The second round of the Premier League is coming up this weekend! Great Dane Football Blog gives you
our predictions on the matches!


Fulham - Arsenal
Craven Cottage
24-08-2013 @ 12.45 UK








Probable lineup:

Fulham (4-4-1-1) Stockdale; Reither, Hughes, Hangeland, Briggs; Duff, Sidwell, Boateng, Taarabt; Ruiz; Berbatov.

Injuries: None. Doubts: Kacaniklic (Hamstring), Richardson (Hamstring), Stekelenburg (Shoulder). Bans: None.

Arsenal (4-4-1-1): Szczesny; Jenkinson, Sagna, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Walcott, Ramsey, Wilshere, Cazorla; Rosicky; Giroud.

Injuries: Arteta (Thigh), Diaby (Knee), Miyachi (Rib), Oxlade-Chamberlain (Knee), Vermaelen (Back). Doubts: Gibbs (Facial), Rosicky (Knock), Sagna (Neck), Sanogo (Hamstring). Bans: Koscielny.

Fulham did well away against Sunderland last week while Arsenal suffered an embarrassing defeat against Aston Villa. Unfortunately, for Fulham the new goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg suffered a shoulder injury and will probably not be ready why Stockdale will guard the goal. That said, the injury situation in Arsenal looks much worse with 5 injured and 4 doubtful players. Oxlade-Chamberlains injury makes room for Rosicky if he will be fit in time. Both teams are struggling with injuries, and will be careful not to lose more players to the lazaret. That's why we might see a match with less action than normal. That said, Arsenal has to come out from start to get a good result which might open for Fulham's strikers. My guess will be a draw. 


Stoke City - Crystal Palace
Britannia Stadium
24-08-2013 @ 15 UK








Probable lineup:

Stoke City (4-4-1-1): Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Huth, Pieters; Walters, Whelan, N'Zonzi, Etherington; Adam; Crouch.

Injuries: Palacios (Illness), Shea (Leg). Doubts: None. Injuries: None.

Crystal Palace (4-4-2): Speroni; Ward, Gabbidon, Delaney, Moxey; Dobbie, Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Williams; Gayle, Chamakh.

Injuries: Bolasie (Hamstring), Murray (Knee). Doubts: Parr (Lack of match fitness). Bans: None.

Crystal Palace impressed despite their 0-1 loss against Tottenham and are ready for an on paper easier match against Stoke City. However, The Potters are looking to bring home 3 points against the newly promoted opponents after their defeat to Liverpool. Stoke will have to do without the valuable midfielder Palacios as he is out with an illness. That might be Crystal Palace's chance as Palacios has shown himself as the leader on the midfield. Chamakh will probably make his way to the starting line up for CP, and he can be a decisive force in this match. An even match between the two sides that might end with a surprising win for Crystal Palace.



Everton - West Bromwich Albion
Goodison Park
24-08-2013 @ 15.00 UK








Probable lineup:

Everton (4-3-3): Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Barkley, Fellaini, Osman; Mirallas, Jelavic, Pienaar.

Injuries: Alcaraz (Hamstring), Hibbert (Knock). Doubts: Gibson (Knee). Bans: None.

West Bromwich Albion (4-4-2): Foster; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Morrison, Yacob, Mulumbu, Dorrans; Long, Anelka.

Injuries: Gera (Knee), Thorne (Knee). Doubts: None. Bans: None.

Everton started this season with a draw against Norwich while WBA lost against Southampton. The two meetings between the tow sides last season ended with a win to both sites, however, the last ten matches have given Everton 6 wins. Given Everton's almost fit squad they are favorites for this one as well, and I predict that Mirrallas and Pienaar will cause great trouble for the WBA defends. However, West Bromwich did well last season and can turn out to surprise again, but I don't see many chances for Anelka against Jagielka and Distin. Everton will win 2-1.


Hull - Norwich
KC Stadium
24-08-2013 @ 15.00 UK







Probable lineup:

Hull City (4-3-3): McGregor; Elmohamady, Chester, Davies, Figueroa; Huddlestone, Koren, Livermore; Aluko, Graham, Brady.

