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No real upsets in the opening round. Last season’s top four all won, and only two from the bottom half of the competition in 23/24 got off to a winning start.

A couple of stand-out meetings in round 2 … Brighton v Man U is the early kick-off on Saturday evening then Arsenal goes to Villa in the early hours of Sunday morning to meet their nemesis of the last campaign.

BRIGHTON v MANCHESTER UTD

History: There have been 14 clashes since Brighton's arrival in the Premier League and the ledger stands eight wins to Man U, six to Brighton. The visitors won here last season, ending a four-match winning streak for the Seagulls.

Form: Both sides come off opening round wins and clean sheets.

Brighton overcame a jittery start to outclass Everton 3-0 at Goodison. All three goals were built from halfway or deeper and involved exquisite passing and off-the-ball movement. New manager, same Brighton.

Man U deserved the three points at home against Fulham but it wasn't a match for the ages. Ten Hag said they weren't ready, and he was right.

Overview: Man U will do well to improve on last season's eighth on the face of it. They struggle against energetic, pressing sides like Brighton who will relish a new season without European commitments.

Prediction: Brighton win.

CRYSTAL PALACE v WEST HAM

History: The last two seasons have been good for Palace, winning three and drawing one. Interestingly, both sides have been on the score sheet in the last 14 meetings.

Form: Two first-round losers meet, although the circumstances of their respective defeats were different.

Palace played well and were unlucky not to get something from their clash with Brentford. Despite losing Olise to Bayern they looked good in the front third and will give all comers some headaches this season.

West Ham put a sluggish first half behind them and asked some questions of Villa after the break, but in the end the visitors thoroughly deserved the three points. Summerville was menacing when he came on; Lopetegui will be tempted to inject a bit more of the new talent into the side this weekend.

Overview: By no means a must-win game for either side at this stage of the season, but two losses on the bounce would be a lousy start. Last weekend suggested this is a match-up between a settled squad (Palace) and one in transformation (West Ham). A loss here and it is probably a 0-3 start for the Hammers as they have City next.

Prediction: Crystal Palace win.

FULHAM v LEICESTER

History: Just six meetings in the past decade – Fulham has won three and Leicester two.

Form: Fulham was second best for most of their clash at Old Trafford last weekend but held on until the 87th minute. They didn't deserve anything more but did show they are resilient, and they have a terrific shot-stopper in Leno who kept them in the game.

Leicester was way off the pace in the opening half against Spurs and probably should have been three of four down. They clicked in the second half and looked like a side that can stay in this league with a fair run on the injury front. 

Overview: Fulham only lost twice at home in 23/24 to sides in the bottom half and registered some excellent results including a win over Arsenal. Leicester might take a bit longer to acclimatise to 90 minutes of top-flight football, particularly on the road.

Prediction: Fulham win.

MANCHESTER CITY v IPSWICH

History: This is the first time these sides have met since a 2002 FA Cup tie.

Form: City comfortably disposed of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge despite the absence of Rodri, who is a chance of being fit for this one. Savinho made a tremendous impression on his debut but limped off. It looked pretty much business as usual for the four-peat Champions, although there were one of two big chances for the Blues that went begging.

Ipswich was marginally the better side in the first half at home to Liverpool last weekend, but a couple of quick goals midway through the second half put them to bed. It was a game effort and creditable for a side that was playing in League One 15 months ago.

Overview: No need for much analysis here – City will win with the margin the only matter of contention.

Prediction: Manchester City to win.

SOUTHAMPTON v NOTTINGHAM FOREST

History: The only two recent clashes were in the 22/23 season in which Forest won both encounters, 4-3 and 1-0.

Form: Southampton had plenty of chances but lacked quality in the opposition box against a ten-man Newcastle on their return to the Premier League, losing 1-0. Lack of potency in front of goal was a problem in their relegation year and may too dog them in this fight for survival.

Forest scored first but had to settle for a point after a late Bournemouth equaliser at the City Ground last weekend. The side had a settled look about it following last season's revolving door, although a serious injury to Danilo will be felt. Forest's away form has been poor since their return to the top-flight; it will be interesting to see if that flows into 24/25.

Overview: The Saints won 15 of 23 home fixtures last season. If they are to survive, they must pick up maximum points against teams like Forest at home as they could be considered rivals in the fight to stay up.

Prediction: Southampton win.

TOTTENHAM v EVERTON

History: A good fixture for Spurs in the past three seasons as you would expect, racking up three wins and three draws. Tottenham has only lost once at home to Everton since 2008.

Form: Spurs looked good in the first half against Leicester and eventually rued a host of missed opportunities to put the game to bed. For a stretch of the second half, around the time of the equaliser, they looked a bit rattled. Overall, not a great start against a newly promoted side.

