Here is my review of week 2 of the English Premier League.
LIVERPOOL V C PALACE (Prediction 4-0, Result 1-1)
Things are not going to plan for Klopp and his potential champions. Two games and two draws and that against Fulham and crystal Palace is not the start scousers were hoping for. Palace went 4-5-1 and played on the break utilising the pace of Zaha and it paid dividends as Palace took the lead. Liverpool dominated without scoring and then Nunez had a brain explosion. Hats off to Liverpool for scoring with 10 men but now they have 3 games to play without Nunez and it might open the way in first 11 for Jota which might help the team. Palace managed to get their first point of the season and a bucket full of confidence by taking a point away from Anfield. Palace play Villa on matchday 3 and with Villa struggling to find their feet I expect a 1-1 draw. Liverpool heads to the massive trip to Manchester United. What a game in prospect and I expect United to come all guns blazing hence handing the game to Liverpool 4-1
CHELSEA V TOTTHENAM
Chelsea got their act together, looked cohesive and completely dominated the game full of drama and fractions on the bench. Huge question mark again on the ability of ref Anthony Taylor who failed to blow the whistle for a foul on Havertz resulting in a goal for Spurs 44 seconds down the line and VAR also didn’t deem hair pulling as violent conduct resulting in the corner which culminated in Kane scoring. The game finished 2-2. Chelsea should have won the game and it was obvious that they desperately need a number 9. Spurs were disjointed and poor but happier as they manage to gain a point which they didn’t deserve. Spurs face Wolves next and should win comfortably 1-0 while Chelsea are off to Leeds and should be winning 3-1
FORREST V WEST HAM
Hammers were unlucky as they hit the bar missed a penalty and missed a lot of chances in the game. Forrest used the historical occasion of a premier league home game and their supporters sang them to a win. Nico Williams was impressive and Declan Rice seems to have his mind on a move and Hammers are yet to post a point on the table. Early days and Hammers are still good enough to manage a top half finish. Forrest are still favourites to be relegated. Forrest are away to winless Everton next and I expect Everton to register their first win 3-0 and Hammers host Brighton and should win 2-1
BRENTFORD V MAN UNITED
United’s woes merit a separate article. Ronaldo refuses to shake hands with the manager. None of the potential signing arriving. Players turning a move to United down. Non existent defence with a midfield and attacking unit that is not buying in to manager’s philosophy and a goal keeper who isn’t comfortable with the ball at his feet. The building up from the back is not working for United and I cant see a way out for them. De Gea has been their best player in last few seasons but shipped the first 2 goals. Lisandro is 5ft 9 and cant compete with taller strikers across the league. Maguire wont even fit in the defence of a bottom three side. Its shambles from top to bottom and they have magically created this mess by spending a billion pounds in market in last six years. Brentford were quick and hungry and stuck to their plan of putting pressure on the ball along with some really good finishing. A stat to explain it all is that Brentford team ran 10 Km more than Manchester United on the pitch. That shows the lack of passion hunger and desire from this Manchester United team. Next they host Liverpool the arch rivals. They do seem to up their game for better opponents but if they go toe to toe with Liverpool they will get smashed. If they don’t they will get smashed regardless. I think Liverpool will win 4-1. Brentford are away to Fulham and its no easy game. They will lose 2-1.
ARSENAL V LEICESTER
Arsenal and Jesus are absolutely flying at the moment. The only team other than City to win 2 out of 2. Looked a bit suspect at back with individual mistakes from Saliba and Ramsdale but in the end an easy win and could have or probably should have scored more. Jesus is showing what a persistent run in the team can do for his confidence and they are winning without Odegaard and Saka chipping in. Leicester have big problems. Whole of midfield wants a move away and no incomings. Rogers cut a frustrating figure on the day and it will not get much better as the season progresses. Arsenal are off to Bournemouth and should win 2-0. Leicester should also register their first win against a worrying Southampton. 3-1
BRIGHTON V NEWCASTLE
More like Brighton v Nick Pope who hasn’t done any harm to his chances for a seat on the plane to Qatar. Newcastle seemed laboured and lazy. Brighton had multiple chances to score and failed every single time. Nick Pope played out of his skin and made some brilliant saves. Both teams probably are happy with a draw. Hard games for both next week as Brighton will probably lose 2-1 to hammers and Newcastle has the seemingly impossible job to stop the City train which isn’t likely. Man city to win 3-0
MAN CITY V BOURNEMOUTH
City are not even out of 2nd gear as yet and the dominance on the pitch is scary. In the first 2 games both their opponents parked a half hearted boss and tried to cut their losses. City had to keep ball and create and without even sweating managed to put the ball in the net 4 times. Haaland is trying to fit in and seemed a bit frustrated in a team that isn’t used to a number 9 but he is still the favourite for the golden boot. As Parker said in post match interview its not the game they expected to get any points from and next one is hosting Arsenal and same is likely to happen. Arsenal to win 2-0. Man City are away to Newcastle and should score 3-0 win if they stay in second gear.
