PL Gameweek 2 Preview

The second game of the season can usually determine where your side is and gives the managers an idea of what is good and bad in their side, the first week they could have got lucky or could have had an off day. This week could see some huge things revealed, including if Arsenal win get their first point at Leicester? Will West Ham make their new stadium a fortress? Who will win the derby of Sunderland against Middlesbrough? And will Mourinho continue to have impressive home record at new club Manchester United? All will be revealed.

Manchester United v Southampton (Friday 19th August 8pm, Sky Sports)

The first Friday night game of the season sees Mourinho attempt to show off his new players to 76,000 United fans. He will have Paul Pogba, but how will he settle back in England? Zlatan Ibrahimovic enjoyed a debut goal and it will interesting to see if we will see Mkhitaryan start for the first time. They play a side who couldn't start with a win and will hope to keep some confidence as the saints try to avoid an embarrassing drop on last seasons campaign. This will be a game where United enjoy a lot of the ball and Southampton will sit back and counter and for that i don't think it will be a battering because Southampton have a good side. I can see United having enough though and they should secure a win.

My prediction : Manchester United 2-0, first scorer, Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Stoke v Manchester City (Saturday 20th August 12:30pm, SkySports)

Pep will need to keep as close as he can to his rivals but I can see them struggling a bit against Stoke. They have just travelled to Romania and this game will see them face a good side and I don't know if Pep will play the same way. If he does they could be left too open at the back and Stoke have the quality to capitalise. I think City might score first but I feel Pep won't sit back and defend and Stoke will get a goal. As much as City will need a win, I think Pep is too naive in the Premier League at the moment.

My prediction : Stoke 1-1 Manchester City, first scorer, Sergio Aguero

Burnley v Liverpool (Saturday 20th August 3pm)

Liverpool were outstanding last weekend in terms of their attacking fluidity but their defensive frailties seem to still be there. They have addressed the issue and brought in Matip and Klavan, and we could see Matip feature in this game but they need to stop leaking goals. Burnley are completely different, they cannot but the ball in the back of the net at the minute and until they do its hard to see what will happen with them. They have now replaced Barton with Defour but it will need to take a lot more than that. I can see Liverpool having way too much for them.

My prediction : Burnley 1-3 Liverpool, first scorer, Roberto Firmino

Swansea v Hull (Saturday 20th August 3pm)

With both sides winning last weekend the pressue is off, especially for Hull. No one expected them to win and with Swansea up next they may have a bit more confidence. Swansea have a decent side, they don't have Ayew or Williams but they still have players who can fill the roles and now have good players to score. I think both will be buzzing for this and think they can win and it could be a good game, and i think they will share the points.

My prediction : Swansea 2-2 Hull, first scorer, Abel Hernandez

Tottenham v Crystal Palace (Saturday 20th August 3pm)

Both sides have pressure for this game, Spurs need the three points after only a draw at Everton and Crystal Palace will still be pointless unless they draw here, after a disappointing performance against West Brom. I think both will still be in the transfer market, especially Palace, and they need it, but this game will be tough for the eagles. Tottenham have good players and a lot more depth now and I can't see the visitors even getting on the score-sheet. I think spurs will win this comfortably if they get an early goal.

My prediction : Tottenham 3-0 Crystal Palace, first scorer, Harry Kane

Watford v Chelsea (Saturday 20th August 3pm)

This could be a hard game for Chelsea. The hornets have a good strike force and when they start firing, they're lethal, but Conte is the master tactician. He knows that he will need to sit back and defend at times and that you cannot play one dimensional the whole game. I can see them winning this though, I just don't feel convinced by Watford at the minute because they ended badly last season, but when they get going they will be a good side, but it will be hard when you don't understand your manager seeming he can't talk English.

My prediction : Watford 1-2 Cheslea, first scorer, Odion Ighalo

West Brom v Everton (Saturday 20th August 3pm)

This game will need to see Ronald Koeman avoid defeat because if he only gets 1 point from his opening two games, it might do bad things for the squads mentality after last seasons shambles. They don't have the hardest start to the season but they need something here. West Brom don't have that pressure, they won their opening game away from home and they also do not have the toughest fixture list. I can see both managers trying not to lose, Pulis always does and Koeman needs to get something, if he can get Bolasie, Williams and Lukaku playing, they could have a good game. I think they will win this.

My prediction : West Brom 1-2 Everton, first scorer, Ross Barkley

Leicester v Arsenal (Saturday 20th August 5:30pm, BT Sport)

This is so huge for both clubs. Leicester have some pressure on them now, they could lose this and be really struggling to get close to retaining their title. As for Arsenal, they are under so much pressure, the fans are crying out for transfers and after the opening day they really need it if they will push for the title. If Arsenal lose this all the fans will be slating Wenger but that could make him spend, you just don't know. I can see both sides being a bit conservative and nervous and this may be my Tottenham heart talking but I fancy Leicester to win. I would just love to see Arsenal near the bottom of the league, and for Vardy to score against them after rejecting them.

My prediction : Leicester 2-0 Arsenal, first scorer, Jamie Vardy

Sunderland v Middlesbrough (Sunday 21st August 1:30pm, SkySports)

This will be interesting, the first time for a while we have had a north-east derby and it isn't between Newcastle and Sunderland. I feel that both clubs can go on to have good seasons now that they have decent managers and improving their squads. I think this will be a draw to be honest. If I chose one I might go for Sunderland but I don't know if they will, I just feel a draw seems right. I think both will stay up but neither will want to lose this whatsoever.

My prediction : Sunderland 1-1 Middlesbrough, first scorer, Alvaro Negredo

West Ham v Bournemouth (Sunday 21st August 4pm, SkySports)

This is a huge day for West Ham fans. This is history no matter what the score and they will be desperate to win and get the first Premier League game of the new stadium as three points. Bournemouth have a decent side but I feel West Ham will be so up for it and will get over the line. I do worry for Bournemouth because they are building for the future, but will it work now. In this game I just feel they won't compete enough and West Ham will win it.

My prediction : West Ham 2-0 Bournemouth, first scorer, Andy Carroll