Matchday two of the 2022-23 Premier League season is now in the spotlight following an entertaining matchday one which recorded 28 goals.
Followers of English football will hope for better in round two with some teams looking for an effective response to unflattering results and a London derby also guaranteed to produce fireworks.
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth – Etihad Stadium (Saturday, August 13, 2022 – 3:00pm)
Manchester City began their title defence with a display of utter and complete domination in London against West Ham United, winning 2-0 with new signing Erling Haaland showing why Pep Guardiola demanded for him.
Heading into matchday two, the Cityzens will return to Etihad in front of their home fans, with their last memory being the comeback 3-2 win against Aston Villa which secured them last season’s title.
AFC Bournemouth on the other hand returned to the top flight with a bang following a 2-0 win over Villa, a week ago.
Unbeaten in their last nine league games, winning each of the last four without conceding, the performance of Scott Parker’s men against Villa was a little bit less of a surprise.
However, with confidence high, travelling to face the defending champions who boasts the attacking threat of Haaland, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Riyad Mahrez and Kevin De Bruyne could be a tough ask, particularly a City side who they have had it rough against.
City are on a winning run of 11 games against Bournemouth and have scored first in their last six games. Also, three or more goals have been scored in this fixture in six of the last seven games.
With all fingers pointing towards a City win, Guardiola will love his players to hold their own in defence as they have not been able to keep a clean sheet against Bournemouth in their last three games.
Last time out: Carabao Cup 24/09/2020 – Manchester City 2:1 AFC Bournemouth
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace – Anfield (Monday, August 15, 2022 – 8:00pm)
Already two points behind Man City, Liverpool will want to get their season on track immediately when they host Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace on what could be a Monday night treat.
One sure bet is that if Liverpool repeat their performance at Fulham against Palace, you can be sure Vieira’s high-pressing side will punish them.
Although, Jürgen Klopp’s team is currently depleted no thanks to injuries, he will be encouraged by Darwin Nuñez’s brilliant start to life in England.
Despite their opening day defeat against Arsenal, Palace looked threatening and dangerous in front of goal while being fairly solid in defence. They will be well rested than a Liverpool team – who have beaten them in their last 12 meetings.
The Eagles have also not kept a clean sheet against the Merseyside giants in their last 20 games.
Last time out: Pre-season friendly 15/07/2022 – Liverpool 2:0 Crystal Palace
Premier League 23/01/2022 – Crystal Palace 1:3 Liverpool
Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur – Stamford Bridge (Sunday, August 14, 2022 – 4:30pm)
What better way to end a Sunday than with a London derby? It’s West London hosting North London.
Antonio Conte returns to Stamford Bridge, but this time as the gaffer of Tottenham Hotspur.
The Italian who won the Serie A title with Inter Milan after lifting the Premier League title during his time at Chelsea is keen to fire Spurs to trophies this season and what better way to make a statement of intent than against Thomas Tuchel’s Blues.
Both sides recorded opening day victories and will be hoping to follow it up by earning bragging rights on Sunday.
Conte and Spurs have all the wrong records facing them. They are yet to beat Chelsea in their last seven games, losing their last four and are without a clean sheet in their last six against the two-time European champions, who have not conceded against them in their last four.
All the meetings last season was absolutely one-sided with Chelsea beating Spurs 2-0 both home and away in the league and also winning 1-0 in the Carabao Cup.
It is also important to note Chelsea have lost just one of their last 32 home league games against Spurs, claiming maximum points in 21.
However, with Conte at the touchline and Tuchel clearly unsatisfied with his playing personnel, Spurs will be confident to set all the bad records straight.
Last time out: Premier League 23/01/2022 – Chelsea 2:0 Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal vs Leicester City – Emirates Stadium (Saturday, August 13, 2022 – 3:00pm)
Arsenal and Leicester City are set to lock horns at Emirates Stadium with games that could probably be termed ‘the Youri Tielemans audition’.
Arsenal have had their sights locked on the midfielder throughout the summer but are yet to make an approach to Leicester for the Belgian.
Should he impress, Mikel Arteta will most definitely want to work with the midfielder, also factoring possible departures from the club.
Arteta will also clearly be looking for a much better performance against the Foxes after his side’s less than excellent display in their 2-0 opening day victory at Crystal Palace.
Reuniting with their home supporters, Arsenal will certainly have confidence on their side – as only Liverpool and Man City had a better home record than Arsenal last season, winning 13 out of their 19 home leagues games, losing four.
On the other hand, Brendan Rodgers will be looking for a much better display than the last 30 minutes in their draw with Brentford last Sunday as they surrendered a two-goal lead.
However, it will be very much needed as Arsenal have beaten Leicester City in their last three games.
Last time out: Premier League 13/03/2022 – Arsenal 2:0 Leicester City
Brentford vs Manchester United – Brentford Community Stadium (Saturday, August 13, 2022 – 5:30pm)
Erik ten Hag and Manchester United travel to face Brentford at the Community Stadium in Saturday’s tea-time kickoff with both sides keen on registering their first win of the season.
