Premier League Preview – Week 2

Watford v West Bromwich Albion – Kick Off – 15:00 – Vicarage Road

Watford are missing the suspended duo of Giedrius Arlauskis and Miguel Britos but should welcome back both Steven Berghuis and Almen Abdi who have recovered from injury as they to get their first win back in the Premier League after coming close at Everton last week.

West Brom welcome back defender Gareth McAuley to the squad after injury and they could have both new signings Salomon Rondon and Serge Gnabry availabe with both expected to have late fitness tests to see if they can make their debuts for the Baggies

Prediction – 0-2 – We expect Tony Pulis’s side to have too much for the new boys who must still be trying to gel as a team and we see James Morrison and Gnabry scoring for West Brom in a comfortable win.

West Ham United v Leicester City – Kick Off – 15:00 – Upton Park 

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic will welcome back on loan defender Carl Jenkinson to his side after he was ineligible to play against his parent club last week as they shocked Arsenal 2-0. Andy Carroll and Enner Valencia are still out through injury but  Pedro Obiang could make his debut.

Leicester’s only injury problem is the long term departure of midfielder Matty James who is expected to be out until Christmas. Jamie Vardy is expected to take his pace in the Foxes side despite being fined for his racial slur that was reported in the papers last week.

Prediction – 1-2 – Leicester are still riding on a wave of good feeling after last season’s revival and we expect Vardy to put his faith in the Foxes by bagging a brace with Mark Noble scoring for the Hammers.

Sunday

Crystal Palace v Arsenal – Kick Off – 13:30 – Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace are still without former Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh and goalkeeper Julien Speroni through injury but have no new fresh injury concerns as they look to keep up their excellent start to the season.

Arsenal are expected to welcome back Alexis Sanches to the starting XI but Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky and Danny Welbeck are still out. Hector Bellerin is back in contention after overcoming a thigh injury.

Prediction – 1-2 – Arsenal will not want to drop any more points this early in the season and the return of Sanchez will be a major plus for the Gunners. We expect Giroud and Sanchez to get on the scoresheet with Murray scoring for the Eagles.

Manchester City v Chelsea – Kick Off – 16:00 – Etihad Stadium

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure is expected to play despite being withdrawn early in their win over West Brom with a groin problem. New signing Fabian Delph is still out and he is joined on the sidelines by Fernando but Gael Clichy could return.

Chelsea will be without the suspended Thibaut Courtois after he was sent off last week against Swansea City and failed to get his ban overturned during the week. Oscar is also an injury doubt but other than that Chelsea will have a top class squad to choose from.

Prediction – 1-1 – Both sides will be looking to get an early start on each other but that will ultimately lead to them canceling each other out. We see Sterling scoring for City whilst Costa will bag the Blues goal in a cagey draw.

Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth – Kick Off – 20:00 – Anfield

Liverpool will be looking to build on their excellent win over Stoke City last weekend and midfielder Philippe Coutinho will be looking to continue his fine start to the season and bag another goal. Christian Benteke will be hoping to get off the mark in front of his new fans on his home debut.

Bournemouth know they will need the backing of their fans to make as much noise as possible when they travel to Anfield on Monday night. Matt Ritchie will be hoping to get off to a good start in the Premier League whilst former Leicester midfielder Max Gradel will have high hopes of causing a shock for Eddie Howe’s men.

Prediction – 3-1 – We expect Liverpool to gain a comfortable win with Bournemouth adding a consolation goal. We think a Benteke double and Countinho to score, whilst Ritchie will add a goal back for Bournemouth.