We’ve had 11 games, 28 goals, just one draw and 277 different players have played: Week 1 of the Premier League is in the bag, and now fans are eagerly anticipating week 2.
Here, Discount Football Kits previews the biggest potential talking points and biggest tactical clashes for the weekend ahead.
What do Arsenal Have Left in the Tank?
Arsenal’s extremely disappointing start to the season at home to Aston Villa was corrected with a stunning 3-0 triumph over Fenerbahce in Turkey on Wednesday.
They now travel back to London and face Fulham, at Craven Cottage, in the early kickoff on Saturday, and it’ll be interesting to see how much energy they’ve got left.
The same XI has been used in both games so far, and with their third game in seven days—in addition to the air miles committed to Eastern Europe and back—on the horizon, and with Wenger’s limited choices for rotation, it’s set to be another tough assignment.
Tactical Clash at Goodison Park—Who Wins?
Everton host West Bromwich Albion on Saturday afternoon in a true clash of tactical ideologies.
The Toffees have converted to a possession-based, tidy team, playing a fluid 4-3-3 formation with confidence. West Brom, in stark contrast, play simple, direct football, moving the ball quickly between the lines and looking to fashion a scoring chance at the earliest opportunity.
It’s rare you see two teams with categorically opposite mantras in how to play football face up to each other, and it’ll be interesting to see who comes out on top.
Can Newcastle Recover from their Abysmal Start?
Newcastle were rolled over by a rampant Manchester City side on Monday night, losing 4-0 and having a man sent off just before halftime.
They were never expected to get a result away to Manuel Pellegrini’s new charges, and for them the season starts this weekend at home to West Ham United.
Sam Allardyce’s charges beat newcomers Cardiff City with relative ease on the opening weekend, and they’ll be looking to secure consecutive wins to start the season with a bang.
The mood in the Magpies’ dressing room will be low, and if Yohan Cabaye still can’t play due to his “head being turned,” they’re in trouble. A big response is needed.
Settled or Unsettled?
Southampton host Sunderland on Saturday afternoon, and in truth the two clubs couldn’t be more different in terms of squad gelling and preparations.
Paolo Di Canio has recruited an entirely new XI of players this summer and it’s impossible for them to settle quickly. A loss to Fulham on the opening day was disappointing, but if they’re turned over by Saints it’s cause for concern.
Mauricio Pochettino has bought wisely this summer, and now Victor Wanyama, Dejan Lovren and Dani Osvaldo have arrived to add quality to a settled, Premier League-calibre team.
Never mind top half, they’re dark horses for European football; Sunderland, on the other hand, need to find their identity once again.
How Will Liverpool Deal with the Belgian Beast?
Aston Villa will be furious they didn’t pick up at least a point at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, and the fans hope they’ll channel their energies and focus on grabbing all three at home to Liverpool.
Christian Benteke has already scored three goals in two games, and he managed to bag three last season against a dodgy Reds’ defence alone.
Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson will not be looking forward to facing him, and although Martin Skrtel will be spared of the nightmare by missing out on the first XI, this team will not be happy to see the Belgian monster.
He hasn’t been playing superbly, but he’s got that nasty habit of sticking the ball in the back of the net. This game, on paper, is set to leak goals, and both sides will be hoping to simply outscore each other.
