Premier League Matchday 2 Predictions
Two of Attacking Football’s writers, Alex and Yassin, went head-to-head this week ahead of Matchday 2 of the 24/25 Premier League season and gave their thoughts.
Premier League Matchday 2 Previews
Brighton vs. Manchester United
Brighton: Brighton won their opening game 0-3 against a dysfunctional Everton side; however, the scoreline looks too lenient towards the Seagulls. Although presenting with low xG chances, it was a very end-to-end game, with Everton having a lot of chances early doors and also very unlucky not to be awarded a penalty. Brighton, however, was ruthless in front of goal and has since added Georginio Rutter to their ranks.
Manchester United: United looked good in their first game of the season. They pressed well and created some excellent chances. Their transition on defence still leaves something to be desired, but overall, their performance against Fulham improved the mess shown last year.
Predictions
Alex’s Prediction: Brighton 2-1. Man United haven’t had the best of times at the Amex as of late. Winning just one of the last three games at the Amex, they could struggle at a very inform, attacking Brighton side. The Seagulls will look to repeat history and counter on United’s missed chances and lack of control in games: Mitoma, Pedro and Zikrzee, the scorers.
Yassin’s Prediction: Manchester United 3-1. Two teams that are famous for not taking their chances. Brighton’s high line is the Red Devils’ favourite playing style to play against. United won at Falmer Stadium last season, and they were a mess. Under a new manager, in his second game, Brighton may not stop them from repeating the feat.
Tottenham vs. Everton
Tottenham: Spurs had a game of two halves against Leicester. They dominated the proceedings at halftime with ten shots to Leicester’s one and should have gone into the break 2-3 nil up. However, Leicester got themselves back into the game and salvaged a point, which, in turn, looked like they could win it. Tottenham will have to take their chances against Everton and regain control of the game for 90 minutes to beat Sean Dyche’s Toffees.
Everton: They started the game well against Brighton and looked like the most dangerous team. The Toffees faded massively after the Seagulls took the lead. Ashley Young’s sending-off killed their hope of getting back into the game.
Predictions
Alex’s Predictions: 2-0 Tottenham. Spurs will have that dominance; Everton looked very lackluster vs. Brighton in the 35 minutes, and I feel a team of Spurs’ quality will take full advantage, similar to how Brighton did.
Yassin’s Prediction: 3-0 Tottenham. A trip to a Tottenham team that lost two points at Leicester is not the way for Sean Dyche’s team to get back on track. There’s no upset here.
Fulham vs. Leicester City
Fulham: They started the game brilliantly against United, cutting through United’s press at will in the first 15 minutes. After that, United suffocated them, and if not for Leno, this could have been a humbling result. If there had been better decision-making in the counter-attacks, though, they could have snatched an undeserved win at Old Trafford.
Leicester City: Leicester City had an awful start to their 24/25 season with a dreadful first-half performance vs. Spurs, and at halftime, it looked like it could be a long game for the Foxes. However, their second-half performance looked like they could have won the game. Vardy had a clear chance when through on goal, but he failed to beat Vicario. Leicester was a team of two halves, and it’s unclear which side would turn up versus Fulham.
Predictions
Alex’s Prediction: 1-1 Draw. The Foxes will draw again in a game that will, I feel, follow a very similar pattern to the game on Monday night, with both teams sharing the points. Smith-Rowe and Fatawu are on the scoresheet.
Yassin’s Prediction: 1-1. Leicester looked like a League 2 team in the first half against Spurs and a top-6 team in the second half. No one knows which team will show up against Fulham. A draw would be the safe bet here, as the two teams did not show enough consistency for a full 90-minute winning performance in their first game.
Manchester City vs. Ipswich Town
Manchester City: The Premier League Champions did not need to get off the first gear to beat a lackluster Chelsea team at Stamford Bridge. One more week of training and fitness recovery, and they would look better for it.
Ipswich Town: Town had a good start vs. Liverpool and gave a powerful account for themselves in the Premier League’s opening weekend. Winning the ball high up the pitch and playing very well on transition is what they will have to do vs. City. However, the quality of Liverpool’s side seeped through and eventually they ended up losing 0-2.
