If football clubs required a reminder that Covid-19 remains a threat to the current campaign, they needed only look at the chaos that ensued at the London Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Less than an hour before kick-off in their Carabao Cup encounter against Hull City, Hammers manager David Moyes, defender Issa Diop and midfielder Josh Cullen all received positive coronavirus tests.

All three were forced to leave the ground immediately and while West Ham went on to win the third-round tie 5-1, the farce, as well as government’s announcement that fans will not be allowed back in stadiums as of October 1, proved a stark reminder of possible big implications for the Premier League with the threat of the virus still very much prevalent.

For West Ham at least the direct consequence of the incident is that Moyes, Diop and Cullen will not be able to attend training or the league game against Wolves on Sunday, due to Public Health England guidelines.

Tomorrow

Brighton and Hove Albion v Manchester United

8.30am

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer already finds himself under pressure after his side’s disappointing 3-1 defeat at home to Crystal Palace in their opening fixture last week.

They will be hoping to kick-start their campaign against a Brighton side buoyed by a convincing 3-0 victory at Newcastle United last time out.

One positive for United is that Brighton have won only two of their last 12 matches at home in all competitions.

Prediction 1-2

Crystal Palace v Everton

11am

Few would have predicted this early season fixture at Selhurst Park would be a top-five clash, with both sides holding perfect records so far.

Roy Hodgson’s Eagles produced an comfortable victory over Manchester United last weekend while Carlo Ancelotti’s new-look Toffees brushed aside newly promoted West Brom in a 5-2 victory.

The match also pits two of the league’s in-form frontman against each other with Wilfried Zaha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin having already found the net three and four times respectively.

Everton hold the upper hand over recent previous meetings ahead of what proves to be an intriguing encounter.

Prediction 2-2

West Bromwich Albion v

Chelsea

1.30pm

West Brom will be aiming to end a hoodoo against tomorrow’s visiting side having not emerged victorious against Chelsea in their last six league matches.

It has proved a difficult start to the season for the Baggies who sit bottom of the table after back-to-back defeats in which they conceded eight times.

Chelsea bounced back from an opening day defeat to Liverpool by beating Brighton last time out and will be hoping new signing Kai Havertz can build on his hat-trick in the 6-0 victory over Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.

Prediction 1-4

Burnley v Southampton

4pm

Both sides head into the match looking to pick up their first victory and kick-start their campaigns.

Burnley suffered a 4-2 loss in their solitary match so far, while second-from-bottom Southampton will be aiming to bounce back from successive defeats, the last of which saw them go down 5-2 at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Worryingly for the Saints, they have failed to overcome Burnley in their last seven matches, with Sean Dyche’s side running out 2-1 winners in their previous meeting.

Prediction 1-1

Sunday

Sheffield United v Leeds United 8am

Sheffield United are another side in search of a first victory this season, having suffered back-to-back defeats in their opening fixtures.

They welcome newly-promoted Leeds United to Bramall Lane, who have been well worth the 16-year wait to a return to the top-flight, with their two match amassing 14 goals, bouncing back from a 4-3 loss to Liverpool with a victory of the same margin over Fulham.

Despite the flurry of goals in Leed’s first two fixtures, previous meetings between the sides suggest goals may be at a premium.

Prediction 1-1

Tottenham Hotspur v

Newcastle United

10am

Tottenham’s season burst into life during the second-half of their 5-2 victory away at Southampton last weekend with Son Heung-Min completing a memorable four-goal haul with a hat-trick in the second 45 minutes.

José Mourinho’s men will now be aiming to build on their first win of the season, while Newcastle fans will be no doubt be demanding of a reaction from their side having suffered a 3-0 defeat at home to Brighton last weekend, having won their opener.

Tottenham have won five of the last six meetings between the teams and will be confident of securing another three points.

Prediction 3-1

Manchester City v

Leicester City

12.30pm

While their close neighbours endured a losing start to the season, Manchester City got off to a flying start easing to a convincing 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Leicester will also be aiming to maintain their faultless record thus far, sitting top of the table having brushed aside West Brom and Burnley, scoring seven goals in the process.

Pep Guardiola’s men remain unbeaten in their previous three matches against Leicester with Sunday’s hosts narrowly winning 1-0 in their last meeting.

Prediction 2-1

West Ham United v

Wolverhampton Wanderers

3pm

While they suffered defeat last time out, Wolves will be confident of getting back to winning ways against a West Ham Side who are suffering issues both on and off the field.

The Hammers have endured a disappointing start to the season, remaining winless after defeats to Newcastle and Arsenal.

To compound matters, they will be without their manager, and two players, all of whom are self isolating following positive coronavirus tests.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s Wolves have been bolstered by the exciting signing of Nelson Semedo from Barcelona, with the right back adding to the Portuguese contingent at the Molineux.

Prediction 0-2

Monday

Fulham v Aston Villa

1.45pm

Winless Fulham will be hoping history repeats itself as they aim to maintain their four-game Premier League unbeaten run against visiting Aston Villa.

However, it may prove a tough task for Scott Parker’s men who conceded seven goals in their first two encounters this season and ominously for their fans already sit in the relegation zone.

In contrast Villa got their season off to a winning start beating Sheffield United 1-0 and have bolstered their frontline with the signing of Bertrand Traore from Lyon.

Prediction 1-2

Liverpool v Arsenal

4pm

This week’s fixtures may have saved the best for last as champions Liverpool host in-form Arsenal in a mouthwatering clash at Anfield.

Both clubs have made perfect starts to the campaign, although many would argue Arsenal are yet to face a stern test having beaten newly promoted Fulham and West Ham.

Liverpool looked less than convincing in their opening win over Leeds United but followed that up with a comfortable 2-0 success over Chelsea, albeit against ten-man for 45 minutes.

Prediction 2-1

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