GAMEWEEK 2: TIME TO BACK IT UP
One weekend is in the books. Now we find out who can build on a fast start, who responds after defeat, and which early-season storylines are real..
THIS WEEKEND FIXTURES All times ET / PT
MONDAY NIGHT SOCCER RECAP
Fulham 2-3 Chelsea
Arsenal goChelsea edged a five-goal thriller at Craven Cottage with João Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer on the scoresheet.
BOT90 Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Chelsea
BOT90 Verdict: Right winner, right margin - just one goal light for each side
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GAME OF THE WEEK
CHELSEA VS BRIGHTON
WHY THIS GAME:
Chelsea and Brighton both opened the season with impressive attacking displays. Chelsea beat Fulham 3-2, while Brighton produced the weekend’s biggest result with a 4-0 demolition of Aston Villa.
Chelsea’s front three of Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer and João Pedro all made an impact, while Jack Hinshelwood scored twice for Brighton. With both sides carrying plenty of attacking threat, this has all the ingredients for goals.
ONE THING TO WATCH:
Can either defense handle the attacking talent? Brighton kept a clean sheet against Villa, while Chelsea looked vulnerable defensively against Fulham. Brighton will look to exploit those weaknesses, but they’ll have their own problem trying to contain Chelsea’s attacking talent. The team that defends better could decide this one.
BOT90 PREDICTION:
Chelsea 3-2 Brighton
We’re expecting goals - and plenty of them. Chelsea have home advantage and one of the most exciting front threes in the Premier League, but Brighton arrive full of confidence after putting four past Villa.
PLAYER TO WATCH
BRUNO FERNANDES
WHY HIM:
After Manchester United’s shock 2-0 defeat to Hull City, all eyes will be on United’s captain to lead the response. Fernandes was recently named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year after a remarkable season in which he recorded a Premier League-record 21 assists and helped United finish third.
WATCH FOR:
Fernandes has an elite ability to play high-risk, progressive passes and find runners in dangerous positions - a huge reason why he broke the Premier League assist record. Keep an eye on his set pieces and long-range shooting too, as he remains a constant threat from dead-ball situations and outside the box. His leadership and work rate will also be crucial as United look to bounce back.
BOT90 SAYS:
This is the perfect opportunity for Bruno Fernandes to remind everyone why he was named the best player in the Premier League last season. We expect the United captain to take control of the game and lead the response.
Prediction: Fernandes gets on the scoresheet and provides an assist as Manchester United claim a convincing win.
3 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE KICKOFF
COVENTRY VS HULL: AN EARLY SIX-POINTER
It may only be the second weekend, but Coventry vs Hull already feels like an important relegation battle. Both newly promoted sides are expected to fight for survival, making these three points especially valuable.
Coventry need a response after losing 3-0 to Arsenal, while Hull arrive full of confidence after their shock 2-0 win over Manchester United.
CAN MANCHESTER UTD AFFORD ANOTHER SHOCK?
United could hardly have imagined a worse start, losing 2-0 to newly promoted Hull despite dominating possession. Now they face another promoted side in Ipswich at Old Trafford.
United should be heavy favourites, but another poor result would raise serious questions about Michael Carrick's team. Can they bounce back, or could Ipswich produce another upset?
TOTTENHAM VS NEWCASTLE: TONALI RETURN
Sandro Tonali returns to face Newcastle with Tottenham after Spurs spent more than £300m rebuilding their squad this summer.
New signing Sávio made an immediate impact on his debut, scoring and assisting after coming off the bench against Charlton in the Carabao Cup.
The big question now: will Sávio get his first Premier League start against Newcastle? After Spurs 3-0 defeat to Brentford, his pace and creativity could provide a much-needed boost to their attack.
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BOT90 BIG TAKE
Nottingham Forest will hold Liverpool to a draw.
Liverpool will be expected to win at Anfield, but Forest have already shown they can cause the Reds problems, winning on their last two league visits there.
Liverpool also opened the season with a 2-2 draw at Newcastle, while Forest are still searching for their first goal after defeats to Leeds in both the Premier League and Carabao Cup.
Despite that, we’re backing Forest to frustrate Liverpool once again and leave Anfield with a point.
Liverpool 1-1 Nottingham Forest
GAME WEEK 1 RECAP: AFC ATLANTIC
GAME POINTS:
54 POINTS
BOT90 LEAGUE POISTION:
6TH
OVERALL POINTS:
54 POINTS
BEST PERFORMANCE:
JOAO PEDRO - 11 POINTS
BIGGEST MISTAKE:
BRUNO FERNANDES AS CAPTAIN
BOT90 VERDICT:
A SOLID START BUT THE CAPTAIN COST US
THE FANTASY HURDLE
CAPTAIN PICK:
ERLING HAALAND
ELITE GOAL THREAT ALWAYS DANGEROUS
AVOID LIST:
JEAN-PHILIPPE MATETA
MAN CITY UP NEXT BETTER OPTIONS
SLEEPER PICK:
YOANE WISA
IMPRESSED IN GW1 SPURS LOOK VULNERABLE