Prediction
Alex’s Prediction: 4-0 City. Man City’s quality will shine through, and they will comfortably pull past the newly promoted side. Haaland will score twice, with Doku and Rico Lewis also getting on the scoreboard.
Yassin’s Prediction: 5-0 Manchester City. Ipswich looked good in the first half against Liverpool but faded in the second. The Citizens do not lose points against newly promoted sides at home, and the Tractor Boys will not change that. Going to Etihad and snatching anything other than a humbling loss would be a tall task for McKenna and Co. in their second Premier League game.
Southampton vs. Nottingham Forest
Southampton: Although the Saints lost to Newcastle, who had ten men for the best part of 60 minutes, they gave a good account of themselves and were the better side vs. the eleven men, and not just the 10. They had 78% of the ball and registered 1.77 xG. Southampton doesn’t necessarily have big-name players, but they have players who suit a system down to a tee, and sometimes that can prove to be more valuable. People are heavily underestimating Southampton this season.
Nottingham Forest: Forest started the game well against Bournemouth and took the lead at City Ground. However, they could not sustain the level and did not create enough chances to win the game. Forest conceded many big chances against a Bournemouth team still finding its feet after the summer upheaval. Forest will need much better performances to stay in the Premier League.
Prediction
Alex’s Prediction: 2-0 Saints. Southampton will suffocate a poor Forest side with the ball, frustrating them and leaving them with few chances to go off, and Southampton will take theirs. Archer and Armstrong are the scorers.
Yassin’s Prediction: 2-0 Southampton. The Saints put in an excellent performance against the Magpies. They lost to an individual error, and if they had their shooting boots, they would have left one of the country’s toughest stadiums with a win. They find it this week and beat Forest in what could significantly impact the relegation battle.
Crystal Palace vs. West Ham
Crystal Palace: The Eagles looked good circulating the ball against Brentford but did not create many chances against the Bees’ well-drilled low block. 1.17 xG from 14 shots shows the quality of shots Palace had to take. They had two goals disallowed, though one of them was for a correct offside and the other probably should have counted.
West Ham: The Hammers have gone through a pricey summer window, spending on multiple targets and building a proper European-challenging squad under Julen Lopetegui; however, they suffered a 1-2 defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend. They created chances, and against a Crystal Palace side going through a general squad change, it could turn out to be fruitful.
Prediction
Alex’s Prediction: 2-2 draw. Both Palace and West Ham will offer an entertaining end-to-end contest, with Eze and Mateta on the scoresheet and Fulkrug and Summerville for the Hammers, leaving the game with the points shared.
Yassin’s Prediction: 2-1 Crystal Palace. In the second London derby of the season and their home opener, Palace is getting on board against a West Ham team that is still gelling after many transfers and under a new manager.
Aston Villa vs. Arsenal
Aston Villa: The Villans started this season from where they finished, having four big chances and a 2.03 xG against West Ham. They also conceded four big chances, although one was a penalty and the other a last-minute scramble from a corner. These two chances alone accounted for 1.65 of the 2.7 xG they conceded at West Ham. Also, the Birmingham Lions performed well against the Hammers without a fully fit Ollie Watkins.
Arsenal: The Gunners dominated their opening game against Wolves, with the visitors not having many chances and Arsenal doing their usual business. The North London side still needs to add in the transfer window, especially in the forward areas, to score all the chances that they create. With this signing, hopefully made before the end of the window, it could be the final piece of the puzzle that leads them to a title win.
Prediction
Alex’s Prediction: 1-3 Arsenal. I feel that Arsenal will have the cutting edge against Villa and come out winners in a very entertaining tie that will leave Villa disappointed with their missed chances. Watkins, Havertz, and Saka double as the scorers.
Yassin’s Prediction: 2-1 Aston Villa. Emery has had Arteta’s number since coming back to the Premier League. The Spaniard cost Arsenal the league last season, and Villa are not starting their season at Villa Park with anything other than a win. A late Watkins goal would send Villa Park erupting and my fantasy team would be happier.
