Premier League Matchweek 2
Arsenal vs Burnley
The Gunners will host Burnley to open the second weekend of EPL action on Saturday night.
Arsenal’s opening weekend went off without a hitch, recording a 1-0 away victory in Newcastle. Unai Emery’s side didn’t start new signings Nicolas Pepe, Dani Ceballos, David Luiz or Kieran Tierney, although Ceballos and Pepe got a taste of the action.
One or more of them may start this weekend as they look to continue to integrate them into the side.
Burnley’s opening weekend went as good as they could have hoped, as Ashley Barnes scored a double to help the Clarets record a 3-0 home victory over Southampton.
Three second half goals were enough to see Sean Dyche’s men off to a ripping start, as it doesn’t get much better than a clean sheet at home.
Nick Pope impressed in goal after a year out of the game, while Erik Pieters was brilliant at left back.
Burnley will look to be stingy in defence once again, but with the Gunners at home for the first time this season, it’s hard to see anything else but an Arsenal win.
Prediction: Arsenal/Arsenal half-full double @ $1.80
Manchester City vs Tottenham
Following on from last weekend’s Manchester United vs Chelsea clash, we have another top six showdown this weekend, as City host Spurs.
These two sides played out some massive battles last season, as Tottenham ended City’s Champions League run in unbelievable circumstances, thanks to VAR cancelling out Raheem Sterling’s supposed winner.
Sterling has started this season in brilliant fashion, recording a hattrick in an opening day 5-0 victory over West Ham, while Harry Kane netted twice to help Tottenham overturn a deficit to record a 3-1 win.
The Spurs have added Tanguy Ndombele to their midfield which should make them harder to penetrate, and he even found himself on the scoresheet last weekend, in a bonus for Mauricio Pochettino.
City have added Rodri and Joao Cancelo, with Rodri starting against the Hammers. Sergio Aguero came off the bench and Bernando Silva was an unused substitute, showcasing just how deep this City team is.
Tottenham are one of the few sides who could potentially pick up a point from the Etihad this season, although it’d be a brave man to pick against Pep Guardiola.
Prediction: Over 2.5 goals @ $1.48
Wolves vs Manchester United
In a way, Manchester United were the biggest surprise packets of the opening weekend, following their 4-0 demolition of Chelsea at Old Trafford.
While United weren’t exactly dominant from the first whistle, they did score three second-half goals to take the game away from Frank Lampard’s side pretty quickly.
Paul Pogba impressed with a beautiful assist, while Marcus Rashford scored a brace.
They’ll travel to Wolves to close out the second weekend, who had a tough time at Leicester, coming away with a 0-0 draw.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side was unlucky (depending on who you ask), after Leander Dendoncker’s goal was ruled out through VAR due to a handball in the lead-up play.
Wolverhampton will once again grab some big scalps this season at the Molineux, so don’t be surprised if they take a point from United here.
Prediction: Draw @ $3.20
