Week 2 of the English Premier League gets underway early Saturday morning Australian time when Week 1 winners Aston Villa and Manchester United meet at Villa Park.
The weekend’s fixtures are undoubtedly highlighted by a blockbuster between Manchester City and Chelsea early Monday morning, while Swiss maestro Xherdan Shaqiri has been named to make his first start for Stoke City.
We’re offering the best odds on the widest range of markets for all ten Premier League matches in week 2! Don’t forget we’re offering odds on all matches through all 38 rounds of the Premier League in our unique EPL Season Pricing markets!
Aston Villa vs Manchester United
Week 2 of the English Premier League season begins with a rare Australian Saturday morning fixture between Aston Villa and Manchester United in the Midlands. Villa undoubtedly offered punters the best value for money at $3.80 to beat Bournemouth last weekend and did not disappoint, while United were lucky to escape 1-0 victors at home to Spurs. Villa are always capable of an upset or two early in the season, but realistically Manchester United should be too good.
Footy Freaks
Rudy Gestede scores and Villa wins: $12
Wayne Rooney scores and United wins: $3.50
Southampton vs Everton
Undoubtedly the surprise packets of the 2014/15 season, Southampton were held to a 2-2 draw with Newcastle in the first week of fixtures, but are sure to grow an extra leg upon their return to St Mary’s for the first time this campaign. Everton began their campaign clear favourites at home to the newly-promoted Watford, but were also unable to take full points from a 2-2 draw. Southampton have proven one of the tougher away trips through the last two seasons but this match seems to have draw written all over it.
Footy Freaks
Graziano Pelle scores and Southampton wins: $4.50
Romelu Lukaku scores and Everton wins: $9
Sunderland vs Norwich City
Sunderland were lucky to survive the drop following a lacklustre campaign in 2014/15, and were comfortably seen off 4-2 at the hands of Leicester City last weekend. Having made few signings pre-season, the Black Cats will surely have to find condition fast if they are to find themselves in a different position in this season’s closing stages. Newly-promoted Norwich City were unable to withstand a Johan Cabaye tirade in week 1, going down 3-1 to Crystal Palace, but should have taken plenty of benefit from the run. This match could realistically go either way, but we’re tipping Sunderland to salute at the Stadium of Light.
Footy Freaks
Jermaine Defoe scores and Sunderland wins: $6
Cameron Jerome scores and Norwich City wins: $7.50
Swansea City vs Newcastle United
Swansea City have proven themselves as Premier League mainstays through recent seasons and finished the 2014/15 a positive eighth overall; unlucky to miss qualification to the Europa League. Undoubtedly stamping themselves as one to watch with a gritty 2-2 draw against reigning champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in week 1, the Swans return home to face Newcastle side who will be full of confidence after also drawing with Southampton last weekend. Swansea in Wales is a tough draw for even the league’s best, and as a result we’re confident they will win this match comfortably.
Footy Freaks
Bafetimbi Gomis scores and Swansea wins: $4.25
Papiss Cisse scores and Newcastle wins: $10
Tottenham Hotspur vs Stoke City
Spurs were unlucky not to take anything from their trip to Old Trafford last weekend and will be keen to do anything in their power to return to winning form at White Hart Lane this weekend. Stoke City were sunk by an exceptional late strike by Philippe Coutinho last weekend but will be particularly confident of reversing the results against Tottenham after signing gun Swiss attacking midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri mid-week. Harry Kane has become some of the hottest property in the Premier League over the last 12 months and will be keen to score at home this weekend.
Footy Freaks
Harry Kane scores and Spurs win: $3.50
Mame Biram Diouf scores and Stoke wins: $13
Watford vs West Bromwich Albion
Watford were not expected to do much in their first Premier League tie since gaining promotion last weekend, but pushed an experienced Everton side to the limit and were rewarded with a positive 2-2 draw. West Brom were also not expected to do much against Manchester City and didn’t, going down 3-0 in a pretty lacklustre display. Watford will return to Vicarage Road for the first time this year and will start the game deserving favourites.
Footy Freaks
Troy Deeney scores and Watford wins: $5.50
Saido Berahino scores and West Brom wins: $7
West Ham United vs Leicester City
West Ham began their 2015/16 Premier League campaign in the best way possible; stunning big name, cross-town rivals Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates. Leicester City appeared all but assured of relegation last season, but mustered an incredible seven wins from their final eight matches to climb away from danger. Having picked up where they left off with an impressive 4-2 win over Sunderland in week 1, the Foxes have proven they are more than capable of success in a match like this, but look likely to be held to a draw.
Footy Freaks
Diafra Sakho scores and West Ham wins: $5.50
Leonardo Ulloa scores and Leicester wins: $3.10
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal
Palace have continued to improve through their two season in England’s top flight, and began their 2015/16 campaign with a particularly impressive 3-1 win over Norwich City away from home. New signing Yohan Cabaye immediately repaid the club with a best on ground performance and will be brimming with confidence ahead of his first match at Selhurst Park. Arsenal were particularly disappointing; unable to frank the form gained in a 1-0 win over Chelsea in the Charity Shield one week earlier and crashing to a 2-0 loss at the hands of West Ham. The Gunners will be primed for success after the first week loss and will probably bounce back to winning form.
Footy Freaks
Yohan Cabaye scores and Palace wins: $17
Alexis Sanchez scores and Arsenal win: $4
Manchester City vs Chelsea
In what is undoubtedly the highlight of week 2 of the Premier League, Manchester City play host to Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium early Monday morning Australian time. City were clinical when delivering West Brom a 3-0 defeat, while Chelsea have been clearly experiencing something of a premiership hangover; losing to Arsenal in the Charity Shield before failing to put away Swansea at home last weekend. This match boasts incredible depth on both sides, rock-solid defences and multi-dimensional attacks, and will undoubtedly fall the way of whatever team can hold possession for longer. We’re backing City at home, in a thriller.
Footy Freaks
Sergio Aguero scores and City wins: $4
Diego Costa scores and Chelsea wins: $7
Liverpool vs Bournemouth
Liverpool were saved by an incredible Coutinho strike late in their match with Stoke last weekend, but will be confident of another, far-more comfortable win over the newly-promoted Bournemouth on Tuesday morning. Bournemouth struggled to maintain the pace against Aston Villa despite starting favourites, but will take some consolation from the fact they only let in one goal. Liverpool will win this match, if they are any chance of winning the title this season.
Footy Freaks
Christian Benteke scores and Liverpool wins: $3
Callum Wilson scores and Bournemouth wins: $17