Gameday – PL Gameweek 2 Preview

August 21, 2021

Arsenal have already been beaten by one London team this season – newly promoted Brentford – so how will the Gunners fare against European champions Chelsea on Sunday?

Time will tell how The High Press Media’s Adam Henley will fair in representing the football community against Sam’s predictions.

Liverpool Vs Burnley

Head-to-Head: 57 (Liverpool) – 29 – 38 (Burnley)

Liverpool Form: W

Burnley Form: L

Key Man: Sadio Mane

Liverpool kicked off the new season in style last time out, cruising to a comfortable 3-0 victory against Norwich. Their attacking trident looked incredibly sharp, and the Reds showed they really mean business this year. Mo Salah was the star of the show as ever, notching a goal and two assists, however Mane, Jota and Firmino all put in stellar performances also.

Burnley on the other hand, stumbled to a disappointing loss in their opener against Brighton. Two late goals from the Seagulls sunk a lacklustre Claret & Blue performance, who will be hoping they can channel enough energy from their shock victory at Anfield last year to get something from this encounter.

PHOTO: A snapshot of the incredible atmosphere inside Anfield today… pic.twitter.com/iY6eyHK6Ei

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 30, 2014

However, Dyche and his cohort will have a tough task replicating such feats. Anfield happened to be empty at the time of that defeat and Liverpool haven’t lost in front of a home crowd in the league for more than five years. Furthermore, the return of a host of first choice midfielders: Thiago, Fabinho and Henderson will only improve the reds further. The team will want to put on a show in front of the Liverpool faithful and Burnley might well end up on the end of a hiding if they aren’t careful.

SAM’S PREDICTION: 3-0
ADAM’S PREDICTION: 2-0

Aston Villa Vs Newcastle

Head-to-Head: 57 (Villa) – 39 – 71 (Newcastle)

Aston Villa Form: L

Newcastle Form: L

Key Man: Leon Bailey

It’s early in the season but there can be no underestimating the importance of this game for these two clubs. Both got off to disappointing starts. Villa looked poor defensively, conceding three to the newly promoted Watford, however they ended the game strongly after the introduction of new signing Leon Bailey, scoring twice following his substitution.

Meanwhile it was a similar story at Newcastle. Saint-Maxim looked like he was playing FIFA street (for better and for worse) which proved the catalyst for plenty of creativity from the Magpies. Yet, the defence at times looked like something comparable to Moses parting the red sea…

It’s a tough one to predict but I’m backing Aston Villa to edge it in front of their home crowd with Leon Bailey driving them to victory.

SAM’S PREDICTION: 2-1
ADAM’S PREDICTION: 3-2

Crystal Palace Vs Brentford

Head-to-Head: 17 (Palace) – 7 (Draw) – 14 (Brentford)

Palace Form: L

Brentford Form: W

Key Man: Wilfried Zaha

The jury’s still out on Palace, we’ll be able to judge them a lot better from looking at how this game unfolds. Much like Liverpool, Selhurst Park can be a bubbling cauldron when the fans get the atmosphere going so I could see this one being a feisty affair given Brentford’s physicality.

The Bees will no doubt just want to pick up where they left off. Their first ever Premier League game was a joy to behold last Friday, truly incredible scenes. Thomas Frank seems a very impressive manager both tactically and in terms of his personality, and he’ll make Brentford awkward opponents for anyone this season.

HALF-TIME Brentford 1-0 Arsenal

The Bees have impressed and get their dream start thanks to a Sergi Canos strike!#BREARS pic.twitter.com/OVItm4xJQY

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 13, 2021

I don’t think it’ll be one of the more exciting fixtures of the weekend in terms of attacking intent. Honours even is a likely result but something’s telling me Selhurst Park might spur Palace on to a late winner.

SAM’S PREDICTION: 2-1
ADAM’S PREDICTION: 1-2

Leeds Vs Everton

Head-to-Head: 34 (Everton) – 32 – 52 (Leeds)

Leeds Form: L

Everton Form: W

Key Man: Kalvin Phillips

I couldn’t have gotten Leeds any more wrong last weekend. Defensively solid at the end of last season-yes, but clearly, they’ve reverted to their old ways of uncontrolled havoc once again. The midfield was tragic against United. And that’s being kind. Kalvin Phillips is expected to come back into the starting line up and act as that much needed midfield anchor for the Yorkshire outfit against Everton, so hopefully for Bielsa he can restore some order in the ranks.

