As the Premier League enter its second round, many would be focused on the game at Wembley – as Tottenham Hotspurs looks to show Chelsea they can also make Wembley home. But other fixtures are there to look out for – and I am going to run through all, showing how I expect the games to pan out. I rightly called eight match outcomes and one correct score last weekend.
SWANSEA V MANUTD
Swansea would be contented with the point they collected at Southampton last weekend. And will be contented with another draw in this clash – given the quality and form of their opposition – Manutd. I don’t see Swansea stopping a José Mourinho win here, though; if United can replicate the same intensity showed against West Ham.
MY PREDICTION: Swansea 0-2 Man Utd
BOURNEMOUTH V WATFORD
Bournemouth will be looking to bounce back from their opening day defeat at West Brom and I expect them to cause Watford trouble at the Vitality Stadium a ground; where The Cherries really impressed last season. But Watford showed against Liverpool; how dangerous they can be. I will go for a slim Bournemouth win here, nevertheless.
MY PREDICTION: Bournemouth 1-0 Watford
BURNLEY V WEST BROM
The Clarets will be brewing with confidence – after their win over Chelsea at the Bridge and, it’s going to reflect positively on the players; most notably – Sam Vokes who scored a brace against The Blues. Tony Pulis will be aware of this though, and I expect him to set his team out to try shock Syne Dyche’s men.
MY PREDICTION: Burnley 1-1 West Brom
LEICESTER V BRIGHTON
Both teams would be looking to make up for last weekend’s defeat to Arsenal and Man City respectively. But if stats are anything to go by, then, I expect Brighton to cause Leicester lots of problem as Leicester haven’t defeated The Seagulls in their last two meetings at the Championship: with Brighton winning one and drawing the other. But this is a different terrain entirely; and I expect Leicester to just win this one at home.
MY PREDICTION: Leicester 2-0 Brighton
LIVERPOOL V CRYSTAL PALACE
This one is going to be very interesting to see; as Anfield has been a soothing ground for Palace – who have won on each of their last three league visits to Liverpool. It will be interesting to see how The Reds try to stop Palace from making it four. Klopp has a lot to worry about on his team’s defending, but still see Liverpool winning this one.
MY PREDICTION: Liverpool 2-1CRYSTAL PALACE
SOUTHAMPTON V WEST HAM
Southampton would be looking to end a run of six Premier League games without scoring a goal – when The Hammers come visiting. West Ham were totally outclassed by United at Old Trafford last time out – and they would be urging to prove their class against The Saints in this one. Still think Southampton will draw this.
MY PREDICTION: Southampton 1-1 West Ham
STOKE V ARSENAL
Arsenal left it late against Leicester last week at The Emirates, and they face a Stoke team that’s always dangerous at home. I still see Arsenal winning here, though – slim.
MY PREDICTION: Stoke 1-2 Arsenal
HUDDERSFIELD V NEWCASTLE
David Wagner and his men pulled a shocking result at Palace last week, and would be looking to build on that win against familiar foe Newcastle. This same fixture in the Championship last season saw Newcastle running away with a 3-1 win. But, given Huddersfield’s impressive showing last time out, I expect them to at least draw this one, if not win.
MY PREDICTION: Huddersfield 2-1 Newcastle
SPURS V CHELSEA
Outrightly the clash of the weekend, as Mauricio Pochettino looks to end his side’s woeful showings at Wembley(recently) and make it home as they did with White Hart Lane last season going the entire season unbeaten there. Their quest might be helped by Chelsea’s lack of depth in squad, after seeing Fabregas and Cahill miss this tie to suspension, with Hazard, Pedro and new signing Bakoyoko missing due to injuries.
MY PREDICTION: Spurs 2-1 Chelsea
MAN CITY V EVERTON
This would be another exciting fixture to look out for – aside the London derby at Wembley. Though not a derby, but the qualities in both teams; just sets this one for an explosive tie. As both teams are among the top spenders in the ongoing transfer window. Everton weren’t really convincing against Stoke last weekend, but, so also were City – who waited until the 75th minute before they could score against newly promoted side Brighton. Looks difficult to call – but I see City squeezing their way past The Toffees in what would be a fiercely contested tie.
MY PREDICTION: Man City 3-2 Everton
Discussion about this post