EPL Predictions: Picks, Top Players for Week 2 Premier League Fixtures
The fixture list has thrown up one of the clashes of the season in just the second week of action in the 2015-16 Premier League season as Chelsea travel to Manchester City on Sunday.
For both sides, the result could prove telling next May if the title race goes down to the wire.
Elsewhere, Friday evening sees Aston Villa host Manchester United, with the Red Devils looking to make it two wins from two, while Arsenal travel to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
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Read on for full predictions for all 10 fixtures in Week 2, as well as a closer look at the players who could prove vital over the weekend's action.
| Date | Time (BST/ET) | Fixture | Prediction |
| Friday, August 14 | 7:45 p.m./2:45 p.m. | Aston Villa vs. Manchester United | 1-2 |
| Saturday, August 15 | 12:45 p.m./7:45 a.m. | Southampton vs. Everton | 1-0 |
| Saturday, August 15 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Sunderland vs. Norwich City | 1-1 |
| Saturday, August 15 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Swansea City vs. Newcastle United | 2-1 |
| Saturday, August 15 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Tottenham Hotspur vs. Stoke City | 1-1 |
| Saturday, August 15 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Watford vs. West Bromwich Albion | 1-2 |
| Saturday, August 15 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | West Ham United vs. Leicester City | 3-2 |
| Sunday, August 16 | 1:30 p.m./8:30 a.m. | Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal | 1-3 |
| Sunday, August 16 | 4 p.m./11 a.m. | Manchester City vs. Chelsea | 1-1 |
| Monday, August 17 | 8 p.m./3 p.m. | Liverpool vs. Bournemouth | 3-1 |
Asmir Begovic, Chelsea
Asmir Begovic only arrived at Stamford Bridge over the summer, and with Thibaut Courtois the undisputed No. 1 at Chelsea most assumed he would spend much of the season on the bench.
However, the Belgian was sent off in the Blues' opening 2-2 draw with Swansea City on Saturday and, thus, will be forced to sit out against City.
Begovic will have to come in for his full Chelsea Premier League debut in one of the biggest matches of the season, and how he handles the pressure will be vital to the result.
As noted by football writer Miguel Delaney, the 28-year-old was solid in the 35 minutes he played against the Swans after Courtois was sent off:
He is a talented and experienced goalkeeper, but having spent most of his career with Stoke City, he has never been exposed to such big domestic occasions.
With John Terry in front of him, Begovic has a terrific shield and partner. But City will be buoyed by Courtois' absence as they look to get in a key early-season victory at home to Chelsea.
Manuel Pellegrini's men will be eager to test Begovic, and the Bosnian shot-stopper could hardly have been handed a more daunting opening task in a Chelsea shirt.
Wayne Rooney, Manchester United
United are short on strikers at the moment, and it is up to Wayne Rooney to lead the line and score the vital goals.
Manager Louis van Gaal's men scraped an unattractive 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on opening day, courtesy of a Kyle Walker own goal.
Against Villa, a weaker side than Spurs, United's skipper could flourish, but he needs to be more disciplined positionally, per broadcaster Pilib de Brun:
Rooney has been asked to play out of position so often in his United career that he likely finds it hard to sit and wait for the ball to come to him, rather than go off in search of it himself.
But he is a phenomenal finisher, and if he plays on the shoulder of the Villa defenders and gets decent service through the middle and from the flanks, he could easily grab a goal or two against Tim Sherwood's men.
The Red Devils had a poor start to the 2014-15 campaign, which hamstrung them from the off. Against Villa, they have a great opportunity for a pair of opening victories, and if Rooney is on song, another three points is all but guaranteed.
Theo Walcott, Arsenal
It is somewhat surprising that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has not added another striker to his squad over the summer, as Olivier Giroud is currently the only genuine frontman at the club.
However, Theo Walcott could be very effective in the central striker's role and should be included against Palace following Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to West Ham United on Sunday.
It was not an ideal start to the season for the north London outfit, whom many expect to challenge for the league title, per Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe:
Walcott's pace could be vital to Arsenal getting their first points of the campaign against Alan Pardew's Eagles, as defenders struggle to handle the Englishman when he races forward.
With service coming from Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez, Walcott could prove the game-winner at Selhurst Park.
He was left on the bench for the West Ham clash, but Wenger needs to start Walcott on Sunday as his dynamism should galvanise the Arsenal attack after a lacklustre opening defeat.
