Week 2 of the EPL: exciting fixtures ahead
What a great first week of Premier League football! Makes you wonder just how we got through a summer without it. Ups, downs, surprises this is what it’s all about. City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs and United all managed to record victories with Arsenal losing at home to City in the first clash this season between the big 6. Everton who had a busy transfer window bringing in some big-name signings where held to a disappointing draw away at Wolves. We look forward to more exciting action the second week as we help you to pick the winners and losers in our Premier League week 2 predictions of the 2018-2019 season!
Cardiff City vs Newcastle United
Kick-off: Saturday, 18 August
Cardiff City got off to a bad start as they put in a disappointing performance at Dean Court. The Bluebirds only managed a single shot on target in their first game back in the Premier League. Cardiff were never able to hold on to the ball for long enough to get anything going and this will need to be improved going forward or they’ll quickly become the league’s whipping boys.
The Magpies too kicked off their 2018/19 Premier League campaign on a sour note as the were beaten in front of 50,000 expectant fans at St. James’ Park. The loss was even harder to accept given that either side could have won the match and a draw would have most likely been a fair result.
Newcastle will need to shore themselves up at the back as they were caught out one too many times by the Spurs’ offence last week. Their defence looked panicked every time the ball was hoisted into the air, with both Spurs’ goals coming from headers.
Despite that result Newcastle had a lot of positives to take from their performance with their attacking players looking very energetic. The Magpies’ only goal of the game coming through a fantastic bit of play which ended with Joselu heading in a perfectly weighted Matt Ritchie cross, before Delle Alli managed to get on the end of Aurier’s cross helping Spurs to best the Magpies on the day.
This Saturday’s fixture away at Cardiff City Stadium represents a massive opportunity to get back on course.
We are tipping Newcastle to take all three points at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Correct Score: 0-2
[maxbutton id=”1″ url=”http://www.bet365.com/dl/~offer?affiliate=365_817361″ ]
Up to £100 in bet credits for new sign-ups
Tottenham vs Fulham
Kick-off: Saturday, 18 August
Spurs host the Cottagers at Wembley for another London derby. They will be eager to grab a victory against their cross-town rivals who are still trying to find their feet in the Premier League having just been promoted.
Spurs kick-started their Premier League campaign by grabbing all three points in a tight encounter with Newcastle United. Their visit to St. James’ Park was their 4th victory in their last five visits there. Jan Vertonghen and Dele Alli both opened their accounts the season, whilst world cup hero Harry Kane was only able to pick up a yellow card.
Spurs were fortunate to come away with all 3 points. Having put in a good performance the fixture really could have gone either way. That being said, Spurs had 9 players involved in the World Cup semi-finals so they may need more time to reach full match fitness. With this fixture awaiting them in week 2 Pocchetino’s men will be licking their lips having watched Fulham’s first loss of the Campaign against Crystal Palace the other week.
Fulham enjoyed the majority of possession at Craven Cottage last week but were unable to translate that into goals. They managed 6 shots on target but never looked too dangerous. Jokanovic’s men will need to be more direct and more clinical with their chances if they are to have a chance in this fixture.
We are tipping Spurs to win this one comfortably at Wembley.
Correct score: 3-0
[maxbutton id=”1″ url=”http://www.bet365.com/dl/~offer?affiliate=365_817361″ ]
Up to £100 in bet credits for new sign-ups
West Ham United vs Bournemouth
Kick-off: Saturday, 18 August
West Ham got hammered 4-0 last time out as they took on Liverpool at Anfield. Liverpool tore West Ham apart and Pellegrini is not worried, he should be. West Ham barely had any possession and managed only two shots on target. The team looked out of sorts in general and Pellegrini’s substitutions and the timing off them would have raised little more than eyebrows.
Having finished 13th last season it seems like West Ham fans are in for another long season ahead and if this performance was anything to go by. We expect Pellegrini’s to be one of the first names on the chopping block this season.
Bournemouth finished just above West Ham last season and having been enjoying life in the Premier League these last few seasons. They began their campaign with a confident 2-0 victory over Cardiff the other week. The Cherries put in a confident and professional performance and we expect more from the same of Eddie Howe’s men.
We are tipping Bournemouth to come away with the win at London Stadium.
