I’m sure there were thousands of supporters up and down the country who suffered from football burnout this summer, and the idea that the Premier League would return was too much to deal with.
Well, 90 minutes into the promotion, and after seeing Arsenal crumble against newly marketed Brentford under the lights of a rocking Community Stadium, we were drawn right in again. If you’re not a Gooner, of course.
The rest of the weekend lived up to the standards set by Friday night’s curtain raisers, and we’re all in full swing for round two. It may not be Friday night football this time, but that means we have even more to look forward to on Saturday and Sunday.
All eyes will be on Manchester City bouncing back from their shock defeat to Tottenham, whether Manchester United can keep the intensity shown in their crush of Leeds United, and how many hat-tricks Romelu Lukaku will make on his Chelsea debut against the Gunners.
We can not wait. So, let’s dig into 90mins predictions ahead of another rock and roll weekend with Premier League action.
Liverpool vs. Burnley
Salah will want goals / Shaun Botterill / Getty Images
What time is kick off? 12:30 (BST)Where is it played? AnfieldTV channel? BT Sport 1 (UK), fuboTV (USA)
This clash may not bear the intrigue that Brentford vs Arsenal delivered, or the fierce hatred between Man Utd and Leeds, but there is a story to chew on. Burnley were one of the many teams that beat Liverpool at Anfield last season and kicked off the club record of six straight home losses.
However, it would be a big shock if history were to repeat itself during the second week of the season. Jurgen Klopp’s men are eager to prove to the doubters that they are title candidates, and Burnley can suffer from their anger.
The Clarets are looking for their first points of the season, but we do not think they will leave Anfield with anything more than an assault.
Preview of the entire match Liverpool predicted the lineup
Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Burnley
Aston Villa vs. Newcastle United
Off the mark / Tony Marshall / Getty Images
What time is kick off? 15:00 (BST)Where is it played? Villa ParkTV channel? fuboTV (USA)
It was an extremely bad opening day from both Aston Villa and Newcastle United last weekend, after collecting a total of zero points between them.
Villa were rocked by newcomers Watford, who ran into a 3-0 lead before the visitors withdrew two late strikes, while the Magpies were on the wrong side of a 4-2 defeat to West Ham in a very entertaining clash.
Both teams must get out of goal, but we want things to be clicked in gears for Villans on Saturday. Danny Ings has already opened his account, and he will have liked what he saw from the leaky Newcastle defense against Hammers. He can have fun.
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Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Newcastle United
Crystal Palace vs. Brentford
Friday Night Hero / Shaun Botterill / Getty Images
What time is kick off? 15:00 (BST)Where is it played? Selhurst ParkTV channel? fuboTV (USA)
Bees are buzzing after Friday’s curtain-raising victory over Arsenal, but over at Selhurst Park the mood has already gone flat. Crystal Palace were beaten 3-0 by Chelsea on the bridge, and Patrick Vieira has nightmares about Frank Frank’s reign.
He needs points to get the season started, while Thomas Frank will challenge his Brentford players to remain undefeated for another week. The Eagles will be another proposition in front of their own fans, who are known for making a lot of noise.
It will be an entertaining match-up, but it is difficult to split the two sides at this stage of the season.
Full preview of the match
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-2 Brentford
Leeds v Everton
Back among the goals / Visionhaus / Getty Images
What time is kick off? 15:00 (BST)Where is it played? Elland RoadTV channel? fuboTV (USA)
Leeds supporters have probably just climbed out from behind their sofas, which is good, because another game is coming. Fresh from the 5-1 defeat in rivals Man Utd, the Whites are finally welcoming Premier League football back to a packed Elland Road as they take on Everton.
Toffees started perfectly in their 3-1 win over Southampton, and Rafa Benitez will demand signs of consistency from his players. A trip to Leeds is never easy at the best of times, and their fans will take care of this.
However, Everton have quality throughout the pitch, which makes these two teams difficult to distinguish. A draw would be a decent result for both sides.
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Prediction: Leeds 1-1 Everton
Manchester City vs. Norwich
Not His Day / Michael Regan / Getty Images
What time is kick off? 15:00 (BST)Where is it played? Etihad StadiumTV channel? fuboTV (USA)
Man City got off to a disastrous start to their title defense in Spurs’ hands and lost 1-0 on an intense afternoon in north London. You have to fear Norwich City then, who goes and goes into the cage of a very angry grizzly bear.