SOUTHAMPTON V LEEDS
Leeds managed 2 goal lead and then Southampton came roaring back in the game. Credit to the manager and his apt substitutions but all is not good in Southampton dug out and Ralph is losing the dressing room. This season we fear for safety for Southampton and they are expected to be in relegation scrap. Leeds are set to settle in bottom half but should be above the relegation zone. Both teams are likely to lose next week as Leeds might find Chelsea’s quality a bit too much and Leicester should register their first win of the season against Southampton.
WOLVES V FULHAM
Wolves cant buy a goal from anywhere. Their defence is still solid but goal scoring is becoming a serious problem. Fulham had the chance but missed the penalty which can dent the confidence of Mitrovic. Having said that Fulham seem in a good enough shape to stay in the league and wolves need to sort things out quickly. I expect Fulham to beat Brentford next week and wolves to lose to Spurs
ASTON VILLA V EVERTON
Gerrard V Lampard. The game had a hype because of the 2 legends of the game being managers in opposite dug outs but lacked the quality. Villa is a decent team and anything below 9th shouldn’t be acceptable. Everton are losing but look good to manage to stay in the league. I expect Everton to register their first win against Forrest. Villa on the other hand will have to play really well to manage a draw.
Predictions:
LIVERPOOL V C PALACE (Prediction 4-0, Result 1-1)
Things are not going to plan for Klopp and his potential champions. Two games and two draws and that against Fulham and crystal Palace is not the start scousers were hoping for. Palace went 4-5-1 and played on the break utilising the pace of Zaha and it paid dividends as Palace took the lead. Liverpool dominated without scoring and then Nunez had a brain explosion. Hats off to Liverpool for scoring with 10 men but now they have 3 games to play without Nunez and it might open the way in first 11 for Jota which might help the team. Palace managed to get their first point of the season and a bucket full of confidence by taking a point away from Anfield. Palace play Villa on matchday 3 and with Villa struggling to find their feet I expect a 1-1 draw. Liverpool heads to the massive trip to Manchester United. What a game in prospect and I expect United to come all guns blazing hence handing the game to Liverpool 4-1
CHELSEA V TOTTHENAM
Chelsea got their act together, looked cohesive and completely dominated the game full of drama and fractions on the bench. Huge question mark again on the ability of ref Anthony Taylor who failed to blow the whistle for a foul on Havertz resulting in a goal for Spurs 44 seconds down the line and VAR also didn’t deem hair pulling as violent conduct resulting in the corner which culminated in Kane scoring. The game finished 2-2. Chelsea should have won the game and it was obvious that they desperately need a number 9. Spurs were disjointed and poor but happier as they manage to gain a point which they didn’t deserve. Spurs face Wolves next and should win comfortably 1-0 while Chelsea are off to Leeds and should be winning 3-1
FORREST V WEST HAM
Hammers were unlucky as they hit the bar missed a penalty and missed a lot of chances in the game. Forrest used the historical occasion of a premier league home game and their supporters sang them to a win. Nico Williams was impressive and Declan Rice seems to have his mind on a move and Hammers are yet to post a point on the table. Early days and Hammers are still good enough to manage a top half finish. Forrest are still favourites to be relegated. Forrest are away to winless Everton next and I expect Everton to register their first win 3-0 and Hammers host Brighton and should win 2-1
BRENTFORD V MAN UNITED
United’s woes merit a separate article. Ronaldo refuses to shake hands with the manager. None of the potential signing arriving. Players turning a move to United down. Non existent defence with a midfield and attacking unit that is not buying in to manager’s philosophy and a goal keeper who isn’t comfortable with the ball at his feet. The building up from the back is not working for United and I cant see a way out for them. De Gea has been their best player in last few seasons but shipped the first 2 goals. Lisandro is 5ft 9 and cant compete with taller strikers across the league. Maguire wont even fit in the defence of a bottom three side. Its shambles from top to bottom and they have magically created this mess by spending a billion pounds in market in last six years. Brentford were quick and hungry and stuck to their plan of putting pressure on the ball along with some really good finishing. A stat to explain it all is that Brentford team ran 10 Km more than Manchester United on the pitch. That shows the lack of passion hunger and desire from this Manchester United team. Next they host Liverpool the arch rivals. They do seem to up their game for better opponents but if they go toe to toe with Liverpool they will get smashed. If they don’t they will get smashed regardless. I think Liverpool will win 4-1. Brentford are away to Fulham and its no easy game. They will lose 2-1.