Wolves vs. Chelsea
Wolves: Wolves had an unlucky opening day fixture, facing potentially the most challenging side to beat away from home all season. They created some decent chances; however, they lacked cutting-edge. After losing the likes of Pedro Neto, they could struggle a lot this season apart from Jørgen Strand Larsen, who looks like an excellent addition to the side. The Wolves could surprise a few but also shock some this season.
Chelsea: The Blues looked devoid of ideas against City. Understandably, starting the Premier League against the Champions with a new manager is a tall task. Chelsea will need to improve quickly to compete for a top-four spot.
Prediction
Alex’s Prediction: 1-2 Chelsea. Maresca’s time at Chelsea will be hyper-analyzed under the microscope by every analyst up and down the country. However, I feel they will get their season up and running after facing arguably the most demanding opening fixture of the season. Jackson and Neto are the scorers for Chelsea, while Jørgen Strand Larsen gets his first Wolves goal.
Yassin’s Prediction: 2-0 Wolves. The Wolves caused some problems for Arsenal, and their low block greatly bothered Arsenal, a much better team than Chelsea. Moulineux has not been a happy ground for Chelsea in the last few seasons. The previous Chelsea win there came in 2019. The Blues lost three and drew one of their last four trips to Wolverhampton, and their streak of not winning in Moulineux continues for another season.
Bournemouth vs. Newcastle United
Bournemouth: Bournemouth has begun a rebuild under Andoni Iraola and has started a massive squad overhaul after losing striker Dom Solanke for a club-record sale. His replacement, Evanilson, cost a large sum and could be vital to the Cherries this season. Last time out, they faced an even fixture against Forest, with the game ending 1-1 and both sides ruing missed chances.
Newcastle United: Newcastle did not perform well against newly promoted Southampton at home. Granted, they were playing with ten men from the 36th minute, but they were not looking good even before the sending-off.
Prediction
Alex’s Prediction: 0-1 Newcastle. On another return to The Vitality for Eddie Howe, his side will show their quality and team cohesion, grinding out a 0-1 victory on the South Coast. Isak is the only scorer in a close and competitive football game.
Yassin’s Prediction: 3-2 Bournemouth. Neither Newcastle nor Bournemouth looked very good in their first game against inferior opposition, although the Cherries looked better than Newcastle. The Magpies could not beat the Cherries in the league the last two seasons, and this streak continues for another game.
Liverpool vs. Brentford
Liverpool: The first game under new manager Arne Slot proved what most expected. Liverpool would start slow due to the side trying to adapt to a new style of play and a real lack of signings. was evident. Liverpool largely lacked control and dictation against Ipswich, with the side crying out for a proper No. 6 after Zubimendi rejected them recently. Although they ran out 0-2 winners last Saturday, their performance was a worry, and they were rescued through player quality and Ipswich not taking their chances.
Brentford: In a typical Brentford fashion, they sat in a low block against Palace and countered efficiently. They created the most significant game chances, defended well, and won. There is nothing to suggest they would do anything different in Anfield.
Prediction
Alex’s Prediction: 3-1 Liverpool. Despite all of what was just said, I still feel they yet again have the quality to beat teams like Brentford’s, and they will slowly adapt to Slot’s style of play. However, they still need to add in the transfer market; otherwise, they will suffer long-term this season. Salah with a brace and Alexis Mac Allister on the scoresheet for Liverpool, with Wissa adding a consolation goal at the end for the Bees’s
Yassin’s Prediction: 2-1 Liverpool. Liverpool did not look good in the first half against Ipswich. They looked brilliant in the first 20 minutes of the second half and could have scored more. Brentford are more seasoned operators in the Premier League than Ipswich, and they will give Arne Slot a scare in his home debut. The Reds’ quality prevails, giving the Dutch coach his first Anfield win.
Predictions Table
3 points for the correct score and 1 point for the correct result (W/D/L), 0 points for incorrect.
Alex and Yassin will go head-to-head weekly and tally their predictions at the end of the following week’s preview.
And just for fun, we will tally up Scott’s predictions as well! You can catch them over on our official Tik Tok page!
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