After the successful first round of fixtures, our team of experts would be previewing the Matchday Two fixtures of the 2021/22 English Premier League season, with a blockbuster London derby set to take place on Super Sunday.
Liverpool vs Burnley: Liverpool host Burnley in the opening game of the week at Anfield. The Clarets lost at home to Brighton on Matchday One and would be looking to repeat last season’s feat of defeating Liverpool at Anfield. The Reds are, however, clear favourites to pick up all three points after their flawless performance against Norwich on the opening day of the season. They have been given 1.19 odds of winning the game, and Burnley has been given a massive 15.00 odds. A draw between both sides has been set at 7.00 odds.
Aston Villa vs Newcastle: Two sides that suffered disappointing opening day defeats will lock horns at Villa Park. Aston Villa boss Dean Smith would be hoping to get a reaction from his squad after the club injected funds into his team. Steve Bruce would be looking to give Joe Willock his second Newcastle debut and hope he can spur his side to an unlikely win. Villa won the match at Villa Park last season before playing a 1-1 draw at St James’ Park in the return leg. The home side are favourites for the win and have been given 1.80 odds, with Newcastle getting 3.95 odds and a draw being set at 3.80 odds.
Crystal Palace vs Brentford: After their miraculous win over Arsenal in their first-ever Premier League match, Brentford boss Thomas Frank would look to try and get a win over another London side Crystal Palace in both sides’ second London derby of the season. Patrick Vieira’s side will be boosted by the availability of Connor Gallagher after the midfielder missed out on the 3-0 opening day defeat against his parent club Chelsea. The match is predicted to be tight, with Crystal Palace getting 2.60 odds of winning and Brentford getting 2.75 odds. A draw has been pegged at 3.05 odds.
Leeds United vs Everton: Everton will travel to face Leeds at Elland Road buoyed by their impressive comeback against Southampton on Matchday One. Leeds United was thrashed on the opening day of the season, and the club would look to get off the canvas with a win at home to Everton. Both sides won one of their clashes against the other last season, with Leeds winning at Goodison Park and Everton winning at Elland Road. Leeds United has been given 2.30 odds of winning the game, with Everton getting 2.95 odds, and a draw was set at 3.35 odds.
Manchester City vs Norwich: Norwich must have the worst possible luck on their return to the top flight. The Canaries were hammered by Liverpool on Matchday One and now face a more tricky fixture against a wounded Manchester City outfit at the Etihad Stadium. The Canaries were thrashed 5-0 on their last visit to the Etihad in 2020 but won 3-2 at home earlier in the same season. Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will expect a strong response from his players after their loss to Tottenham against a side that looks destined to return to the Championship once again. Norwich are clear underdogs in the match, and have been given 25.00 odds to pick up a win. Manchester City has 1.10 odds and a draw has been set at 10.50 odds.
Brighton vs Watford: Brighton will play host to high-flying Watford at the Amex Stadium after their superb 2-1 comeback win over Burnley at Turf Moor on the opening day. Watford will fancy their chances of getting a result after they showed their pedigree with a deserved win against Aston Villa on the opening day of the season. Brighton are favourites to pick up the win, and have been given 1.74 odds of winning the match. Watford has the underdog tag and was given 5.25 odds of picking up a win and 3.30 odds of getting a draw.
Southampton vs Manchester United: Southampton will welcome Manchester United to St Mary’s Stadium after their 3-1 opening day loss to Everton. The Saints have a tricky fixture on their hands as Manchester United defeated them twice in the 2020/21 season, including the scandalous 9-0 result at Old Trafford. The Red Devils have started the new season with a great appetite after their opening day bashing of Leeds United. They are favourites for the win, and have been given 1.60 odds of picking up the win. Southampton has been given 4.95 odds of winning, and a draw has been set at 4.15 odds.
Wolves vs Tottenham: Nuno Espirito Santo will get to take his new side Tottenham to a stadium he called home for so long in an early homecoming for the Portuguese manager. The former Wolves boss left his post at the end of the 2020/21 season to become Tottenham manager. Tottenham will look to pick up all three points against a Wolves side that struggled against them last season. Both teams had contrasting Matchday One results; while Tottenham won 1-0 against Manchester City, Wolves fell 1-0 to Leicester City. Wolves has been given 3.25 odds of winning the game, and Tottenham has been given 2.25 odds. A draw has been set at 3.10 odds.
Arsenal vs Chelsea: Unarguably the biggest match of the week, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel will be able to welcome a raft of stars including Romelu Lukaku, Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell and N’Golo Kante, into his side after they sat out of the 3-0 opening day win over Crystal Palace. Arsenal lost to newly-promoted Brentford 2-0, but their recent record against the Blues makes them much less of an underdog in the match than most people think. Arteta’s men have beaten Chelsea on each of their past three meetings, and it is impossible to call this one before the game. Chelsea are favourites according to the bookies, and have been given 1.80 odds of winning. Arsenal was given 4.40 odds, and a draw has been pegged at 3.55 odds.
West Ham vs Leicester City: The Hammers hammered Newcastle in their opening day encounter and will be looking to achieve the same result against the Foxes. Leicester City picked up a win on opening day thanks to a solitary strike from evergreen striker Jamie Vardy. With Vardy in the team, Brendan Rodgers can rest easy and believe that his side can make light work of the Hammers. West Ham has been given 2.55 odds of winning, and the Foxes have been given 2.65 odds of winning. A draw has been pegged at 3.30 odds.