Correct Score: 1-2
[maxbutton id=”1″ url=”http://www.bet365.com/dl/~offer?affiliate=365_817361″ ]
Up to £100 in bet credits for new sign-ups
Leicester vs Wolves
Kick-off: Saturday, 18 August
Leicester lost arguably their best player in Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian was an instrumental figure in the Foxes’ 2015/16 championship run, his partnership with Jamie Vardy helping the club win its first and only Premier League honour. High profile exits have been a common theme for Leicester since that dream season and this transfer window was no different. With no significant arrivals the fans must be questioning the board’s commitment to the club’s success.
Leicester kicked off their 2018/19 Premier League campaign with a visit to the intimidating Old Trafford. Unfortunately, their season did not get off to the start they would have wanted as they lost the match 2-1, their only consolation coming from a Jamie Vardy consolation goal well into injury time.
Leicester’s lack of discipline at the back was glaringly exposed by the Manchester United attack, giving away a penalty early in the first half and finding themselves lucky not to have given away a second when Mata’s shot was deflected by Wes Morgan’s dragging hand. They will need to tighten up at the back if they are to win this one.
Wolves managed to kick off their Premier League campaign with a positive result managing a draw as they hosted big spending Everton. Ruben Never seems to have adjusted quickly to Premier League football grabbing Wolves’ first goal and setting up the second. But we are remaining grounded, Everton were reduced to 10 men before Wolves ever looked like threatening, so this will be a real test of their resolve.
We are backing Leicester to bag all three points at the King Power Stadium.
Correct Score: 2-1
[maxbutton id=”1″ url=”http://www.bet365.com/dl/~offer?affiliate=365_817361″ ]
Up to £100 in bet credits for new sign-ups
Everton vs Southampton
Kick-off: Saturday, 18 August
Everton will be disappointed with their 2-2 draw away to Wolves last week. They had drawn first blood and looked firmly in control when they were reduced to 10 men in the 40th minute.
Marco Silva will not need to worry too much about Phil Jagielka missing this fixture after he was shown a straight red for a reckless challenge on Diogo Jota as Mina waits in the wings to make his debut. Silva and Everton fans alike will both be thrilled with the instant impact of Brasilian signing Richarlison who grabbed a brace in his Premier League debut for the club, one of his goals coming after Everton were reduced to ten men.
The pressure will be on the Toffees to bounce back from that defeat as they host Southampton this week. If they can reproduce their performance in the first 30 minutes they should have no issues doing so.
Southampton were lucky to survive the drop last season and there hasn’t been enough activity this summer to convince us they will manage to do so again. A goalless draw against Burnley last week left them the happier of the two sides and Mark Hughes would shake your hand if you had to offer him that now.
We are tipping Everton to take all three points at Goodison.
Correct Score: 2-0
[maxbutton id=”1″ url=”http://www.bet365.com/dl/~offer?affiliate=365_817361″ ]
Up to £100 in bet credits for new sign-ups
Chelsea vs Arsenal
Kick-off: Saturday, 18 August
The second London derby of the day sees Sarri’s Blues host Emery’s Arsenal side. Chelsea have not managed a victory in this fixture in the last six meetings between these two sides, their last victory coming in April 2017.
Chelsea recovered from their Charity Shield defeat to Manchester City to comfortably dismiss Huddersfield at the John Smith’s stadium. Chelsea went ahead through their midfield engine Kante, who is normally better known for his defensive prowess, and never looked back. Sarri will also be very happy that new signing Jorginho was able to cap a confident Premier League debut with a goal to help boost his confidence following his poor performance in the Charity Shield.
The biggest plus in that victory for the blues was the fact that everyone was getting involved in the action, with three different scorers. Chelsea looked like the team of old, playing with a free-flowing style that same them climb to the summit of English football not so long ago. Sarri will look to continue building on that and draw confidence from last weeks performance in what will most certainly be a more challenging encounter.
Arsenal put in the kind of performance we’ve become used to under Arsene Wenger’s twilight years. Lacking in character and desire the Arsenal players all looked like they’d rather be anywhere than on the field as City picked them apart. Emery has a tough job, trying to reinvent the club Wenger built, perhaps he should give Moyes a ring? Looking at Emery on the sideline we can’t help but think that he is another name for the guillotine once heads begin to role.
Mr BigWin is tipping Chelsea to secure the win at Stamford Bridge.
Correct score: 2-1
[maxbutton id=”1″ url=”http://www.bet365.com/dl/~offer?affiliate=365_817361″ ]
Up to £100 in bet credits for new sign-ups
Manchester City vs Huddersfield
Kick-off: Sunday, 19 August
Manchester City took off right where they left off easily sweeping past Arsenal 0-2 at the Emirates. Although Arsenal did enjoy long spells of possession City were solid at the back, limiting Arsenal to just 3 shots on target and clinical going forward.
