EPL Tips & Preview – Week 2

After a wild opening weekend, get your tips for Week 2 of the 2021-22 EPL campaign – including a high-profile clash between Arsenal and Chelsea. 

History: Played 124: Liverpool 57 V Burnley 38 (29 Draws)

Last meeting: May 19, 2021 (EPL): Liverpool 3 d Burnley 0 at Turf Moor

Final Thoughts: Anfield will be packed to the rafters for the first time since pre-COVID days, with their Liverpool side coming off a 3-0 opening week win over promoted Norwich City. Diogo Jota got the Reds off the mark in the first half before Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah sealed the deal with goals midway through the second half.

Burnley, meanwhile, sunk to a disappointing 2-1 home loss to fellow likely relegation contenders Brighton – despite scoring in the second minute. A two-goal flurry in five minutes during the second half brought the Clarets undone.

Burnley have been a thorn in Liverpool’s side at Anfield recently, earning a draw there in the 2019-20 campaign and a 1-0 upset last season. Liverpool won a late-season clash at Turf Moor 3-0.

Expect the sense of occasion to drive Liverpool to a convincing and high-scoring victory over a limited Burnley outfit.

Tip: Liverpool Total – Over 2.5 Goals @ $1.88

History: Played 167: Newcastle 71 V Aston Villa 57 (39 Draws)

Last meeting: March 12, 2021 (EPL): 1-1 draw at St James’ Park

Final Thoughts: A pair of Week 1 losers square off at Villa Park – and both have plenty of holes to plug defensively.

Aston Villa went down 3-2 at Watford, flattered by the scoreline after trailing by three goals before the 70-minute mark. Big-name recruit Danny Ings bagged Villa’s second in injury time.

Newcastle United led West Ham at halftime after goals Callum Wilson and Jacob Murphy but leaked three goals in the second half of a 4-2 defeat.

Aston Villa have lost just one of their last eight against Newcastle, though five finished in a draw. Last season Villa won 2-0 at home before the teams drew 1-all in Newcastle.

Villa look a little short as $1.80 favourites, but I’ll lean towards the hosts in what looms as a high-scorer.

Tip: Double Chance and Total – Aston Villa or Draw and Over 2.5 @ $2.20

History: Played 38: Crystal Palace 17 V Brentford 14 (7 Draws)

Last meeting: August 16, 1977 (EFL Cup): Crystal Palace 5 d Brentford 1 at Selhurst Park

Final Thoughts: Brentford enjoyed a dream return to the Premier League at home – can they bank another three points in their first away assignment against a Crystal Palace aiming to bounce back from a Week 1 drubbing?

Brentford overwhelmed high-profile Arsenal 2-0, with Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard scoring the goals and the Bees’ defence producing a superb effort as the Gunners enjoyed a two-thirds share of possession.

Palace went down 3-0 at Chelsea – though it always shaped as a tall order. They struggled to generate anything on offence with a measly four shots across the entire game.

This is the clubs’ first meeting in 44 years. And despite the clubs’ contrasting fortunes last week, I can’t go past Palace’s value at home as only a slight favourite.

Tip: Result – Crystal Palace @ $2.60

History: Played 118: Leeds 52 V Everton 34 (32 Draws)

Last meeting: February 3, 2021 (EPL): Everton 2 d Leeds 1 at Elland Road

Final Thoughts: Leeds United are picking up the pieces of a Week 1 rout, while Everton head out on their first road trip of the season with some handy early momentum.

Leeds were thrashed 5-1 by Man United, despite being level at 1-all after Luke Ayling’s 49th-minute goal. Their defence fell apart thereafter, conceding four goals in the ensuing 20 minutes.

Everton trailed Southampton at halftime but carved out a 3-1 win after second-half goals to Richarlison, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

These sides both picked up an away win over the other last season, Leeds prevailing 1-0 at Goodison Park and Everton taking the points 2-1 at Elland Road.

It’s a big occasion at Elland Road – Leeds weren’t able to have a capacity crowd during their long-awaited EPL return last season. But Everton put together a highly impressive 11-4-4 record on the road last season and look a strong chance of spoiling the party.

Tip: Double Chance and Both Teams To Score – Draw or Everton and Yes @ $2.25

History: Played 70: Man City 37 V Norwich 10 (23 Draws)

Last meeting: July 26, 2020 (EPL): Man City 5 d Norwich 0 at Etihad Stadium

Final Thoughts: Manchester City’s EPL title defence started with a shock loss – and that could spell bad news for minnows Norwich City in Week 2.

The Citizens went down 1-0 to under-the-pump Tottenham, despite their 66 percent share of possession. It was a somewhat concerning result after the champs’ Community Shield loss to Leicester by the same score.

Promoted Norwich opened up with a 3-0 home loss to heavyweights Liverpool, managing to stay within reach for an hour before conceding a couple.

Norwich pulled off one of the upsets of the 2019-20 season with a 3-2 home victory over Man City, but the heavyweights responded with a 5-0 rout of the Canaries at Etihad Stadium.

