The Premier League returns this weekend for Matchday 2 as the battle for who will become the next champions continues after last weekend actions.
We watched interesting and pulsating matches in the 2020/2021 season-opening games.
Games that involved the two Manchester clubs were postponed due to their involvement in Europe competition.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Leicester City are among the team’s that kicked off the season with victories.
Read Also: Bundesliga: Bayern Begins Title Defense Against Schalke
Fulham, West Brom and Leeds United lost in the opening matches was the first time newly promoted teams will start the season not winning their opening games.
Matchday 2 is scheduled with interesting games starting Saturday then the last game of this weekend will be on Monday.
All the 20 clubs will be involved in action this new weekend which makes it very much interesting.
Here in Africa Top Sports, we try as possible to give you the top games that you will not want to miss every match day.
For this week, here are our top five picks of the week in the Premier League.
Manchester United Vs Crystal Palace
Manchester United will finally begin the new campaign at Old Trafford against Crystal Palace.
The Red Devils had a resurgence last season saw them reached the semi-final of the Europa League and the FA Cup.
They also booked a UEFA Champions League ticket finishing third place ahead of Chelsea after defeating Leicester City on the final day.
Having won their opening game against Southampton at the Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace will be hoping to make it two from two at Old Trafford.
Head To Head
Both teams have met 19 previous times in all competition.
Manchester United have won 14 of the previous matches while Palace won just 2.
Three of their previous meeting ended in a draw.Last season, Crystal Palace defeated Manchester United 2-0 at Old Trafford in their first meeting.
The Red Devils also went to Selhurst Park and got a 2-1 victory.
Form Guide
Manchester United lost their last pre-season game to Aston Villa by a lone goal last weekend.
Their last five games ended in three wins and two losses.
Crystal Palace will be buoyed by their league opener victory against the Red Devils.
They were knocked out of the Carabao Cup in a penalty shootout against Bournemouth.
In their last five matches ended with three wins, one draw and one loss.
Players To Watch
Bruno Fernandes
The signing of Bruno Fernandes in January, was the resurgence of Manchester United last season.
The Portugal international influence in the midfield and his spot-kick conversion rate was Manchester United turning point last season.
He is certainly a player to watch put for this season.
Wilfred Zaha
For Crystal Palace, Wilfred Zaha remains a threat to any defender in the Premier League when he is at his best.
He scored the Eagles goal that gave them the win against Southampton and will be aiming to replicate that at Old Trafford.
Prediction
Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace
History is on the side of Manchester United to continue their dominance over Palace.
However, with their defence, they are likely to concede against Palace when they hit on the counterattack.
Arsenal Vs West Ham
The Gunners will be playing a back-to-back London derby in their first two opening game.
Arsenal began their campaign with a 3-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
The match was a show of how the Gunners are aiming to break into the top four this season having ended last season on high.
Mikel Arteta will aim to retain the love and respect he has built with the club supporters since he took over with a first home victory.
He now has the full attention of captain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who extended his contract for another three years.
For West Ham United their morale, they will try to avoid another loss after a defeat at London Stadium to Newcastle.
Head To Head
Both teams have played 38 matches and Arsenal are no match for West Ham.
The Gunners have won 25 matches while West Ham won 6 matches.
Seven of their previous meeting ended in a draw.
Last season, Arsenal defeated West Ham home and away.
Form Guide
Arsenal currently is a formidable team to beat.
Arteta has to fathom a style that suits the players against any opponent.
Defeating Liverpool in the FA Cup is an indication of how the Gunners can take on any top, middle and bottom table team.
The Gunners are undefeated in their last five games.
West Ham will go into the on the back of their 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup.
The Hammers have won three games and lost three in their last five games.
Players To Watch
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Aubameyang has proved to be the perfect captain for Arsenal.
Since he was handed the armband, he has saddled the responsibility of the club scoring important goals.
His dream leaving a legacy as a legend for the club is on point as he will be hoping to lead the team to victory after committing his future to the club.
Michail Antonio
For West Ham, Michail Antonio is a forward that gave the ability to fend off any defender.
He literally kept West Ham in the Premier League last season following his goal-scoring prowess.
The striker will be a nightmare to Arsenal back four.
Prediction
Arsenal 3-2West Ham
We are expecting the Gunners to win their second game of the season, but it will not be an easy ride.
Arsenal will want to continue their dominance as history is on their side especially against a not too fancied London club.
But West Ham will give their hosts a good fight for their money.
Chelsea Vs Liverpool
Frank Lampard thought will be how to become the first team that will defeat Liverpool this season.
This match is the star match of this week as both teams resume their rivalry.
Liverpool last week narrowly escaped a shocker against newly-promoted Leeds United at Anfield courtesy of a Mohamed Salah spot-kick.
Roman Abramovich has splashed the money for the overhauling of Chelsea squad.