Pep will be happy with the solid performance and is calling on his team to start building momentum for the long season ahead as they look to defend their title.
Huddersfield were another side which were lucky to survive relegation to the Championship last season and it looks like more of the same this season judging from their drubbing at the hands of Chelsea last week. This week’s fixture is no easier as they visit the Etihad to face the reigning champions.
We are tipping City to cruise to victory at the Etihad.
Correct score: 4-0
[maxbutton id=”1″ url=”http://www.bet365.com/dl/~offer?affiliate=365_817361″ ]
Up to £100 in bet credits for new sign-ups
Burnley vs Watford
Kick-off: Sunday, 19 August
Burnley started off their campaign with a disappointing draw away to Southampton. We think that Burnley will struggle to cope with European and Premier League football as the season progresses. That being said, we expect them to be in better shape at the start of the season. If they don’t begin racking up points now they could find themselves fighting to survive the drop come the end of the season. This week’s fixture against Watford provides the perfect chance to get back to winning ways.
Watford got their 2018/19 Premier League campaign off to a great start grabbing all the points at Vicarage Road when they hosted Brighton with Pereyra grabbing both goals. This week’s fixtures at Turf Moor where they’ll take on hosts Burnley will not be as straight forward.
The Hornets will need to pull out all the stops as they take on the Clarets. Javi Garcia will look to Pereyra to carry on his fine form and inspire victory. While, last week’s victory may give his side confidence it may turn out to be a false dawn as they were hardly tested in that first fixture. Last season Watford’s problems were at the back and it remains to be seen whether things have improved.
We are tipping Burnley to grab all three points in this fixture.
Correct Score: 2-1
[maxbutton id=”1″ url=”http://www.bet365.com/dl/~offer?affiliate=365_817361″ ]
Up to £100 in bet credits for new sign-ups
Brighton vs Manchester United
Kick-off: Sunday, 19 August
Brighton were bested by Watford last time out and this week it doesn’t get any easier as they host Manchester United at Falmer Stadium. Chris Hughton will be scratching his head to come up with ideas on how to get the better of Jose Mourinho, to be honest we just don’t see that happening.
Much was made of Manchester United’s lack of activity on transfer deadline day. Many rumours abounded about possible signings with few materializing. Rival supporters have suggested that the Red Devil’s lack of activity was down to the discord between Woodward and Mourinho but there were no signs of that last Friday.
United kicked off their Premier League campaign with a massive win against 2015/6 Leicester. Paul Pogba’s reported move to Barcelona has not yet materialized as the World Cup champion captained last night’s Manchester United team. He put United ahead from a 3rd minute spot kick. Luke Shaw doubled United’s lead 7 minutes from time effectively sealing the victory. Shaw, like Pogba, has not always seen eye to eye with Mourinho but seems to have headed Mourinho’s words about adopting a more professional attitude towards his game. Shaw’s goal effectively sealed the victory for United, despite Vardy’s injury time consolation strike.
The win is exactly what the Red Devil’s needed to kick off their Premier League campaign. They will be looking to record a second victory this Sunday at Falmer Stadium to help quash the rumours of discontent and dressing room clashes at the club.
We are tipping the Red Devils to take all the points at Falmer Stadium.
Correct score: 1-3
[maxbutton id=”1″ url=”http://www.bet365.com/dl/~offer?affiliate=365_817361″ ]
Up to £100 in bet credits for new sign-ups
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool
Kick-off: Monday, 20 August
Crystal Palace host Liverpool this week following their victory over Fulham in the first week of fixtures. Roy Hodgson could barely hide his smile in his post match interview, clearly happy with what was an all round confident performance with Schlupp and Zaha both getting on the scoresheet.
Liverpool romped to victory as they hosted Anfield last week, this week they travel to Crystal Palace who will be a much harder nut to crack. The pressure is on Jurgen Klopp to deliver silverware to Anfield this season. Their performance last time out sent a clear signal of intent to all that Liverpool mean business this season and we expect the Reds to make light work of Palace with the high octane rock and roll football Klopp has them playing.
We are tipping Liverpool to snatch the points at Selhurt Park.
Correct score: 2-3
[maxbutton id=”1″ url=”http://www.bet365.com/dl/~offer?affiliate=365_817361″ ]
Up to £100 in bet credits for new sign-ups
Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5 and 1x settled bet requirement to release Bet Credits. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
Click here to visit Mr BigWin’s:
