Premier League Gameweek 2 Preview

The second weekend of Premier League action is upon us and there are 10 more tantalising fixtures ahead as the new campaign begins to take shape. The opening round of fixtures are often hard to predict but there were wins for would-be title contenders Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City. The likes of Burnley, Brentford, Wolves and West Ham have all been earmarked for testing seasons and duly lost on matchday one without much resistance.

There’s a London derby on Friday as West Ham entertain Chelsea, while the revivals of Manchester City and Tottenham will be tested in their lunchtime meeting on Saturday and Manchester United head for a happy hunting ground on Sunday to face Fulham.

The weekend’s Premier League fixtures are below, along with our three best bets for the action.

Friday August 22nd

• West Ham vs Chelsea (8pm)

Saturday August 23rd

• Man City vs Tottenham (12.30pm)
• Bournemouth vs Wolves (3pm)
• Brentford vs Aston Villa (3pm)
• Burnley vs Sunderland (3pm)
• Arsenal vs Leeds (5.30pm)

Sunday August 24th

• Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest (2pm)
• Everton vs Brighton (2pm)
• Fulham vs Manchester United (4.30pm)

Monday August 25th

• Newcastle vs Liverpool (8pm)

Tip 1: Manchester United to beat Fulham @ 23/20

Fulham’s home record has always been a staple of their Premier League status but, last season, Marco Silva’s side earned more points on the road than they did at Craven Cottage. This season began with Fulham snatching a late point at Brighton but their first run out by the River Thames brings a most unwelcome visitor in Manchester United. 

Recent seasons have been testing for the Red Devils but trips to Craven Cottage have remained a real source of success. United have won their last eight league outings at this venue and haven’t lost at the Cottage since 2009.

There were enough positives in the 1-0 loss against Arsenal to believe Ruben Amorim’s side will make progress this season and they can collect their regular three-point profit from a visit to a Fulham side who have stood still over the summer.

Tip 2: Arsenal Half Time/Full Time & Gabriel Martinelli anytime goalscorer @ 3/1

Mikel Arteta will be demanding more from Arsenal but, at the same time, the Spaniard will have been thrilled to take all three points from Old Trafford last weekend when his side were not at their best. Leeds also made a winning return to the top flight, a controversial penalty seeing them over the line against a disappointing Everton side at Elland Road, but Daniel Farke’s outfit are in for a much more searching test at the Emirates.

The Gunners have won 12 and drawn two of the last 14 meetings with Leeds, with Arsenal in front at half-time en route to victory in each of the last four. Winger Gabriel Martinelli has two goals and two assists in four appearances against Leeds – all wins for the Gunners – and the Brazilian could find more joy in this Saturday evening showdown.

Tip 3: Tottenham to beat Manchester City & BTTS @ 8/1

Both Manchester City and Tottenham endured difficult Premier League seasons last time out, but this campaign has started brightly for the pair with City 4-0 winners at Wolves and Tottenham easing to a 3-0 home success against Burnley. Pep Guardiola and his side are seeking to put last season’s malaise behind them but some more robust testing is required before passing judgement on their rehabilitation.

Spurs have won four and drawn one of the last eight league meetings between these sides. They bullied City in a 4-0 win in this fixture last season and the Lilywhites have two wins and a draw in the last four league meetings at the Etihad, scoring 12 goals. New boss Thomas Frank has made decent early progress and, for 85 minutes, they looked very composed in the UEFA Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain. Given their excellent record in this fixture, the odds on an entertaining Spurs success look overpriced.