With the first round of the Premier League over, the teams return for the second round to continue their league campaign, hoping to get the best result possible in their matches this weekend.
We at Get More Sports have prepared a detailed analysis of two matches, and the teams that are going to play in them this weekend.
BOURNEMOUTH vs WATFORD
Three-way: 1: Bournemouth -101; +260 X: Draw; 2: Watford +301
Spread -0.5: Bournemouth +104; Watford -108
Total -2.5: Over -112; Under +106
BOURNEMOUTH
The Cherries will be looking forward to another season in the top half of the Premier League table, as they stay true to their belief of playing beautiful, attacking football under young Manager Eddie Howe. As they finished 9th last year in the Premier League, the club will be aiming at an even more ambitious finish, and probably challenge the top seven in the league. Even though that might be too much of an ask, Howe will be trying his best to make sure his team at least maintain their position in the top half of the table, all the while improving on the defensive aspect of the team’s play, which can surely do with some improvement, unlike their attack, which managed to score more goals than Manchester united last year.
They have already added a couple of quality players in defense to their squad this transfer window, with both of them joining from Chelsea. Asmir Begovic returns to the club where he plied his trade earlier in his career, in a deal worth 11.5 million euros, while young defender Nathan Ake returns to the club where he spent the first half of the last season on loan and had a very productive spell. The Dutchman has signed a deal worth 23 million was signed with Chelsea. In attack, they have added evergreen forward Jermain Defoe from Sunderland, and young winger Connor Mahoney from Blackburn, with both of them joining on free transfers.
The Cherries had a fairly positive preseason, where they won four friendlies while drawing and losing one each. They had managed to score 10 goals while conceding 6 goals, and managing just one clean sheet. Their defensive complacency snuggled into their league opener, as they lost 1:0 West Brom, in a match that looked fairly well-balanced.
Eddie Howe has a few injury concerns in the team, as three of his squad members are out without any set recovery date.
Goalkeeper Adam Federici and midfielder Andrew Surman, are both out with knee injuries suffered during the second half of last season, while striker Callum Wilson is out with an ACL tear.
WATFORD
After just about finishing in the safe zone last year, Watford will be wary of avoiding last year’s mistakes and start with positive results from day one in the Premier League which is easier said than done considering the competitiveness in the English Premier League. However, under talented manager Marco Silva, the Hornets are better equipped than last season to ensure safety in the league and claim a decent mid-table spot.
They have made a lot of new signings, with some of them having the potential to become real bargains in today’s inflated market. They have bought back Chalobah from Chelsea, who had his first loan spell at the Vicarage road, for 6.5 million, while also adding his England teammate Will Hughes, as the Derby County midfielder joins for 9 million Euros. The third midfielder who joins the Hornets is Tom Cleverly, who has signed a permanent deal after Everton agreed to let him go for around 9 million. To boost the attack, they have added highly rated Fluminese winger Richarlison for 12 million, while breaking their club transfer record to sign Andre Gray from Burnley for 20.5 million Euros.
Watford didn’t have a poor preseason, but the results haven’t been too positive either. Of the six matches they played, they won two, drew three, and lost one. They scored 7 goals and conceded 4 in this period, although while keeping impressive four clean sheets. However, they started the league with a real goal fest, as they managed to hold on Liverpool to a 3-3 draw at home, as they showed positive signs in attack when exploiting Liverpool’s defensive frailties.
Club captain Troy Deeney is a doubt due to a groin strain and will be subject to a late medical test. However, Mauro Zarate is out with ACL tear and isn’t close to coming back on the pitch, yet. Centre back Craig Cathcart will also miss this match due to a Muscle injury suffered in the preseason.
BOURNEMOUTH vs. WATFORD- Match prediction:
This match has the 6 ingredients to be a real entertainer, as both the teams have the personnel in their squads to cause serious problems to the opposition defenses. However, one must note that the cherries are still showing signs of ineffectiveness in front of goal, while Watford has a poor defense, but can score goals, as they showed last week. Therefore, I believe that this will be a very close, low-scoring match in all likelihood. However, I feel that Watford will edge this through, even though it won’t be easy. So, my prediction will be an away win for this match.