Injuries: Quinn (Hamstring). Doubts: None. Bans: None.

Norwich (4-4-1-1): Ruddy; Martin, Bassong, Turner, Garrido; Snodgrass, Fer, Johnson, Redmond; Hoolahan; van Wolfswinkel.

Injuries: None. Doubts: Bassong (Lack of match fitness), Hooper (Shin), Pilkington (Knee), Snodgrass (Groin). Bans: None.

The last meeting between these two teams was in the Championship in 2011. Back then, they played a 1-1 draw - the fifth between the two sides. However, much has changed since then; Norwich has developed to a midtable team in the Premier League while Hull is back in the best company once again. Comparing the two teams, there is no doubt that Norwich are favorites for this match as the squad is much better than Hulls. Van Volfswinkel has already scored his first Norwich goal, and he will put one or two in the back of the net against Hull. This could really turn ugly, but I believe Norwich will settle with a 3-1 victory.


Southampton FC - Sunderland AFC
Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium
24-08-2013 @ 15.00 UK








Probable lineup:

Southampton FC (4-4-1-1): Boruc; Clyne, Yoshida, Lovren, Shaw; Rodriguez, Schneiderlin, Wanyama, Llana; Ramírez; Lambert.

Injuries: None. Doubts: None. Bans: None.

Sunderland AFC (4-4-1-1): Westwood; Celustka, O'Shea, Roberge, Colback; Johnson, Larsson, Cabral, Giaccherini; Sessegnon; Altidore.

Injuries: Bardsley (Foot), Brown (Knee). Doubts: Cattermole (Knee), Fletcher (Ankle). Bans: None.

Southampton and Sunderland almost always play some very tight and equal matches against each other, and this one is looking to be just another one. The Saints won their first match of the season against West Bromwich Albion, and that might help them keep the steam against Sunderland this week. The Black Cats lost their first match, and will be eager to get their first 3 points of the season. This match can be the one where Jozy Altidore starts his scoring in the PL, and I believe we will see some action from the American, helping Sunderland to a victory.


Newcastle United - West Ham 
St James Park
24-08-2013 @ 15.00 UK








Probable lineup:

Newcastle United (4-4-1-1): Krul; Debuchy, Coloccini, Yanga-Mbiwa, Dumett; Ben Arfa, Tioté, Anita, Gouffran; Sissoko, Cissé.

Injuries: R Taylor (Knee), Remy (Calf). Doubts: Gutiérrez (Hamstring), Santon (Hip). Bans: S Taylor.

West Ham (4-3-3): Jääskeläinen; Demel, Collins, Reid, O'Brien; Diamé, Nolan, Noble; Cole, Maiga, Jarvis.

Injuries: None. Doubts: Carroll (Foot), McCartney (Knee). Bans: None.

Newcastle desperately need to get in form otherwise they might find themselves fighting to stay in the Premier League this season. The Toons lost 0-4 to City on Monday and will have a chance to get back on the horse against West Ham, who won against Cardiff in the first match. The last meeting between the two sites ended in a draw at Upton Park, but the Hammers actually won last time they visited St James Park. Despite not having Carroll up front, I see West Ham as the best team in this match. They seem to have a higher moral than Newcastle, and when that is in play things tend to go better.


Aston Villa - Liverpool
Villa Park
24-08-2013 @ 17.30 UK








Probable lineup:

Aston Villa (4-3-3): Guzan; Lowton, Okore, Vlaar, Luna; Westwood, El Ahmadi, Delph; Weimann, Benteke, Agbonlahor.

Injuries: N'Zogbia (Achilles). Doubts: Baker (Ankle), Clark (Head), Herd (Calf), Sylla (Ankle). Bans: None.

Liverpool (4-4-1-1): Mignolet; Johnson, Agger, Touré, Enrique; Henderson, Gerrard, Lucas, Coutinho; Aspas; Sturridge.

