The Premier League is now back underway and this weekend sees the second week of action in the competition with matches from Saturday through to Monday.
As always, we are going to be bringing you plenty of top betting over the course of the season from the Premier League and we will start this week with a look through the ten games taking place this weekend, together with our tips for each.
All the odds shown in this market were available at bet365 Sport at the time of writing although since that time, those odds may have changed.
BONUS CODE: BET247
Get up to €100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365 Bet365 Review
Alternatively, if you are based in the United States then BetRivers Sportsbook offers an excellent range of soccer bets from leagues all over the world, including the Premier League every week of the season.
Let’s start by taking a look at how matchday 1 of the season unfolded last weekend.
Premier League Matchday 1 Recap
- Brentford 2-0 Arsenal
- Manchester United 5-1 Leeds United
- Leicester City 1-0 Wolves
- Chelsea 3-0 Crystal Palace
- Watford 3-2 Aston Villa
- Everton 3-1 Southampton
- Burnley 1-2 Brighton
- Norwich City 0-3 Liverpool
- Newcastle United 2-4 West Ham United
- Tottenham 1-0 Manchester City
Brentford caused the first big upset of the new season with a 2-0 win over a lacklustre Arsenal on Friday night. Manchester United produced the best result of the weekend with a 5-1 win over Leeds, Bruno Fernandes scoring a hat-trick. Liverpool and Chelsea recorded solid 3-0 wins and on Sunday Spurs stunned Manchester City with a 1-0 win to hand City their third 1-0 defeat in a competitive game in a row (Champions League v Chelsea, Community Shield v Leicester and now Premier League V Spurs).
The 34 goals scored is a new record for the opening day of the season in the Premier League and unusually, there were no drawn games.
Premier League Matchday 2 Preview & Tips
Saturday 21st August
- Liverpool v Burnley
With Virgil Van Dijk back at the heart of defence and their pressing game much better, Liverpool looked back close to their best against Norwich last week. Burnley were defeated 2-1 at home by Brighton in what was a disappointing result for Sean Dyche’s team and I can’t see things getting any better for them here. Prediction – Liverpool to win – 1/5
- Aston Villa v Newcastle United
Both these teams succumbed to defeat in their opening game of the season and both will want to get off the mark quickly to avoid being sucked down to the wrong end of the table early on in the season. Newcastle ran out of steam against West Ham last week and Villa left their comeback too late against Watford. Villa should be confident at home and I think they win a narrow one here. Prediction – Aston Villa to win – 3/4
- Crystal Palace v Brentford
Crystal Palace were well beaten by Chelsea in their opening game and need a big response
here against a Brentford side that were superb in beating Arsenal. However, away games are very tough for newly promoted sides to win in the EPL and this could be the case here. I am backing Palace and Brentford to share the spoils here. Prediction – Draw – 11/5.
- Leeds United v Everton
Leeds United were in the game against Man Utd last weekend until early in the second half when United blitzed them with four goals to earn a big win. Marcelo Bielsa will want a response from his team here but Everton also did well coming from 1-0 down to beat Southampton last weekend for Rafa Benitez first win as Everton boss and I think we could see the Toffees earn themselves a point here. Prediction – Draw – 13/5.
- Manchester City v Norwich City
Manchester City had much of the game against Tottenham last weekend, but still ended up on the wrong end of a 1-0 defeat. Norwich were well beaten 3-0 at home by Liverpool and things won’t get any easier for them here. To me, this isn’t a game that the result is in doubt, it is just a question of by how many goals Manchester City will win by and I feel it may well be a fair few. Prediction – Manchester City to win – 1/10
- Brighton & Hove Albion v Watford
Two teams that will be delighted with their opening day victory. Brighton took a long time to get their first home win of the season last time around, but I think they will fancy their chances here against a Watford side that looked good against Aston Villa. This should be a close game, but I think Brighton may do just enough to claim the win. Prediction – Brighton to win – 7/10.
Sunday 22nd August
- Southampton v Manchester United
Southampton took the lead against Everton last week but ended up on the wrong end of a 3-1 defeat. United in contrast produced a superb second-half display in particular to thrash Leeds and they should head into this game with great confidence. I can’t say the same for Southampton, especially against a team that beat them 9-0 last season. This should be an easy away win. Prediction – Man Utd to win – 4/7.
- Wolverhampton Wanderers v Tottenham Hotspur
Wolves narrowly were beaten by Leicester last weekend and they face a Spurs team that have
a pretty good record against them in recent times. Spurs 1-0 win over Manchester City last weekend was a huge boost for Nuno Santos who will return to his former club in just his second game in charge of Spurs in the EPL. This should be a close battle, but I am backing Spurs to come away with the win here. Prediction – Tottenham to win – 23/20.
- Arsenal v Chelsea
Arsenal’s biggest problem last season was underperforming in games that you thought they should win and that doesn’t seem to improved any after the defeat by Brentford. Chelsea were handsome 3-0 winners over Crystal Palace last time out and they’ll fancy their chances here, especially with Romelu Lukaku now signed and ready to lead their attack. Arsenal won this game between the teams last season but I think Chelsea will learn from that to land the win here. Prediction – Chelsea to win – 3/4.
Monday 23rd August
- West Ham United v Leicester City
Two sides with maximum points who play good attacking football meet in London on Monday night. West Ham produced a fine second half display to beat Newcastle last week, while Leicester edged out Wolves 1-0 in a tight one. Both these teams look well matched and I think that a draw is the most likely outcome. Prediction – Draw – 12/5.
