Premier League Predictions, Week 2

Welcome back to the weekly predictions, Premier League fans! It's always hard to believe yet another season underway every time a new one kicks off, and this one felt particularly surreal. After a year-plus of getting used to football's biggest matches being played in sparsely attended, or often completely empty stadiums, the sounds of arenas full of raucous fans seemed like something from an alternate reality.

One matchweek of play is already in the books, but I had to allow for a buffer week before I came in hot with my predictions, after the horrid season I had in 2020-21. Much like my favored Liverpool, I started and closed last year strong, but endured a dreadful 4-5 month span in the middle, which resulted in a brutal 83.5/165 tally, or 50.6%. Here's to a 2021-22 glowup! Now, the matches are less than 24 hours from kicking off, so let's not waste any more time with sunny optimism. Here are your 5 for Week 2!

Liverpool vs. Burnley

Liverpool's season-opening victory at Norwich was, to borrow an oft-used phrase from Jürgen Klopp, a "professional win." It wasn't the explode-out-of-the-gates type victory they had against West Ham and Norwich in their two greatest seasons in modern history, as it took them a little while to find cohesion. But much of that can likely be attributed to playing an entirely 2nd-string midfield and perhaps some can be to playing in front of a legitimate hostile environment for the first time in over 17 months, and neither will be the case next week, with the likely return of Fabinho, Thiago and Henderson to the midfield. Burnley have often been a bogey team for Liverpool, even as recently as last year, as they were the side that started the Reds' stunning freefall of 6 consecutive home losses. And to be sure, goals will likely be harder to come by. But it's the opener at Anfield, with fans in the stands. No way this can be anything but a Liverpool victory.

The Pick: Liverpool, 2-0

Manchester City vs. Norwich City

Manchester City's title defense got off to a less-than-ideal start last Sunday. After spending much of the summer being linked with Tottenham's Harry Kane, they lost to Kane's current team, without him in the lineup. What's more, City displayed just why they're so desperate to get the English striker, after a totally futile display in front of goal. Norwich, meanwhile, will be happy that they gave Liverpool more of a contest than they did in their last "first post-promotion match" at the start of the 2019-20 season. But that will be little consolation, as the Canaries' next 3 matches are against City, Leicester and Arsenal. I do think Norwich are better than their last Premier League iteration, and I'm not convinced the same is true of Manchester City. But make no mistake, there remains a gulf between the two.

The Pick: Manchester City, 4-0

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Tottenham Hotspur

In Nuno Espirito Santo's second Premier League match as Tottenham's manager, he faces the side he brought to the Premier League and led to two consecutive Top 6 finishes. It remains to be seen whether Wolverhampton can continue to be a thorn in heavyweights' sides in the post-Santo era, but if Matchweek 1 is any indication, their old manager is certainly still up to his old tricks. Tottenham's victory over Manchester City sent an important message about the Spurs' potential staying power among the top teams this season, and it was no fluke; they were deserved winners. This match will be a tough task in for Tottenham its own right, however. There's the emotional comedown from their massive season-opening victory, but there's also the difficulty of an opponent who knows your manager's style well. In the end, I think that combination might be enough to let Wolves steal a point.

The Pick: Draw, 1-1

Southampton vs. Manchester United

Manchester United came into the season as a sleeper Premier League champion pick. Southampton came into the season as a sleeper relegation pick. In Matchweek 1, both clubs lived up (or down, depending on how you look at it) to the hype. Southampton actually started brightly against Everton, before capitulating in the 2nd half en route to a 1-3 loss against a manager in his first match in charge. United, meanwhile, arguably had the most impressive performance of any club in their 5-1 demolition of rivals Leeds. If Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes keep up the form they put on display in that match, the Red Devils will be a tough out for absolutely anyone. Perhaps the story will change with fans at the Saints' back this time, but likely not.

The Pick: Manchester United, 4-2

Arsenal vs. Chelsea

Arsenal fans couldn't have been a particularly cheery bunch coming into the season anyhow, given the way the last several seasons have transpired, but even the most optimistic Arsenal supporter would have found nothing to cheer in their season opener. Premier League debutantes Brentford didn't just beat Arsenal, they did so convincingly, winning 2-0 and never really once appearing threatened by the Gunners attack (if you can call it that). It doesn't exactly get easier for Arsenal from here on out, either. Next on the docket is defending Champions League winners Chelsea, and after that, defending Premier League champions Manchester City. Woof. And yet? I'm ready to make my first wild prediction of the season and go with the Gunners here. I have absolutely no reason to believe this, but as good as Chelsea have been in the young Tuchel Era, it doesn't feel like they've reached untouchable levels yet, and Arsenal will be looking ahead to a likely loss at Manchester City next week and feel desperate for a win here, in front of home fans. I know Arsenal have become a punchline over the last few seasons, but there's still enough talent there that it's difficult for me to fathom them starting out with 3 losses. And if you needed any further reason to believe, the late-breaking news is that Chelsea will be without American Messi, soooo...

The Pick: Arsenal, 2-1