The second week of the season finally sees every team in action with the climax being the first top six clash of the season between champions Liverpool and a rejuvenated Chelsea side on Super Sunday
After the start of their campaign was delayed due to their exploits in Europe last season, the Manchester clubs also kick-start their campaign.
Saturday
Everton v West Brom (11:30 GMT)
Everton were really impressive and in control of the game during their win at Tottenham last week. Their new signings have raised the level and the toffees are widely expected to finish in the top ten this season.
The Baggies were given a proper welcome back to the top division by Leicester and know they will have to improve in order to stay in the premier league. They have reacted with a few signings including the experienced Branislav Ivanovic who can help steady things in the defence for them.
Prediction: 3-0
Leeds v Fulham (14:00 GMT)
These are the other two promoted teams and, like West Brom, they both lost last weekend. Those results do not really tell the full story, though. Leeds could not really have had a much more positive return to the top flight, despite their defeat at Anfield.
Fulham will have to improve defensively if they will stay on in the division this season as some of the goals they conceded against Arsenal were avoidable.
Prediction: 1-0
Man Utd v Crystal Palace (16:30 GMT)
This is Manchester United’s first game back, while Crystal Palace started well, with a good win over Southampton.
With Michy Batshuayi on loan from Chelsea, the Eagles look like they have a few avenues for goals, which has been a problem for them in the past.
Despite this being a tough test, I do still see Manchester United falling over the line again
Prediction: 2-1
Arsenal v West Ham (19:00 GMT)
Arsenal have been top of the league all week, which does not mean very much after only one game, apart from the confidence you get from knowing you have made a really good start.
West Ham, on the other hand, were namby-pamby in their defeat by Newcastle, and need to improve immediately with the fixtures on the horizon.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s new contract will help build Arsenal’s belief and I can see him getting a couple of goals to endorse the contract.
Prediction: 2-1
Super Sunday
Southampton v Tottenham (11:00 GMT)
Spurs were poor in their first game against everton and limped over the line in the Europa League qualification match against nine-man Lokomotiv Plovdiv.
Jose Mourinho knows his side needs to improve hence the move for Bale and Reguilon who I don’t think will feature in this game.
Southampton has also had a wishy-washy start to the season with a defeat in the premier league and caraboa cup. They will not want a repeat of the poor start they had to last season which included a 9-0 loss to Leicester city.
Prediction: 1-1
Newcastle v Brighton (13:00 GMT)
Newcastle have had a great transfer window and they proved it last weekend with their win at West Ham.
Two of their new signings, Jeff Hendrick and Callum Wilson, scored which is always nice, particularly Wilson’s goal.
Brighton played well against Chelsea and were unfortunate not to come away with any point. Ghanaian International Tariq Lamptey particularly stood out and will definitely be amongst the best young players this season.
Newcastle has never beaten Brighton in the top flight and I think this run will continue with a draw.
Prediction: 1-1
Chelsea v Liverpool (15:30 GMT)
Chelsea kicked off their campaign with a good win over Brighton while Liverpool’s performance against Leeds was a bit patchier, but with the same result.
The match at Anfield after the restart last season was a thriller and this match could provide the same kind of excitement with the defensive fragilities both sides have shown inrecent games.
I expect a high scoring match with some really exciting talent on show
Prediction: 2-3
Leicester v Burnley (18:00 GMT)
Leicester looked good last week and this is a tough way to start the Premier League season for Burnley, who have not made any significant signings so far this summer.
Leicester will get over the line but Burnley will definitely not make it easy for them.
Prediction: 2-0
MONDAY
Aston Villa v Sheff Utd (17:00 GMT)
This fixture was the first game played when last season restarted in June, when Sheffield United scored but the goal-line technology missed it.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, will be buoyed by Jack Grealish signing his new contract. Now he really needs to kick on and put a string of big performances together, because they need him to.
The signings of Emiliano Martinez and Ollie Watkins will be a boost for Villa too – Dean Smith knows all about Watkins because he signed him for Brentford from Exeter in 2017 – and I think they will start their season with a win.
Prediction: 1-0
Wolves v Man City (19:15 BST)
Wolves away is one of the hardest games any team will face this season, so it is hardly the ideal way for Manchester City to belatedly start their campaign.
Wolves are already up and running – we saw that with their early goals against Sheffield United – and City cannot afford to be off their game, because we all know what happened when they played Wolves last season. They lost, home and away.
All things considered, I think city will hit the ground running with a win against wolves and lay down a marker for their title aspirations.
Prediction: 1-2