For Brentford, spirits will be high after the visit to the King Power Stadium last Sunday to earn a point after coming from behind to hold Leicester to a 2-2 draw.
Thomas Frank’s side will now turn their attentions towards getting three points against ten Hag’s misfiring Red Devils.
United began their season on the worst possible note, losing 1-2 at Old Trafford to Brighton and Hove Albion, in a game which they never seemed impressive.
An improved performance will be a must when they face a Brentford team whom they have not lost to in three games.
However, against a Brentford side who have won 22 points since March – only six teams have won more – this could probably be another tough day in the office for United if they do not step up.
Last time out: Premier League 02/05/2022 – Manchester United 3:0 Brentford
Nottingham Forest vs West Ham United – City Ground (Sunday, August 14, 2022 – 2:00pm)
Nottingham Forest and West Ham United will aim to bounce back from their respective opening weekend 2-0 losses as they aim for maximum points.
However, with the return of Premier League football to City Ground for the first time in 23 years and 82 days, the Forest fans will definitely be hyped up to cheer their team to victory.
Steve Cooper’s men lost their battle in midfield in last week’s loss at Newcastle and with the Hammers boasting the likes of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek, they will need to improve their performance against David Moyes’ team who are desperate to bounce back from their awful display against Man City.
West Ham will be boosted by Gianluca Scamacca’s return to full fitness. The Italian poacher made his debut off the bench last Sunday but could be in line to start.
There have three or more goals scored in this fixture four of the last five time with both teams scoring in five of their last seven meetings.
Last time out: Premier League 05/01/2014 – Nottingham Forest 5:0 West Ham United
Aston Villa vs Everton – Villa Park (Saturday, August 13, 2022 – 12:30pm)
Matchday two kick-starts with a continuation of a rivalry right from their playing days to now as managers.
Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard were two of the finest midfielders in world football, playing Liverpool and Chelsea respectively while also actively being involved with the England national team.
The pair will lock horns with their teams doing the business on the pitch in Saturday’s lunch-time kickoff.
Gerrard and Lampard will be on the hunt for maximum points after their sides lost on the opening weekend.
However, it is Gerrard’s Villa who have the upper hand as they have not lost to Everton in their last six meetings and are yet to concede in their last three.
However, with Everton being active in the transfer market lately, it looks like Lampard is intent on avoiding another relegation scrap this season.
Last time out: Premier League 22/01/2023 – Everton 0:1 Aston Villa
Brighton and Hove Albion vs Newcastle United – American Express Community Stadium (Saturday, August 13, 2022 – 3:00pm)
This game has all the qualities to be an exciting one.
Following impressive victories on the opening weekend, both Brighton and Hove Albion and Newcastle United will look to build on their results.
Two teams under the tutelage of exciting managers, both Graham Potter and Eddie Howe’s teams have been tipped as teams to watch out for, outside the top six, this season.
Only Liverpool [52], Man City [46] and Spurs [44] has a better haul than Newcastle’s total of 41 points from their last 20 Premier League games while only Man City [26], Liverpool [24] and Spurs [23] have garnered more points than Brighton since April.
Last time out: Premier League 05/03/2022 – Newcastle United 2:1 Brighton and Hove Albion
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Fulham – Molineux Stadium (Saturday, August 13, 2022 – 3pm)
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ lack of serious activity in the transfer was exposed last week following their loss to Leeds United.
Bruno Lage has now moved to bring in Portuguese attacker, Gonçalo Guedes from Valencia, joining the likes of Pedro Neto, Daniel Podence and Hwang Hee-Chan in the Wolves attack.
Meanwhile, Fulham recorded an impressive 2-2 draw against Liverpool on the opening weekend of the season, but travelling to Wolves might be a much more difficult task.
Wolves are yet to lose to Fulham in their last four meetings, winning their last three without conceding.
Last time out: Premier League 09/04/2021 – Fulham 0:1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Southampton vs Leeds United – St. Mary’s Stadium (Saturday, August 13, 2022 – 3:00pm)
Last week’s 4-1 loss to Tottenham was a sour way for Southampton and Ralph Hasenhüttl to start the season.
The Saints will hope to return to winning ways against a Leeds United team who began their campaign with a good 2-1 win against Wolves.
Jesse Marsch and Leeds will file out for maximum points as they search for a better season than last.
Same goes for Southampton who will be out to redeem themselves in front of their home faithful.
Last time out: Premier League 02/04/2022 – Leeds United 1:1 Southampton
Matchday two fixtures in full
Saturday, August 13, 2022
Aston Villa vs Everton – 12:30pm
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth – 3:00pm
Arsenal vs Leicester City – 3:00pm
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Fulham – 3:00pm
Brighton and Hove Albion vs Newcastle United – 3:00pm
Southampton vs Leeds United – 3:00pm
Brentford vs Manchester United – 5:30pm
Sunday, August 14, 2022
Nottingham Forest vs West Ham United – 2:00pm
Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur – 4:30pm
Monday, August 15, 2022
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace – 8:00pm
(All times in WAT)