ARSENAL V LEICESTER
Arsenal and Jesus are absolutely flying at the moment. The only team other than City to win 2 out of 2. Looked a bit suspect at back with individual mistakes from Saliba and Ramsdale but in the end an easy win and could have or probably should have scored more. Jesus is showing what a persistent run in the team can do for his confidence and they are winning without Odegaard and Saka chipping in. Leicester have big problems. Whole of midfield wants a move away and no incomings. Rogers cut a frustrating figure on the day and it will not get much better as the season progresses. Arsenal are off to Bournemouth and should win 2-0. Leicester should also register their first win against a worrying Southampton. 3-1
BRIGHTON V NEWCASTLE
More like Brighton v Nick Pope who hasn’t done any harm to his chances for a seat on the plane to Qatar. Newcastle seemed laboured and lazy. Brighton had multiple chances to score and failed every single time. Nick Pope played out of his skin and made some brilliant saves. Both teams probably are happy with a draw. Hard games for both next week as Brighton will probably lose 2-1 to hammers and Newcastle has the seemingly impossible job to stop the City train which isn’t likely. Man city to win 3-0
MAN CITY V BOURNEMOUTH
City are not even out of 2nd gear as yet and the dominance on the pitch is scary. In the first 2 games both their opponents parked a half hearted boss and tried to cut their losses. City had to keep ball and create and without even sweating managed to put the ball in the net 4 times. Haaland is trying to fit in and seemed a bit frustrated in a team that isn’t used to a number 9 but he is still the favourite for the golden boot. As Parker said in post match interview its not the game they expected to get any points from and next one is hosting Arsenal and same is likely to happen. Arsenal to win 2-0. Man City are away to Newcastle and should score 3-0 win if they stay in second gear.
SOUTHAMPTON V LEEDS
Leeds managed 2 goal lead and then Southampton came roaring back in the game. Credit to the manager and his apt substitutions but all is not good in Southampton dug out and Ralph is losing the dressing room. This season we fear for safety for Southampton and they are expected to be in relegation scrap. Leeds are set to settle in bottom half but should be above the relegation zone. Both teams are likely to lose next week as Leeds might find Chelsea’s quality a bit too much and Leicester should register their first win of the season against Southampton.
WOLVES V FULHAM
Wolves cant buy a goal from anywhere. Their defence is still solid but goal scoring is becoming a serious problem. Fulham had the chance but missed the penalty which can dent the confidence of Mitrovic. Having said that Fulham seem in a good enough shape to stay in the league and wolves need to sort things out quickly. I expect Fulham to beat Brentford next week and wolves to lose to Spurs
ASTON VILLA V EVERTON
Gerrard V Lampard. The game had a hype because of the 2 legends of the game being managers in opposite dug outs but lacked the quality. Villa is a decent team and anything below 9th shouldn’t be acceptable. Everton are losing but look good to manage to stay in the league. I expect Everton to register their first win against Forrest. Villa on the other hand will have to play really well to manage a draw.
Predictions: