Just one week into the new season, and the Premier League has already served up a plate of delicious chaos. Manchester United got cooked by newly-promoted Hull City. Tottenham’s £237m rebuild was dismantled by Brentford. And Arsenal looked every bit the champions they are.
Now, Matchweek 2 is here — and it’s packed with intrigue. Here are the fixtures you absolutely cannot miss.
🏆 Monday Night Blockbuster: Aston Villa vs Arsenal
Monday, August 31 | 20:00 BST | Villa Park | Live on Sky Sports
If you only watch one game this weekend, make it this one.
The reigning champions travel to Villa Park to face a Champions League side that pushed them all the way last season. Arsenal looked imperious in their 3-0 demolition of Coventry, with new signing Christos Tzolis stealing the show on his debut.
But there’s a catch: Arsenal are missing key personnel. William Saliba remains sidelined with a back issue, and Jurrien Timber is still recovering from groin surgery. Bruno Guimarães missed the opener through injury and remains a doubt.
Villa, meanwhile, are dealing with their own injury crisis. Unai Emery’s squad is “depleted”, but home advantage and a raucous Villa Park crowd could make this a tricky night for Mikel Arteta’s men.
What’s at stake: Arsenal can cement their status as title favourites with another statement win. Villa can announce themselves as genuine top-four contenders.
🔥 The £237m Reckoning: Tottenham vs Newcastle
Saturday, August 29 | 17:30 BST | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | Live on Sky Sports
If opening weekend was a reality check for Tottenham, this is the exam they cannot afford to fail.
Spurs were humiliated 3-0 at Brentford on the opening weekend, despite spending over £237m on new signings. Roberto De Zerbi’s expensively assembled squad looked disjointed, passive, and alarmingly easy to play through.
Now they face a Newcastle side that led twice against Liverpool before conceding a 99th-minute penalty to draw 2-2. Matthias Jaissle’s Magpies looked dangerous, organised, and full of belief.
The Tonali subplot: This is Sandro Tonali’s first game against his former club since his £85m move from Newcastle to Spurs. The Italian midfielder will be desperate to prove a point. De Zerbi has confirmed he will start.
Team news: James Maddison is out with a fractured shoulder, but Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro should return to the starting XI. Savio, the £85m arrival from Manchester City, is expected to make his full debut after scoring and assisting in a 19-minute Carabao Cup cameo.
For Newcastle, Dan Burn and Joelinton remain sidelined, but new signing Bazoumana Toure should be available.
The history: Newcastle have won six of their last eight Premier League meetings with Tottenham and have triumphed on three of their last four visits to this stadium. This fixture has never produced a goalless draw in 62 meetings.
What’s at stake: For Spurs, it’s credibility. Another defeat and the pressure on De Zerbi becomes unbearable. For Newcastle, it’s a chance to announce themselves as top-four contenders.
🔴 Anfield’s New Era: Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest
Saturday, August 29 | 12:30 BST | Anfield | Live on TNT Sports
Andoni Iraola’s first competitive home game as Liverpool manager. The atmosphere will be electric.
The Reds opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw at Newcastle, fighting back to snatch a point. But Iraola’s squad is paper-thin. Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, and Joe Gomez are all sidelined. New signing Ronald Araújo may be thrown straight into the backline.
Nottingham Forest, under Oliver Glasner, lost 1-0 to Leeds on opening weekend. They’ll be desperate to get points on the board, but Anfield on a Saturday lunchtime is a daunting place to do it.
What’s at stake: Iraola’s first win as Liverpool boss. A defeat would raise uncomfortable questions about the squad’s depth.
🏙️ Friday Night Lights: Crystal Palace vs Manchester City
Friday, August 28 | 20:00 BST | Selhurst Park | Live on Sky Sports
The weekend starts early with a fascinating Friday night clash.
Enzo Maresca’s City reign began with a dramatic late comeback against Bournemouth, winning 3-2. But they’ve since lost Savinho and Omar Marmoush to Tottenham in a double departure that thins their attacking options considerably.
Palace, under new manager Pierre Sage, lost 2-0 at Everton on opening weekend. They’re still searching for their first competitive win under the Frenchman.
What’s at stake: City need to prove they can cope without their departed attackers. Palace need to show they belong in this division.
📋 The Rest of the Weekend: What Else to Watch
Saturday 29 August (15:00 BST kick-offs):
AFC Bournemouth vs Everton — Two sides looking to build on opening-weekend wins
Coventry City vs Hull City — A fascinating all-promoted clash
Sunday 30 August (14:00 BST kick-offs):
Chelsea vs Brighton — The Blues face a Brighton side that won 4-0 on opening day
Leeds United vs Brentford — Brentford will look to follow up their thrashing of Spurs
Sunderland vs Fulham — The Black Cats host Marco Silva’s men
Manchester United vs Ipswich Town — United, stunned by Hull on opening day, will be desperate to respond
🏆 The Table After Matchweek 1
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 3 |
| 3 | Brentford | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 3 |
| 4 | Hull City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
| 5 | Everton | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
Bottom of the table: Tottenham (18th), Manchester United (19th)
🎯This weekend is about
responses. Tottenham must respond to humiliation. Manchester United must respond to shock. Liverpool must respond to a draw. And Arsenal must respond to injuries.
The Premier League doesn’t wait. Neither should you.
Matchweek 2 kicks off Friday night at Selhurst Park. Buckle up.
