EPL preview: Arsenal eye revenge against Villa as Man United face Brighton

The English Premier League (EPL) switches gears into matchday two after an exciting opening weekend. 21 goals were scored across the 10 games from Friday to Monday. 

Manchester United beat Fulham in the campaign’s opening game, while Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City played a feisty 1-1 draw to wrap up the weekend.

In between, Manchester City defeated Chelsea 2-0 in their quest to defend their crown, while Liverpool and Arsenal also secured comfortable wins to emphasise their role as ultimate challengers.

The teams will get another chance to reinforce their ambitions for the EPL over the following weekend.

TheCable analysts are here to dissect the upcoming matchday two fixtures. The pundits will analyse all the games and give their almost accurate predictions.

ASTON VILLA VS ARSENAL

Martin Odiete:  This should be the toughest match of the weekend. Recall that Aston Villa was practically the team that derailed Arsenal’s title quest last season when they defeated them 2-0 at the Emirate stadium. More so, Aston Villa is coached by a former Arsenal manager. This match is more of a revenge mission for Arsenal, but whether they can carry out the revenge is another issue. I predict Aston Villa running away with yet another win in this. 2-1

Sunday Omeike: Aston Villa have continued from their fourth-place finish with a good start to the season. They can beat any side, and I expect Unai Emery to bring the emotions and tactical acumen against his old side. On the other hand, Mikel Arteta will not rely only on Bukayo Saka’s magic here. A perfect game from midfield to attack is required, and I expect the wiser Gunners to edge a classic match. 2-1 to Arsenal.

Remi Sulola: Aston Villa have been a bogey team for Arsenal in recent months. The Clarets have won the last two EPL games against the Gunners. So I fancy them to take this one 3-2.

BRIGHTON VS MAN UNITED

Odiete: Both teams would be coming into this match with confidence, having won their first matches in the season opener. Brighton defeated host Everton by three unreplied goals while Man United ran out with a lone goal against hard fighting Fulham. Brighton have won four of their last five EPL games against Man United, though they lost the most recent meeting 2-0 at home on the final day of 2023-24. One thing is sure: there will definitely be goals in this fixture. The two sides are very attacking-minded and will come out smoking, seeking to take the maximum three points at stake. But I predict the match will end in a score draw. 2-2

Omeike: The fearless Seagulls started the season with a massive win at Everton, characterised by their fast-paced style that can bring goals but expose the defence. I am still unsure of the Man United side until we go ten matches into the season. However, they gave away fewer chances in their first match than last season. Fabian Hürzeler, the 31-year-old Brighton manager, talked about shaking up the big teams, and he has the chance to prove himself here. However, despite one win in five away EPL matches, Man United should edge it if the defence repeats last week’s performance.

Sulola: Man United might have beaten Fulham in their opening game, but the team looked like a replica of last season’s maladies. Brighton are getting used to life after Roberto De Zerbi. So United should boss this regardless with a 2-0 win.

MAN CITY VS IPSWICH

Odiete: This is the first meeting between Man City and Ipswich in any competition since January 2002. Man City are the favourites for an outright win in this match, as they have won 17 of their last 18 Premier League games against promoted sides since a 2-1 home loss to Leeds in April 2021. More so, Ipswich’s confidence was dealt a major blow in the opening-day defeat to visiting Liverpool FC. I predict a 4-0 win for Man City.

Omeike: A mismatch against the EPL champions on a 30-game unbeaten run at home, and I feel sorry for Ipswich. I expect Pep Guardiola’s passers to run rings around the Tractor Boys and Erling Haaland to grab a couple of goals.

Sulola: Man City’s John Stones is back with the team after returning from Euros 2024 duty, while Kyle Walker is back in full team training after returning late following the Euros. Pep Guardiola’s men have a strong record against Ipswich Town, but the teams haven’t played each other recently. But an exciting and thrilling encounter is expected from the reigning champions, and City should win by 3-1.

WOLVES VS CHELSEA

Odiete: Wolves have won their last three Premier League games against Chelsea, while Chelsea are winless in four away league games against Wolves since a 5-2 victory in September 2019 under Frank Lampard. Chelsea suffered a 2-0 defeat to Man City on matchday one this season. The Blues haven’t lost their opening two league games in a season since 1973-74, while the last Chelsea manager to lose his first two matches in charge was Gianluca Vialli in February 1998. My prediction for this match is a 1-1 draw.

Omeike: Enzo Maresca is yet to settle but has identified his squad during the week and I think it is only a matter of time for his team to either gel or capitulate. They remain unsure in all areas of the pitch, and their result here would rely on the Wolverhampton Wanderers that show up. Will Gary O’Neil allow the team freedom to attack or stay compact? I expect Chelsea to take at least a point back to the Bridge.

Sulola: Wolves have won three times, two matches ended in a draw, while Chelsea have won once in their last six meetings. Wolves are on a losing streak, having lost to Arsenal and Rayo Vallecano in their previous two matches, while Chelsea lost to Man City in their matchday one match. So, it is a clash of teams desperate for redemption, and Chelsea should get theirs here with a 2-0 victory.