Similarly, Everton had a bit of a crazy one against Southampton, although unlike Leeds, it ended in jubilation for Rafa and the toffees. Three second half goals must have slightly enhanced the level of optimism around Goodison regarding the state of the club currently, so it’s a big game for them in terms of maintaining that positive momentum.

Truly, this seems impossible to call. Leeds will not be as poor as they were at Old Trafford and they’ll have home advantage. Yet, Everton boasted the fourth best away record in the league last year and Rafa is such a tactically astute manager in tough games like this.

SAM’S PREDICTION: 2-2
ADAM’S PREDICTION: 3-1

Manchester City Vs Norwich

Head-to-Head: 37 (City) – 23 – 10 (Norwich)

Manchester City Form: L

Norwich Form: L

Key Man: Jack Grealish

I said City could struggle last time out given their lack of preparation for the season and it showed. Spurs just seemed more aggressive, that bit sharper than their sky-blue counterparts, for whom their lack of a real number nine blatantly shone through as their attackers failed to convert the chances they did manage

to create. It was all rather pedestrian until the irresistible KDB turned the game on his head as usual following his introduction. The Belgium is a doubt for this weekend but if he starts, you’d expect him to turn this match into an exhibition contest.

GOAL Spurs 1-0 Man City (55 mins)

What. A. Strike.

Son Heung-min drifts inside and smashes the ball past Ederson from outside the box. #TOTMCI

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 15, 2021

Norwich meanwhile just didn’t have enough at their disposal to halt the reds. They started spiritedly and did create a couple of decent chances which they can feed off going into this one, but we always knew it would be an impossible start this season for the canaries and we’ll pass judgement on them for now.

City still need to blow off a few cobwebs and this seems like the perfect opportunity to do it. I’d expect Ake to be dropped for Stones to strengthen the back line, but I can’t see Pep risking De Bruyne in what should be a rather straight forward home victory. Norwich will try and batten down the hatches, but it should be inevitable. And if KDB starts, it could be a rout.

SAM’S PREDICTION: 2-0
ADAM’S PREDICTION: 3-0

Brighton Vs Watford

Head-to-Head: 45 (Brighton) – 35 – 36 (Watford)

Brighton Form: W

Watford Form: W

Key Man: Bissouma

Brighton coming away from turf moor with three points really wasn’t a surprise. Graham Potter has had the Seagulls on the right track for a while now and they’ve proven their credibility once again for the new season coming through that notoriously tough fixture.

Meanwhile, Watford also got off to a bright start and shocked plenty of us punters along the way, notching three past a much-fancied Villa side in front of an ecstatic Vicarage Road. Fans of the hornets will be desperate for the team to replicate that form away from home and thereby avoid a similar situation to their last Premier League campaign, in which they claimed just two away wins.

The Amex, however, won’t be an easy place to come. Brighton are undefeated in five league games at home and I think they’ll edge this one.

SAM’S PREDICTION: 1-0
ADAM’S PREDICTION: 2-2

Southampton Vs Manchester United

Head-to-Head: 28 (Southampton) – 34 – 67 (United)

Southampton Form: L

United Form: W

Key Man: Bruno Fernandes

Southampton fans are troubled and rightfully so. Big players have left for pastures new and the team’s form in the second half of last season was comparable to relegation. They folded after taking the lead in Merseyside last weekend and things really are looking glum for the Saints currently.

Something polar opposite to the picture at Manchester United. Flying high after their 5-1 thumping of Leeds, the Red Devils look to be further boosted by new signings Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane coming into the fray for selection. The first of which is expected to make his competitive debut at St. Mary’s.

Paul Pogba with THREE assists vs. Leeds United so far today:

– Assists Bruno Fernandes
– Assists Mason Greenwood
– Assists Bruno again

He is running the show. 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/ZeLN7mNujL

— Devils of United 🔰 (@DevilsOfUnited) August 14, 2021

Incredibly, United haven’t lost away from home in the Premier League since January 2020 so you can’t see any hope for Southampton in this one. Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes could run rings around the opposition if they’re fully at it, whilst Jadon Sancho is bound to be keen to notch on his first start for the club.