Injuries: Coates (Knee). Doubts: Skrtel (Knee). Bans: Suarez.

Aston Villa had a great start to this years Premier League, outplaying Arsenal at Emirates. Meanwhile, Liverpool was the best team on the day but had their struggle with Stoke City. On paper, Liverpool have the best team, but Aston Villa can cause problems for the Merseyside club, and I don't expect Aston Villa to just set back and wait for Liverpool to roll them over. Liverpool managed to keep the pressure on Stoke in the last round, and Aston Villa will be under the same kind of pressure on Saturday. That said, Villa's counter attacks can cause server damage to Liverpool's defends. I expect to see two attacking teams, with two midfields battling for each inch of the pitch. Liverpool will probably win the battle and go back to Liverpool with 3 points in the back.


Tottenham Hotspur - Swansea City
White Hart Lane
25-08-2013 @ 16.00 UK








Probable lineup:

Tottenham Hotspur (4-4-1-1): Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Rose; Lennon, Paulinho, Dembélé, Chadli; Sigurdsson; Soldado.

Injuries: Bale (Foot), Holtby (Knee). Doubts: None. Bans: None.

Swansea City (4-4-1-1): Vorm; Rangel, Williams, Chico, Davies; Routledge, Britton, Shelvey, Hernández; Michu; Bony.

Injuries: None. Doubts: De Guzmán (Head), Dyer (Knock). Bans: None.

Soldado got at perfect start in Tottenham scoring the winning goal against Crystal Palace, last week. This week that can add Swansea to their list of beaten teams. However, the Welsh are looking for uprise after their 1-4 loss against Manchester United and will be keen on a win at White Hart Lane. The last four matches between the two teams 3 victories to the Spurs and a single draw. However, Tottenham is without Bale and Holtby why this might be Swansea's chance to take a their first victory against the Londoners. Michu and Bony's partnership might be the recipe for at small Swansea victory.


Cardiff City - Manchester City
Cardiff City Stadium
25-08-2013 @ 16.00 UK






Probable lineup:

Cardiff City (4-3-3): Marshall; Connolly, Caulker, Turner, Taylor; Gunnarsson, Medel, Bo-Kyung; Bellamy, Campbell, Whittingham.

Injuries: None. Doubts: Cornelius (Ankle). Bans: None.

Manchester City (4-4-2): Hart; Zabaleta, García, Lescott, Clichy; Navas, Touré, Fernandinho, Silva; Aguero, Dzeko.

Injuries: Richards (Hamstring). Doubts: Kompany (Groin), Nastasic (Ankle). Bans: None.

Cardiff is getting a rough start in the Premier League with Manchester City coming up in the second round. The Welsh lost 0-2 to West Ham in the first round and are not left with much chance against City. The Blues won 4-0 on Monday against Newcastle United, and we might see the same amount of goals in this match. There is no doubt in my mind; a hard match for Cardiff and a secure Manchester City victory.


Manchester United - Chelsea
Old Trafford
26-08-2013 @ 20.00 UK







Probable lineup:

Manchester United (4-4-1-1): De Gea; Jones, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Valencia, Cleverley, Carrick, Giggs; Welbeck; van Persie.

Injuries: Fletcher (Illness). Doubts: Hernández (Thigh), Nani (Knock), Powell (Leg), Rafael (Hamstring), Young (Knock). Bans: None.

Chelsea (4-4-1-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Cole; Mata, Ramires, Lampard, Hazard; Oscar; Lukaku.

Injuries: Kalas (Leg). Doubts: Chalobah (Knock), Luiz (Hamstring). Bans: None.

The last match of the second round is between the two top teams Manchester United and Chelsea. The last match between the two teams ended with a Chelsea win on a single goal by Juan Mata, late in the game. Both teams have started well this season; Manchester with a victory against Swansea, and Chelsea with a win against Hull and tonight against Aston Villa. The last three matches between the two teams have been very tight, and I expect this one to be just as the other. We will see two teams taking their time and waiting for the right chance; 1-0 to Manchester United.