LIVERPOOL VS BRENTFORD

Odiete: Arne Slot and Liverpool are looking to start their EPL season with two consecutive wins for the first time since 2021-22. They started the season with an away win at a newly promoted Ipswich. Brentford have won just one of their six Premier League meetings with Liverpool. At least one team has scored 3+ goals in five of those six games, except for a 1-0 win for the Reds in May 2023.  Judging by the two teams’ strengths, I predict a 3-0 win for Liverpool. More so that Liverpool will be playing in front of the vociferously home crowd.

Omeike: The Arne Slot’s Liverpool era began with a 2-0 win at Ipswich last weekend but looked disjointed in the first period. Brentford have a poor away record — 12 defeats in 19 matches last season — and manager Thomas Frank would have studied how Ipswich tried and looked to replicate it at Anfield. Regardless, Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, and Luis Diaz should lead Liverpool to victory in front of their fans.

Sulola: Liverpool should get past the Brentford challenge easily. I predict a 4-1 win for Liverpool.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR VS EVERTON

Odiete: After securing a very easy one-all draw away to Leicester City in week 1 of the current league season, Tottenham looks highly favoured to win this match. Most importantly, they scored more Premier League goals against Everton overall (102) and at home (63) than they have against any other opponent. I predict Tottenham will win this match 2-0.

Omeike: Tottenham created enough to beat Leicester on Monday but for poor finishing. Striker Dominic Solanke looks raring to go, and an Everton side doomed for another relegation battle would be the perfect opponent to open his account. Tottenham should bag their first win of the season here.

Sulola: Last season, Tottenham took maximum points from Everton’s visit to North London with a 2-1 victory. Everton have not beaten Tottenham in any of their last six meetings. The most likely scoreline for a Tottenham win is 2-1. 

FULHAM VS LEICESTER CITY

Odiete: I predict a 2-1 win for Fulham. Though Leicester City will be a hard nut to crack, judging by how they played Tottenham in their first match, Fulham should be able to find a way to break them down if they put in the same effort they played against Manchester United.

Omeike: Jamie Vardy is back in the EPL. He scored and provided entertainment against Spurs, and it remains to be seen if age will not catch up with him. His Foxes team gave up several opportunities in that encounter and would be happy with another draw against a Fulham side that troubled Man United but could not string the final pass together. The Nigerian angle makes this interesting for locals, but I do not think Wilfred Ndidi can stop Alex Iwobi and Fulham from scoring. Calvin Bassey also holds the fort in defence. The home team to edge it.

Sulola: A tough game to call. Both teams looked assured yet vulnerable in their previous games. But I will stick my neck out for a 2-1 victory to Fulham.

CRYSTAL PLACE VS WEST HAM 

Odiete: I predict an outright win for Crystal Palace because they are playing at home and possess more firepower to put West Ham to the sword. 2-1.

Omeike: I was surprised Crystal Palace lost to an Ivan Toney-less Brentford last week, but their performance was not bad. Oliver Glasner has been a revelation since arrival towards the end of last season, but the transfer window can unsettle any side. They come up against a West Ham United team that did much of its business before the season started and looked a good team despite losing at home to Aston Villa. I expect the Hammers to win at an unsettled Palace.

Sulola: A low-scoring draw seems likely, given Palace’s solid defensive structure and West Ham’s growing attacking threat. A 1-1 outcome could be a realistic prediction, although both sides will push hard for the win.

SOUTHAMPTON VS NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Odiete: This is indeed a very tricky fixture with no clear favourites. These are two teams who are evenly matched in strength. However, newly promoted Southampton will be looking to bounce back after their opening-day defeat to Newcastle. But they would have to be wary of a Nottingham Forest side that has won their last two EPL games against promoted sides, beating Sheffield United and Burnley in May. I predict a 1-1 scoreline.

Omeike: Another Nigerian battle here with Joe Aribo welcoming Ola Aina, Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis to Saint Mary’s stadium. Southampton could not break down ten-man Newcastle last week, while Forest settled for a draw at home to Bournemouth. Goals are a problem for both sides; this should be a scrappy affair.

Sulola: Forest should edge this with their superior roster of talent. They should get a slim 1-0 victory.

BOURNEMOUTH VS NEWCASTLE

Odiete: Newcastle look highly favoured in winning this encounter. Bournemouth have won just one of their last nine EPL games against Newcastle. I predict Newcastle running away with a 1 -0 win in this match.

Omeike: Andoni Iraola has made Bournemouth hard to beat and will look to stay compact in defence against Newcastle United, which feels it is one of the best teams in the league. Alexander Isak is due for a goal, and Joellinton is back to his best. The defence needs some tweaking, but with Nick Pope, they have perhaps the best English goalkeeper in the EPL— a win for the Magpies.

Sulola: The Magpies will surely take this one. Newcastle to win 2-0.