To the surprise of no one, Man City are $1.08 favourites. That makes it hard to find value, but the over options provide punters with a few angles in what should be a big win for the hosts.

Tip: Total – Over 3.5 @ $1.82

History: Played 116: Brighton 45 V Watford 36 (35 Draws)

Last meeting: February 8, 2020 (EPL): 1-1 draw at Amex Stadium

Final Thoughts: Brighton and Watford are both looking to build on impressive Week 1 victories.

Brighton came back from a halftime deficit to beat Burnley at Turf Moor, Neal Maupay and Alexis Mac Allister scoring in a five-minute seoncd-half flurry to snatch a 2-1 result.

Promoted Watford surged to a 3-0 lead at home against Aston Villa after 67 minutes, before conceding a couple of late goals. With only 37 percent possession, the Hornets managed seven shots on target.

Watford have won just one of their last six against Brighton. Their previous win at Amex Stadium was back in 2015.

Given last week’s performances, this shapes as an even contest – and Brighton look way under the odds. Watford, $5.50 underdogs, look great value.

Tip: Handicap – Watford +1 @ $2.20

History: Played 129: Man United 67 V Southampton 28 (34 Draws)

Last meeting: February 2, 2021 (EPL): Man United 9 d Southampton 0 at Old Trafford

Final Thoughts: Manchester United made an emphatic Week 1 statement, wiping the floor with Leeds United 5-1 at Old Trafford. The scores were locked at one apiece after 50 minutes, before Man U piled on four goals in 16 minutes. Bruno Fernandes finished with a hat-trick, while Mason Greenwood and Fred also got on the board.

Southampton’s start was less auspicious, overwhelmed 3-1 at Everton after Saints striker Adam Armstrong opened the scoring in the 22nd minute.

Man United are unbeaten in their last 11 against Southampton and subjected the Saints to a 9-0 humiliation at Old Trafford last season. But the teams’ last 10 encounters at St Mary’s Stadium have featured four draws, while the Red Devils’ six wins were all by one-goal margins.

United are heavy favourites on the road but there’s still some decent value to be had. All signs point to another convincing win for the visitors.

Tip: Handicap – Man United -1 @ $2.63

History: Played 99: Tottenham 49 V Wolverhampton 29 (21 Draws)

Last meeting: May 16, 2021 (EPL): Tottenham 2 d Wolverhampton 0 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Final Thoughts: Wolverhampton Wanderers get their first run at home following a first-up 1-0 loss at Leicester City.

Tottenham Hotspur put the Harry Kane saga behind them to grab a 1-0 home win over defending champs and raging-hot favourites Man City. Son Heung-min’s 55th-minute goal and a superb defensive display underpinned the upset.

Wolves have managed four wins and three draws in their last 12 games against Spurs. They drew 1-all at Molineux Stadium last season, while Tottenham won 2-0 at home.

New Spurs manager Nuno heading back to Molineux Stadium adds some extra spice to this one – and I’m expecting the Portuguese gaffer to pick up another three points at the expense of his old club.

Tip: Result – Tottenham @ $2.30

History: Played 203: Arsenal 80 V Chelsea 65 (58 Draws)

Last meeting: May 12, 2021 (EPL): Arsenal 1 d Chelsea 0 at Stamford Bridge

Final Thoughts: Arsenal could not have got off to a worse start as they look to put some diabolical campaigns behind them. A 2-0 away loss to new boys Brentford was a humiliation under-pressure manager Mikel Arteta could have done without – and now they front up at home against top contenders Chelsea.

Champions League winners Chelsea kicked off their campaign with a 3-0 shutout of Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge – and they’ll be eager to turn the tables on the Gunners.

Arsenal have had the better of this rivalry in recent years: the Gunners have won seven (including the last three straight) and drawn four of their last 14 against Chelsea. Despite their struggles last season, Arsenal thumped Chelsea 3-1 at home and grabbed a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are just $1.73 to put away Arsenal at Emirates Stadium – and I think Thomas Tuchel’s miserly defensive unit can see that they do it to nil.

Tip: Chelsea To Win To Nil @ $2.70

History: Played 136: West Ham 54 V Leicester 49 (33 Draws)

Last meeting: April 11, 2021 (EPL): West Ham 3 d Leicester 2 at London Stadium

Final Thoughts: Potentially the best game of Week 2 as top-four hopefuls West Ham United and Leicester City lock horns.

West Ham overcame conceding an early goal at Newcastle and a 2-1 halftime deficit to power to a 4-2 victory. Leicester City put way Wolves 1-0 at King Power Stadium courtesy of Jamie Vardy’s 41st-minute goal.

West Ham had the wood on Leicester last season, winning 3-0 at King Power Stadium and 3-2 at home. Jarrod Bowen scored a goal for Hammers in both victories.

The teams can barely be split head-to-head and backing them to share the spoils seems as good an option as any.

Tip: Result – Draw @ $3.40