EPL 2019/20 - Game Week 2

The season started where it left with Liverpool and Manchester City romping to easy wins. So too a rejuvenated Manchester United. Tottenham and Arsenal got their victories too. If Liverpool lost the title by a single point last season, it could be worse if this season goes down the wire by goal difference. Most teams have strengthened themselves with additions so a tougher season is is store. When Jose Mourinho was asked which are the teams with a realistic chance of winning the title this year, he said: "Man City, Tottenham, Liverpool and Man City B team". 

In other words, he has written off Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. It is easy to understand why he said so. It is going to be a long season and what surprises are in store? Game Week 2 begins this weekend and the match of the week must be huge match at the Etihad where CHampins Manchester City host Tottenham Hotspurs. They will serve early notice for this year's title race. Spurs were already very good and has added steel with Tanguy Ndombele who scored a debut goal last week. City will be a massive test but Spurs sent them packing in the Champions League last season. The other matches to gauge top six material will be Chelsea v Leicester and Everton v Watford. 

Arsenal v Burnley - I thought the Gunners played with grit in their opener and they struggled to break Newcastle at St. James Park till Aubameyang stole a goal. Arsenal may showcase their summer signings - Nicolas Pepe, David Luis and Dani Ceballos at the Emirates. The Clarets direct game may trouble their the home team's defence. Burnley not only kept a clean sheet, they scored three times but it was a home game. Arsenal's attack is something more. It may be a bit close but the Gunners should edge it. 2-1.

Aston Villa v Bournemouth - Villa did very well at Spurs as Johm McGinn scored in the 9th minute and defended stoutly at first till Ndombele equalized in the 73th minute. Then Harry Kane finished them off with two goals in 4 minutes. Welcome to the Premier League. Bournemouth dominated proceedings and was leading but allowed Sheffield United to level. If only. At Villa Park, a UEFA 5-star rated stadium, Villa will be very much at home and should find the Cherries easier to play than Spurs. Time for the forwards to score. 2-2.

Brighton v West Ham - The Seagulls soared at Vicarage Road where they trounced  Watford 3-0 for a very impressive away win. I felt earlier that the Hammers would be very different and much stronger than last season but instead they took a hammering from City. On paper, West Ham are stronger and they must not allow a repeat of a bad result but surely Brighton must have been inspired. West Ham has fitness issues with players. It may be decided by an odd goal. 1-0.

Everton v Watford - Everton could not win at Palace and now host a Watford team that played poorly last week. The Hornets started poorly last season too but roared back in the later half. At Goodison Park, the Toffees must make the most of this home game to secure full points and they should. 2-1.

Norwich v Newcastle - Norwich was the lower division's champions but was outplayed by Liverpool and I told you that Pukki and Norwich will score. Steve Bruce's Magpies nearly stopped Arsenal from winning but nearly is nothing. Although it being an away match, it does not mean the Canaries will have their way. This is a bird fight - Canaries v Magpies but Magpies are very smart birds and Steve Bruce will probably organise his team not to lose at Carrow Road. 1-1.

Southampton v Liverpool - Liverpool won easily at Anfield over Norciwh (4-1). Alisson being out for some weeks may affect them but Adrian came in and surely did not expect to jump straight into the first team but he is an experienced pro and showed he was calm and his distribution was good. He was targeted but signed at the last minute due to the departure of Simon Mignolet and what a week he has gone through, a baptism of fire having came on for the injured Allison and then to feature in the Super Cup and with his penalty save won Liverpool the trophy and himself a medal! Trent Alexander-Arnold got his first assist which is all good but he needs to learn how to cover his tracks as he was often caught out of position. Otherwise, he would be targeted and be a liability against better teams. It did not take long for Virgil Van Dijk to show his class with a goal. He did not even need to jump for this one. Divork Origi must be the reason why Klopp did not sign another big name striker. He carried on with his scoring since the Champions League of last season. Actually, he gave his team a different dimension to their game but he has to work on and improve his link up game. Will Sadio Mane rertun to play his first full match this week or will Klopp stick with Origi? Mo Salah started with a bang and a goal. Will he be as hot this season? 

