Chelsea got off to the perfect start at The DW Stadium on Sunday. New signing Hazard laid on 2 assists and Chelsea were able to keep an important clean sheet. Reading drew level with a late penalty to snatch a point from their game with Stoke. It had looked as though Reading could lose the match despite having several chances. The game at Stamford Bridge will be one of the most difficult away trips Reading face all season. Chelsea will overpower Reading and will make it 6 points from 2 matches played.
Prediction 2-0 with Torres to score any time.
Swansea fans will have had one of the best weeks of their lives – Sitting joint top of the league after the opening fixtures. If only the season could end today – Swansea would be playing Champions League football next season! West Ham fans were also delighted with their victory even if it was slightly less emphatic than the Swans. A single Kevin Nolan goal was enough to ensure an opening day victory at Upton Park. Swansea played some lovely stuff and will look to impress their own fans as they play at the Liberty Stadium for the first time this campaign.
Prediction 2-0.
Aston Villa fell to a Gameweek 1 defeat courtesy of West Ham United. It looks as though it could be another long season for the Villa faithful. They will hope their team can capitalise on home advantage when Everton visit Villa Park on Saturday. The Toffees, who are usually slow to start the season, burst out of the blocks at Goodison on Monday Night Football. Marouane Fellaini proved he can be a handful for any defence with a towering display. In the end, Everton could, and probably should have won more comfortably. If Fellaini can reproduce the form he showed on Monday, I am backing Everton to grab a draw away in the Midlands.
Prediction 1-1
Manchester United conceded ground to rivals City in their opening fixture. Everton front man Fellaini was able to dominate the United defence and other teams will be hoping to do likewise. Sir Alex will have made his players aware of how poorly they performed and it is rumoured that Nani will lose his starting place having failed to impress at Goodison Park. Fulham got off to a flyer at Craven Cottage, scoring 5 times and keeping a clean sheet. I doubt they will match that result here, but are capable of giving United a tough game. United’s new signing RVP will probably start and I expect him to be among the goals in a home win.
Prediction: 3-1
Norwich were humiliated by Fulham on Saturday and ended up on the wrong end of a 5-0 scoreline. They have since bolstered their defensive options with the addition of Bassong from Tottenham. Also on the end of a 5-0 hiding were QPR at Loftus Road. Rangers have also acted to shore up their lacklustre defence and are trying to secure the services of Ricardo Carvalho and Michael Dawson. Both teams will want to put things right after their opening day shambles.
Prediction 2-0
Southampton were extremely unfortunate not to leave The Etihad with anything other than tremendous pride. From 1-0 down, they were leading the Champions 2-1 before City scored twice to win 3-2. Southampton fans who made the long journey to Manchester had a rollercoaster afternoon they will never forget. Wigan were undone by 2 early Chelsea goals. Despite playing some encouraging football, they could not penetrate the Chelsea defence and were unable to pull back the early deficit. This should be an entertaining game with good football played by both sides.
Prediction 2-1
Martin O’ Neill will be pleased with a point from Sunderland’s opening day visit to The Emirates. Besides a shocking miss from new signing Giroud, Arsenal didn’t have a great deal of chances. The Black Cats will fancy their chances of adding 3 points to their tally when Reading visit The Stadium of Light. The Royals grabbed a late equaliser from the penalty spot against Stoke in Gameweek 1. This will be followed by a midweek trip to Stamford Bridge. I predict a draw in this fixture.
Prediction 1-1
Tottenham were unlucky to concede after Jermain Defoe seemed to salvage a draw a St James’ Park on Saturday. Luckily for Spurs, several other top clubs dropped points on the opening weekend and they have not fallen behind. However, they need a win here to kick-start their campaign. West Brom manager Steve Clarke got one over on his old club Liverpool in Gameweek 1. The Baggies ran out comfortable 3-0 winners on a day to forget for Liverpool fans. I expect Spurs to put West Brom under alot more pressure at White Hart Lane. Adebayor should be in the Spurs team for this fixture.
Prediction 2-1
Stamford Bridge will host it’s second game in the space of 4 days when Newcastle visit West London. Chelsea will once again look to new signing Eden Hazard to provide the ammunition for Chelsea’s front men. If Chelsea win both home fixtures this week, they could gain a perfect 9 points from a possible 9. Newcastle kicked their campaign off with a win over Tottenham at St James’ Park. The Geordies showed character to win despite Spurs drawing level late on. Alan Pardew will be on best behaviour following his confrontation with an assistant referee on Saturday.
Prediction 2-1
Stoke welcome Arsenal to The Britannia in the first instalment of Super Sunday. Stoke away is a tough challenge for any visiting team and The Potters have turned The Britannia into a fortress. Stoke were denied 3 points on the opening day by a late Reading penalty. Tony Pulis will be relishing the visit of Arsenal who some pundits deem a less physical outfit. Arsene Wenger will be disappointed that his side only drew on the opening day. New signing Giroud had a golden chance to win it for Arsenal but missed the target. Replacing Robin Van Persie could prove to be an impossible task.
Prediction 1-1
Super Sunday continues with this heavyweight clash at Anfield. Liverpool will need to turn things around quickly if they are to avoid further embarrassment in front of their own fans. A 3-0 away defeat at West Brom has got alarm bells ringing on Merseyside and the home crowd will be desperate to see a vast improvement. Manchester City were able to get 3 points despite not playing to their full potential. Southampton gave them a big scare but a late Samir Nasri goal gave City the victory. Roberto Mancini will have to make do without the injured Sergio Aguero for this tricky fixture.
Prediction 1-1
