By Anurag Tyagi
Gameweek two of the 2026-27 Premier League season kicks off with Crystal Palace hosting Manchester City at Selhurst Park on Friday night.
The Cityzens will be looking to make it back-to-back wins, while Palace will be searching for their first victory after losing to Everton in their opening game.
In other high-stakes fixtures, Tottenham Hotspur host Newcastle United, while Chelsea welcome Brighton & Hove Albion.
Meanwhile, reigning champions Arsenal travel to Birmingham to take on Aston Villa on Monday night.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City
Friday, August 28, 20:00 BST
Manchester City started the post-Pep Guardiola era with a narrow 2-1 win over Bournemouth.
It was the best possible start for Enzo Maresca, but there were signs that this could be a very long season for Man City.
Yes, they dominated possession, which is expected from them regardless of whether they are playing at home or away, but the biggest concern was in the final third, where they lacked their usual potency.
Erling Haaland also looked uncharacteristically poor, having just 13 touches throughout the match. The midfield, without the world-class Rodri, looked average, while the likes of Antoine Semenyo and Rico Lewis were largely ineffective.
With Arsenal showing that they are better than last season, Man City cannot afford any slip-ups, especially at the start of the campaign.
For Crystal Palace, the reality was even more brutal under new manager Marco Rose.
The Eagles also saw their highly regarded manager Oliver Glasner, who won three trophies last season, leave the club at the end of the campaign.
To make matters worse, their star attacker Ismaïla Sarr reportedly wants to leave the club.
However, the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Everton does not tell the full story. Palace actually had a good game and could have come away from the Hill Dickinson Stadium with something had their attackers been more clinical.
Head-to-head
Manchester City did the double over Palace last season, winning both games 3-0. In the Premier League since 2004, City have won 23 of the 32 head-to-head meetings against Palace, who have won just four times during that period.
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Match odds
Despite City’s attackers struggling in the opening match, this game at Selhurst Park is likely to go in the direction of the visitors.
Haaland should have a better overall game, while Ryan Cherki, who assisted both goals in the opening match, should start ahead of Phil Foden.
Being the home team, Palace will surely have their moments, but Manchester City have too much quality and are favourites to win this game at 8/13.
Palace are a distant 23/5 to take maximum points, while the draw is priced at [odds not provided].
Suggested bet
City have issues at the back and are unlikely to keep a clean sheet, but we are backing a 2-1 win for the away team.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United
Saturday, August 29, 17:30 BST
For some strange reason, many pundits are predicting Newcastle United to get relegated from the Premier League this season, while their newly appointed young manager Matthias Jaissle is being tipped as the first manager to be sacked.
However, based on what we saw from Newcastle’s opening match against Liverpool at St James’ Park, all this negativity surrounding the Magpies seems far-fetched.
In fact, judging by the way the Magpies played in their first match, they should not only be fine for a top-half finish, but, considering the Premier League has additional spots available for European competitions, they should even be targeting a Europa League place this season.
That said, this is still a new campaign, and a lot can happen in the coming weeks. But the signs are positive, especially considering they have strengthened their squad and more signings are expected to follow.
For Tottenham Hotspur, it was a big reality check on the opening day as they suffered a 3-0 defeat against Brentford.
A 3-0 defeat does not need much interpretation, and indeed, that was the case as Spurs were outplayed in almost every department right from the start.
Considering the chances Brentford created and the fact that they also missed a penalty, the scoreline could have been even worse.
That said, a lot of football pundits are backing Spurs to have a solid campaign, with some even suggesting they could sneak into the top five.
Much of that optimism is down to the big money they are splashing on new signings.
That is why Roberto De Zerbi will be desperate to get his team up and running in the new Premier League season with a home win over Newcastle United.
Head-to-head
Newcastle United have been unbeaten against Spurs in their last eight games, winning five times during this stretch.
Match odds
The recent head-to-head record tilts this fixture in the direction of the visitors, but Newcastle are not the same team they were previously.
Not only are they missing some high-profile players through injury, but they have also been weakened by the departures of key players.
Tottenham, on the other hand, have done most of their business early and have invested heavily in the squad. We think this is the game where Spurs finally break their hoodoo against the Magpies.
The odds of a home win stand at 5/6, while an away win is priced at 21/10. The draw is available at 11/4.
Suggested bet
A 2-0 home win for Spurs is the most likely result in this game.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Sunday, August 30, 14:00 BST
An opening game away from home is always a tough assignment, irrespective of the team you are facing. Ask Manchester United, who lost 2-0 against newly promoted Hull City, or Tottenham, who were also blown away by Brentford.
For Chelsea, however, it was a good test for their new manager, and the team came away from Craven Cottage with flying colours.
Although the scoreline read 3-2, giving the Blues only a one-goal margin of victory, it was the overall performance that would have pleased Chelsea fans.
In fact, Chelsea are being seen as Arsenal’s closest rivals this season.
There are several reasons for this, including the high-profile players Chelsea have signed and the fact that both Manchester City and Liverpool are going through a period of transition.
Cole Palmer looked like his old self, while Pedro and Morgan Rogers both showed flashes of brilliance in the final third, where it matters most.
But Brighton & Hove Albion are one of those teams that always punch above their weight. Bigger clubs keep buying their best players, yet the Seagulls continue to perform and win games at an incredible level.
That was evident in their opening match, when they dismantled Aston Villa with a 4-0 hammering at the American Express Stadium.
The Seagulls look primed for another top-half finish.
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Head-to-head
Believe it or not, Brighton are on a four-game winning run against Chelsea in all competitions. They did the double over Chelsea last season, winning 3-0 at home and 3-1 away.
Chelsea’s last win in this fixture came on September 28, 2024, when Cole Palmer scored four times in a 4-2 victory for his side.
Match odds
Brighton may have dominated this fixture in recent meetings, but Chelsea are favourites going into this game. The home team are priced at 39/40 for a win, while an away victory stands at 29/10. The draw is available at 14/5.
Suggested bet
Brighton to score anytime, but Chelsea have too much power in the final third, and a 3-1 win for the Blues should not be unachievable.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
Monday, August 31, 20:00 BST
This is a game where two teams are seemingly heading in completely different directions.
After qualifying for the Champions League, Aston Villa were expected to build on their success and take the next step. Instead, they have been in total disarray both on and off the pitch.
The 4-0 defeat at the hands of Brighton in the opening game was a timely reminder for the Villains that this could be a long and disappointing season if they do not get their house in order.
They have had to sell some big players due to Financial Fair Play concerns, while their star striker Ollie Watkins is reportedly refusing to play because his head has been turned by a big-money proposal from the Middle East.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are acting like champions, bringing in players who can immediately challenge for a starting XI spot rather than simply adding squad depth.
In fact, there have been reports that the Gunners are looking at Julián Álvarez as a potential signing this summer. If that deal goes through, it could be another warning sign for the rest of the league.
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Head-to-head
Although the form of both teams is strikingly different heading into this game, Villa have made life difficult for Arsenal in the past. They famously won one meeting in the 95th minute thanks to a goal from Emiliano Buendía.
In the last six games between the sides, Aston Villa have won three times, Arsenal have won twice, and the other game ended in a 2-2 draw.
Match odds
Aston Villa’s problems are a major factor going into this game, and this is also reflected in the betting market. The home team are distant outsiders at 11/2, while an away win at 11/20 is the most likely result. A draw stands at 10/3.
Suggested bet
Arsenal to win by at least two goals.
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