EPL: Man City Face Newcastle As United Head To Spurs

Manchester City clash with Newcastle and Tottenham go head-to-head with Manchester United during an action-packed second Premier League weekend of the season.

There are three enticing London derbies to get stuck into as Fulham host Brentford and West Ham clash with Chelsea before Arsenal travel to Crystal Palace on Monday night.

With Luton’s clash with Burnley postponed, we preview all nine games of Matchday 2.

Nottingham Forest Vs. Sheffield United (Friday, 7.45pm):

Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United’s first Premier League meeting since 1993 kicks off the weekend tonight

The duo are well versed at facing each other in the second tier and it is Reds who have enjoyed the better of this fixture of late with just one defeat in their last 13 against the Blades at home.

Steve Cooper’s men earned wins in their final three Premier League game at the City Ground last season — they have not won four in a row at home in the top flight since January 1996.

Fulham vs Brentford (Saturday, 3pm)

After impressive 2022-23 seasons for Fulham and Brentford, the West London duo made promising starts to the current campaign last weekend with a win and a draw respectively.

Fulham have won just one of their last seven league encounters with Saturday’s opponents, though that solitary victory was a 3-2 success in this fixture 12 months ago.

Thomas Frank’s men are unbeaten in their last 10 London derbies, winning five and drawing as many.

Liverpool Vs. Bournemouth (Saturday, 3pm):

Liverpool are hunting their sixth home victory over Bournemouth in seven Premier League meetings when the pair lock horns at Anfield.

The Reds ran out emphatic 9-0 winners in this fixture last season but an eventful 12 months for the Cherries now sees Andoni Iraola in the dugout, replacing Gary O’Neil after the now Wolves boss had guided them to safety.

Jurgen Klopp’s men are currently unbeaten in 12 Premier League games, though the last three have ended level — including last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

Patrick Kluivert scored for Newcastle away at Liverpool in December 2004. If Justin Kluivert nets on Saturday, they will become the second father-son duo to score at Anfield after Ian Wright and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Wolves Vs. Brighton (Saturday, 3pm):

Wolves will hope to build on an encouraging showing at United on Monday as they host Brighton.

The Midlands outfit controversially left Old Trafford with nothing in a 1-0 defeat as they welcome a Seagulls side who looked typically sharp in their season opener versus newly-promoted Luton.

Their 4-1 win at the Amex means Roberto De Zerbi’s men have failed to score in just one of their last 29 Premier League games, while only City (74) and Arsenal (73) have scored more since the Italian took charge last October (65).

Joao Pedro scored in his Brighton debut against Premier League new boys Luton.

Tottenham Vs. Manchester United (Saturday, 5.30pm):

Spurs’ post-Harry Kane era continues as manager Ange Postecoglou negotiates his first Premier League home game.

The North Londoners have won just one of their last nine meetings with the Red Devils (two draws, six losses) and are winless in five against them.

United are one of just two teams yet to lose a game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, winning two and drawing two of their four visits to the ground since it opened in 2019.

Manchester City Vs. Newcastle (Saturday, 8pm):

Saturday night sees last season’s champions take on fourth-place finishers Newcastle.

City have lost just one of their last 31 Premier League games against the Magpies and have won the last 14 meetings at the Etihad.

To make matters worse for the Toon, they are yet to record a Premier League win at the Etihad Stadium, with their last away success against the Citizens coming at Maine Road in 2000.

Aston Villa Vs. Everton (Sunday, 2pm, Sky Sports):

Aston Villa suffered a damaging 5-1 defeat at St James’ Park last weekend and will hope to get up and running for the season at home to Everton.

Since returning to the Premier League in 2019, Villa are unbeaten against the Toffees in eight games and have won the last four meetings.

Unai Emery’s men ended last season with a seven-game winning run at Villa Park to secure European football for the current campaign.

London foes West Ham and Chelsea clash on Sunday with both kicking off their campaigns with draws.

The Blues are looking to become just the second side to win 150 London derbies after Arsenal, while the Hammers will look to improve on a record of 11 defeats in 16 games against teams from the capital.

David Moyes has never beaten Mauricio Pochettino in five attempts (four draws, one loss). The only managers he has faced more often without winning are Guardiola (11), Graham Potter (seven) and Mikel Arteta (seven).

Crystal Palace Vs. Arsenal (Monday, 8pm, Sky Sports):

We stay in the capital for the final game of Matchday 2 as Crystal Palace host last season’s runners-up Arsenal.

The Gunners did the double over the Eagles last term, having won just one of the previous eight Premier League meetings (five draws, two losses).

Interestingly, Arsenal have lost all four of their Monday-night Premier League away games under Arteta.