After a nervy game that saw them win 3-1 against Brighton, the Blues faces an ln acid test against the champions.
Timo Werner and Kai Havertz failed to score on their debut.
So much is expected from both teams to go clear this week.
Head-To-Head
The rivalry between both teams has seen them clashed 65 times.
Chelsea has won 26 games out of their 65 previous meetings while Liverpool won 22.
Both teams settled for a draw in 17 of their meeting.
Last season in the Premier League Liverpool won Chelsea both home and away.
But it was Chelsea that put an end to Liverpool’s FA Cup chase.
Form Guide
Chelsea was not consistent last season and that almost caused them a Champions League ticket.
In their last five games, the Blues recorded two wins, two loss and one draw.
Liverpool has remained impregnable last season until the league restart when they dropped points.
The Reds in their last five games have lost just one game with three wins and a draw.
Players To Watch
Mohamed Salah
Salah consistency since his return to the Premier League is really impressive.
The former Chelsea winger proved to be the missing jigsaw in Liverpool puzzle.
His spot-kick saved Jurgen Klopp side from the shame of starting the season with a draw against Leeds United.
He is indeed one player that will make the difference when both teams play on Sunday.
Timo Werner
The German international look certainly to immediately adapt to the Premier League.
He almost got a debut goal against Brighton before he was brought down.
The game against Liverpool will be an avenue to access his readiness to make a mark in the Premier League.
Prediction
Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool
Both teams are likely to settle for the draw going with their present form.
Chelsea will not want to continue their poor home form last season again when they were losing at home.
For Liverpool, they will like to thread with caution especially with a deadly striker like Werner.
Leeds United vs Fulham
After failing to win their opening matches, the newcomers will square up against each other.
Leeds United did put up an impressive performance against Liverpool and narrowly missed picking a point.
Fulham, on the other hand, was caught off guarded letting three goals against Arsenal.
Leeds United will aim to pick their first Premier League points at home against Fulham.
Head-To-Head
Leeds United and Fulham played 16 times against each other.
Fulham won six matches while Leeds United won 4.
Six matches ended in a draw.
Form Guide
Leeds United fluid style of player-made them a team to watch in the Championship last season.
No wonder they won the championship convincingly.
Their last five games ended with three wins and two losses.
They lost their Carabao Cup against Hull City in a penalty shootout.
Fulham will be heading to the game on the back of their 1-0 Carabao Cup win against Ipswich.
The Cottagers last five matches ended with three wins and two losses.
Players To Watch
Kalvin Phillips
Phillips played a vital role in the seven goals thriller against Liverpool for Leeds.
His conversion to a complete midfield by Bielsa has proved to be on the right track.
The 24-year old is quick to intercept balls and have a complete pass and tackle rate.
His impressive performance against Liverpool if replicated will get Leeds the win.
Aleksandar Mitrovic
One player to watch is Mitrovic.Although he came in as a substitute against Arsenal, his presence was felt by the opposing side.
He returned with a goal to help Fulham reach the third round of the Carabao Cup.
He will be a source of headache to Leeds United defenders.
Prediction
Leeds 2-1 Fulham
With the performance against Liverpool, pundits are already dubbing Leeds United the Sheffield United of this season.
If they maintain the same tempo and fitness they displayed against Liverpool, they will definitely get their first points in the Premier League.
Wolves Vs Manchester City
Wolves continued their impressive f0r of last season with a 2-0 win against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
They narrowly missed out of another Europe competition outing in their last game against Chelsea last season.
This season, they are off to a good start with an away win.
However, they will be tested of their readiness to face the bog team when they host Manchester City at the Molineux Stadium.
For Manchester City, it’s their first game of the new campaign after there were given time to rest.
Pep Guardiola made it clear before the 2019/2020 season ended that they will not settle for less this season.
The Spaniard wasn’t happy Liverpool took the title away from them.
The Cityzens will aim to take the new season by storm with a victory in their opening game.
Head-To-Head
Wolves have played Manchester City in 17 matches.o
Out of the 17, they won 4 games while their opponent won 9.
Four of the games ended in a draw.
Last season, Wolves defeated Manchester City twice.
Players To Watch
Raul Jimenez
Raul Jimenez is one player that has continued to come to the party when the need arises.
His conversion rate in front of goal should be a concern for any opposition defender.
He scored against Sheffield United in the opening game and will be a source of concern for Guardiola defence.
Raheem Sterling
Sterling has in every season proved to be one of the best wingers in Europe.
His performance has been outstanding for Manchester City.
His pace and skills can destabilize any defence line.
He will be ready to fire Manchester City against Wolves.
Prediction
Wolves 2-2 Manchester City
A game of such tempo and intensity gives both teams an opportunity to claim victory.
However, Wolves will be hoping to build on their opening game victory and will not want to falter at home.