Premier League Round 3 Preview: Chelsea's Striker Problem Solved? Spurs Defenders Stealing the Show?

The Premier League continues with the third round of matches early on August 26, and two clubs are in focus for different reasons: Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. Chelsea, despite a disappointing defeat to West Ham in the last round, have shown visible improvements in their tactical approach and team spirit. Meanwhile, Tottenham's victory over Manchester United highlighted a curious trend where their goals are coming from unexpected sources, primarily from their defense.

Chelsea vs. Luton Town - Sterling's Bid to Become the Team's Focal Point

If Mauricio Pochettino were to pull off his human mask, would he reveal himself to be Graham Potter or Frank Lampard in disguise? This humorous thought naturally crossed the minds of many fans after watching Chelsea’s performance in their 1-1 draw against Liverpool and their 3-1 loss to West Ham. The results so far bear an uncanny resemblance to the struggles of last season. Despite the relentless investments of Chelsea’s ownership, the club seems to struggle to attract world-class players, or at least not those universally acknowledged as top-tier talent.

However, there are notable improvements this season. One standout is the new center-forward Nicolas Jackson, whose ability to use his positioning and physicality to create shooting opportunities inside the opponent’s box is a sight Chelsea fans have rarely seen since the days of Diego Costa. Jackson's presence in the penalty area, combined with his combative style, is a breath of fresh air for Chelsea's attack. If he can continue to adapt to the demands of the Premier League, it seems only a matter of time before the goals begin to flow.

Then there’s Raheem Sterling. While the forward’s finishing may still frustrate fans, there is no denying his growing determination and intensity. In the last match against West Ham, he responded to the boos from the home crowd with sharp, direct runs that made even West Ham fans fear that their jeers might backfire on their team. Sterling is clearly trying to assert himself as a key figure in this new Chelsea setup, and his performance against Luton Town will be crucial in demonstrating that ambition.

Luton Town, by contrast, faces a different kind of challenge. The club’s financial constraints have made it difficult for them to upgrade their home ground to meet Premier League standards, delaying completion of renovation work. Unlike Tottenham, who could temporarily relocate to a larger venue during construction, Luton had to postpone their home fixture against Burnley. As a newly promoted team, avoiding relegation was always going to be a daunting task, but these additional challenges make it even tougher.

Luton's performance in their first match against Brighton showed some promise, as they managed to hold their own for about 30 minutes before conceding the first goal. Unfortunately, they could not regain their composure and ultimately suffered a heavy defeat. Considering Brighton's strong start to the season, there’s no shame in losing to them, but it does highlight the uphill battle Luton faces.

Chelsea’s record against newly promoted sides last season was less than stellar, as they dropped points in four out of six encounters. This shows a worrying trend of struggling against resilient opposition, which Luton, with their tenacity, could certainly embody. However, without the support and motivation of their home fans, Luton may find it hard to mount a real challenge at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea, on the other hand, will be aiming to secure a convincing 3-0 victory, which would be Pochettino's first league win at the helm.

Bournemouth vs. Tottenham Hotspur - How Long Can the Backline Keep Scoring?

Bournemouth’s opening fixtures were challenging, pitting them against last season's Europa Conference League champions West Ham and the traditional powerhouse Liverpool. To emerge with a point from these matches is already a commendable achievement for the Cherries. In their last outing against Liverpool, Bournemouth started the match with remarkable aggression, forcing Liverpool’s backline, led by Trent Alexander-Arnold, into numerous passing errors. Within the first three minutes, Bournemouth had already found the net twice, although the first goal was disallowed by VAR.

After a bright start, Liverpool gradually took control of the game and overturned the deficit by halftime. The second half offered Bournemouth a golden opportunity when Alexis Mac Allister, a World Cup-winning midfielder, was shown a straight red card for a studs-up challenge. However, instead of capitalizing on their numerical advantage, Bournemouth pushed too far forward and were caught on the counter, allowing Liverpool to extend their lead. This allowed Liverpool to bring on their new signing, Wataru Endo, to bolster their defense. Despite having an extra man, Bournemouth could not find the back of the net again.

On the other side, Tottenham Hotspur's Australian manager, Ange Postecoglou, has already achieved what every Premier League manager dreams of – beating Manchester United at home in his first game in charge. Spurs were solid and composed in their victory, capitalizing on Manchester United's defensive errors, while avoiding serious mistakes of their own. Moreover, Spurs benefited from a bit of luck; after United received favorable calls from referees in their first match, the balance was restored in the second round when Cristian Romero’s suspected handball in the penalty area went unpunished.

With Harry Kane's departure, Tottenham appears to have lost their primary attacking talisman. Yet, paradoxically, this absence has liberated other players to express their attacking talents more freely. Spurs’ four goals in their first two matches have been scored by four different players, three of whom are defenders (including an own goal by United's Lisandro Martínez). While this unlikely scoring pattern may help Tottenham pick up points in the short term, relying on defenders for goals is not sustainable over an entire season. Forwards like Son Heung-min and Richarlison need to quickly rediscover their scoring touch.

Bournemouth could prove to be the ideal opposition for Spurs to further build on their momentum. The Cherries' aggressive pressing style might play into Tottenham’s hands, allowing the North London club to exploit gaps in the Bournemouth defense. A 3-1 victory for Tottenham seems likely, but much will depend on whether their forwards can step up and take charge in front of goal.

Chelsea’s Tactical Tweaks and Tottenham’s Evolution

Chelsea’s tactical adjustments under Pochettino have shown glimpses of potential. Despite the slow start, there is evidence of growth, particularly in the performances of new striker Jackson and a more determined Sterling. Jackson’s ability to press defenders, hold up the ball, and create opportunities inside the box is a significant upgrade over previous options, while Sterling’s renewed energy and directness add another dimension to Chelsea’s attack.

Yet, questions remain. Will Pochettino’s tactical approach differ enough from his predecessors to instill real change? Will Chelsea’s new signings gel quickly enough to make an impact in the short term? The match against Luton Town will provide crucial answers to these questions.

For Tottenham, the new season under Postecoglou is already marked by tactical evolution. The team’s backline has surprisingly stepped up to fill the void left by Kane’s departure, but it is clear that this can only be a temporary solution. Tottenham’s forwards, particularly Son and Richarlison, must start delivering. Their match against Bournemouth presents an opportunity to do just that, against a side that may be more open at the back.

Both Chelsea and Tottenham enter Round 3 with different forms of momentum. Chelsea seeks stability and cohesion in a season of transition, while Tottenham hopes to continue their surprising run of form despite relying on goals from unlikely sources. The answers to these questions will shape the early part of their Premier League campaigns and provide plenty of talking points for fans and pundits alike.