English Premier League Preview - 2nd Gameweek - Part 2
It’s time for more Premier League Gameweek two tips, focusing on the later games of the weekend. Watford will be looking to build on their opening day win while Manchester United will want to prove that they can continue to be as rampant as they were against Leeds United. On Sunday it’s a big London derby with Arsenal hosting Chelsea while West Ham United will face Leicester City on Monday.
We’ve scoured all the injury news, team selection details and gossip to help you find the best game analysis, match predictions and betting tips.
Brighton and Hove Albion vs Watford
The late game on Saturday evening sees Watford take the trip south to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton and Hove Albion. Brighton came from behind to win last Saturday, scoring twice in the last 20 minutes to wrap up a good win at Turf Moor while Watford destroyed Aston Villa in the first half to set up a 3-2 victory.
Brighton welcome back Aaron Connolly who missed out last weekend for personal reasons, but Danny Welbeck and Tariq Lamptey are both still out for a while with hamstring issues. Dutch defender Joel Veltman misses out again while self-isolating due to Covid issues. Adam Lallana could return to the starting line up having come on at half time against Burnley while Alexis Mac Allister’s goal from the bench might see him rewarded with a start.
Josh King has recovered from injury and could make his Watford debut but he might have to be content with a place on the bench following Watford’s performance last weekend. Juraj Kucka faces a late fitness test having picked up a knock and it might be he misses out. New Turkish midfielder Ozan Tufan probably won’t start for this one either, having signed on loan on Thursday
Watford manager Xisco Munoz has said that he wants his team to play with the same character they showed last weekend. Last time these two teams met in the Premier League the match ended a 1-1 draw
Southampton vs Manchester United
Last weekend was one of contrasting fortunes for these teams. Southampton took an early lead away at Goodison only to capitulate to a 3-1 defeat while Manchester United roared to a 5-1 victory powered by a supercharged Paul Pogba who contributed four assists.
The Saints have no new injury worries and so the question will be how and if Ralph Hasenhuttl shakes things up. New striker Adam Armstrong is already off the mark having scored on debut and he could start up top again alongside. While the departure of Jannik Vestergaard hasn’t helped their defensive set up, tying down James Ward-Prowse to a new contract should settle a few Southampton fan nerves.
Manchester United have now completed the capture of defender Raphael Varane, but he may not start this one as they assess his fitness. Jadon Sancho could dislodge Dan James from his starting role but the fit again Edinson Cavani may have to content himself with a place on the bench after the way Mason Greenwood played last week.
Bruno Fernandes has yet to be on the losing side in any of his 25 away matches for Manchester United in the Premier League, having played in 16 wins and nine draws.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Tottenham Hotspur
It’s another big game for manager Nuno Espirito Santo one week after beating defending Premier League champions Manchester City. This time he returns to his former club looking for another three points against a Wolves side who looked subdued in their defeat to Leicester City last weekend.
Raul Jimenez started his first game last weekend since fracturing his skull and he should start again at Molineux. Wolves however remain without new signing Yerson Mosquera and Willy Boly who are both injured for this game. Against Leicester Wolves boss Bruno Lage opted for a three man forward line with Adama Traore and Francisco Trincao playing either side of Jimenez; it will be interesting to see if they are that bold again.
Nuno rested his whole Spurs first XI in the European Conference League game with Pacos de Ferreira and will probably make eleven changes again for this game with no one particularly impressing in the 1-0 defeat on Thursday. New signing Cristian Romero was at fault for the goal and he will probably find himself back on the bench for this one. The big question of course is if Harry Kane will return – Nuno has said he will only make a decision on that on Saturday.
Spurs forward Son Heung Min has scored 10 goals after dribbling the ball more than 5m since the start of last season – double what any other player has achieved in the same timeframe in the Premier League.
Arsenal vs Chelsea
This is another game between teams who had a contrasting opening day. Arsenal deservedly lost 2-0 away to Brentford in the opening match of the Premier League season while Chelsea crushed Crystal Palace 3-0.
Arsenal were without both Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the opening game and looked poor up front without them. Aubameyang may return having recovered from Covid but Lacazette has yet to resume training. Wilian has also tested positive and could miss out, while new signing Martin Odegaard has not received clearance in time and cannot play.
Chelsea could give a second debut to Romelu Lukaku after the Belgian striker completed his move to Stamford Bridge. He could come in for Christian Pulisic who has tested positive for coronavirus and misses out. Both N’Golo Kante and Hakim Ziyech have recovered from knocks and could come into contention although they may have to be content with places on the bench.
Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy has kept clean sheets in 53% of his games with Chelsea, the best ratio for any keeper in the Premier League.
West Ham United vs Leicester City
Both of these teams come into this game having won their opening fixtures. West Ham came back from being 1-0 and 2-1 down to beat Newcastle 4-2, while a Jamie Vardy goal was enough for Leicester City to beat Wolves 1-0.
West Ham have no new injury concerns, leaving David Moyes to decide if he is to start with the same eleven as last week. The 4-2-3-1 formation seems to suit the Hammers well, allowing Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma space and creativity to support stirker Michail Antonio.
Leicester City should welcome back Timothy Castagne to the squad after he missed out last weekend, but left back Ryan Bertrand remains out having tested positive for coronavirus. Castagne could come in for Luke Thomas on the left hand side of defence, while James Maddison has shaken off a knock picked up last week. Ayoze Perez, Harvey Barnes and Kelechi Iheanacho are fighting for starts in the forward line.
Iheanacho has been involved in four goals against West Ham in his last four Premier League appearances against them for Leicester, scoring three times.
