Big changes are coming after the international break and the transfer window shuts. Just 3 points separate 2nd from 12th—it is that close. Even this early, every game feels massive in shaping the season.
And do not forget, the next international break comes up in October once more. Let’s now take a look at the team news update and score prediction for every Premier League fixture ahead of gameweek four.
Arsenal vs Nottm Forest
Arsenal face key absences with Havertz and Jesus ruled out until late November, while Saka is sidelined
for a few weeks, and Saliba is being assessed after an ankle injury.
Nørgaard and Ben White remain 50/50 ahead of September 13. Ange Postecoglou has returned to the Premier League as the newly appointed manager of Nottingham Forest.
On the injury front, Zinchenko is unavailable for the September 13 clash due to parent club restrictions, Aina faces a late fitness test after an issue on international duty, and Dominguez remains a long-term absentee with a serious knee injury and no return date set.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest
Bournemouth vs Brighton
For Bournemouth, Julian Araujo is suspended, while Lewis Cook remains sidelined with a knee injury until after the international break. Enes Unal is out until mid-October following knee surgery, and Adam Smith is expected to miss several weeks with a thigh issue.
Meanwhile, for Brighton on the injury front, Adam Webster faces a long spell out after knee surgery and is set to miss most of the season, while Solly March is unavailable until early October with a knee injury.
On the positive side, Mats Wieffer has a good chance of featuring this week.
Prediction: Bournemouth 1-1 Brighton
Crystal Palace vs Sunderland
Crystal Palace face multiple absences, with Odsonne Édouard (Achilles), Caleb Kporha (back), Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucouré out until November and Eddie Nketiah sidelined until mid-October.
Ismaïla Sarr (hamstring) and Adam Wharton (groin) are ruled out until later this month, while Matheus França could return this game week.
On the other hand, Sunderland has several players sidelined, with Leo Hjelde, Romaine Mundle, and Dennis Cirkin all out until mid-October.
It is still too early for Daniel Ballard (groin), Luke O’Nien and Aji Alese. The good news is on Niall Huggins, who faces a late fitness test.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-0 Sunderland
Everton vs Aston Villa
Branthwaite (thigh) and Patterson (groin) are both ruled out, while Aznou is being monitored with a potential of featuring after an ankle issue.
For Villa, Andres Garcia is ruled out, while Kamara and Onana (both thigh) remain unlikely to feature in this game week.
Matty Cash (quad bruise) and Ross Barkley (fitness) are also being assessed and have a fair chance of being involved.
Aston Villa are still searching for their first league goal of the season, and Everton’s well-organised defence presents yet another challenge for their attackers this week.
Prediction: Everton 1-1 Aston Villa
Fulham vs Leeds Utd
Fulham head into the week with a fully fit squad. Issa Diop has been carrying minor knocks, but he is expected to be available for selection.
As for Leeds, starting goalkeeper Lucas Perri is ruled out until early October with a thigh injury. Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka have returned to parts of team training but will face late fitness tests ahead of this game week.
Lukas Nmecha and Joel Piroe are also doubts for this weekend after picking up knocks and will be assessed closer to kickoff.
Prediction: Fulham 2-0 Leeds Utd
Newcastle vs Wolves
For Eddie Howe’s side, Anthony Gordon is suspended, while Joelinton and Jacob Ramsey are being assessed but have a good chance of featuring this gameweek.
Meanwhile, Wissa has joined the squad as a replacement for Isak, who has departed for Liverpool and would not feature for the Magpies.
Wolves who have conceded the most goals in the league also have injuries to contend with, as Leon Chiwome is out for the long term after an ACL rupture.
Ki-Jana Hoever and Jorgen Strand Larsen are both being monitored ahead of this game week, while Hugo Bueno has a knock but is likely to be available.
Prediction: Newcastle 4-2 Wolves
West Ham vs Tottenham
Graham Potter’s West Ham United’s George Earthy is being monitored ahead of this game week after an ankle issue, while Niclas Füllkrug faces a late fitness test following a calf problem picked up on international duty.
Luis Guilherme remains sidelined with a clavicle fracture and has no confirmed return date.
James Maddison is out long term after ACL surgery, while Dejan Kulusevski (knee) is not expected back until late November, and Radu Drăgușin (ACL) remains sidelined until mid-October.
Yves Bissouma will miss this weekend’s match but isn’t expected to be out for long. Kota Takai remains sidelined with no set return date, while Dominic Solanke is being monitored after an ankle issue and could return this game.
Prediction: West Ham 0-2 Tottenham
Brentford vs Chelsea
Brentford’s Vitaly Janelt, Paris Maghoma, and Yunus Emre Konak are all back in training but remain unlikely to feature this weekend. Gustavo Gomes is progressing well from a thigh injury but is still not ready to return and has been ruled out.
Liam Delap (hamstring), Dário Essugo (thigh surgery), Benoît Badiashile and Romeo Lavia are all ruled out until at least late September, while Cole Palmer will miss this weekend’s match but could return soon after.
Mykhailo Mudryk remains suspended with no set return date.
Prediction: Brentford 0-3 Chelsea
Burnley vs Liverpool
For Burnley, Zeki Amdouni (ACL) and Manuel Benson (Achilles) remain long-term absentees with no confirmed return dates, while Jordan Beyer and Connor Roberts are being assessed after the international break.
New signing Isak could make his debut this gameweek, while both Konaté and Jeremie Frimpong face late fitness decisions over their involvement.
Prediction: Burnley 1-3 Liverpool
Man City vs Man Utd
In the Manchester Derby! City will be without Cherki and Kovacic, while Gvardiol, Savinho, and Bettinelli are also unavailable. Khusanov is being monitored after a knock, with Foden and Stones doubtful.
Phillips and Marmoush remain longer-term absentees as they continue their recovery.
On the other hand, Lisandro Martínez is sidelined with a knee injury, while Cunha is also out as he continues assessment on a thigh problem.
Mason Mount and Diogo Dalot are being monitored after muscular issues and remain doubtful.
Prediction: Man City 1-1 Man Utd
