| Brighton & Hove Albion 1-3 Chelsea: Jorginho sends Mat Ryan the wrong way from the penalty spot under the lights at Amex Stadium. (Source: premierleague.com) |
Matchweek one is done but not dusted.
At the predictions table, we had fun and just a blip at Spurs’ stadium where bookings didn’t fly as expected.
Encouraging start to say the least but the round owes us two fixtures, both for the Manchester clubs.
Both had been Handed days off having played further legs in European competitions respectively.
United will host Crystal Palace and City are away to Wolves, interesting fixtures with a rich history.
Jose Mourinho started with a loss at home to a new look Everton.
He did record a win in the Europa League qualification tie on Thursday but he hasn’t stopped talking, complaining about fixtures, player fitness, and attitude are strong parts of his tactics but to what end?
He doesn’t know if he should focus on the league or cup competitions.
But the huge addition of Gareth Bale on loan from Real Madrid and Reguilon permanently will help his cause.
We’re back at the predictions table, with a reminder to everyone: Gamble responsibly.
Everton vs West Brom
Leeds vs Fulham
Manchester United vs Crystal Palace
Arsenal vs West Ham
Southampton vs Tottenham
Newcastle vs Brighton
Chelsea vs Liverpool
Leicester vs Burnley
Kingpower stadium
Sunday 20th September
Leicester are joint top with Arsenal and only behind the Gunners on an alphabetical order basis.
They were precise and direct against the Baggies who also had a man sent off.
Castagne also offered lots down the right and he can also play on the left.
Give it to Brendan Rodgers, he has moved on from Ben Chilwell and must be grateful to the injury to James Madison which must have discouraged suitors.
The lad has signed a new deal and will be ready to take the league by storm again.
Burnley didn’t play last weekend with both Manchester clubs handed a week off.
Sean Dyches must be quite unhappy at the state of things, he hasn’t added a single player to his side and with his squad very thin, this may be looking like the season Burnley goes down.
Leicester are quite predictable, but can they be stopped?
Burnley will be playing to avoid defeat while Leicester will be playing to win, on the premise of such permutations, there’s only one direction to tilt.
Betting prediction: Leicester to win
Aston Villa vs Sheffield
Villa Park
Monday 21st September
Aston Villa have done some fine businesses in the current transfer window.
The biggest will be the long term contract of Jack Grealish, their talismanic midfielder has signed for another five years.
His release clause is now unattainable for most clubs and he can focus on helping Villa stay in the league.
Arsenal’s Emiliano Martinez has joined Villa permanently for a good sum too.
Great to see for the Argentine who wants to be in goal for his National team at the next world cup.
It’s worthy of note that the 28-year-old spent ten years at Arsenal and didn’t get recognition until the twilight of his days at the Emirates, hoping he gets to shine to sustain the current hype around him.
Sheffield United lost at home to Wolves last weekend.
The reality is finally setting in after a season to remember last time out.
Not for lack of effort against Wolves by the way, they gave everything and just won’t be able to measure up.
Here they will have to defend as Villa attempt to go at them but it’s theirs to lose as Villa will be a bit jaded having not had a competitive fixture since July.
Betting prediction: Over 7.5 corners
Wolves vs Manchester City
Molineaux Stadium
Monday night football will be rounded off by a fixture that turned heads last season.
Wolves were two down at some points in this fixture at the end of last year and somehow managed to claw back before Raul Jimenez headed home from Adama Traore cross to win the game much to the dismay of Pep Guardiola.
City are filing out for the first time after being handed a break last weekend.
They are yet to conclude on their defensive shopping with either of Koulibaly and Jose Jimenez touted to join.
They currently have Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte in defence to complement Otamendi, Stones and Eric Garcia who we thought was on his way to Barcelona.
Wolves will be happy to wait this one out, they won’t get to see more of the ball but they will be happy to counter fiercely with Traore hugging the line and catching City’s high press off guard.
Pep Guardiola and City can’t afford to have a slow start.
They have to win and compete with contenders from the start, they handed too much advantage to City last time, they can’t afford to do that this time.
Betting prediction: City to win
Strictly the writer’s opinion.
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