The Premier League returns this weekend, and after a dramatic opening round, we’ve already got plenty to talk about.
Manchester United were beaten by newly promoted Hull. Everton made a winning start. Liverpool needed a 99th-minute penalty to rescue a point at Newcastle, while Brighton absolutely destroyed Aston Villa 4–0.
Now it’s time for Matchweek 2.
We’ve made a prediction for all 10 fixtures, but at the end we’ll reveal the games we’re most confident about.
Crystal Palace 1–2 Manchester City
Palace made a disappointing start, losing 2–0 away at Everton.
City, meanwhile, had to work hard to beat Bournemouth 2–1 after conceding first.
So neither side comes into this one looking completely convincing.
Selhurst Park is never an easy place to visit, but City have the quality to come away with the points.
Prediction: Manchester City win
Goals: Over 2.5
BTTS: Yes
Liverpool 2–1 Nottingham Forest
Liverpool were extremely fortunate to escape Newcastle with a point last weekend.
They were 2–1 down deep into stoppage time before Dominik Szoboszlai converted a late penalty to rescue a 2–2 draw.
Forest, meanwhile, lost 1–0 at home to Leeds.
Liverpool should have much more control at Anfield, but their defensive performance against Newcastle means I’m not completely convinced they’ll keep a clean sheet.
Prediction: Liverpool win
Goals: Over 2.5
BTTS: Yes
Bournemouth 1–2 Everton
Here we go again.
We’re already on record backing Everton as our surprise package for the season, and they’ve made a very good start by beating Crystal Palace 2–0.
Bournemouth pushed Manchester City hard before eventually losing 2–1, so this certainly isn’t an easy game for Everton.
But we’re going to double down.
Everton to win.
Prediction: Everton win
Goals: Over 2.5
BTTS: Yes
Coventry City 1–1 Hull City
Two newly promoted sides meet at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Coventry were beaten 3–0 by Arsenal on the opening night, while Hull produced one of the shocks of the weekend by beating Manchester United 2–0.
Hull will arrive full of confidence, but Coventry should be a completely different proposition at home.
I’m expecting a competitive game and a share of the points.
Prediction: Draw
Goals: Under 2.5
BTTS: Yes
Tottenham 2–2 Newcastle
This could be one of the games of the weekend.
Tottenham were beaten 3–0 by Brentford in their opener, while Newcastle looked on course for three points against Liverpool before that very late penalty.
Both sides have plenty of attacking quality, and both have something to prove.
I’m expecting goals.
Prediction: Draw
Goals: Over 2.5
BTTS: Yes
Chelsea 2–1 Brighton
Chelsea made a winning start, beating Fulham 3–2 in a London derby.
Brighton, meanwhile, couldn’t have started better, absolutely hammering Aston Villa 4–0.
So this could be a really entertaining game.
Chelsea have home advantage, but Brighton’s attacking threat makes me think they can get on the scoresheet.
Prediction: Chelsea win
Goals: Over 2.5
BTTS: Yes
Leeds 1–1 Brentford
Leeds made an excellent start by beating Nottingham Forest 1–0 away from home.
Brentford were arguably even more impressive, destroying Tottenham 3–0.
Both sides have already shown that they can be difficult to play against.
I’m struggling to separate them here.
Prediction: Draw
BTTS: Yes
Sunderland 1–1 Fulham
Sunderland were beaten 2–1 by Ipswich after conceding a 90th-minute winner, while Fulham lost 3–2 at home to Chelsea.
Both will be looking for their first points of the season.
Sunderland should have a big atmosphere behind them, but Fulham have enough quality to cause problems.
I’m going for a draw.
Prediction: Draw
Goals: Under 2.5
BTTS: Yes
Manchester United 2–1 Ipswich
This is an interesting one.
Manchester United couldn’t have had a worse start, losing 2–0 to newly promoted Hull.
Ipswich, meanwhile, marked their Premier League return with a 2–1 victory over Sunderland, including a 90th-minute winner.
Ipswich will arrive at Old Trafford believing they can cause another upset.
But United have to respond.
I’m backing them to get their first three points of the season.
Prediction: Manchester United win
Goals: Over 2.5
BTTS: Yes
Aston Villa 1–2 Arsenal
Villa’s opening weekend was a disaster.
A 4–0 defeat to Brighton isn’t the start Unai Emery would have wanted.
Arsenal, meanwhile, comfortably beat Coventry 3–0 and looked very comfortable in their opening game.
Villa should improve considerably at home, but Arsenal look like the stronger side right now.
Prediction: Arsenal win
Goals: Over 2.5
BTTS: Yes
🔥 Our Top Calls
We’ve predicted all 10, but these are the four that stand out to us.
🏆 Best Result
Manchester United to beat Ipswich
After losing 2–0 to Hull, plenty of people will be tempted to write United season off already. But they have to bounce back and I think they will.
⚽ Best Goals Pick
Over 2.5 — Tottenham vs Newcastle
Two teams with attacking quality, both coming off results they’ll want to improve on.
🥅 Best BTTS
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest — Yes
Liverpool should create plenty at Anfield, but after what happened at Newcastle, I’m not convinced their defence is completely trustworthy yet.
💥 Boldest Call
Everton to beat Bournemouth
We’re doubling down on our Everton top-half prediction.
Ten Games. Ten Predictions.
The opening weekend certainly gave us plenty to talk about.
Now we’ve put our Matchweek 2 predictions on record.
Come back after the weekend and we’ll see whether we’re starting to look like geniuses…
…or whether we’re going to have to quietly delete this article.
