Premier League Matchday 2: London rivals Chelsea and Spurs face off

The biggest game of the Premier League season so far headlines Matchday 2 as Chelsea host London rivals Tottenham.

Manchester United will hope to put their dismal opening-day defeat behind them during a tricky away trip to Brentford, while Manchester City are up against newly-promoted Bournemouth and Liverpool welcome Crystal Palace.

Aston Villa vs Everton (Saturday, 12.30pm, BT Sport 1)

Kicking off the weekend is Aston Villa’s home clash with Everton, which will see former England team-mates Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard go head-to-head as managers for the first time.

The pressure is already on Villa boss Gerrard after a 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth on the opening day, while the Toffees are also looking to get on the board for the season following a narrow home loss against Chelsea.

Since returning to the top flight in 2019, the Villans are unbeaten in all six of their league games with the Merseyside outfit, winning four and drawing two.

Former Liverpool favourite Philippe Coutinho has been involved in four goals in his last three home league games against Everton, most recently scoring and assisting in a 3-1 win for the Reds in April 2017.

Arsenal vs Leicester (Saturday, 3pm)

Building on an impressive start to the season will be the order of the day for Arsenal when they welcome Leicester to the Emirates.

Following a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, the Gunners have the chance to start the season with two wins and two clean sheets for the first time since 1971-72.

The Foxes have won just one of their last 26 trips to Arsenal and their 35 top-flight away defeats in North London is more than they have suffered against any other side.

Summer signing Gabriel Jesus has scored five goals in seven meetings with the East Midlands outfit — only against Everton (eight) and Watford (six) has he netted more in the Premier League.

Brighton vs Newcastle (Saturday, 3pm)

Handing Manchester United defeat during Erik ten Hag’s first game in charge were Brighton, who come up against a Newcastle side that also look in good shape.

The Seagulls have never lost a top-flight home clash against the Geordies, having managed two wins and three draws previously.

But Eddie Howe’s men have won five away games so far in 2022, already more than they mustered in the whole of last year and their best return since 2013.

After he netted against Nottingham Forest on the opening day, 16% of Callum Wilson’s 62 Premier League goals have come in August (10).

Manchester City vs Bournemouth (Saturday, 3pm)

Both Manchester City and Bournemouth kicked off their seasons with 2-0 victories on the opening day and now prepare to face off at the Etihad.

It has all the makings of a tricky trip for Scott Parker’s Cherries though, with City winning all 10 of their previous Premier League meetings.

Since a goalless draw with Crystal Palace in March, Pep Guardiola’s men have scored at least twice in their last 10 Premier League encounters.

Erling Haaland can become just the third City player to strike in each of their first two games for the club after Robinho in 2008 and Emmanuel Adebayor in 2009.

Southampton vs Leeds (Saturday, 3pm)

Southampton welcome Leeds to St Mary’s hoping to put a 4-1 defeat to Spurs on the first day well and truly behind them.

The Saints have won four of their last five home clashes with their Yorkshire visitors, with those victories coming in games across the Premier League, Championship and League One.

A 2-1 comeback win over Wolves last weekend has raised hopes for a positive campaign for Leeds and extended a run of only three defeats in 11 under manager Jesse Marsch.

Patrick Bamford’s sustained fitness this term would hand a big boost to the American — the striker has scored in each of his last three games versus Saturday’s opponents for Leeds and former club Middlesbrough.

Wolves vs Fulham (Saturday, 3pm)

It was a positive start to life back in the top flight for Fulham thanks to a 2-2 draw with Liverpool and a trip to Wolves is up next.

They are an opponent the Cottagers have not had much recent joy against, with the men from Molineux winning nine of the last 12 meetings between the pair.

Having surrendered their lead against Leeds, the Midlands outfit have lost three of their last four games when scoring first — more than they had in their previous 55 since returning to the top flight in 2018.

Aleksandar Mitrovic’s double against the Reds means he is already just one goal shy of his tally for the whole of his last Premier League campaign in 2020-21. 

The last Fulham player to score in their first two games of the season was Damien Duff in 2012-13.

Brentford vs Manchester United (Saturday, 5.30pm, Sky Sports Main Event)

United chief Ten Hag looks to be already facing a crisis at Old Trafford and an away clash with Brentford presents another challenge for the Dutchman.

But including interim bosses, none of the last seven United managers have lost their first away game in charge (four wins and three draws).

Since the start of last season, only Liverpool (21) and Tottenham (17) have picked up more points from losing positions in the Premier League than the Bees (16), with their 2-2 draw with Leicester the first two-goal deficit they have recovered from.

Christian Eriksen heads back to West London following his successful loan spell there last season.

Since his return to the Premier League in February, only Kevin De Bruyne (45) and Martin Odegaard (38) have created more chances than the Dane’s 33.

Nottingham Forest vs West Ham (Sunday, 2pm, Sky Sports Main Event)

Premier League football returns to the City Ground after 23 years away as Nottingham Forest prepare for the visit of West Ham.

The clash in the East Midlands will be David Moyes 623rd Premier League match as manager, while it is only opposing boss Steve Cooper’s second. That gap of 621 games is the largest of any two opposing coaches since May 2018.

Forest (five) and West Ham (six) had the fewest shots in the division on the opening weekend as they suffered respective 2-0 defeats to Newcastle and Manchester City.

After being involved in 13 goals in 16 games during a loan spell with the Hammers in 2020-21, Jesse Lingard faces his former side for the first time since choosing the Reds over them in the summer.

Chelsea vs Tottenham (Sunday, 4.30pm, Sky Sports Main Event)

The weekend’s headline clash sees London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham face off with both harbouring ambitions of challenging at the very top of the table this term.

Despite possibly being the standout performers of Matchday 1 with a 4-1 win over Southampton, Spurs have won just one of their last 37 Premier League away trips to Stamford Bridge.

Summer signing Raheem Sterling has scored eight times against Tottenham in all competitions but is goalless in his most recent six games, while Harry Kane is hoping to strike against the Blues for the time in five clashes.

Dejan Kulusevski has nine assists in his 19 Premier League appearances for Antonio Conte's men. 

Only one player has ever hit double figures for assists in their first 20 appearances in the competition — Brett Emerton for Blackburn during the 2003-04 campaign.

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace (Monday, 8pm, Sky Sports Main Event)

Liverpool are looking to earn their first three points this term when Palace make the trip up to Anfield on Monday night.

The Reds have avoided defeat in their first home game of the season for the last 18 campaigns, winning their most recent nine. They are also enjoying a 20-game run without defeat at Anfield in the Premier League.

Recent meetings also point in the way of Jurgen Klopp’s men, with the Eagles losing nine of their last 13 away clashes with Monday's opponents including defeat in their most recent five.

Mohamed Salah has been involved in 11 goals (seven goals and four assists) in 10 Premier League appearances versus Palace. Only against West Ham (nine goals and three assists) has he been involved in more.

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