Premier League 2025/26: Gameweek 2 Preview and Predictions
The 2025/26 Premier League season kicked off last Friday, with Liverpool and Bournemouth trading knockout blows in a thrilling first game, and concluded with a tight, controversial match between newly promoted Leeds United and Everton on Monday.
Gameweek 1 witnessed some great contests as well as some one-sided encounters, while there were other games that did not live up to the billing.
With the Premier League well and truly back, here we present our predictions for the second Gameweek of the 2025/26 season.
West Ham United vs Chelsea
The Hammers began the new season in abysmal fashion, very similar to their form last term. With a demoralising defeat at the hands of newly promoted Sunderland in the first game of the season, it’s difficult to see how they get anything from this tough encounter against the Blues.
As for Chelsea, they opened their season with a draw against the Eagles. Their attack was found wanting against a well-structured Palace defence. Winning the Club World Cup and qualifying for the Champions League has only added more pressure on Enzo Maresca & Co coming into this season.
That said, expect Chelsea to come away with a comfortable win from London Stadium, as West Ham don’t look capable of challenging anyone at the moment.
Score prediction: West Ham 0–3 Chelsea
Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur have been a thorn in Manchester City’s side for quite a few years now. Last season too, Spurs blew away a struggling City at the Etihad.
However, the Cityzens looked in complete control in their first game against Wolves, with Erling Haaland and new signing Tijjani Reijnders impressing with top performances.
As for Spurs, they too looked impressive in their opening game of the campaign under new boss Thomas Frank. Playing against newly promoted Burnley, new signing Mohammed Kudus wreaked havoc as Spurs ran away as comfortable winners.
This game has the makings of a blockbuster end-to-end fixture, with City having just enough edge in terms of attacking firepower to win it, though Spurs may end up breaching their defence as well.
Score prediction: Man City 3–1 Spurs
Bournemouth vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Bournemouth were lively against Liverpool in the opening game. Having restored parity after going two goals down, they were left ruing their chances as they conceded two late goals.
The Cherries boast massive quality in their front line with Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson, though the losses incurred in the backline over the summer have left them shaky at the back. That said, they would have taken a lot of confidence from their opening performance, having given a strong fight to the defending champions.
As for Wolves, they have started the new season in a dismal manner, losing 4–0 to Man City at home. They looked disjointed and weren’t clinical enough to finish the half-decent chances they did create.
Considering how they played in the first Gameweek, the gulf in quality of the two teams on paper, and their home advantage, we back Bournemouth to win this encounter.
Score prediction: Bournemouth 2–1 Wolves
Burnley vs Sunderland
This match-up between two newly promoted sides is also a must-win for Burnley after their heavy defeat in the opening game: the Clarets travelled to Spurs and were mauled by their forward line in a 3–0 defeat that could have been much worse.
As for Sunderland, their intent about staying up has been visible throughout the summer with some really good signings. To back up their performance in the transfer market, the Black Cats produced a top second-half performance in the opening game to come away with all three points against West Ham.
As far as the head-to-head encounters between these two are concerned, Burnley hold a slight edge with three wins in five, but considering Sunderland’s improved quality and confidence, we back them to put up more points on the board with an away win.
Score prediction: Burnley 1–2 Sunderland
Brentford vs Aston Villa
The Bees have been weakened both in terms of management and players. After the departures of head coach Thomas Frank and key players Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Nørgaard (captain) in the summer, the fall in quality was visible in their opening game as Nottingham Forest carved them open comfortably and cruised to a 3–1 win.
As for Aston Villa, due to financial challenges they haven’t been able to strengthen their squad. They produced a lacklustre performance at home against Newcastle United, though towards the end they did well to earn a draw after going down to ten men.
Even though Villa are favourites to win this game on paper, Brentford aren’t an easy side to play against at home and might offer considerable resistance to the Villa attack. However, the Villans should have enough firepower up front to come away with all three points at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Score prediction: Brentford 0–2 Aston Villa
Arsenal vs Leeds United
Arsenal and Leeds both had rigorous 90 minutes against difficult opponents in their respective first games, but both managed to secure three points as well.