The Canary Islands were filled by Liverpool when they returned to the top flight, and it will not be easier for Daniel Farke and his players. Sorry to say, but we may witness a real drobbing.
We predict lots of goals in this, even if they should all fall for the same team.
Full preview of the match
Prediction: Manchester City 4-0 Norwich City
Brighton vs. Watford
Back in the big time / Tony Marshall / Getty Images
What time is kick off? 17:30 (BST)Where is it played? Amex StadiumTV channel? Sky Sports (United Kingdom) fuboTV (USA)
There were winning starts all round for Watford and Brighton at Gameweek 1, after the Hornets defeated Villa, and the Seagulls came from behind to stun Burnley at Turf Moor. It is a dream start for the couple, who expect to fight relegation this season.
With points already on the board, Brighton and Watford will want to keep their unbeaten starts. Expect the Hornets to be a little less open from home, and Brighton have struggled to get wins on the board at Amex in the past.
A draw may be on the cards, although goals may be superior.
Brighton predicted lineupWatford predicted lineup
Prediction: Brighton 0-0 Watford
Southampton v Manchester United
I brand / Catherine Ivill / Getty Images
What time is kick off? 14:00 (BST)Where is it played? St Mary’s TV channel? Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Premier League (UK), fuboTV (USA)
Is Man Utd really back? The Red Devils dismantled Leeds with frightening ease at Old Trafford, but then they did it last year as well. However, there is something different about this link between Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes, and we want them to riot on St Mary’s.
Southampton raged at Goodison Park on Saturday, conceding three to throw away their early advantage. The loss of midfielder Jannik Vestergaard to Leicester City makes them even more vulnerable, and we can not see the Saints marching to victory on Sunday.
It will not be as easy for Man Utd this weekend, but if they play to their best it should be quite routine.
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Prediction: Southampton 1-3 Manchester United
Wolves vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Say ‘cheese’ / Shaun Botterill / Getty Images
What time is kick off? 14:00 (BST)Where is it played? MolineuxTV channel? fuboTV (USA)
Who saw this coming? After all the talk about the Spurs crisis, they just went and beat the champions! It was more perfect than any supporter would have imagined, but it’s time to get back on the ground for the next fight.
The Wolves will hurt after their defeat to Leicester, and Bruno Lage does not want a 100% loss record from two games. We expect both teams to want to sneak a win into this one, but no one will exaggerate.
A draw would not be a bad result for both teams, especially given Spurs’ European data in the middle of the week.
Tottenham predicted the line-up
Prediction: Wolves 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal vs. Chelsea
Same old story / Shaun Botterill / Getty Images
What time is kick off? 16:30 (BST)Where is it played? Emirates StadiumTV channel? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), fuboTV (USA)
Are there any Arsenal fans in the world who feel safe in the face of this? The Gunners’ campaign started in the worst possible way, and it will certainly not get better against Chelsea.
The Blues were all as usual in their victory over Palace, and it was without Lukaku on the pitch. Belgium are expected to take part on Sunday, which means that Ben White will already have nightmares. However, Christian Pulisic has tested positive for COVID and will miss it.
It could be another afternoon to forget for Arsenal, and another victory on the march against a title fight for Thomas Tuchel and his handsome Chelsea machine. Make your predictions for how fast #ArtetaOut will start the trend on Sunday.
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Prediction: Arsenal 0-2 Chelsea
West Ham v Leicester City
Lemmar / Ian MacNicol / Getty Images
What time is kick off? 20:00 (BST)Where is it played? London StadiumTV channel? Sky Sports Main Event (UK), fuboTV (USA)
Finally, we have Monday night’s kickoff, where two Gameweek 1 winners go against each other in East London. West Ham and Leicester presented impressive performances against Newcastle and Wolves, and no one will want to fall off the winning line.
David Moyes men showed a lot of spirit and character to come from behind twice to beat the Magpies, but the foxes are a much stronger resistance. Both proved they know where the goal is, and we expect them to hit gold on Monday.
But Leicester are the stronger of the two clubs, and they should have enough to return home with all three points.
Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Leicester City
