Premier League Gameweek 2 Predictions: Arsenal and Chelsea March On
It was an absorbing opening week of action in the Premier League with Arsenal cruising, Manchester City battling and Liverpool just about rescuing themselves. Two of the promoted teams won, including Hull’s astonishingly straightforward victory over an abject Manchester United. Matchday two kicks off on Friday night with Enzo Maresca’s City in the capital to face Crystal Palace. Here are the fixtures in full, along with our predictions.
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Roundup and predictions
Friday 28th August
Crystal Palace v Manchester City (8 pm)
Manchester City failed to convince the doubters on Sunday with a somewhat fortuitous 2-1 win over Bournemouth. Maresca’s men trailed for much of the game and again looked a little disjointed under the former Chelsea boss. There is also a slight element of unease at Crystal Palace following their opening-weekend defeat at Everton. Pierre Sage could do with a win here, but may not get it.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City
Saturday 29th August
Liverpool v Nottingham Forest (12.30 pm)
Liverpool snatched a point at Newcastle on Sunday, but the performance threw up plenty of questions for boss Andoni Iraola to ponder ahead of Nottingham Forest’s visit to Anfield. The Merseysiders looked particularly light in midfield, and it would be no surprise if that area was strengthened before the transfer window closes. Forest were undone by a late Anton Stach free-kick against Leeds, and this is not an ideal fixture as they go in search of their first points of the season.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Nottingham Forest
Bournemouth v Everton (3 pm)
Marco Rose’s first game in charge of Bournemouth may have ended in defeat, but there were signs of encouragement after an enterprising display at Manchester City. He hopes his side can produce a better defensive display against Everton, who will head south in a confident mood following their win over Crystal Palace. Everton won at the Vitality Stadium last season, but we don’t think there will be a repeat.
Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Everton
Coventry v Hull (3 pm)
Two newly promoted clubs had vastly different experiences on the opening weekend. Coventry were completely outclassed by champions Arsenal, while Hull produced a brilliant display to beat Manchester United. Frank Lampard will be eager for the Sky Blues to put that Arsenal defeat behind them in a game that already feels like one they must not lose.
Prediction: Coventry 2-0 Hull
Tottenham v Newcastle (5.30 pm)
Tottenham’s summer spending prompted a feeling of optimism, but that lasted all of 90 minutes with Roberto De Zerbi’s men thrashing 3-0 at Brentford. It could have been an awful lot worse, given the Bees’ dominance and the Italian will be demanding a bounce-back performance against a Newcastle side that bucked most pundits’ pre-game pessimism with a gutsy 2-2 draw against Liverpool.
Prediction: Tottenham 2-0 Newcastle
Sunday 30th August
Chelsea v Brighton (2 pm)
It’s obviously early days, but Chelsea fans must have been excited by watching Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers run rings around Fulham on MNF. The trio seemed to have instant chemistry, which bodes well for the rest of the season. It wasn’t a perfect performance from Xabi Alonso’s side, though, and Brighton will take encouragement from some defensive weaknesses, especially after their four-goal demolition of Aston Villa.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Brighton
Leeds v Brentford (2 pm)
Although Hull got most of the attention, Leeds quietly recorded an excellent opening-weekend win at Nottingham Forest. Daniel Farke has recruited well over the summer, and the West Yorkshire side will be confident of a top-half finish. Brentford’s task will be to replicate their performance against Spurs. Do that, and they should return to London with at least a share of the spoils.
Prediction: Leeds 1-1 Brentford
Sunderland v Fulham (2 pm)
Sunderland endured a frustrating day at Ipswich, losing 2-1 after gifting the hosts both goals and squandering the opportunities that came their way at the other end. Fulham looked good going forward against Chelsea, but could not keep out the Blues’ expensively assembled forward line. This already feels like a big game for both clubs.
Prediction: Sunderland 2-1 Fulham
Manchester United v Ipswich (4.30 pm)
The Old Trafford faithful will be expecting a massive improvement from Manchester United following their shocking display at Hull. Michael Carrick’s side had a good pre-season but were lacklustre at the MKM Stadium and looked vulnerable from set-pieces. That is an area Ipswich will look to capitalise on as they bid to register back-to-back wins to start the season.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Ipswich
Monday 31st August
Aston Villa v Arsenal (8 pm)
Arsenal have to wait well over a week to build on their dominant win over Coventry, and Mikel Arteta’s men will be itching to get at an Aston Villa side that has been ripped apart this summer. Villa lacked leadership in their 4-0 hammering at Brighton, perhaps not surprising given the departures of Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne, Youri Tielemans and Ezri Konsa. Arsenal will smell a vulnerability, and it should be a routine win for the champions.
Prediction: Aston Villa 0-3 Arsenal
How We Make Our Predictions
Our Premier League predictions are built on a mix of form, context, and matchday specifics, not guesswork. Before each round of fixtures, we look at:
- Recent form and head-to-head record, weighing how each side has performed over their last few matches, rather than relying on league position alone
- Team news, including injuries, suspensions and likely squad rotation, checked as close to kick-off as possible since this can shift a prediction right up to the final team sheet
- Home and away form splits, since some sides perform very differently depending on the venue
- Managerial and tactical context, particularly early in the season, when new signings, new managers, or a change in system can make recent history less reliable
- Broader market signals, including how odds are moving, which can reflect information not yet obvious from the stats alone
Our predictions reflect our own editorial judgement and are intended to inform and entertain, not as financial or betting advice. They’re not influenced by any betting operator, and we don’t guarantee outcomes. Football is unpredictable, which is a big part of why we all watch it.
Responsible Gambling
It is vital to stay on top of your gambling habits, especially when betting on an event as exciting as the English Premier League. All top online sportsbooks will offer users a range of responsible gambling tools, such as time-outs and deposit limits. Alternatively, bettors can contact the following support services:
- National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133
- GamCare: https://www.gamcare.org.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Premier League Gameweek 2?
Gameweek 2 runs from Friday 28th August to Monday 31st August, opening with Crystal Palace v Manchester City and closing with Aston Villa v Arsenal.
What time is Crystal Palace v Manchester City?
The Friday night opener kicks off at 8 pm, live from Selhurst Park.
Can Liverpool bounce back after their Newcastle draw?
Liverpool hosts Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday lunchtime, a fixture they’ll be strong favourites to win as they look for their first three points of the season.
Can I bet on Premier League Gameweek 2 predictions with free bets?
Yes, several UK bookmakers offer free bet welcome offers that new customers can use on Gameweek 2 markets. Always check the terms of each site, including minimum odds and expiry windows, before placing a qualifying bet.
Morning Wire is committed to responsible gambling. Please gamble responsibly and only bet what you can afford. To gain help, support and advice for a person struggling with gambling, contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. If you are worried about your gambling or that of a friend visit gambleaware.org.
