The Premier League is back, and it’s back with a bang.
The opening weekend saw no draws and 34 goals scored across ten games, the second most prolific opening weekend ever. (2003/04, in which 36 goals were scored, is the most prolific.)
With seven games being won by the home team, home advantage also returned thanks to maximum capacity crowds being allowed again.
That will likely continue into matchday 2, although not for every team playing at home…
Liverpool vs Burnley
Liverpool got off to a fantastic start away to Norwich, scoring three goals without reply and turning in a convincing performance.
Starting their campaign off against the same team as when they won the league two seasons ago, Mohammed Salah was excellent, creating two goals and scoring the third. Ominously for their title rivals, the Merseyside club also welcomed back stalwart defender Virgil van Dijk.
Burnley were slightly unlucky against Brighton: Gudmundsson struck the post before Mee headed against the bar, both when they were 1-0 to the good.
Liverpool should have too much for them here, though, especially as they welcome back the Anfield faithful in full. They will also be keen to avenge last season’s Anfield defeat to Burnley, a result that ended their 68-game unbeaten home run.
SCORE PREDICTION: 2-0
Aston Villa vs Newcastle
After being tipped as many people’s dark horses for a European spot, Aston Villa had a shocking opening day, being 3-0 down to newly promoted Watford before recovering the scoreline to a more respectable 3-2.
Newcastle, on the other hand, looked pretty good for the first 50 minutes against West Ham. Although eventually overpowered, they could also count themselves slightly unlucky, with West Ham’s third goal coming from a contentiously awarded penalty.
With new signing Joe Willock available to them this weekend, this could be quite a good game. Willock will also be looking to extend his seven-game scoring run carried over from last season.
SCORE PREDICTION: 2-2
Crystal Palace vs Brentford
Patrick Vieira could not have asked for a tougher start to his managerial career at Palace than an away game at Chelsea. Indeed, his team were completely outclassed.
This should be a more even game, however, and give a good idea of what to expect from Palace this season. Brentford will provide a tough test, especially after bullying Arsenal to register their first ever Premier League win. In much the same way they did to Arsenal, they will also press the life out of the Eagles, so it will be interesting to see how Palace and their more progressive approach under Vieira copes.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-1
Leeds United vs Everton
Like Newcastle against West Ham, Leeds were in the game for the first 50 minutes of their game against Manchester United before being blown away by a devastating second half performance.
Everton, on the other hand, got off to a good start under new manager Rafael Benitez. After struggling in the first half against Southampton, Benitez moved Richarlison down the middle, a decision that proved fruitful as the Brazilian scored one and set up another.
This game is a difficult one to call. Leeds will attack in their usual manner and Benitez will be pragmatic, setting Everton up to nullify the threat. The Elland Road crowd, witnessing Premier League football in full for the first time since 2004, might just make the difference.
SCORE PREDICTION: 3-2
Manchester City vs Norwich
Manchester City played some good football for the first 15-minutes in their defeat at Tottenham. Thereafter, all their intensity when in possession was lost as they were deservedly beaten.
Norwich also played some good football in their defeat to Liverpool. Unfortunately for them, it was a similar story to when they were relegated two seasons ago, unable to convert any of the chances they created. While they will not be judged in games against the Premier League’s elite, it was not a good sign.
Interestingly, the defeat to Liverpool means the Canaries have now lost 11 consecutive Premier League games, a record topped only by Sunderland’s 20-game losing streak between 2003 and 2005. They will want to put an end to that streak this weekend against a team they beat in stunning fashion the last time they were in the top-flight, albeit at Carrow Road. With City being wounded from their opening day loss, however, and likely welcoming back John Stones, Kyle Walker, and Kevin de Bruyne (if he isn’t injured) to their starting eleven, the Canaries will have their work cut out.
SCORE PREDICTION: 4-0
Brighton vs Watford
Both of these teams enjoyed great opening day victories, Brighton overcoming Burnley at Turf Moor thanks to two inspired substitutions by manager Graham Potter, and Watford outplaying big spending Aston Villa.
As manager Xisco Munoz pointed out post-match, the Hornets were helped by a raucous atmosphere. Obviously, this weekend will be slightly different.
Both teams will want to build on their winning starts. Brighton, whose two goals at Turf Moor meant they exceeded their xG for once, should nonetheless have just too much for their opponents.
SCORE PREDICTION: 2-1
Southampton vs Manchester United
Manchester United have the chance to match Arsenal’s record 27 away game unbeaten run when they visit Southampton on Sunday. After Bruno Fernandes, Pogba, Greenwood and co blew Leeds away in the second half last weekend, they look good to secure a positive result against the team they beat 9-0 last February.
Indeed, adding Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho into the mix means Southampton will struggle to stop them. A decent first half performance and a debut goal for new signing Adam Armstrong were positives to take from their opening weekend, but the defeat to Everton means the Saints have won just 4 of their last 21 top-flight games, an ominous record.
SCORE PREDICTION: 0-3
Wolves vs Tottenham
Nuno Espirito Santo got off to a dream and somewhat unexpected start last weekend thanks to the ever-reliable Son Heung-Min. It was a good performance by Tottenham who looked resolute yet threatening, tenaciously soaking up pressure against Manchester City before hitting them on the break.
The victory also means that the Portuguese should not be too concerned by their midweek defeat to Pacos de Ferreira in the Europa Conference League. While frustrating, Nuno left the eleven that started against City at home, instead placing his trust in a very youthful team.
It was the usual story for Wolves away to Leicester, however. While more adventurous under new manager Bruno Lage, Adama Traore wasted a guilt-edged chance with the score at 0-0 as their troubles in front of goal from last season continued.
With Nuno returning to his former club, and his replacement Lage taking charge of his first home game, it should make for an intriguing watch.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2
Arsenal vs Chelsea
This one could get messy.
Arsenal were bullied and out-fought away to newly promoted Brentford, the second goal epitomising everything that has been wrong with the North London club for some time now. With that in mind, imagine what Chelsea’s new signing Romelu Lukaku, now available for the club after completing his time in quarantine, will do to them.
The Blues looked ominous in their 3-0 win against Palace, a victory that emphasised their title credentials.
Everything is therefore pointing to a comfortable away victory, a result that would make a packed Emirates Stadium incredibly toxic and would mount serious pressure onto Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta already. Yet this fixture has brought out the best in Arsenal in recent years: a 3-1 home victory last season turned around Arsenal’s season and Arteta’s fortunes after an awful start, before the club completed the double over Chelsea for the first time since the unbeaten season of 2003/04.
Still, the gulf in quality between the teams means a repeat of such results seems too much of a stretch this time round.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-3
West Ham vs Leicester
West Ham carried on where they left off last season, taking apart Newcastle with a clinical second half performance. Said Benrahma continued his excellent preseason form with a goal and an assist, while Michail Antonio terrorised Newcastle’s defenders with his pace and power, deservedly scoring the goal which took him level with West Ham legend Paolo Di Canio as the club’s all-time Premier League top scorer.
Leicester also enjoyed an opening day victory, the evergreen Jamie Vardy showing his class once again by scoring a superbly taken goal. The Foxes will be eager to get one over on West Ham after losing both games to the East London club last term.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-1
Featured image by Kevin Walsh from Preston Brook, England – Keita and Salah, CC BY 2.0; no changes made.
