FRIDAY:
NOTTINGHAM FOREST V SHEFFIELD UNITED
Nottingham Forest ended their opening game against Arsenal quite strongly after being outplayed for most of the contest. They showed more fight than I thought they would.
Their home form was what kept them up last season and it's set to be crucial again this season. With them being at home for this one, I fancy them to win here.
Sheffield United hardly showed anything in their opening game against Crystal Palace and I really do fear for them.
They did sign Tom Davies from Everton during the week but for them to stay up they need to get more players through the door and quickly. Especially forward players because they don't have many goals in their team.
PREDICTION: 2-1
SATURDAY:
FULHAM V BRENTFORD
Fulham picked up a smash and grab win over Everton on the opening day with Everton having the majority of the chances. I was surprised that Aleksandar Mitrovic played in that one and him playing is a sign that he could be staying.
The Cottagers signed Adama Traore from Wolves during the week and he could make his debut in this game. They've got a lot of pace in their attack now and I think it will cause Brentford a lot of problems here.
Brentford showed that they can cope without Ivan Toney in their opening day draw with Spurs with both Wissa and Mbeumo stepping up. Their overall performance was encouraging and those kind of players stepping up is another positive sign.
The Bees are arguably a more powerful side than Fulham who have more technically gifted players. It's going to be close, but I think Fulham will just edge it.
PREDICTION: 2-1
LIVERPOOL V BOURNEMOUTH
Liverpool won this fixture 9-0 last season and Scott Parker was sacked by Bournemouth just a few days later.
The reds started well in their opening game against Chelsea and were unlucky not to come away with all three points. Both new signings Mac Allister and Szoboszlai impressed but they still need that defensive midfielder.
Their search for a defensive midfield player took another blow during the week with Romeo Lavia turning them down for a move to Chelsea days after Moises Caceido turned them down. But they are closing in on Stuttgart midfielder Wataru Endo and it's crucial that they get him in before the window closes.
Bournemouth are a more possession based team under Andoni Iraola as their opening day draw with West Ham showed. But I still think it will take them time to fully get used to the way he wants them to play.
They'll probably try and play their possession based game here but I think they'll be punished if they do. Liverpool have some quality attacking players who will pounce onto any mistake and I can see them do that here.
PREDICTION: 4-1
WOLVES V BRIGHTON
Wolves were arguably the better side in their opening game against Man United on Monday as they had the better chances on the day. But their familiar failings in front of goal came back to haunt them.
Goals were their problem last season as they scored the fewest in the league. They'll show show some fight and desire like they did on Monday, but they won't get the result their effort deserves.
Brighton lost Moises Caceido to Chelsea during the week which is a massive blow and especially after losing Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool. They'll surely be looking to spend the money they got for Caceido on players to bolster the depth of their squad. Especially as they'll be in Europe this season.
Caceido didn't feature at all in their opening game against Luton where they did well without him. It wasn't as comfortable a win as the score line suggested but they still put in a good enough performance to win the game.
The Seagulls beat Wolves 6-0 the last time the two sides met but I don't see them winning this one as comfortably. Wolves will show spirit but I think Brighton will have enough quality in the final third to win the game.
PREDICTION: 0-2
TOTTENHAM V MAN UNITED
There were positives for Spurs in their opening game draw with Brentford in the way they played. But the game itself showed that they need to sign a Harry Kane replacement. Richarlison was ineffective throughout against Brentford and if Spurs are to challenge for a top four spot this season, they need to buy a Harry Kane replacement before the window closes.
Man United looked flat against Wolves on Monday and were lucky to win the game. Wolves had the better chances and probably should've had a penalty.
Their away form last season was poor and especially against sides in the top half. But I do think they'll put that behind them here as they have players who can hurt Spurs.
Like Spurs, they don't score many goals. But I do think their attacking players will show up here.
PREDICTION: 0-2
MAN CITY V NEWCASTLE
Man City were given a tough game by Sevilla in the Super Cup in midweek and had to rely on penalties to get them over the line.
I felt sorry for Kevin De Bruyne having to miss that game as he's set to be out for four months with a knee injury. his loss will be a massive blow for City but they do have players who can step up. Bernardo Silva has stepped up in his absence before and could do so again. It could also give Phil Foden the chance to become City's main man in midfield.
Newcastle got off to a flyer with their opening day win over Aston Villa where their new signings made their mark. Especially Sandro Tonali who I see as someone who could take the Magpies onto the next level. I asked that question in my key points of the weekend post.
There was once a time when the Magpies got battered by City every time they went to the Etihad. That's certainly not the case now and hasn't been for the last few seasons.
Eddie Howe's side will definitely have a go at City like they did at St James' Park last season. But with City being the team they are, I think they'll have more than enough quality to win here.
PREDICTION: 2-0
SUNDAY:
ASTON VILLA V EVERTON
Aston Villa got completely battered by Newcastle in their opening game with Tyrone Mings' injury definitely playing a part. Their defensive structure went out the window when Mings went off as their high line tactic failed drastically.
I think they'll bounce back here simply because they have more firepower than Everton do. Ollie Watkins went on an incredible run of form towards the end of last season and I can see him get off the mark in this one.
Everton did everything but score against Fulham in their opening game as they had a lot of chance but weren't able to take any of them. Goals were their Achilles heal last season and in my key points of the weekend post, I mentioned that they needed a striker and quickly.
Neal Maupay doesn't score enough at this level, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has struggled with injuries and Youssef Chermiti is only 19. They need to sign a proven goal scorer otherwise they're going to be in another relegation battle.
PREDICTION: 2-0
WEST HAM V CHELSEA
West Ham signed James Ward-Prowse during the week and he could make his debut in this game. He's definitely a good signing for the Hammers because of his deliveries from set pieces and if there is one area that the Hammers are dangerous from, it's set pieces.
Chelsea also got a new signing through the door in Moises Caceido and are close to signing Romeo Lavia. Both of whom turned down moves to Liverpool after a fee for them was accepted.
They played well in the second half against Liverpool with Disasi's debut goal giving them the momentum. Their wing-backs in James and Chilwell both impressed and are set to be key to how Pochettino wants his team to play. But the bad news for them is that they're likely to be without James for a while.
The blues have won just one of their last six visits to the London Stadium and they'll again be expecting another tough game here. West Ham are a tough side to play against under David Moyes and with Pochettino still working out what his best team is, I think the Hammers will frustrate them here.
PREDICTION: 1-1
MONDAY:
CRYSTAL PALACE V ARSENAL
Crystal Palace got off to a good start with their opening game win over Sheffield United which was a controlled and dominant display. They were in control from start to finish.
Getting Michael Olise tied down to a new contract was massive and had they lost him to Chelsea, I would've feared for Palace massively. Especially after losing Zaha.
Arsenal got off to a winning start with their win over Nottingham Forest but they weren't particularly comfortable during the final moments as Forest showed some fight. But they got the win and that was all that mattered.
They've already been dealt another major blow with new signing Jurrien Timber set to miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury. With Jesus set to miss a portion of the season through injury as well, the Gunners' strength in depth might not be as strong as it might've been a few weeks ago.
But they should still have enough to win here because of the quality they possess in attack. Palace will make it difficult for them as Selhurst Park is a tough place to go to. But the Gunners should still have enough quality in their team to claim the points.
PREDICTION: 0-2
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