EPL Predictions: Picks, Top Players for Week 2 Premier League Fixtures
After a major tournament, the Premier League can sometimes take a while to kick into top gear. This weekend, the second of the 2016-17 term, with some more big names set to feature and some fascinating games to savour, expect the ante to be upped.
All eyes will be on league leaders Manchester United after their victory at AFC Bournemouth, as they get the schedule underway in the first Friday night game of the season. On Saturday Manchester City travel to Stoke City, Watford host Chelsea and in the standout clash of the week, champions Leicester City host a reeling Arsenal team.
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Here is a look at the schedule of matches for Week 2 and a couple of players set to show some sparkling early-season form.
| Friday, Aug. 19 | 8 p.m. | Manchester United vs. Southampton | 2-1 |
| Saturday, Aug. 20 | 12:30 p.m. | Stoke City vs. Manchester City | 1-1 |
| Saturday, Aug. 20 | 3 p.m. | Burnley vs. Liverpool | 1-3 |
| Saturday, Aug. 20 | 3 p.m. | Swansea City vs. Hull City | 2-1 |
| Saturday, Aug. 20 | 3 p.m. | Tottenham Hotspur vs. Crystal Palace | 2-0 |
| Saturday, Aug. 20 | 3 p.m. | Watford vs. Chelsea | 0-1 |
| Saturday, Aug. 20 | 3 p.m. | West Bromwich Albion vs. Everton | 1-2 |
| Saturday, Aug. 20 | 5:30 p.m. | Leicester City vs. Arsenal | 2-2 |
| Sunday, Aug. 21 | 1:30 p.m. | Sunderland vs. Middlesbrough | 1-0 |
| Sunday, Aug. 21 | 4 p.m. | West Ham United vs. Bournemouth | 2-1 |
Paul Pogba, Manchester United
As the most expensive footballer of all time, Paul Pogba is definitely the man to watch this weekend in the Premier League.
The Manchester United midfielder is poised to make his second debut for the club when the Red Devils welcome Southampton to Old Trafford for a Friday night fixture. It promises to be a fervent atmosphere at this iconic stadium, one that’ll be spiced up further by Pogba’s presence.
Football journalist Liam Canning is giddy for the 23-year-old’s bow under manager Jose Mourinho:
The Frenchman promises so much. A mass of limbs, trapping the ball, spinning defenders and bustling through gaps; Pogba can bring energy that’s been lacking in the middle of the park for United for a long time. Everything the youngster does, both on and off the pitch, is done with a swagger.
A debut on home soil seems ideal for the midfielder. As mature and talented as Pogba is, there’ll be big pressure on him to hit the ground running against Saints. The Old Trafford crowd will provide unequivocal backing to their new No. 6.
These numbers from Squawka Football illustrate what the Red Devils fans can expect from Pogba:
After a prolonged transfer saga and a suspension served in Sunday’s opener at Bournemouth, it seems as though this first appearance has been a long time coming. It’s the perfect stage for the Frenchman to reintroduce himself to the English game.
Sadio Mane, Liverpool
One of the standout performances from the Premier League’s opening weekend came from Liverpool’s summer signing Sadio Mane, as the winger tore Arsenal apart.
The former Southampton man bullied his way past defenders, carried the ball sharply through phases and worked extremely hard out of possession. Mane netted a stunning goal—Liverpool’s fourth of the day—in the 4-3 victory for the Reds.
Given it was the Senegalese’s competitive debut for the club, it was quite the display from Mane. Ste Hoare from FreshPressUK was impressed:
Against Burnley Mane will be posed with a different type of challenge. While Arsenal’s lack of intensity and poor organisation made things easy for the Reds in the second half, the Clarets will be compact, deep and doing their utmost to limit the space for Liverpool’s attacking stars.
Mane may be forced a little wider as a result, although manager Jurgen Klopp will want to see him provide that direct threat from these areas. Against narrow opponents, he’ll need to maintain width and laterally stretch the Burnley back four.
As noted by WhoScored.com, the 24-year-old is in brilliant goalscoring form at the moment:
After some standout pre-season performances and a blistering debut, plenty will be expected of Mane when the Reds rock up at Turf Moor. For a player that’s lacked consistency during his time in English football, keeping those standards up in a match Liverpool should win is imperative.
