Premier League Predictions: Champions to Stumble, Newly Promoted to Shine in Gameweek 2
It’s gameweek 2, and this weekend’s Premier League action promises intriguing clashes as the new season begins to take shape. While the traditional powerhouses look to assert their dominance, the newly promoted sides will be desperate to prove their top-flight credentials.
Last week I had 3 correct calls, but went close in a couple of others (dodgy goalkeeping and questionable VAR calls cost me!), so let’s hope for some redemption this week.
Saturday
Manchester City vs Spurs
Prediction – City Win
No real surprises here. City looked very good going forward last week, albeit against a not so great Wolves team that all of us at Statr have slated for a relegation dogfight this season. Spurs impressed as well against Burnley, and may put up a fight with Frank bringing some much needed steel and organisation to them, but this is a step too far for them. Expect Reijnders to control the midfield again and for Haaland to do what he does best, inflicting more suffering on Spurs in what has already been a painful week. (Thanks Eberechi!)
Bournemouth vs Wolves
Prediction – Bournemouth Win
Both teams will be eager to get their first win on the board after opening day defeats. Bournemouth though, looked great in spells against Liverpool last week and can count themselves unlucky to not snatch something from that win. A lot of their season will depend on Antoine Semenyo, and I expect him to have a nother good game here against a very leaky Wolves defence.
Burnley vs Sunderland
Prediction – Draw
A battle of two newly-promoted sides so early in the season, both of whom will be desperate to avoid an immediate return to the Championship. There is no sugar coating it, Burnley were poor last week, and it was chalk and cheese compared to Sunderland. But away form for promoted sides is traditionally not great, so that will have an impact. This is likely to be a cagey and hard-fought, so a draw is my call here.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
Prediction – Villa win
Poor Brentford. After the dizzy heights of last season, they’ve been brought back to reality, sharply! Keith Andrews described his teams performance last week as “naïve”, and while Roy Keanes criticism this week might be a tad harsh (even Eamonn Dunphy thinks he went too far!), I can’t see it getting better here. Villa looked flat vs Newcastle but they’ll bounce back here for a narrow win.
Arsenal vs Leeds United
Prediction – Arsenal win
One word summed up Arsenal last week in my mind – lucky. A sharper United team up front would have punished them, and Arsenal got the luck of the draw in facing them before Sesko and Co have time to gel. But this week, it’s newly promoted Leeds, in the first home game this year, and Arsenal will be on high after sniping Eze away from their biggest local rivals. If you have Saka, Rice or Odegaard in your team, start licking your lips at all those lovely fantasy points this weekend. Gyokeres, despite his concrete first touch, might even get in on the act!
Sunday
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest
Prediction – Draw
Palace did well last week and were very unlucky to not get a result away to Chelsea, but it’s been a trying week for them. Eze won’t be in the squad, but Guehi may return to help them against a fresh looking Chris Wood for Forest. It’ll be close, and I did sway towards a Forest win, but I think a draw is a safer call here.
Everton vs Brighton
Prediction – Draw
Everton’s performance vs Leeds was as flat as anything else in the league last weekend, and they were punished by a somewhat controversial VAR decision (personally, I think it was the right call!) Brighton suffered their own Fergie time misfortune against Fulham, so they will want to get a result here, but Everton are the sort of strong, no nonsense team they struggle against. New stadium debut for the Toffees and their grit vs Brighton’s superior football skills = a low scoring (possibly 0-0) draw for me.
Fulham vs Manchester United
Prediction – United win
So many questions surround United this week. Does Sesko start up front? Will the CMS (Cunha, Mbuemo, Sesko) kick into gear? Does Casemiro start ahead of Ugarte? Where does Bruno sit in all of this? Is Amorim under pressure already after the loss in the first game? I admit I wasn’t sure about them this season, but looking at United last week, they look more like a team who will win more matches than not this season. Fulham, on the other hand, got away with a draw against Brighton last week and looked sluggish at times. United might just have too much firepower this weekend.
Newcastle United vs Liverpool
Prediction – Draw
You couldn’t write it. Player statements, fan protests, an ongoing transfer saga between these two clubs and lo and behold, they play each other while the window is open! (HOW I LOVE THE PREMIER LEAGUE!) I’ve been open with my opinion that Isak will move to Liverpool after this game to avoid him being eligible to play, but the whole thing just adds an extra bit of spice to what usually is a great game to watch. Newcastle will want to kick lumps out of Liverpool, Liverpool will want to be their slick, free flowing selves. Heart counts in football more than we would all like to think, and that’s what gets Newcastle over the line for a well earned draw here.
Monday
West Ham vs Chelsea
Prediction – Chelsea win
Is this the easiest call of the weekend? Possibly, given how bad West Ham were against Sunderland last week. I don’t think anyone seen that happening, but as good as Sunderland were, West Ham were abysmal. Chelsea weren’t a lot better against Palace and were lucky to get a draw, but they get to play a potential dumpster fire this weekend. Look for Palmer to have free reign and cause some damage, with chants of “SACKED IN THE MORNING” heard before full time.
Gary Cronin, August 2025
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