With the new Premier League campaign rolling into its second week, Andy Gray and Richard Keys, who front beIN Sports’ EPL coverage, forecast the weekend’s results.
Manchester City vs Chelsea
Andy Gray: I’m sure this will be a tight game, Chelsea will make it so. It might be one of these days when Mourinho picks Nemanja Matic and Kurt Zouma or Matic and Ramires as his two central midfielders and let Fabregas play a little further forward. I think, in the big games, they worry about Fabregas playing deep. But with the fact Chelsea look a little out of form, I’m leaning towards Man City. 1-0.
Richard Keys: Chelsea’s a different proposition altogether for Man City. However, as much as City can play when they want to, they equally don’t play often enough, if they don’t want to. 1-1.
Crystal Palace v Arsenal
AG: Palace just haven’t got a result against Arsenal at Selhurst Park in years and I think the Gunners will enjoy going there. Palace got a really good result against Norwich but I think Arsene Wenger will get a response out of his team. Against West Ham they looked flat, I really didn’t see that coming. I don’t think they’ll be as poor again. 1-2.
RK: Arsenal were so good one week, and so bad last week. I’m sure Petr Cech will have many better days than last week but collectively they were awful. Palace will do what they do, sit and try and break. But if Palace give them an invitation to attack, they I think Arsenal can be more direct and enjoy themselves. 1-3.
Southampton v Everton
AG: This is a tough game for Everton. I thought Southampton were unlucky not to beat Newcastle on the opening day and they look a good side. 2-1.
RK: Saints were good at Newcastle and started where they left off last season. I think Evertonians are in for a frustrating season. They could, and perhaps should, have lost to Watford. 2-1.
Tottenham v Stoke
AG: Both come in on the back of defeats they were unlucky not to get anything from, so they’ll both take something from those performances. I do think home advantage tips this in Spurs favour but it won’t be a goal-fest. 1-0.
RK: I was disappointed with Stoke and Tottenham – bar the opening 20 minutes against United. Spurs, you just don’t know, but at home they should have enough. 2-1.
Swansea v Newcastle
AG: Home win for me, I like Swansea and I like what I saw from them against Chelsea. Newcastle were a little fortunate against Southampton and are still searching for a way of playing under Steve McClaren so I think it might take a month or so for them to come together. 2-0.
RK: Swansea were great at Chelsea, I really like the look of them but Bafetimbi Gomis has to score more with the chances he gets. They should be able to push the ball around nicely at home. 3-1.
West Ham v Leicester
AG: Both must be cock-a-hoop after last weekend’s results. But it’s another game, when the teams are so well-matched, that home advantage could prove crucial. Leicester could have been down before they were up against Sunderland and look vulnerable, especially away from home. 2-0.
RK: West Ham were just brilliant at the Emirates. Top marks. We don’t really know how Leicester are going to play under Claudio Ranieri away from home so this could be quite open. 2-2.
Sunderland v Norwich
AG: There were parts of Norwich’s performance against Palace that I really liked. Sunderland, I don’t know what to make of them. Shocking defensively but then with Jermain Defoe, Jeremain Lens and Steven Fletcher they have goals in them. 2-2.
RK: You would think this is a winnable game for Sunderland but they looked a really poor side against Leicester. Norwich were unlucky against Palace and on the basis of what I saw last weekend are the better side. 0-2.
Watford v West Brom
AG: Watford were very good for 45 minutes against Everton and, at home, can win. 2-0.
RK: West Brom were so bad against City and Tony will go back to basis this week and would have worked hard on keeping things tight. Watford won’t be savvy enough to break down a Pulis defence. 1-1.
Liverpool v Bournemouth
AG: The Reds should be too good. Bournemouth looked okay against Villa but look like they might be short all over the pitch. 3-0.
RK: The way Bournemouth play is so open. Liverpool were pragmatic against Stoke but will go on the front foot here. 3-0.
