Premier League Gameweek 2 Tips: Spurs to Shock Man City?
The Premier League has returned and we are now ready to charge into the second weekend of action in the English top flight.
Title-chasers Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City were all winners in week one, while promoted Sunderland and Leeds earned welcome victories.
It's another busy weekend for armchair fans, with six live televised games from Friday night until Sunday evening and we've picked our top tips from this weekend's Premier League action.
Tip 1 – Half-time/Full-time Draw/Chelsea @ 18/5
West Ham vs Chelsea (Friday, 8pm)
Chelsea were held scoreless by Crystal Palace in their opening game, the Blues' big-money summer arrivals Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and substitute Liam Delap unable to penetrate the Eagles defence.
Talisman Cole Palmer's poor Premier League run goes on too – he now hasn't scored a league goal from open play since January.
West Ham dominated possession against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light but were crushed 3-0 on the scoreboard and Graham Potter is already a manager under pressure.
Potter has never won a game against Chelsea and his former club can get three points from the London Stadium, where the Hammers have one just one of their last eight in the league.
Just two of the Blues' last 13 Premier League goals have come before half-time and they may have to grind their way to a second-half success.
Tip 2 – Tottenham to win or draw double chance @ 8/5
Manchester City vs Tottenham (Saturday, 12.30pm)
Both of these sides opened with convincing wins, Manchester City scoring four at Wolves and Tottenham easing to a 3-0 win over Burnley.
Those opposition teams could be in for long seasons and, given the nightmare Pep Guardiola and his side endured last season, it could be wise to reserve judgement before assuming that the Citizens are back.
Spurs have won four and drawn one of the last eight league meetings between these sides, all the more impressive considering City were the dominant force in that time.
They were 4-0 winners at the Etihad last season, ensuring it is two wins and a draw in the last four league meetings at this venue, with Tottenham scoring 12 times in those four games.
Thomas Frank and his side showed against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup they are going to be a tough side to break down in comparison to last year and they have the attacking weapons to hurt City if some of last season's shortcomings surface.
Tip 3 – Arsenal Half-time/Full-time & Gabriel Martinelli anytime goalscorer @ 3/1
Arsenal vs Leeds (Saturday, 5.30pm)
Arsenal were fortunate to leave Old Trafford with three points last Sunday but the Gunners should improve markedly when Leeds visit the Emirates.
The Whites were also 1-0 winners over Everton on matchday one, a controversial penalty seeing them over the line against a disappointing Toffees side.
Arsenal have led at half-time and won their last four games against Leeds in all competitions, while the Gunners have won 12 and drawn two of the last 14 meetings. They can take control of this from early on.
Gabriel Martinelli seems to relish facing Leeds, too, with two goals and two assists in four games against the Yorkshire side – all of which Arsenal have won. He can find the net here.
Tip 4 – Chris Wood to score first @ 9/2
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest (Sunday, 2pm)
Chris Wood fired in 20 Premier League goals last season, behind only Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot standings.
He's 33 years old now but last weekend's 3-1 home win over Brentford appeared to suggest Wood is not ready to slow down.
He helped himself to a brace on the opening weekend and his clever movement was a massive factor. It was the sort of movement that Palace didn't face as they snuffed out Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Wood has five goals in 12 Premier League appearances against the Eagles and the first goalscorer market looks generous for the New Zealand international to break the deadlock.
Tip 5 – Manchester United to win @ 23/20
Fulham vs Manchester United (Sunday 4.30pm)
A solid record at home is the basis for Fulham's position as a regular in the Premier League but last season they actually picked up more points away than they did at Craven Cottage.
They started this term by snatching a point at Brighton with a late leveller but may fail to build on that at Craven Cottage.
Their famous home by the River Thames is a place where Manchester United excel. The Red Devils have won on their previous eight Premier League trips to Craven Cottage and you have to go back to 2009 for the last Fulham success.
Ruben Amorim's side showed up well against Arsenal in spells and could easily have taken a point. They look a decent price to win again in west London.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
