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Premier League Matchweek 2 preview involving Arsenal, Man City and Man Utd

By on August 22, 2024

Jurrien Timber Mikel Arteta Arsenal

The 2024/25 Premier League campaign got underway last weekend and most of the ‘big clubs’ started off with a win. Last seasons top four of Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa are all inside the top five already after opening victories, with Brighton leading the way after an impressive 3-0 win at Everton.

Let’s now take a look at some of the key games we can look forward on Match Week 2….

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

After going so close last season with Arsenal finishing second behind City for the second consecutive year, the Gunners will be looking to go one step further and win their first title in 20 years this season.

Mikel Arteta’s men got off to a winning start with a solid 2-0 victory over Wolves at the Emirates Stadium last Saturday. Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka got the all-important goals as Arsenal kicked-off where they left off from last season.

However, they will face a much sterner test this weekend when they travel to Villa Park in Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off. This fixture was a costly one for Arsenal last season as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat. After finishing just two points behind City, Arteta’s knows a win at Villa Park would have made them champions so he’ll be desperate to pick up a positive result this time around.

Villa were one of the surprise packages last season as they held off a late comeback from Tottenham to clinch fourth place and secure Champions League qualification. They kicked-off the new season with a hard fought 2-1 win away to West Ham last weekend with Amadou Onana and Jhon Duran getting the goals at the London Stadium.

Villa will now play their first home game of the new campaign and Unai Emery will now be hoping to get the better of his old club once again after doing the double over Arsenal last season.

Team news

Arsenal will once again be without Takehiro Tomiyasu as the defender is still nursing a knee injury that’s expected to keep him out for ‘weeks’. The Japanese international suffered the issue in pre-season and isn’t expected back until late next month.

Kieran Tierney is also on the sidelines with a thigh injury and could be out until after the September international break. However, Fabio Vieira could return from a minor groin issue that kept him out of the Wolves game.

Jurrien Timber is pushing for a start after making a late cameo appearance last weekend following a knock. Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus are also hoping to play a more prominent role after only getting a few minutes last time out.

Villa will be without the services of Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara as they continue their rehab from serious knee injuries. Robin Olsen will face a late fitness test due to a head injury.

Prediction

Aston Villa 1-1 Arsenal

Man City vs Ipswich

The Manchester City juggernaut continued as they kicked off the new season with a solid 2-0 win away to Chelsea on the opening weekend.  Erling Haaland opened the scoring with a fine finish before Mateo Kovacic secured the three points with a late second at Stamford Bridge.

Pep Guardiola’s side are the bookies favourites once again to retain the Premier League trophy and make it five titles in a row. They’ll be confident of picking up another victory this weekend when they take on newly promoted Ipswich Town at the Etihad Stadium.

The fixture computer could hardly have given the Tractor Boys a more difficult start to life back in the top flight. They began with a home fixture against Liverpool which they lost 2-0 thanks to goals from Diogo Jota and Mo Salah in the second half.

Ipswich now face-off against the champions at home and they’ll know full well that the chances are they’ll be pointless after their opening two games back in the Premier League.

Team news

City were dealt a blow as Oscar Bobb has been ruled out for several months with a fractured leg. The Norwegian attacker sustained the injury in pre-season training ahead of the opener against Chelsea and is now facing a race to play again this year.

Savio will be assessed after picking up a knock to his knee at Stamford Bridge while Rodrigo is also a doubt after missing the win over Chelsea with an issue that he picked up in pre-season.

As for Ipswich, they have a number of issues to dealt with ahead of their trip to the Etihad Stadium. Harry Clarke, George Hirst, Nathan Broadhead, Kalvin Phillips, Janoi Donacien and Arjanet Muric are all ruled out.

Cameron Humphreys is also a doubt with a knock  while Wesley Burns is also facing a late test on a thigh injury.

Prediction

Man City 3-0 Ipswich

Brighton vs Man Utd

Manchester United will be looking to build on their opening weekend win when they take on Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.

After a hugely disappointing 2023/24 campaign that saw them finish eighth, United boss Erik ten Hag is under pressure from fans who buy Man Utd tickets to turn things around this season.

He’s revamped his squad in the summer and it was one of his big-money signings, Joshua Zirkzee, who saved his blushes in their opening game. The Dutchman came off the bench to score an 87th minute winner against Fulham to ensure ten Hag got off to a winning start this season.

Man Utd will now face a stern test as they travel to the south coast to take on Brighton at the Amex Stadium. The Seagulls finished 11th last season but new boss Fabian Hürzeler will be eyeing a European qualification place.

Brighton got off to the perfect start with an impressive 3-0 win over Everton thanks to goals from Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck and Simon Adingra so they’ll be looking to maintain their place at the top of the table with a win over United.

Team news

Brighton have several injury issues to contend with as Solomon March, Bart Verbruggen, Julio Enciso and Igor Julio are all ruled out.

Man Utd will be without Leny Yoro as he’s facing months out with an ankle injury while Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof and Rasmus Hojlund are also still on the sidelines.

Jadon Sancho is a doubt amid speculation he could leave before the window closes while Harry Maguire will be assessed due to a knock. Evan Ferguson is a doubt with an ankle injury while Pervis Estupinan, Tariq Lamptey and Brajan Gruda are doubts.

Prediction

Brighton 1-1 Man Utd