The Premier League wasted no time getting back to business, and after an eventful opening weekend, Matchweek 2 gives us another set of intriguing fixtures to get stuck into.

There were plenty of surprises in the first round of games, with Newcastle and Liverpool playing out a dramatic 2-2 draw, Brighton putting four past Aston Villa and Chelsea beginning the Xabi Alonso era with a 3-2 win over Fulham.

Now the attention turns to the second weekend, where some teams look to bounce back whilst others want to prove matchweek one wasn’t a fluke.

There are some tricky fixtures on the card, including Tottenham’s meeting with Newcastle and Arsenal’s trip to Villa Park. But there are also a few sides we think are worth backing to come away with three points.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest

Saturday, August 29 (7:30 EST / 12:30 GMT)

Liverpool to win

Liverpool were forced to settle for a point on the opening weekend after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Newcastle at St James’ Park.

The Reds twice found themselves behind twice in the game before Dominik Szoboszlai converted a 99th-minute penalty to rescue a point for Andoni Iraola’s side.

It was not the perfect start for the new Liverpool boss, but there were enough attacking positives to suggest this team will be a handful once they settle into their new system.

The biggest question is whether they can improve defensively.

Nottingham Forest will provide an interesting test at Anfield after starting their season with a 1-0 defeat to Leeds United.

Forest have plenty of attacking quality and will look to make things uncomfortable for Liverpool, particularly if they can win the ball and attack quickly.

However, Liverpool should have far more control of proceedings on home soil.

The Reds will also be desperate to get their first win of the campaign in front of their own supporters.

Anfield should make the difference.

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Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United

Saturday, August 29 (12:30 EST / 17:30 GMT)

Newcastle to win

This is easily the most uncomfortable selection of the four.

Tottenham need a response. But just cause they need one doesn’t mean they will get one.

Roberto De Zerbi’s first Premier League game in charge as full-time boss ended in a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Brentford, with Spurs struggling to cope with the visitors’ intensity.

That result will have raised plenty of questions, particularly after Tottenham made significant changes to their squad during the summer.

Newcastle, meanwhile, showed plenty of character against Liverpool.

The Magpies twice took the lead and looked to be set for all three points before the late penalty shared the spoils.

Matthias Jaissle will be encouraged by the attacking threat his team showed, although there will be frustration at not seeing the game out.

Now they head to north London.

Tottenham should be much better than they were against Brentford, but Newcastle look like a side with more cohesion at this early stage of the season.

Their ability to transition quickly could also cause Spurs problems.

It is a risky away pick, but Newcastle’s opening performance gives us enough confidence to back them again.

Not to mention Spurs looked very Spursy against Brentford.

Chelsea vs Brighton and Hove Albion

Sunday, August 30 (9:00 EST / 14:00 GMT)

Chelsea to win

Chelsea have already given us a glimpse of what their attack could look like under Xabi Alonso.

The Blues eventually beat Fulham 3-2 in their opening game, with João Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer all getting on the scoresheet.

There were obvious defensive concerns, but Chelsea looked dangerous going forward and created enough opportunities to suggest there could be plenty of goals in this side.

Now Brighton arrive at Stamford Bridge.

The visitors could hardly have made a better start to the campaign, hammering Aston Villa 4-0 in a stunning opening-day performance.

That result means Chelsea cannot afford to underestimate them. Especially after looking suspect at the back.

Brighton showed exactly how dangerous they can be when given space, and they will fancy their chances of testing Chelsea’s new defensive structure.

Still, Chelsea have home advantage and significantly more attacking depth.

Alonso will also have had another week to work with his squad and iron out some of the problems that appeared against Fulham.

This should be a much tougher game than the scoreline might suggest, but Chelsea have enough quality to get over the line.

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

Monday, August 31 (15:00 EST / 20:00 GMT)

Arsenal to win

Arsenal could hardly have asked for a better start to their title defence.

The Gunners beat newly promoted Coventry City 3-0 at the Emirates, keeping a clean sheet and immediately putting three points on the board.

There is plenty of expectation on Mikel Arteta’s side this season after finally ending their wait for another Premier League title, and the opening performance suggested they are ready to handle that pressure.

Their second fixture is considerably more difficult.

Aston Villa were on the receiving end of one of the biggest shocks of Matchweek 1, losing 4-0 to Brighton.

Unai Emery will demand a response, particularly with Villa Park hosting the champions.

Villa are far better than their opening result suggests, even if they have lost a large portion of last season’s squad.

However, Arsenal have the depth and quality to control the match.

Their midfield should allow them to dictate possession, while the attacking options available to Arteta give them several ways of hurting Villa.

It will not be easy, but Arsenal have enough to make it two wins from two.

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