As for me, Roberto Firmino was the MOTM. I thought he was quite unplayable with or without the ball and surely deserved a goal especially that moment when he chested down the ball and let go a volley which was saved by Norwich's former Newcastle Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul. If not for his saves, Liverpool would have had a hatful more goals. Jordan Henderson was everywhere and showed his hunger. The Saints were thumped 0-3 by Burnley. How will they survive Liverpool's visit and the season if they do not make immediate improvements. Ralph Hasenhuttl was brilliant last year as he saved their season but what happened? Liverpool has some distraction playing in the UEFA Super Cup and after extra-time and penalty kicks they won. Why do they put this strain on both teams with extra-time? Liverpool with the best defence last season have not kept a clean sheet yet after two matches. Expect Liverpool to dominate, I wanted to say to keep a clean sheet but the best defence in the league has leaked three goals in two matches and do not look good. Early last season, Joe Gomez showed tremendous potential before his injury and long lay off. He was strong, quick and has such confidence and strength. Is he a wee bit rusty now? Should Klopp bring back Joel Matip who was so good at the end of last season. Immediate improvement in defence is needed. I would think Liverpool may score two or three times. I say just two but Klopp has to managed tired legs from the extra-time Super Cup and a possible keeper crisis. 0-2.

Manchester City v Tottenham - Raheem Sterling is on the verge of developing into a world class player under Pep Guardiola with a hattrick in first match of the season. He has already proven himself with 17 goals last season and though he seems to be here for a long time, he is really only 24 years old. Spurs sold Kieran Tripper to Athletico Madrid and his replace ment Kyle Walker-Peters and Danny Rose on the other side will be exploited by City. Spurs will need their midfielders in top gear as they faced a very formidable City midfield which must be disrupted from their momentum if they hope to get a point or three and this is where the challenge especially for Ndombele will be. Last week, City were not firing on all cylinders and they do not need to be, scoring five without reply in an away game against West Ham. The made it looked so simple as the goals flowed in. Spurs struggled to break down Aston Villa. It was Eriksen who made the difference when he came in. Harry Kane passed and prodded but was kept quiet. Kane scored in the 86th minute after Ndomblele's equaliser earlier and then scored again in the 90th minute. This is why I always call him Hurri-Kane. It was the first time he scored in an opening match and he is hungry for more. Last season, City won both home and away ties 1-0 but in the Champions League semi-finals they lost 0-1 away and 4-3 at home. It is still so early in the new season and most teams are not in their top gear yet. So whoever could raise their game here, takes the cake. This will be the match of the week. As good as City are, Spurs are no pushovers. Many will expect a City win but I shall pick a draw simply because Tottenham are a very good side and it is at an early stage in the season. Tottenham must show their credentials. 1-1. 

Sheffield United v Crystal Palace - Both sides got a point in their opener and this will probably be a typically physical game. Sheffield United also known as The Blades cut Bournemouth last week with an equalizer and will be emboldened at home at Bramall Lane. The Eagles, Crystal Palace visits and will see a chance of pipping a newcomer while the Blades hope to cut the Eagles to shreds. I feel Sheffield United could get a win at home but it shall end up all square. 1-1.

Chelsea v Leicester City - Chelsea actually played well early part in the game and dominated Manchester United but when a clumsy Kurt Zuma hauled down Marcus Rashford and gave away a needless penalty Chelsea simply did not cope. The Foxes too dominated Wolves with 70% possession with 16 shots to Wolves' 8 but went home with a 0-0 stalemate. A four zero loss to United should not be the yardstick to measure Chelsea's season. It also does not mean United is going to win the league now. With Kante playing, WIllian, Pedro and Pulisic leading the attack there is promise. Lampard needs a win at Stamford Bridge as another defeat will set the tone for a very bad start to the season. They played quite well in the Super Cup. Leicester has not found a replacement for Harry Maguire but they held out well against Wolves. This makes for an interesting game as it allows both Frank Lampard and Brendan Rodgers to make a statement for their season. 2-1.

Wolves v Manchester United - The Red Devils laid down a new marker with that 4-0 win over Chelsea but playing Wolves is very tricky after all United lost twice at the Molineux last season. Wolves were hard to break down and if there were a weakness in United it would be down the middle. Otherwise Solskjaer has changed a much needed direction as to how they should play successfully. Harry Maguire was assured, calm and has fearlessness in him so he has help to stabilise defence. Meanwhile, Aaron Wan-Bissaka was highly impressive. He always was. He was better defensively than Liverpool's Trent Alxender-Arnold but also very adapt in attacking. This young man has a bright future. Marcus Rashford may not get his opportunity to show his worth as he bagged a brace but Wolves are a very good side and are at home at the Molineux. A win here for them would be the tonic to kick start their season. 1-1.