It was a similar story for Everton who opened brightly and almost took the lead at Goodison against Brighton. However, on the break they were vulnerable and ultimately a well-drilled and relentless attacking side proved too much. It looks like a tough final season at the old ground for the Toffees.

Overview: Spurs at home in 23/24 were a bit hot and cold, and no draws in their 19 fixtures. A loss to Wolves was the only real shock. Everton failed to win in their last 11 away games, so this looks a tall order.  

Prediction: Tottenham win.

ASTON VILLA v ARSENAL

History: Villa famously took all six points in this match-up last season. Before that, Arsenal had won four on the trot.

Form: Good starts for both sides who have massive seasons ahead.

Villa outplayed West Ham in every department at the London Stadium. The 2-1 scoreline flattered the Hammers who has no answer to the likes of Bailey and Rogers who continually ran at and through the opposition back four. Onana might turn out to be one of the buys of the season. An extended Champions League format might see Villa struggle as the season wears on so early points against a good side like West Ham is crucial.

Arsenal never looked in doubt at home to Wolves, a strong first half performance the foundation. The side had a familiar look and Arteta would have left the Emirates pleased with the quality of what he saw so early in the campaign. Saka is establishing himself as an elite player and was involved in both goals.

Overview: Villa's form on home soil last season was outstanding, including back-to-back wins over City and Arsenal. There was plenty to like about what they did at West Ham last weekend, and given the results between these sides last season, they can justifiably go into this with a degree of confidence.

Prediction: Draw.

BOURNEMOUTH v NEWCASTLE

History: A mixed bag in the 13 meetings this century – Bournemouth has won three, Newcastle five, and five draws. Newcastle has failed to earn maximum points in the past four EPL clashes with the Cherries.

Form: Life after Solanke began in a decent way for Bournemouth in the midlands last weekend; a draw at the City Ground is nothing to be sneezed at. To be fair they were outplayed for much of the game by the hosts but held strong at the back and scrambled the vital equaliser late.

Newcastle's win over Southampton was commendable given they lost Scher after 28 minutes and were on the back foot early against an enthusiastic Saints outfit. It was backs-to-the-wall defence which won the day – a less dramatic opening day than the annihilation of Villa a year earlier.

Overview: Newcastle is on a mission to return to Champions League football. To do that a good start is essential, and the fixture draw has given them a great chance to open positively. Given an even rub of the green they might be a bit too good for the Cherries who are always tough to beat at home but do struggle against genuine top-eight opposition.

Prediction: Newcastle win.

WOLVES v CHELSEA

History: Wolves have lost just once in their last eight meetings with Chelsea and registered a rare double last season.

Form: Both sides come here off 2-0 losses to the sides most tip will finish 1-2 again this season.

Wolves were not at the races in the first half at Arsenal but did lift after the break and gave the Gunners a few anxious moments. In the end, the class of Arsenal shone through. Wolves are workmanlike and can offer a threat going forward, but Neto's loss is insurmountable.

Chelsea got nothing from their clash with Man City but did give a good account. A few near misses and a lazy offside breach by Jackson when he slotted what would have been an equaliser made the difference. Although they aren't within a bull's roar of the top two, Chelsea showed enough last weekend to suggest they can make a run at the top four if Maresca is given support and a bit of time.

Overview: Chelsea is one of the toughest sides to pick. If they show up and play to something like their potential they will be too good for Wolves. We did, however, see two Chelseas last season so backing them is always a risk.

Prediction: Chelsea win.

LIVERPOOL v BRENTFORD

History: Brentford stunned Liverpool 3-1 at home in January 2023 which was the Bees' first win over the Reds since before World War 2! Liverpool won both clashes last season by an aggregate of 7-1.

Form: Liverpool looked sluggish and disjointed in the first half at Portman Road last weekend. Arne Slot's first half-time pep talk was obviously a good one as the relentless attacking waves that the Reds are renowned for returned in the second half. A couple of quick goals, Salah instrumental in both, put the brave hosts away.

Brentford withstood Palace at home last weekend in an entertaining local derby. A bit of luck early on helped the cause, but in the end Wissa and Mbeumo rose to the occasion and made a statement to Thomas Frank and supporters – the team can perform without Ivan Toney. The Danish contingent was outstanding again, Jensen one of the more underrated midfield generals in the league.

Overview: Liverpool lost just once at Anfield last season. Slow starts were the order of the day in 23/24, and it was more of the same at Ipswich seven days ago. Slot will no doubt have them fired up to hit the ground running for their first home match of the campaign. Brentford has the capacity to upset big guns, but the Reds should be too good.

Prediction: Liverpool win.

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