It is Matchday 3 in the English Premier League. This is the final set of matches before the international break falls upon us. The marquee matchup this weekend sees Arsenal travel north to Anfield to take on Liverpool on Sunday.
Contents:
- Manchester United vs Burnley: Mattheus Cunha (MUN) & Bryan Mbeumo (MUN) – 1+ Shot on Target (SoT) Each
- Brighton vs Manchester City: Manchester City win
- Liverpool vs Arsenal: Arsenal Team Total over 3.5 Shots on Target (SoT)
- Liverpool vs Arsenal: Both Teams to Receive 2+ Cards
Manchester United vs Burnley: Matheus Cunha (MUN) & Bryan Mbeumo (MUN) – 1+ Shot on Target (SoT) Each
Odds:
- American: -154
- Decimal: 1.65
- Fractional: 13/20
Mason Mount has thrived up top in Ruben Amorim’s system, operating not as a traditional No. 9 but as a false nine. His link-up play has opened space for Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, consistently creating chances for both to test the opposition’s goal.
When Manchester United host Burnley on Saturday, I expect them to dominate possession and force Burnley into a low block. In that setup, quick passing and sharp runs in behind will be key. Cunha and Mbeumo are both pushing for their first competitive goals in a United shirt, and I expect each to be heavily involved in generating scoring chances.
Pick: Matheus Cunha (MUN) & Bryan Mbeumo (MUN) – 1+ Shot on Target (SoT) Each
*pick is void should either player not start
Brighton vs Manchester City: Manchester City win
Odds:
- American: -120
- Decimal: 1.83
- Fractional: 83/100
Both sides enter this match needing a response. Brighton are still searching for their first Premier League win of the season, while Manchester City will be looking to bounce back after their defeat to Tottenham.
For Pep Guardiola, the challenge is instilling his principles in a young, evolving squad, and City’s loss to Spurs highlighted those growing pains. John Stones’ slip led to the opener, and goalkeeper James Trafford’s poor pass gifted a second. Tottenham’s pressing caused real problems, and Brighton may look to replicate that approach to unsettle City’s buildup. Trafford’s distribution will be under scrutiny, and City will want a sharper, more composed response in possession.
City created chances against Spurs but lacked finishing touch, and more worrying was their inability to apply sustained pressure after falling behind. Brighton, meanwhile, focus much of their play down the right through Yankuba Minteh, where Nathan Aké could be key defensively. Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye exposed gaps in Brighton’s setup last weekend, and players like Rayan Cherki or Jérémy Doku could cause similar issues.
I expect Manchester City to respond and enter the international break on a high. Brighton do not appear to have the form or quality Tottenham showed in beating City. A decisive matchup could be Erling Haaland against Lewis Dunk: while Dunk offers leadership and experience, at 33 he faces a difficult task against a younger, stronger, and motivated Haaland.
Pick: Manchester City to win
Liverpool vs Arsenal: Arsenal Team Total over 3.5 Shots on Target (SoT)
Odds:
- American: -133
- Decimal: 1.75
- Fractional: 3/4
Even without Bukayo Saka, and with Martin Ødegaard’s availability still uncertain, Arsenal should still be able to establish a foothold and create spells of pressure. Their attacking patterns and fluid rotations are difficult to contain, and Liverpool’s defensive lapses offer openings that a side of Arsenal’s quality can exploit.
Liverpool have looked vulnerable both in their defensive structure and in transition, which plays into Arsenal’s strengths on the counter. Viktor Gyökeres, Gabriel Martinelli, and potentially Eberechi Eze are all well-suited to take advantage of these gaps. In what is likely to be a tightly contested match, Arsenal still have the attacking quality to generate clear chances.
Pick: Arsenal Team Total over 3.5 Shots on Target (SoT)
Liverpool vs Arsenal: Both Teams to Receive 2+ Cards
Odds:
- American: -125
- Decimal: 1.80
- Fractional: 4/5
I expect this match to be played at a high intensity, with emotions running high throughout. Both teams—and their players—understand what’s at stake in the bigger picture of the Premier League title race. That tension often spills over, and I anticipate several bookings for a mix of reasons: emotions boiling over, reckless challenges, and the classic tactical yellow, where stopping a counter-attack is more valuable than allowing an opponent to break free.
Chris Kavanagh will take charge at Anfield on Sunday. Last season, across 25 matches, he averaged 4.64 cards per game (yellow and red combined).
Given the stakes and the referee’s track record, I expect both sides to end up with multiple names in the book by the final whistle.
Pick: Both Teams to Receive 2+ Cards
