Pre-Match EPL 14/15: Week 2

The EPL is entering phase two and The Writer wants to offer his brief pre-match preview on all those 10 matches scheduled. With some Week 1 pre-match predictions went wrong, everyone should be prepared for some shocked outcome this weekend…

Aston Villa vs Newcastle United

Earliest game of this weekend. Aston Villa will be on a high mood after the surprised win over Stoke last weekend. Aston Villa is always good on the counter attacking game as they have abundant of speedy attackers. Their defense is their weakness but has improved since Ron Vlaar had a good World Cup. Meanwhile Newcastle can also be proud of their display against ManCity last Sunday. They gave a good fight but they lacked an Aguero and a Silva of this world, players who can be the point earner for their clubs. The Writer is waiting for Remy Cabella to make an impact by scoring as he looks like the true heir of Yohan Cabaye. However this game may see Villa to continue surprising people by winning, but still with a small margin.

Chelsea vs Leicester City

Fantasy Premier League players will be too eager to choose either Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas, or Eden Hazard to be their team’s fantasy captain as all will expect Chelsea to win this game with a big margin. But EPL doesn’t usually work like that as all would have expected ManUtd to win big last weekend. Leicester has nothing to lose and the spirited draw against Everton last week would instill the good belief in their attackers to surprise Chelsea with a goal or two. Mourinho will want to avoid his team last season’s problem to continue, which was the failure to win against some smaller teams. But this game may see the problem continues. 

Crystal Palace vs West Ham

Managerless last weekend and may also be managerless this weekend. However, Crystal Palace players are not too downhearted by the issues as they showed a good collective style of play like last season. Brede Hangeland is a good addition for Palace and he showed again last weekend on why he was once courted by some big clubs. In all, Palace seems capable to beat West Ham as long as Sam Allardyce still don’t want to start with a better strikers’ partnership. Their attack was weak last weekend and Carlton Cole is not the same bulldozing striker he once was. Mauro Zarate should start instead and Mark Noble should promise to kick a better penalty if he gets one this weekend.

Southampton vs West Brom

Southampton is not a broken team. Don’t believe the media hype. They are still a force to be reckoned with, as long as Dusan Tadic continues to impress from the left flank. And new captain, Jose Fonte proved The Writer was right by showing a main man show against Liverpool. Shane Long can be the thorn for his ex-club by scoring against them and West Brom should beware of him all the 90 minutes. Saido Berahino is the player to rival Shane Long on who can win the game for their respective clubs. But in away game, Berahino may sometimes suffer an off form.

Swansea City vs Burnley

Gary Monk is a great manager in the making. He can claim that he once beat the superior, Louis van Gaal in a tactical game by pointing at last weekend’s battle against ManUtd. Monk was unfazed by the hype of LVG’s new formation for ManUtd. 3-5-2? 4-3-3? Monk still won it. Burnley on the other hand, will have their first real test against an EPL opponent. Last match against Chelsea was a no match, really. Chelsea was expected to win from the start. Having said that, Burnley still need to buy a better center back cause the ones that they have may not be up to the EPL standard. 

Everton vs Arsenal

Mikel Arteta will return to his old home as the Gunners' captain. Quite an achievement, considering his little trophy collections and no Spanish cap whatsoever. But Arsenal has to be careful with Everton at their home. Playing in a small and tight stadium like the Goodison Park will always be a difficult outing for bigger club like Arsenal. Everton can upset Arsenal again for sure, but with Aaron Ramsey on fire and suspended for Champions League game, he will want to play to the very maximum. Which means a win and goals from him.  

Hull City vs Stoke City

Hull City is in danger of elimination from the Europa League. Stoke City is in total shocked from the surprised loss to Aston Villa. Expect both teams to try desperately to win this game and to get back the winning formula. Hull may rest some key players for the return leg of the Europa League but they have a big squad now and should be enough to win against Stoke. Unless Bojan and Marko Arnautovic spoil the party. Mark Hughes has to start them both.

Tottenham Hotspur vs QPR

Harry Redknapp will be back to the White Hart Lane again. Fans will be pleased to see him around as he was once their savior and hero. But there will surely be no love lost for Harry this time. He needs to win this game to repair the damage suffered in last weekend's defeat. He seriously need to reconsider using the 3-5-2 formation as it was a fragile formation. Their strike force of Charlie Austin, Loic Remy, and Bobby Zamora should have enough goals in their lockers to help QPR win. If not, Spurs will unleash last season's flop Erik Lamela to show his real class against the Hoops. He was a joy to watch in last Europa League match.

Sunderland vs Manchester United

Marcos Rojo will go straight to Sunderland and start for ManUtd. They need him as they still don't have Luke Shaw at the left flank. If Sunderland win, more misery will haunt LVG and rivals alike will make them as a laughing stock. That is a possibility as Sunderland is a renowned giant-killer, and old boy John O'Shea will have to perform 100% with Wes Brown to stop United. LVG may wish this game as another pre-season match in which they had an outstanding achievement. Wake up Red Devils!

Manchester City vs Liverpool

The first blockbuster of the season. Last term number 1 and 2 will battle for supremacy. If last season results were to be the indicator, ManCity should win this game. And they will be, considering they have almost everyone fit this time around. Bar new signing, Eliaquim Mangala as the boss said he will not play and so do Alvaro Negredo who has a critical injury. Nevertheless, Liverpool will still manage to nick a goal either from Daniel Sturridge or Raheem Sterling. Their new SAS. Meanwhile, Mario Balotelli is on the way.