SATURDAY:
ASTON VILLA V EVERTON
I was very surprised with Aston Villa against Bournemouth because I was very much expecting them to win that game. They never really turned up for that one where they were let down by some poor defending at set pieces which they have hopefully worked on in training.
I get the feeling that there is almost too much pressure on Villa this season with it being Steven Gerrard's first full season in charge. They came 14th last season and whilst Europe may be their ambition, a top 10 finish would represent a good season for them.
Everton have made a couple of good signings this week in Conor Coady and Amadou Onana who could both make their debuts in this game. But they still need that striker with Calvert Lewin set to be out for a number of weeks.
They missed having that out and out no.9 in their opening day defeat to Chelsea as there was nobody in the box to finish the chance they created. Anthony Gordon did work hard up there but never looked comfortable in that role.
PREDICTION: 2-0
I'm very much expecting a response from Villa in this one with it being their first home game of the season and Everton being without an out and out striker. Steven Gerrard has set high standards for his side ever since he's been there and I'm sure that he would've got his side working on the training ground.
ARSENAL V LEICESTER
Arsenal got off the best possible start with their opening day win over Crystal Palace last Friday where all their debutants impressed. William Saliba caught many peoples eyes with his performance as he really stood up when Palace put the pressure on. He'll he hoping that will be the first of many Arsenal appearances.
Leicester are still yet to sign someone in this transfer window and I'm beginning to start worrying for them. I have got them down to qualify for Europe this season but if they don't sign someone between now and the end of the window, I would be fearful of their chances.
They were in control for much of the first half against Brentford in their opening game but somehow let the game slip away from them. That should remind that they need to sign players because their squad really is in need of a refresh.
PREDICTION: 2-1
I've got to give Arsenal the win here because they look a much stronger team than Leicester at the moment. I think Leicester will put pressure on them like Palace did but the Gunners should still have enough quality to win the game.
BRIGHTON V NEWCASTLE
I've never really appreciated the job that Graham Potter has done at Brighton and it's about time that I did. His side are a very good team to watch and look well balanced in all areas. They have lost a couple of key players in Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella but I can still see them push for another top 10 finish.
They were excellent from start to finish against Man United in their opening game and they'll be brimming with confidence going into this game.
Newcastle got off to a good start last weekend with their opening day win over Nottingham Forest where they were dominant right throughout. They had the majority of the ball, created the most chances and they never gave Forest a sniff.
PREDICTION: 1-1
I think this one will be a close game as both sides are good to watch and they also have god managers in charge. They'll bot go for it because of the way they both play but I can't see either side winning it as I think they'll cancel each other out.
MAN CITY V BOURNEMOUTH
Man City got off to the perfect start with their opening day day win at West Ham as did Erling Haaland. The Norwegian showed what City have been lacking over the last couple of seasons in an out and out no.9 who can score goals and make runs in behind. He'll be full of confidence going into this one after the debut he had.
Bournemouth got off to a good start with their opening day win over Aston Villa which was a result they needed because of the games they have coming up. They face Liverpool after this tough one against City and their opening day win over Villa will give them the confidence to help through those games.
They also had a point to prove against Villa as many people including myself have put them down as relegation favourites. They showed that they can compete with the big teams and now they need to show it over a full season.
PREDICTION: 4-0
I think City will be too strong for Bournemouth in this one because of the quality of players they have. Haaland will be backing himself to score again like he does whenever he steps out onto the pitch and I can see him bag another goal or two here.
SOUTHAMPTON V LEEDS
I've put both of these sides to go down this season and this game could be an indicator as to which side is more likely to stay up.
Southampton got completely spanked by Spurs in their opening game where they simply just couldn't cope with them. Defensively they were all over the place like they were at times last season and I really do worry for them this season for that very reason.
Leeds beat Wolves in their opening game where they played pretty well. Brenden Aaronson looked lively throughout and was unlucky to have his goal chalked off as I thought he deserved one given the performance he put in.
PREDICTION: 1-1
I can't really see much in this game. They've both got similar weaknesses in that they're not the best defensively plus they can both at times look wasteful in front of goal. I can't pick a winner from either here.
WOLVES V FULHAM
I starting to worry about Wolves because they've just lost Conor Coady whom I don't know why they've decided to let go. He's been a crucial for Wolves ever since they got promoted for them to lose him is a massive blow. I know they're planning on playing with a back four which Coady doesn't fit into but I still don't understand why they would let their best defender leave.
They have however signed a striker in Goncalo Guedes which was needed as the needed strengthening in that department along with the fact that they're going to be without Raul Jimenez for three months. Goals were a problem for Wolves last season and hopefully Guedes will be the man to address it.
I thought Fulham were excellent in their opening day draw with Liverpool as they pressed them really high and caused them all kinds of problems. Mitrovic certainly proved some of his doubters wrong with the performance he put in which will give him plenty of confidence going into the rest of the season.
