It’s game week 2 of the English Premier League. We were quite spot on for most of the games last weekend, a few misses, but it’s part of the game. What do we say then? We go again!
Friday
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City. Selhurst Park. 8:00 pm.
Crystal Palace is in a bad place; anything short of a Manchester City win in this fixture is an upset, one Manchester City must avoid. The Cityzens barely managed to beat Bournemouth last weekend, and we all agreed it was down to the state of Enzo Maresca’s squad; now that a few players have joined to improve the squad, things should start taking shape. There are a host of absentees for the Eagles for the Friday night visit of the Cityzens; there’s only one way this one is headed.
Verdict: Manchester City to win.
Saturday
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest. Anfield. 12:30 pm
The Andoni Iraola era at Anfield got off on an underwhelming note, with Liverpool needing a fortuitous penalty call late on to rescue a point at St. James’s Park. There won’t be excuses on Saturday when Nottingham Forest visits Anfield in game week 2. The Kop need a win to stay close to the early frontrunners, but their visitors, Nottingham Forest, also must get a result after losing their opening game at home against Leeds United. This is tricky, but Liverpool should get the job done.
Verdict: Liverpool to win.
Bournemouth vs Everton. The Vitality Stadium. 3:00 pm
Bournemouth must feel some pain for the manner in which they lost at home to the Cityzens last weekend. It’s expected of them to struggle after losing their manager and their best defender, and they couldn’t call on Eli Junior Kroupi due to injury. Everton enjoyed an opening-day success against Crystal Palace, but this one will be a different ball game. The Cherries will take the game to Everton; expect bookings and lots of corner kicks in this one, with Everton expected to defend with their lives.
Verdict: Bournemouth to play at least 5 corner kicks.
Coventry City vs Hull City. CBS Arena. 3:00 pm
This one is a fixture made in the Championship. The Sky Blues endured a torrid night at the Emirates last weekend, but like their manager, Frank Lampard, said after the game, there’s no shame in losing to a team like Arsenal; after all, they’re the champions. On the opposite end is Hull City, which took Manchester United to the cleaners. The Tigers must know that they won’t face a team with so much lethargy like United every day, but this is an opportunity to build on the heroics of last weekend.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 5:30 pm
The duo of Tottenham and Newcastle had indifferent opening days. The hosts lost badly at Brentford, with all their big-money signings looking out of place; it makes you wonder if signing lots of players often comes down to being a silver bullet to success. Newcastle was an inch away from beating Liverpool, but a Lewis Hall error handed the former champions a lifeline in the form of a penalty. This fixture is between a team seeking redemption and another one who must prove that they’re not in trouble. It will be a fun game on Saturday.
Verdict: Spurs to win.
Sunday
Chelsea vs Brighton. Stamford Bridge. 2:00 pm
Chelsea has played two competitive games under Xabi Alonso, and they’ve won the two. The hard-fought victory over Fulham on Monday and the 2-0 success over Luton Town on Thursday in the Carabao Cup. It’s safe to say that Chelsea, under Xabi Alonso, will give Arsenal a good run for their money in the title race. Brighton is not a small fry. The Seagulls have played twice this season already; the manner in which Brighton destroyed Villa in the first half of their encounter last weekend begs for attention, and beating Tromsoe 4-0 to advance in the Europa Conference League earns them some plaudits too. This one will rain goals.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals.
Leeds Vs Brentford. Elland Road. 2:00 pm
Leeds United enjoyed a great afternoon at Nottingham Forest last weekend; it was a result made in heaven for Daniel Farke and the Lilywhites. Can Leeds United build on that sensational result at Elland Road when Brentford comes to town? Brentford also had a full day last weekend. The Bees beat Tottenham silly at home; now they must prove that the 3-0 success over Spurs wasn’t a fluke too. We expect this one to be cagey, with Leeds expected to be careful. It’s an advantage for Brentford from our lens.
Verdict: Brentford to win or draw
Sunderland Vs Fulham. Stadium of Light. 2:00 pm
Sunderland and Fulham both lost their respective games last weekend. The Black Cats lost at Portman Road to Ipswich, while the Lilywhites lost at home to Chelsea. Both of them will go for this one, but they must be cautious. Regis Le Bris is brave, he’s trying his best to bring Jack Grealish to the club, but it’s left for the Manchester City star to decide. Alvaro Arbeloa has gone to Real Madrid to shop; how well will his recruits help him this season? This fixture has a draw written all over it, but we expect goals, and our hunch will tilt towards the team away from home.
Verdict: Over 2.5goals
Manchester United vs Ipswich Town. Old Trafford Stadium. 4:30 pm
After the epic derobing that happened last weekend in the hands of Hull City, most United pundits have started comparing the new season to some seasons where United lost their opening games and still went on to win the league. The only difference is that the old United had Alex Ferguson back then; now it’s Manuel Carrick. Ipswich should be fearless at Old Trafford. The Tractor Boys beat Sunderland last weekend; now they have to do what Hull City did last weekend, which is to beat Manchester United. This should be fun to watch.
Verdict: Manchester United to win.
Monday
Aston Villa vs Arsenal. Villa Park. 8:00 pm
Aston Villa suffered badly last weekend at the Amex. It’s not about the 4-0 loss to the Seagulls; it’s the manner in which they lost the game. One ridiculous red card by Joao Gomes and some embarrassing defending. Arsenal got the new season started with a dominant win over Coventry City. No one expected a different result last weekend; now it’s up to Arsenal to go one step further by getting a win over Unai Emery to cement their space at the top. Bruno Guimaraes is back in training, and that counts for something. Aston Villa should be able to call on Nicolas Jackson and Mbaye on Monday, with the latter the only one they might need to sweat on. This is a grudge match, but we expect the Gunners to ace it.
Verdict: Arsenal to win.
