Home sweet home will be a banker this weekend

After a truncated round of opening Premier League fixtures saw SIX out of eight visiting sides claim victories, there looks like being a sharp swing back to the hosts this weekend.

Indeed, it is highly likely that teams travelling during Game Week 2 will not manage a single away win between them.

Here’s my forecast of what’s likely to happen over the coming days.

Everton vs WBA (Sat, 12.30): Carlo Ancelotti’s side are brimming with confidence after an impressive victory at Tottenham last week. They should have too much for visitors whose deficiencies at Premier level were ruthlessly exposed in a heavy home defeat by Leicester.

Prediction: 2-0

Leeds vs Fulham (Sat, 15.00): Elland Road, hosting its first top-flight fixture since May 2004, is a venue where the absence of a crowd will be particularly regretted. However, this should not affect the outcome of the clash between newly-promoted sides, of whom only one appears to possess the quality required to survive in the top flight.

Prediction: 3-1

Manchester United Vs Crystal Palace (Sat, 17.30): After an extended – and somewhat troubled – close-season, the red devils open their campaign against relatively-modest opposition. Palace sprung an almighty shock by winning 2-1 here last season, but the power of this United side is expected to prevail in this occasion.

Prediction: 2-0

Arsenal vs West Ham United (Sat, 20.00): Another London derby for a home side whose class was evident in last week’s comfortable win at Fulham. Their strikeforce will enjoy an evening against visitors whose troubles on and off the field are already affecting form.

Prediction: 3-1

Southampton Vs Tottenham (Sun, 12.00): Having shown such promise during last season’s run-in, the saints have disappointed to date this time around, failing to find the scoresheet in two defeats so far. However, the distractions faced by cup demands on TWO fronts by their visitors presents a valuable opportunity to improve this record.

Prediction: 2-2

Newcastle vs Brighton (Sun, 14.00): The magpies are in a buoyant mood after a strong start to the season. New signings have settled quickly and should again make their presence tell against visitors whose defensive frailties are already rendering them vulnerable.

Prediction: 2-0

Chelsea vs Liverpool (Sun 16.30): A stiff test awaits the champions against a much-revamped side eager to recapture their club’s past glories. With both defences struggling to command authority so far, a feast of goals is on the cards at Stamford Bridge.

Prediction: 2-2

Leicester City vs Burnley (Sun 19.00): A somewhat surprising choice by the BBC as their prime-time Premier offering to viewers this weekend. The Foxes haven’t always done themselves justice in their recent fixtures screened on mainstream TV, but should have the quality required to see off the challenge of the clarets.

Prediction: 2-1

Aston Villa vs Sheffield United (Mon 18.00): It is devoutly hoped that the technology-failure that enabled the home side to claim a crucial draw in last season’s clash between the sides will not recur. Nevertheless, Villa fans will be eager to witness the impact made by recent new recruits, who should be able to secure parity in more legitimate grounds here.

Prediction: 1-1

Wolves vs Manchester City (Mon 20.00): The former champions face a tough test in their season-opening fixture against opponents who overcame them home and away during 2019. On those occasions, the pace of the Wolves attack proved a powerful threat, and both sides have more than enough to find the scoresheet again here.

Prediction: 2-2