Premier League predictions: More misery for Man United, Liverpool bounce back in style

Round two of the new season, and already there are issues emerging

SATURDAY: Aston Villa v Everton, 3.30pm: Opening-weekend defeats for both, with Frank Lampard's Everton beaten at home by his old club Chelsea. Too early to say whether it's another season of struggles, but Villa will want to rectify their loss at Bournemouth. Prediction: Villa 1 Everton 1. AP

Arsenal v Leicester, 6pm: A comfortable start for the Gunners at Palace in a season that is full of early optimism for Mikel Arteta. They should brush Leicester aside and really get the fans' hopes up. Prediction: Arsenal 2 Leicester 0. Reuters

Brighton v Newcastle, 6pm: Eddie Howe has worked wonders at Newcastle since taking charge in November, and their win against Nottingham Forest will add to the feelgood factor. Brighton, however, will also be on a high after their surprise victory at Manchester United. Prediction: Brighton 1 Newcastle 2. Getty

Manchester City v Bournemouth, 6pm: Erling Haaland certainly lived up to the hype with his brace at West Ham on his Premier League debut. City look unstoppable with him leading the line. Prediction: City 4 Bournemouth 0. Getty

Southampton v Leeds, 6pm: Leeds were delighted after beating Wolves in the opener and can build some momentum with a second successive win against a Saints side thrashed at Tottenham. Prediction: Southampton 1 Leeds 3. Getty

Wolves v Fulham, 6pm: Aleksandar Mitrovic looked awesome as he netted twice in newly promoted Fulham's draw against Liverpool. They will need him to be firing all season to have hope of avoiding trouble. Prediction: Wolves 1 Fulham 2. Getty

Brentford v Manchester United, 8.30pm: Such optimism for new manager Erik ten Hag and United - and then it all went wrong at home to Brighton. Brentford, however, earned a point at Leicester after coming from behind. All eyes on this one. Prediction: Brentford 2 Manchester United 1. Reuters

SUNDAY: Nottingham Forest v West Ham, 5pm: The Hammers enjoyed a great season in 2021/22 and will want to open their account at promoted Forest after their opening loss. Forest were overrun at Newcastle and will need a big improvement, and soon. Prediction: Forest 1 West Ham 3. Getty

Chelsea v Tottenham, 7.30pm: A cracking London derby will give a real indication what kind of season these two are looking at. The Blues were not at their best despite the win at Everton, while Spurs were on fire against Southampton. Prediction: Chelsea 2 Spurs 2. Reuters

MONDAY: Liverpool v Crystal Palace, 11pm: Dropped points in the opener at Fulham and it's quite possible they could prove to be significant with Man City looking so good. Jurgen Klopp will be demanding a vastly improved showing against Palace. Prediction: Liverpool 4 Palace 1. AFP

One game down, 37 to go, and already the high-pressure world of the Premier League has raised some issues.

Liverpool dropping two points at newly promoted Fulham felt like a defeat. Manager Jurgen Klopp even abandoned his traditional post-match hugs for his players such was his disappointment.

Manchester City won easily at West Ham, with Erling Haaland getting both goals. One thing seems certain; he is going to get a hatful more leading that line, and with all those talented players supplying the ammunition.

At Manchester United, it could hardly have been a more underwhelming start for Erik ten Hag as they lost at home to Brighton. The Dutch manager blamed a lack of belief – the Cristiano Ronaldo conundrum can hardly have helped.

Elsewhere, early signs of hope for Fulham, Bournemouth, Leeds and Newcastle, and head-scratching at Aston Villa, West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa.

Villa have an early chance to put things right when they kick off the weekend against Everton, the first of seven games on Saturday, which also include champions Manchester City hosting Bournemouth and Arsenal v Leicester. The main scrutiny, however, will be on Manchester United's trip to Brentford.

Sunday opens with Nottingham Forest v West Ham, then a cracker in Chelsea v Spurs, while the weekend concludes on Monday night when Liverpool take out their frustrations on Crystal Palace.

To read the predictions of all the Premier League matches at the weekend, click on the picture gallery above.

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