Brighton & Hove Albion are the early-season leaders of the Premier League table after matchday one, and they will kick things off in gameweek two when they welcome Manchester United to the Amex Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.
That is the first of seven games on a busy Saturday this weekend, with champions Manchester City hosting Ipswich Town and Tottenham Hotspur entertaining Everton among the standout 3pm kickoffs.
The first meeting of the season between two of last term’s top four then closes out the day, with Arsenal visiting Aston Villa.
The remaining three games then take place on Sunday, with Liverpool rounding off the gameweek against Brentford in Arne Slot’s first home game as manager.
Each gameweek, MS News Sports is taking on a famous musician or band in a prediction competition, and this week it is the turn of Max Lewin, drummer of Bristol-based indie risers Make Friends.
Brighton vs. Man Utd
Saturday, 12.30pm
Omugave: Brighton 2-1 Man Utd
MS News Sports: Brighton 2-2 Man Utd
Brighton head into their first home match of the new season in buoyant mood following their comfortable win at Everton, and their recent record against Man United should provide them with an additional psychological boost.
The Seagulls could prove to be a tricker opponent for Man United than Fulham, but the Red Devils themselves will likely pose a sterner test to Hurzeler’s men than Everton. With both teams possessing threats in the final third, we can see an entertaining score draw being played out at the Amex Stadium.
Crystal Palace vs. West Ham
Saturday, 3pm
Omugave: Crystal Palace 1-1 West Ham
MS News Sports: Crystal Palace 2-2 West Ham
Goals are to be expected in Saturday’s intriguing fixture; both teams have scored in each of the last 14 meetings between Crystal Palace and West Ham, while the last four encounters at Selhurst Park have produced 24 goals (13 for Palace and 11 for West Ham).
The Eagles have prevailed in their last two home matches with the Hammers, but we expect a response from Lopetegui’s men and they may do enough to claim at least a share of the spoils from an entertaining contest.
Fulham vs. Leicester
Saturday, 3pm
Omugave: Fulham 1-1 Leicester
Sports Mole: Fulham 1-1 Leicester
Despite both failing to come out on top on matchday one, Saturday’s competitors arguably had more positives than negatives to evaluate, even if Leicester were atrocious in the first 45 against Tottenham before cleaning up their act in the second.
A similarly slow start may not prove fatal against a Fulham side whose lack of penetration let them down at Old Trafford, though, and we can see the points being split evenly in this one.
Man City vs. Ipswich
Saturday, 3pm
Omugave: Man City 4-0 Ipswich
MS News Sports: Man City 3-0 Ipswich
Ipswich certainly gave a good account of themselves against Liverpool last weekend, but they ultimately came up short against a stronger opponent and will once again be up against it when they face a Man City side who are unbeaten in 45 games at the Etihad across all competitions.
Indeed, it is difficult to see how the Tractor Boys can come away with a positive result against the reigning champions, who should have few problems claiming maximum points in comfortable fashion.
Southampton vs. Nott’m Forest
Saturday, 4pm
Omugave SM: Southampton 2-1 Nott’m Forest
MS News Sports: Southampton 1-1 Nott’m Forest
With a little bit more of a killer instinct, Southampton could have made the long journey home from Newcastle with one or indeed three points, but their issues when it comes to ruthlessness will not be solved in a week.
The Saints also possess a horrendous home record against Forest, who have made a habit of beating promoted teams away from home in recent months, but from our point of view, this battle has low-scoring stalemate written all over it.
Spurs vs. Everton
Saturday, 4pm
Omugave SM: Spurs 2-1 Everton
MS News Sports: Spurs 3-0 Everton
Tottenham should have been out of sight by half time in their clash with Leicester, only to be their own worst enemies in front of goal, but the Lilywhites should rectify those mistakes with ease on Saturday.
Working around a rearguard crisis and also boasting a distinct lack of senior midfield options, Everton should be no match for Postecoglou’s men as the Toffees’ terrible start continues.
Aston Villa vs. Arsenal
Saturday, 6.30pm
Omugave SM: Aston Villa 2-3 Arsenal
MS News Sports: Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal
Fourteen wins at Villa Park is Arsenal’s joint-most at an away Premier League venue, but the Gunners were fortunate not to have been punished for some sloppy play against Wolves, where they were not at their scintillating best.
Arteta’s men can always be backed to keep things watertight – or close to watertight – in defence, but with Duran and Ollie Watkins carrying a potent threat up front for Villa, we can envisage Saturday’s contest ending in a hotly-contested draw.
Wolves vs. Chelsea
Sunday, 3pm
Max: Wolves 1-3 Chelsea
MS News Sports: Wolves 1-2 Chelsea
Each of Chelsea’s last 16 Premier League away matches has seen the Blues concede at least one goal, and their defensive deficiencies should be at least momentarily exposed by a Wolves side who have had their number over the past 18 months.
However, with a spring in their step from Thursday’s victory and an astonishing squad depth allowing them to call on plenty of fresh legs, we still have faith in Maresca’s men to eke out a win over an off-colour Wolves outfit, but it may not be pretty.
Bournemouth vs. Newcastle
Sunday, 3pm
Omugave SM: Bournemouth 1-1 Newcastle
MS News Sports: Bournemouth 0-2 Newcastle
Only salvaging a point against Forest in the dying embers, Bournemouth could find themselves fighting a losing battle against the Newcastle defence – even a decimated one – if Southampton’s fruitless pursuits are anything to go by.
As such, we have faith in the Magpies – who have scored 10 goals in their last three Premier League away games – to end their recent hoodoo in this fixture.
Liverpool vs. Brentford
Sunday, 5.30pm
MS News Sports: Liverpool 3-1 Brentford
Brentford breaking down the Liverpool rearguard is not beyond the realm of possibility at all; as well as Wissa’s recent hot streak, Mbeumo averages a goal contribution every 108 minutes when Toney is missing, compared to one every 250 when he plays.
However, Frank conceded that the Bees still rode their luck at times against Palace, and Slot’s full-strength Liverpool should mercilessly punish any lapses from the visitors as they maintain their perfect start to 2024-25.