MY PICK: Watford win AH -0.5 (-108)
Total: Under 2.5 goals (+106)
BURNLEY vs. WEST BROM ALBION
Three-way: 1: Burnley +156; X:+212 Draw; 2: West Brom Albion +210
Spread 0: Burnley -131; West Brom Albion +117
Total -2: Over -122; Under +104
BURNLEY
Under Sean Dyche, Burnley has garnered rave reviews from fans and neutrals alike. Yes, the Clarets still have many flaws, notably their horrible away form, which was there for everyone to see. However, Dyche has players that have developed a terrific attitude which motivates them to work hard to grab any points that can be earned in a match; not to forget their fortress-like home stadium Turf Moor, where they have been excellent. Moreover, they had a fantastic start to the Premier League season, as they managed to defeat Champions Chelsea in their own backyard. The fans will be hoping that such a positive start indicates to a good season ahead, where the Clarets will not be fighting for survival.
They have conducted a double raid on Stoke city this transfer window. They have added forward Jonathon Walters (2.3 million) and right back Phil Bardsley (840 thousand Euros) to the squad, with a view of getting their experience to the young players. Dyche has also signed midfielder Jack Cork from Swansea for 9 million, who put in a very good display against Chelsea as the champions were overrun in midfield.
They have added forward Jonathon Walters (2.3 million) and right back Phil Bardsley (840 thousand Euros) to the squad, with a view of getting their experience to the young players. Dyche has also signed midfielder Jack Cork from Swansea for 9 million, who put in a very good display against Chelsea as the champions were overrun in midfield.
The Clarets had a really good preseason, where they went unbeaten as they won four matches, and drew two, although it wasn’t against top level opposition. They scored 12 goals in this period while conceding 5. However, it was their league opener that was the most impressive, as they triumphed over a Chelsea side that lost their heads as they ended with 9 min. Even though Burnley had to struggle towards the end as the hosts piled on the pressure, led by substitute Morata, their swashbuckling first half performance was enough to give them a very impressive three points on the road.
Their only absentee for this match will be veteran midfielder Dean Marney who will miss the match due to an ACL injury.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
West Brom has been often criticized by a section of football romantics for their style of play that lays a heavy emphasis on defensive astuteness, often ignoring the attacking aspect, and makes the game ‘boring’. However, such a style of play has been doing the work just fine for Tony Pulis and his men, so, they won’t be altering much to the formula that has frustrated even the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool during the last Premier League season.
They haven’t added a lot of signings in this transfer window so far. With less than two weeks to go, they have added only two new players in the squad. They have bought Southampton Forward Jay Rodriguez for 13.7 million Euros, so as to ease the burden on Salomon Rondon. Joining the squad this season will also be premier league veteran Gareth Barry, who joined for 1 million from Everton, as he looks to add calmness and solidity in the already rigid midfield of the Baggies.
They didn’t have the best of preseason preparation this year, as they won only two of the 8 matches they played and lost all the others. However, they made a good start to the season as they defeated Bournemouth in typical Tony Pulis fashion by 1:0 at home, as they maintained their defensive resilience throughout the game and scored just a solitary goal to take home the three points.
The only injury concern for the Baggies for this match is Matt Philips, who is out with a hamstring injury.
BURNLEY vs. WEST BROMWICH ALBION- Match prediction:
Two teams that are known for their defensive solidity will go head to head in this fixture. Burnley is playing at their ‘Fortress’ Turf Moor, which is a very tough place to get points from. However, Tony Pulis knows how to set up his teams in a way that can frustrate the opponent, so this match will not be an easy one for Burnley, although it can be a very dull one for the fans. However, looking at Burnley and their last performance against Chelsea, it is clear that they have it in them to cause ample problems to any side when attacking. Therefore, considering all these factors, my prediction will be a home win for the Clarets.
MY PICK: BURNLEY to win (+156)