SAM’S PREDICTION: 1-3
ADAM’S PREDICTION: 1-2

Wolves Vs Tottenham

Head-to-Head: 29 (Wolves) – 21 – 49 (Spurs)

Wolves Form: L

Spurs Form: W

Key Man: Hojberg

The return of Nuno to the Molineux. This one should be an interesting contest with no quarter given. Wolves gave a solid account of themselves against Leicester in the opener and have certainly gone up in the estimations of many in

terms of their prospects for this season. They remain very injury ravaged so Bruno Lage will most likely opt for the same line up as in the opener. They’ll be solid defensively but might potentially struggle to break down Spurs.

Likewise, from Spurs we can expect much of the same. What impressed me the most against City was their intensity and aggression. Arguably that has come from all this talk about Harry Kane, often situations like that can galvanise the squad and give them a point to prove, which certainly seems the case here. Kane’s resumed training with the team but whether he’s selected remains to be seen, personally I can’t see why Nuno would.

So, two tough teams to beat. High intensity, plenty of aggression. The stage is set for Sunday afternoon. It looks to be a close, but I think Spurs have that bit more quality throughout the pitch. Son and Hojberg are the difference here for me.

SAM’S PREDICTION: 0-1
ADAM’S PREDICTION: 1-1

Arsenal Vs Chelsea

Head-to-head: 80 (Arsenal) – 58 – 65 (Chelsea)

Arsenal form: L

Chelsea form: W

Key man: Lukaku

The media fire is already raging all around Mikel Arteta following Arsenal’s diabolical performance at Brentford last Friday. The Gunners just seemed to lack any tactical identity against the Bees, yet more than that, Brentford manager-Thomas Frank, openly admitted how they went out to bully Arsenal in his post-match presser. The defence truly looked calamitous, and the idea of Lukaku Vs Ben White has been the focal point of many a meme on social media in the build up to this one. The potential return of Aubameyang will surely boost the team but whether he will be operating at 100% remains to be seen.

Back in the building! @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/wcAXdnIhzZ

— R.Lukaku Bolingoli9 (@RomeluLukaku9) August 16, 2021

Let’s face it though, this game won’t be about the Arsenal frontman. All eyes will be on Chelsea’s latest addition and the second coming of Romelu Lukaku. The Big Belgium international is being touted as the man to spearhead the Blues charge to the title and he’ll want to announce himself in style. N’Golo Kante

also looks set to return to the starting line up after missing the opener with an ankle problem, just make it even more difficult for poor Arteta.

Chelsea looked imperious as they pumped three past Palace without return and even the most die-hard fans of the Gunners will be sweating this London derby; especially when you consider the players coming in that will bolster the side. Nevertheless, Arsenal do historically step it up for this fixture and did the double over Chelsea last season in the league, so it might not be as straight forward as the opening fixture might suggest. Like any derby, form goes out the window sometimes, but for me there’s only one winner.

SAM’S PREDICTION: 1-3
ADAM’S PREDICTION: 0-2

West Ham Vs Leicester

Head-to-Head: 49 (Leicester) – 33 – 54 (West Ham)

West Ham Form: W

Leicester Form: W

Key Man: Barnes and Benrahma

This should be a Monday night football to savour. West Ham were the only team to do the double over Leicester last season which suggests David Moyes might have Brendan’s number heading into this one. The Hammers showed flashes of brilliance in their opener against Newcastle, most notably when counter attacking at speed, which could be a key ingredient for them in this game as Leicester will typically look to dominate the ball. Michael Antonio and Said Benhrama looked especially dangerous in those situations and could build up quite the partnership this season.

In terms of Leicester, the role of Wilfried Ndidi in breaking down those counter attacks before they have a chance to bloom will be crucial if they want to secure all three points in London. The Foxes are consistently strong, although their attacking talent looked a little uninspired at times last weekend. James Maddison being a potential injury doubt will do nothing to help on that front. And if that is the case, Harvey Barnes and Kelechi Iheanacho will need to be right at it to unsettle a West Ham defence that might be the side’s Achilles heel this season.

Very tricky one to call this. I’m slightly leaning towards West Ham as the more likely winner, but a score draw might well be on the cards. Expect both teams to

be clinical and a high-quality match up, one of the games of the weekend, not to be missed.

SAM’S PREDICTION: 2-2
ADAM’S PREDICTION: 1-2

This article was written by Sam Torrance. To check out their other work click here or you can leave them a comment below.