Both Manchester United and Liverpool enter their Week 3 EPL clash desperately needing points. And Liverpool is a massive favorite.
By now you know how bad United has been through the first two weeks of the season. The Red Devils lost at home to Brighton in the first week and then were bombarded by Brentford on Saturday. Man U is last in the table. And deserves to be there.
Liverpool, meanwhile, has just two points after underwhelming ties against Fulham and Crystal Palace in the first two weeks. Liverpool scratched out a game-tying goal against Palace despite being down a man on Monday after Darwin Nunes was sent off. He’ll be unavailable for this Monday’s game against United.
While Nunes’ absence is a significant one for Liverpool, the Reds shouldn’t need him against such a dysfunctional United team. Erik ten Hag’s squad has been abysmal so far and lacks any and all cohesion. United seems to be linked to a new player every day in the transfer market, although it’s unclear just how much the squad can and will be overhauled over the final two weeks of the transfer window.
We’re backing Liverpool in this one. Here are our picks for the rest of the EPL Week 3 slate. All odds are from BetMGM. All games are Saturday unless noted.
Tottenham vs. Wolves (over/under 2.5 goals)
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Tottenham (-275)
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Wolves (+725)
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Tie (+400)
Tottenham is a huge favorite after an impressive two weeks to start the season and a fun feud between Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel. We’ll take Spurs.
Crystal Palace vs. Aston Villa (2.5)
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Palace (+150)
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Villa (+185)
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Tie (+225)
Another tie for Palace feels like the right play here, although we wouldn’t be surprised at any of the three outcomes.
Fulham vs. Brentford (2.5)
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Fulham (+135)
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Brentford (+195)
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Tie (+230)
Fulham has opened its EPL campaign with two ties while Brentford is flying high after the demolition of United. The Bees can’t counter Fulham like they did against United, but we’ll take them to get all three points.
Leicester City vs. Southampton (2.5)
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Leicester (-115)
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Southampton (+290)
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Tie (+280)
Leicester should get the win at home here, although we wouldn’t be stunned at a tie.
Everton vs. Nottingham Forest (2.5)
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Everton (-115)
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Nottingham Forest (+310)
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Tie (+250)
Forest got a win over West Ham in Week 2 and could easily beat Everton. We’ll go with the tie.
Bournemouth vs. Arsenal (2.5)
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Bournemouth (+650)
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Arsenal (-250)
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Tie (+360)
Arsenal has been very impressive so far and that run of form should continue.
West Ham vs. Brighton & Hove (2.5) [Sunday]
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West Ham (+125)
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Brighton (+210)
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Tie (+240)
We’ll bet another tie in this one. Brighton and West Ham seem very evenly matched.
Leeds vs. Chelsea (2.5) [Sunday]
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Leeds (+450)
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Chelsea (-175)
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Tie (+320)
We won’t overthink this one and go with Chelsea. We’re surprised the odds for a Chelsea win aren’t even shorter.
Newcastle vs. Manchester City (2.5) [Sunday]
Manchester United vs. Liverpool (3.5) [Monday]
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United (+425)
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Liverpool (-175)
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Tie (+350)
As we said above, Liverpool has to be the pick.