle injury, while Craig Dawson is doubtful with a thigh injury. Because of concussion rules, Vladimir Coufal may not feature after being knocked unconscious when attempting to win a header against Seagulls defender Adam Webster.

The West Midlands side face an even match-up, despite the Hammers going unbeaten in the past five games between the sides.

Prediction: 2-2

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Newcastle United

10am

Wolves have struggled this term and remain winless, losing 1-0 away to Spurs last time out. Francisco Oliveira is the only injured squad member for manager Bruno Lage.

Newcastle relinquished a two-goal lead, yet held on for a phenomenal 3-3 home draw with Manchester City. Jonjo Shelvey is out with a hamstring injury, while Federico Fernández, Matt Targett, Jamal Lewis, Ryan Fraser and Callum Wilson are doubts with various injury and fitness issues.

Neither side has taken control of this rivalry, as they have drawn nine times in 14 overall meetings. The Magpies have the edge, with three wins versus two for Wolves.

Prediction: 1-1

Nottingham Forest v Tottenham Hotspur

12.30pm

Forest have enjoyed an impressive return to the top flight, losing just once, away to Newcastle United. Moussa Niakhate and summer recruit Omar Richards are out, while Jack Colback is currently sidelined with illness.

Tottenham forward Harry Kane scored the winner off a set-piece, after they were well marshalled by a solid Wolves defence, claiming the 1-0 victory to move on to seven points. Cristian Romero and Oliver Skipp are out with muscle and foot injuries respectively.

These clubs have not met in more than 23 years, but the Reds have the upper hand overall, winning six of their ten previous top-flight encounters.

Prediction: 1-2

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Published August 26, 2022 at 7:44 am (Updated August 26, 2022 at 7:44 am)

Can United build on morale-boosting first win under Ten Hag?

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