Their performance against Liverpool reminded me a bit of Leeds when they came up under Marcelo Bielsa in that they really went for it. Leeds did this whenever they took on the big boys during their first season and it wouldn't surprise me if Fulham did the same to the others this season.
PREDICTION: 1-2
I'm backing Fulham to get their first win here because I can see Mitrovic bully the Wolves defence like he bullied the Liverpool defence last weekend. Their performance against Liverpool will give them confidence and I can see them build on it in this game.
BRENTFORD V MAN UNITED
Brentford showed some character to come from behind and get a draw against Leicester in their opening game and character is up there amongst their strengths. It was good to see Josh Dasilva score a wonder goal after such a long time on the side-lines.
The Bees will really fancy themselves here because of the mess Man United are currently in. The Bees are a club who are better run and better structured plus they have a clear identity unlike United. This is the kind of club United played last week in Brighton who are similar.
Man United were terrible from start to finish against Brighton in every single department. Their work rate off the ball was as bad as it was in the whole of last season and defensively they just looked all over the place. They have no leaders on the pitch and it's been like that for many years.
They're a mess off the pitch too as this week has demonstrated in trying to sign Marko Arnautovic. United should be after big name players who will improve their team and Arnautovic is certainly not one of them.
PREDICTION: 2-0
I'm backing Brentford to win this one because they look a much better team than United at the moment in that they have a clear identity and way of playing. They look strong in all areas and I can see them make the most of a poor United performance.
SUNDAY:
NOTTINGHAM FOREST V WEST HAM
This is a game that Forest fans have been looking forward to for many years as it's their first home game back in the Premier League. The stadium will be rocking and if they're to stay up this season, they'll need to turn their home ground into a fortress as home form is vital for any newly promoted team staying in the league.
Forest are going to need to get used to Premier League life pretty quickly if they're to stay up as their opening day defeat to Newcastle showed us. They were second best throughout the contest and looked disjointed as a result of the many incomings at the club. It will take time for Steve Cooper to find his best 11 but in the Premier League you don't get that time.
West Ham were rather passive against Man City in their opening game as they were rarely in the game after a decent start. Because of the quality of opposition they were facing, they'll see that one as a free hit and look ahead to this one which is more winnable.
The Hammers could give Maxwel Cornet his debut in this one which will give David Moyes' side an extra attacking boost. He impressed many times at Burnley last season and I can see him cause Forest many problems in this game if he plays.
PREDICTION: 0-3
I'm backing West Ham to win this one because I think they'll be too strong for Forest. They are short on defenders but with the quality they have on show, they should have no problems in winning this game.
CHELSEA V TOTTENHAM
Thomas Tuchel has a 100% record against Spurs winning all of his four games against them as Chelsea boss. This will definitely give his side confidence going into this game along with their overall record against Spurs at Stamford Bridge which is very solid.
The Blues got off to a good start with their win at Everton on the opening day but their performance wasn't at all pretty. Thomas Tuchel will want a better showing form his side in this one because of the calibre of team they're facing.
Spurs were very impressive in their opening day win over Southampton where they were just too good for their opponents. None of their new signings started that game which did surprise me but they all should make an appearance in this one with most of them having come off the bench.
Spurs have a terrible record at Stamford Bridge and they'll be eager to put it right with a win in this one. Antonio Conte was Chelsea manager the last time Spurs won this fixture in 2018 and with him in charge and the team looking very strong, Spurs have a good chance here.
PREDICTION: 2-1
I think Chelsea will win this one because they have a good record in this fixture and they've lost to Spurs under Thomas Tuchel. Spurs arguably have the stronger squad but I think Chelsea will get the win here as they have the ability to win these kind of games.
MONDAY:
LIVERPOOL V CRYSTAL PALACE
Liverpool were not at their best against Fulham in their opening game and both Klopp and his players know it. But there were a couple of positives in the performances of Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah who both scored and linked up with each other.
The reds have a bit of an injury crisis going into this game and particularly in midfield but they will have Naby Keita back after recovering from an illness. I didn't think the midfield was an area that Liverpool needed strengthening this summer but with the injuries they have in that department, they might actually need one to bolster their options.
Crystal Palace got off to a losing start against Arsenal last Friday but they did play better in the second half. They really put the pressure on Arsenal during that period of the game after being outplayed for much of the first half but they weren't able to make the most of it.
The fixture list hasn't been kind to Palace as they have another tough fixture in this one against Liverpool before taking on Man City in a couple of weeks. They do have a more winnable fixture next weekend against Aston Villa, but with three of last season top six in three of their opening four games, it has not been a nice start to their season at all.
PREDICTION: 3-0
I'm backing Liverpool to bounce back here because Palace don't press in the same way that Fulham did last weekend. The red do have some injuries but with the forward players they have, they should win this one reasonably comfortably.
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