EPL Week 2 Fixtures: Highlighting Most Anticipated Battles

Manchester United is going to host Chelsea on Aug. 26 in an especially attractive early-season match to ensure Week 2 of the EPL season is as exciting as the first. 

That isn't the only contest of the week that should get the blood of soccer fans pumping. This season may be just getting underway, but there are already some great storylines brewing. 

Check out the schedule for Week 2, and then I'll offer up a closer look at the three matchups I'm most excited to see. 

EPL Week 2 Schedule

Matchup	Date	Time (ET)	Time (BST)	Location
Fulham vs. Arsenal	Aug. 24	7:45 a.m.	12:45 p.m.	Craven Cottage
Everton vs. West Brom	Aug. 24	10 a.m.	3 p.m.	Goodison Park
Hull vs. Norwich	Aug. 24	10 a.m.	3 p.m.	The KC Stadium
Newcastle vs. West Ham	Aug. 24	10 a.m.	3 p.m.	St. James' Park
Southampton vs. Sunderland	Aug. 24	10 a.m.	3 p.m.	St. Mary's Stadium
Stoke vs. Crystal Palace	Aug. 24	10 a.m.	3 p.m.	Britannia Stadium
Aston Villa vs. Liverpool	Aug. 24	12:30 p.m.	5:30 p.m.	Villa Park
Cardiff vs. Man City	Aug. 25	11 a.m.	4 p.m.	Cardiff City Stadium
Tottenham vs. Swansea	Aug. 25	11 a.m.	4 p.m.	White Hart Lane
Man Utd vs. Chelsea	Aug. 26	3 p.m.	8 p.m.	Old Trafford

*Via PremierLeague.com. 

Preview

Fulham vs. Arsenal on Aug. 24 at 12:45 p.m. BST

After a terrible opener, Arsenal finds itself in need of making a statement early. 

The Gunners fell 3-1 to Aston Villa and did so at home. The second half played out as fans were leaving the stadium with some staying behind to let their boisterous displeasure rain down over Arsene Wenger.

The frustration was due to not just the lackluster performance on the pitch but also the complete failure in the summer transfer market. After entering this transfer window with declarations of impact signings, Arsenal fans are still waiting for someone, anyone to get excited about.

That isn't limited to just fans, either.

As the Daily Mirror's John Cross passes along, striker Olivier Giroud is ready for Arsenal to bring someone in. Here is a quote provided by Cross from Giroud on Monday:

"

In my opinion, it's necessary for the club to recruit another striker. Obviously, I think about it a little bit. It may change the play one day, especially if it's a high profile signing. It's useless lamenting this though. I know what I have to do and what I'm capable of. I'm focusing on me and my work. The coach is counting on me, so I don't think too much.

"

Meanwhile, Fulham had a solid opener by pulling out a 1-0 away win over Sunderland. On top of the nice start, Fulham may be debuting its new acquisition, midfielder Scott Parker.

This will all create a sense of positive momentum for Fulham, which will be polar opposite of the doom and gloom hanging over Arsenal.

Aston Villa vs. Liverpool on Aug. 24 at 5:30 p.m. BST

The majority of the offseason buzz surrounding Liverpool has centered around Luis Suarez. There were endless rumors and speculation about possible moves for the wantaway striker.

Through it all, he's remained at Liverpool, and he remained on the sideline as Liverpool beat Stoke City 1-0 in the EPL opener. Suarez will again be on the sidelines against Aston Villa, as he serves the sixth game of his 10-match ban for latching his chompers onto Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic.

In his stead, Daniel Sturridge delivered the match's lone goal as the Reds defense took care of the rest. 

That defense will again be key in this match, as Liverpool tries to hold off a gritty Aston Villa squad.

Paul Lambert's squad had the sparkling debut against Arsenal and then picked up a 1-2 loss to Chelsea on Wednesday. 

Aston Villa will be playing its third EPL game in seven days in this match. It has looked solid in both matches and will be playing its home opener in this one, but at some point, fatigue will start to set in. We'll see if a short-handed Liverpool can take advantage of that. 

This should be a entertaining match that displays the heart of both of these clubs. 

Manchester United vs. Chelsea on Aug. 26 at 8 p.m. BST

All right, the match everyone is waiting for wraps Week 2 up. Manchester United will play host to Chelsea as these two heavyweights go toe-to-toe. 

Jose Mourinho has gotten off to an excellent start at Chelsea, with the Blues beating Hull City 2-1 in the opener on Aug. 18 and then the win over Aston Villa. 

As for the Red Devils, David Moyes' tenure with the club got off to a scintillating EPL start with a 4-1 win over Swansea City.

Both of these clubs are showing the fine form we all expected from them, and there is a strong chance that the title will come down to these two. That right there makes this must-watch soccer, but there is even more playing into this one.

Not the least of which is the ballad of Wayne Rooney. Mourinho has been and continues to try to bring the striker to Stamford Bridge, per ESPN FC. The Red Devils have maintained that Rooney is not going anywhere, but there is massive speculation that Rooney fancies the switch.

It will be interesting to see his dynamic during this match, and it is definitely going to be great soccer.  

This is a match custom made for prime time.