The Gunners didn’t look particularly impressive against a new-look Manchester United at Old Trafford. After scoring an early goal, they sat back and absorbed the pressure from new United players Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. However, United failed to score, and Arsenal clinched a well-earned victory at what has been a difficult away ground for them.
As for the newly promoted Leeds, their victory was a tad controversial as they won through a solitary goal scored via a spot kick given for a dubious handball. Everton were outplayed in the game, though, and could hardly conjure any scoring opportunities, while Leeds enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and attacking chances despite winning the game off the penalty.
At home, Arsenal are a very dangerous side; if they put up an inspiring display, it could be a rude awakening for Leeds United, who may be able to threaten the hosts a bit, but we expect this to be a comfortable win for last season’s runners-up.
Score prediction: Arsenal 3–0 Leeds United
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest
Crystal Palace put up a defiant performance against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in their opening game and even had a goal disallowed, while Nottingham Forest cruised to a 3–1 win against a struggling Brentford. Palace have suffered a major blow since then, however, in the shape of Eberechi Eze, who is leaving for Arsenal.
While both Palace and Forest are evenly matched on paper, under Oliver Glasner the Eagles have proven to be a difficult team to break down and are particularly dangerous on transitions. Forest have a solid defensive line, though, as well as runners up front to hit the opposition on the counter, with Chris Wood having picked up things where he left off.
This one’s difficult to call, but losing one of their chief attackers in Eze right before the game may tilt the result in favour of Nottingham Forest.
Score prediction: Crystal Palace 1–2 Nottingham Forest
Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Everton had a poor campaign last time out. It was only due to a string of decent performances in the latter half of the season under a new boss that they were saved from a relegation dogfight.
In their season-opener, the Toffees were a bit unlucky; they were solid defensively and lost only due to a controversial penalty call. It’s the other end of the pitch they have a lot to worry about, however, as they hardly created chances against Leeds and ceded most of the possession.
As for Brighton, they were on course to a narrow victory against Fulham in a feisty game at the Amex but conceded an injury-time equaliser to drop two points. The Cottagers did see a lot of possession in the second half but hardly troubled the Brighton defence barring Rodrigo Muniz’s late goal.
Looking at the players and the form of the two sides, Brighton may come away from Everton’s new stadium with a win. Everton boss David Moyes looks short of ideas, and without any decent signings in the summer the going is only going to get tougher for his side. The Seagulls, meanwhile, have the flair required to break down Everton’s stoic defence and should be able to grab all three points in what is likely to be a tightly contested affair.
Score prediction: Everton 1–2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Fulham vs Manchester United
While Fulham snatched a late draw against Brighton, United lost narrowly to Arsenal on the opening weekend.
Fulham were second best throughout the game and were on the verge of a loss, but they were saved by Rodrigo Muniz in stoppage time. The late goal must have given Marco Silva’s men a lot of confidence, though their failure to strengthen the squad over the summer could be a problem going forward, as the competition has got tougher and other mid-table teams have brought in reinforcements.
As for United, their new-look forward line led by Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo looked lively against a tough Arsenal defence. Even though United conceded a silly goal, they had the majority of the ball and looked the better side — a sign of better things to come.
United should be able to open their account for the season with a win here, as long as they add some clinical edge to the performance they put up against the Gunners.
Score prediction: Fulham 1–2 Man United
Newcastle United vs Liverpool
Newcastle United played a lacklustre draw at Villa Park in their opening game. With their star striker suspended, Newcastle’s attack couldn’t break down a ten-man Villa and had to settle for a goalless draw.
As for Liverpool, they started their title defence with a thrilling late win against Bournemouth. Attack-wise, the Reds looked very impressive, but their defending on transitions is proving to be a concern for head coach Arne Slot. Their defensive woes are further compounded coming into this game, given both their main right-backs — Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley — are out injured.
St James’ Park is never an easy place to go for any side. For Liverpool this weekend, one of the most hostile stadiums in England will be even more hostile because of the Alexander Isak transfer saga. Additionally, the Magpies boast a very physical midfield, and it’s the battles in the centre of the pitch that will decide the outcome of this game.
That said, for all their defensive issues and Newcastle’s hostility, Liverpool remain the stronger team on paper and should come away with three precious points from a tough away ground.
Score prediction: Newcastle United 1–2 Liverpool
