Aston Villa VS Everton
Week 2 of the Premier League kicks off with the regular Saturday Lunch time game live on BT Sport. This week's matchup has two of the best English midfielders of all time with Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa hosting Frank Lampard’s Everton. Both teams lost their opening game of the season, with disappointingly losing away to Bournemouth 2-0 whilst Everton lost 1-0 at home to Chelsea. Both teams will be looking for a good response this weekend as two losses to start the season could really affect the morale of the players. When it comes to playing each other in the past, Villa have won 4 of the last 6 meetings with the other two matches being draws. The last time that Everton beat Aston Villa was in 2016 and that was also the season that Villa got relegated.
My Prediction: 1-1
Arsenal VS Leicester City
There are five 3pm Kick offs this weekend, one of them is Arsenal VS Leicester. Arsenal started the season really well, beating Crystal Palace 2-0 on the opening night. They now play their first home game looking for two wins out of two. There opponents Leicester were 2-0 up and looking good against Brentford but in the end, they ended up drawing the game 2-2, meaning that they have already dropped points. When it comes to playing each other in the past, Arsenal have won all of their previous three meetings and they will be confident of stretching it to 4.
My Prediction: 3-1
Brighton VS Newcastle
One of the weekend’s most intriguing matches sees Brighton and Hove Albion host Newcastle United in a three o’clock kick off. Both teams have started the season really well as Newcastle won 2-0 at home to Nottingham Forest whilst Brighton went to Old Trafford and beat Manchester United 2-1. These are two teams with really good English managers and both teams have ambitions to qualify for Europe so it will be intriguing to see who comes out on top. Brighton have historically edge out Newcastle when they play each other, with Brighton winning 43% of their matches compared to Newcastle’s 21%.
My Prediction: 2-1
Manchester City VS Bournemouth
Manchester City and Bournemouth both had perfect starts. City went to a great team in West Ham and won 2-0 whilst Bournemouth showed everyone that you shouldn’t count them out for staying up this season after a 2-0 win against Villa. However, City are big favourites coming into this and City have a track record of winning their opening home game easily. I would say if Bournemouth lose, it shouldn’t make you think that they are going to be rubbish this year. In terms of head-to-head, Manchester City have an 100% record against the Cherries, winning all 11 of there encounters.
My Prediction: 5-0
Southampton VS Leeds
Southampton VS Leeds is a game between two teams who were really poor last year. Southampton enter the weekend bottom after a 4-1 loss away to Tottenham whilst Leeds come in after positive 2-1 win at home to Wolves. These are two teams that will potentially be fighting each other to stay in the league if they don’t improve on last years efforts so these games are always important. When it comes to facing each other, they are both equal with 3 wins each with 1 draw as well.
My Prediction: 1-2
Wolves VS Fulham
Wolves play their first home game of the season against Championship champions Fulham. Wolves made some silly errors in their opening game defeat at Leeds whilst Fulham played exceptionally well to have a 2 all draw at home to Liverpool. This is a big game for Wolves as they need to win to give themselves some confidence because they don’t want to potentially lose the first three games of the season like they did last year. For Fulham, there playing with confidence and will look to build on last week's result. When it comes to head-to-head, Wolves have got the better of Fulham with 10 wins compared to 3 as well as 5 draws. Fulham haven’t beaten them in the Premier League since 2012.
My Prediction: 1-0
Brentford VS Manchester United
This week's Saturday Night Football sees Brentford host Manchester United. Both of these teams were 2-0 down last weekend, the Bees recovered to get a point whilst United lost 2-1 meaning it was the worst possible start under Erik Ten Hag. Brentford are a good team who live for games like this so will be looking to pounce on a Manchester United team who don’t really look like a team that know how to play at the minute. When it comes to head-to-head, Manchester United have won both of the competitive matches between them.
My Prediction: 2-2
Nottingham Forest VS West Ham United
Nottingham Forest will play their first home Premier League game this century this weekend as they host West Ham in a 2 o’clock kick off live on Sky Sports. Both teams were disappointing last weekend and both ending up losing 2-0, with Forest losing at Newcastle whilst West Ham lost at home to Manchester City. This is a game where Forest will look to show what they have got and is a big test for Steve Cooper’s team as West Ham are no means an easy game. West Ham will expect to bounce back and will need to as losing their first two games will certainly not help them if they plan to finish in the European places for the third season running. West Ham have won 3 out of the 4 games that the two teams have won but Forest won the last match. This was in 2014 though so isn’t particularly relevant to this weekend’s matchup
My Prediction: 1-2
Chelsea VS Tottenham
The biggest game of the weekend sees Chelsea host top of the league Tottenham in a London derby. Chelsea started the season well with a 1-0 win over Everton whilst Spurs were comfortable 4-1 winners at home to Southampton. These are two of the teams that could potentially take the fight to City and Liverpool for this season’s Premier League title so this is a massive game for both clubs. If Chelsea win, it will show that the new players are gelling well and will be a contender whilst Spurs winning would be a massive statement to the rest of the league. When it comes to head-to-head, Chelsea have won 55% of their encounters compared to spurs 15%. Spurs haven’t beaten Chelsea in 90 minutes since the 2019 EFL Cup Semi Final, which Chelsea still went on to knock them out of in the second leg.
My Prediction: 3-3
Liverpool VS Crystal Palace
The first Monday Night Football of the season sees Liverpool host Crystal Palace to cap off the weekend. Liverpool would have been disappointed to drop points away to Fulham but they should be able to bounce back this weekend. As for Palace, Arsenal were just too good for them last weekend and a trip to Anfield means that Palace are probably going to start the season with two losses out of two but you just never know in football. In past meetings, Liverpool have won 14 out of the 19 games between the two sides, with Palace winning 4 of them. Palace’s last victory against Liverpool was actually at Anfield near the end of the 2016/17 season. Palace actually have a way better record at Anfield then they do at home when it comes to playing Liverpool.
My Prediction: 3-0
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