Matchday 3 of the EPL season is in the books, and we’re here to review it, identify the big takeaways, and examine the markets.
Around The EPL
Liverpool secured their first victory of the season with a professional 2-0 win away to Ipswich Town. After consecutive draws to start the campaign, the Reds desperately needed three points and got them thanks to a fast start spearheaded by Alexander Isak, whose brace inside nine minutes effectively settled the contest.
Newcastle and Bournemouth produced one of the weekends most entertaining games, sharing the points in a dramatic 2-2 draw. Bournemouth led twice before Jacob Ramsey struck late to rescue a point for Eddie Howe’s side.
Manchester City continued their perfect start with a narrow 1-0 victory over Coventry City. Erling Haaland’s first-half goal proved enough as Pep Guardiola’s side claimed a third consecutive win without ever needing to move through the gears.
Hull City’s unbeaten start survived another stern examination. Aston Villa halted the Tigers’ winning streak but couldn’t break them down as the two sides played out a scoreless draw. Hull remain one of only three unbeaten sides through the opening three matchdays.
3 Takeaways From Matchday 3
Arsenal Pass Their First Title Test
The schedule may only be three weeks old, but Sunday’s meeting with Chelsea carried the feel of an early statement opportunity. Arsenal passed with flying colours.
Conceding after just two minutes could easily have disrupted their momentum, particularly against a Chelsea side that entered the match having won their opening two fixtures. Instead, the Gunners dominated long stretches of the contest before Havertz and Ødegaard turned the game around.
What should concern the rest of the league is how complete Arsenal look. They have beaten a promoted side comfortably, ground out a victory away to Aston Villa, and now defeated a fellow title contender. Three matches, three wins, six goals scored and only one conceded.
The defining quality of title-winning teams is adaptability. Arsenal have already shown they can win in multiple ways.
2026/27 EPL Winner: Arsenal – $1.80, Man City – $3.40, Chelsea – $6.00, Liverpool – $15.00, Man Utd – $23.00, Aston Villa – $101.00, Brighton – $126.00, Tottenham – $201.00
Manchester United Still Have Plenty To Prove
Manchester United’s 5-2 win over Ipswich in Matchday 2 looked like the perfect response to their opening-weekend embarrassment against Hull City. Matchday 3 brought everyone back down to earth.
Twice United led at Goodison Park and twice they let Everton back into the contest. A late Benjamin Šeško goal looked to have secured all three points before Everton struck again in stoppage time to snatch a 2-2 draw. The biggest issue for Michael Carrick isn’t the results themselves, it’s the inconsistency.
Across three games we’ve seen three completely different versions of Manchester United. They were passive against Hull, ruthless against Ipswich and vulnerable again against Everton. Title contenders don’t fluctuate that dramatically from week to week.
The concern is that while Arsenal and Manchester City are building momentum near the top of the table, United are already five points off the pace after just three matches.
With a Manchester derby looming in Matchday 4, United have a chance to instantly change the narrative. Lose, however, and questions surrounding their ability to compete with the league’s elite will only intensify.
Top 6 Finish: Man City – $1.01, Chelsea – $1.12, Liverpool – $1.20, Man Utd – $1.50, Brentford – $2.80, Brighton – $3.00
The Bottom Three Are Already Looking Vulnerable
It’s dangerous to overreact to the table after three matches, but there are already signs of separation at the foot of the standings.
Coventry remain pointless after three consecutive defeats and are still yet to score a Premier League goal. Fulham are the only other side without a point after suffering another defeat, this time at home to Crystal Palace.
Perhaps the most surprising name being discussed alongside the relegation candidates is Aston Villa. After qualifying comfortably for Europe in recent seasons, Villa have taken just one point from their opening three games and remain without a goal this campaign. Sunday’s draw with Hull ended a two-match losing streak, but the lack of attacking threat is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Three weeks don’t define a season, but they can reveal underlying problems. Right now, Coventry look overmatched, Fulham look short on confidence, and Villa are rapidly becoming one of the most intriguing teams in the relegation market.
Relegation Market: Coventry – $1.40, Hull – $1.53, Ipswich – $1.91, Fulham – $3.00, Sunderland – $3.75, Crystal Palace – $4.50