Another weekend of Premier League football saw pure sporting entertainment over ten exciting games. There were some highs, some lows, and some more incredible football as has become the norm of English’s top flight. In this preview, we will be looking at the first game of the weekend which will hopefully provide us with excellent viewing.
Firstly, Crystal Palace, who improved on their last performance but still lost to Liverpool, will host Swansea, who lost with an unjust 4:0 score-line to a great Manchester United side. Then, Huddersfield, who continue to defy punters after a 1:0 win at home to Newcastle United, will play Southampton, who entertained and worried home fans with a thrilling 3:2 win over West Ham.
Crystal Palace vs. Swansea
3-Way: 1: Crystal Palace +106; X: +254 Draw; 2: Swansea +345
Spread -0.5: Crystal Palace -101; Swansea -103
Total +2.5: Over +122; Under -130
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace improved on their first game but ultimately lost to a better side in Liverpool 1:0. The Eagles were under the cosh for large parts of the game and were unable to break Liverpool’s rhythm to push up and attack other than the odd chance. One chance came through a sizzling Ruben Loftus-Cheek strike saved in the 40th minute, and another great chance came for Benteke who should score after a pass from Loftus-Cheek following some good work down the wing, but the Belgian striker uncharacteristically skied it over the bar. Eventually, Liverpool’s perseverance paid off in the 73rd minute as Dominic Solanke tackled the Crystal Palace defense close to their box, letting through Mané to finish for a well-deserved goal.
Despite the loss and lack of chances, it was a positive performance from a side that needed a pick-up from their previous 3:0 loss to Huddersfield, with some solid defending and goalkeeping from Wayne Hennessy who made a number of saves. With their next game against Swansea, they now have a good chance of taking this positivity and using it to produce at least a point. One major concern, however, will be that Palace has now lost six of their last seven games, without scoring in each of the defeats.
Manager Frank de Boer will be without Pape Souaré (traffic accident), Connor Wickham (cruciate ligament rupture), Wilfried Zaha (knee), Bakary Sako (muscle) and Jonathan Williams (shoulder) through injury.
Swansea
A decent performance for 80 minutes did little to hide a harrowing 4:0 defeat for The Swans against an impressive Manchester United side. Things may have gone differently had an early effort from Jordan Ayew gone in. but it instead hit the crossbar after a speculative, maybe accidental, shot from the wing. However, Manchester United scored on half-time, through defender Eric Bailly who followed up to finish from a Pogba header that struck the crossbar. Swansea defended well, for the most part, stopping Manchester United getting too close to the goalposts until the last ten minutes of the game. Then came a quickfire three goals in four minutes, with the goals coming in the 80th, 82nd and 84th minute. Firstly, Lukaku scored with an easy chance, then Paul Pogba scored with a delightful chip over the keeper and finally Martial added a sleek fourth after a silky direct run at the Swansea defense.
The positives from the game, were the facts that Swansea defended well against a very impressive looking Manchester United for at least 80 minutes of the game. Unfortunately for Swansea, once the second went in the team lost concentration and had already seemed to accept defeat. The Swans were also poor going forward, and have now managed just one shot on target in their first two games of the Premier League season.
Swansea has had a big loss in recent transfer developments, with ex-star player Gylfi Sigurdsson moving to Everton for 45 million pounds. They have made a major addition, however, with left midfielder Sam Clucas joining from Hull City in a 15 million pound deal.
Manager Paul Clement will be missing Nathan Dyer (Achilles tendon rupture), Jefferson Montero (Muscle fiber) and Sung-Yong Ki (knee) through injury.
Crystal Palace vs. Swansea – MATCH PREDICTION
With neither team winning so far this season, and neither team has scored in their first two fixtures, this game has low-scoring draw written all over it.
MY PICK: DRAW (+254)
Additional Pick: Under 2.5 goals (-130)
Huddersfield vs. Southampton
3-Way: 1: Huddersfield +325; X: +245 Draw; 2: Southampton +129
Spread +0.5: Huddersfield -119; Southampton +114
Total +2.5: Over +134; Under -133
Huddersfield
Huddersfield Town continued their excellent start in the Premier League with their second win from two over Newcastle United. After an evenly matched first half, the only goal of the match came in the 50th minute from new signing Aaron Mooy after a sleek one-two with teammate Elias Kachunga, touch, and curled a shot from the edge of the area into the top right corner, leaving the diving keeper no chance. The game provided little other excitement, with Newcastle looking promising at times going forward, but lacked the bite to finish their attacking moves.
After two wins in two rounds, Huddersfield is the only team in Premier League history to have won every single Premier League game, although this is their first season in the competition and it is extremely unlikely that they will continue this feat for all 38 games. Furthermore, Huddersfield seemed comfortable and confident in possession, and will likely take this confidence to their next game and fancy themselves to pick up another win.
Manager David Wagner will be missing Jon Gorenc-Stankovic (knee), Jonathan Hogg (malleolar) and Nahki Wells (malleolar) all through injury.
Southampton
A thoroughly entertaining and dramatic match ended with Southampton as 3:2 victors over a persistent West Ham United. Southampton opened the scoring with an early goal as Manolo Gabbiadini side-footed the ball past Joe Hart, continuing his goal-scoring form of last season of six in twelve appearances. Later in the first half, West Ham’s Marko Arnautovic was sent off for elbowing Jack Stephens and a Southampton penalty followed to make it 2:0 and a victory for Southampton looking on-course. However, new West Ham signing Javier Hernandez complicated matters by scoring twice to make it 2:2. Luckily for The Saints, West Ham conceded a late 93rd minute penalty when Maya Yoshida was taken down in the box, and hero of the hour Charlie Austin slotted the ball home to take the three points.
A huge sigh of relief will have erupted from St. Mary’s Park, as Gabbiadini’s first goal not only kick-started a win, but also signified the first goal at Southampton’s home stadium for nine hours and fifteen minutes. Furthermore, the next three Premier League fixtures looks very winnable and score-able for The Saints, so they’ll have more opportunity to score more goals and gain points.
Recent transfers have seen defender Wesley Hoedt sign from Lazio for around 15 million euros, while goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga has joined Tottenham Hotspur for an unknown fee.
Manager Mauricio Pelligrino will be without Virgil Van Dijk is out after given special leave following a transfer request, but will otherwise have a full squad.
Huddersfield vs. Southampton – MATCH PREDICTION
Huddersfield are high on confidence and will feel sky-high after two wins in their first two Premier League games, but Southampton are a good Premier League side.
Although it would please myself, my heart and football fans to see Huddersfield successes continue, my head tells me that Southampton will burst their bubble and bring them back down to earth.
I would suggest betting on a simple Southampton win overall.
MY PICK: Southampton to WIN (+129)
