The 2025/26 Premier League campaign is well and truly underway, and we’ve already been treated to some cracking fixtures in the opening week.
Premier League champions Liverpool got the ball rolling with an entertaining win against Bournemouth.
Manchester City also got off to a flyer with a thumping 4-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers, while newly promoted Sunderland opened their account with a stunning 3-0 win over West Ham United.
Arsenal snatched an unconvincing win against Manchester United in the headline fixture of the opening weekend, while their capital rivals, Chelsea and Crystal Palace, shared the spoils at Stamford Bridge.
These teams will be hoping to take things up a notch as the season progresses, and there are already a few exciting match-ups to keep an eye on when matchday two rolls around.
However, we’re looking a little further ahead to matchday three with some eye-watering fixtures lined up. Title contenders Liverpool and Arsenal will headline matchday three.
Both sides will be keen to lay down an early marker, so tickets to this box office showdown could be sold at a premium. However, fans can also secure a place in the stands via secondary platforms such as Seatsnet.com.
Here’s a rundown of some of the key fixtures to watch out for on matchday three.
Chelsea vs Fulham
Chelsea kicked off their Premier League campaign with a frustrating goalless draw against a dogged Palace side.
However, they can be forgiven for failing to nick a win, considering their opponents have developed a reputation as giant slayers over the past few months.
Palace beat Man City in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium last season to secure their first-ever silverware.
They followed that up by besting Liverpool on penalties in the Community Shield, after holding the Premier League champions to an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Palace’s dogged defence forced Enzo Maresca’s side to improvise, and they obliged. They had a few chances to nick a win in the dying embers but weren’t prolific enough.
Chelsea will be looking to rectify their stuttering start when they visit London Stadium to take on West Ham before hosting Fulham in a third successive London derby.
The last time Chelsea locked horns with Fulham at the Bridge, they suffered a 2-1 defeat.
The Blues returned the favour in the reverse fixture at Craven Cottage, but Fulham will fancy their chances of picking up successive away wins against their West London rivals on August 30.
Manchester United vs Burnley
United take on Burnley on matchday three and will be hoping to host the Clarets at Old Trafford on the back of a much-needed win over Fulham.
Ruben Amorim’s new look side kicked things off with a frustrating 1-0 defeat against old foes Arsenal at the Theatre of Dreams.
The Red Devils couldn’t get past Raya, not for the lack of trying. Riccardo Calafiori broke the deadlock in the 13th minute courtesy of a trademark Arsenal corner.
However, United couldn’t find a response despite dominating possession and getting a whopping 22 shots off. They could only get seven on target and hit the woodwork once.
Despite the defeat, there were plenty of positives to take away from the game, and Amorim will be hoping his side can build on that performance in the coming games.
Squaring off with newly promoted Burnley will give United a chance to get points on the board, although the last time both sides locked horns, they settled for a 1-1 draw.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Bournemouth
Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a mixed start to the season. They kicked things off against Burnley, then visit Man City before returning to home turf for another tricky fixture against Bournemouth.
Richarlison bagged a brace before Brennan Johnson wrapped up maximum points with a deft finish to help Tottenham seal a 3-0 opening day win against Burnley.
However, Richarlison’s double stole the spotlight, particularly his stunning overhead kick from a pinpoint Mohammed Kudus cross.
Their subsequent outing against City will be far from a cake walk. It’ll be a massive test of their ambitions for the campaign, but returning to home ground to face Bournemouth should offer some respite.
The Cherries were impressive in their opening day bout with Liverpool despite ultimately falling to a 4-2 defeat, so Tottenham can expect a fight in North London on August 30.
If they dispatch Man City in the coming fixture, they’ll be brimming with confidence when Andoni Iraola’s tricky side storm the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Manchester City
Man City travel to the Amex Stadium to take on Brighton & Hove Albion on matchday three.
Pep Guardiola’s troops are heavily expected to return to the peak of their powers this season after a somewhat disappointing 2024/25 campaign.
For many other teams, a third-place finish would be considered a decent achievement, but Man City have become victims of their own high standards.
The Cityzens are expected to challenge for the Premier League title this season after their hiatus and sent a strong warning with their emphatic 4-0 win over Wolves on opening day.
Matchday two against Tottenham will be a stern test, considering the North Londoners have been a thorn in Guardiola’s flesh since he landed on English shores.
But whatever the outcome, the Cityzens will be out to get maximum points away at Brighton.
The Seagulls have taken points off City in their last two meetings (W1, D1), so Guardiola’s side will be eager to set the record straight before it becomes a trend.
Liverpool vs Arsenal
The headline fixture of matchday three comes at Anfield, where Liverpool host Arsenal in an early Clash of the Titans.
Both sides went head-to-head for the holy grail last term, although Liverpool ended up winning the title by a comfortable margin.
Both sides have heavily reinforced their teams this summer in a bid to have another crack at the title, and this fixture could be a test of their ambitions.
It’s still too early to call this a title decider, but whichever team comes out on top will undoubtedly get a massive psychological boost.
Liverpool and Arsenal have been inseparable over their last two Premier League meetings, playing out a 2-2 draw in each fixture.
Anfield is expected to be packed for this showdown, so if you’re wondering how to get Arsenal tickets for this blockbuster, resale platforms such as Seatsnet might be your best bet.
