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Week 2 English Premier League Saturday Predictions and Fantasy Advice

Week 1 demonstrated all the unpredictability of the English Premier League. There were unexpected outcomes, and the will surely be more of the same as we continue through the season.

Here is RotoBaller's preview of the fixtures on Saturday, including match predictions, for Week 2 of the new EPL season.

Editor’s Note: be sure to check out all of our articles, and read more about English Premier League (EPL, BPL) fantasy analysis and European football news.

 

Southampton v Everton

Southampton give very little away defensively and appear to have retained their creativity in attack.  Everton have lost England international Leighton Baines for 12 weeks or so due to injury and having spent next to nothing in the transfer window, the natives are restless and this will not get any better after Saturday. Graziano Pelle is off and running again and last season he scored his goals in bunches. Expect him to make the difference again.

Prediction: Southampton 3 Everton 1

Star Performer: Graziano Pelle

 

AFC Sunderland v Norwich City

Two teams who both lost on opening day.  At least Sunderland showed more attacking intent than last season and this potentially has the makings of a decent game.  Jermaine Defoe is always dangerous and having already opened his account expect him to be more prolific this season. Norwich are a side better suited, in our opinion, to playing away from home, as they have pace on the counter attack with Nathan Redmond a constant attacking threat. If they can be a bit more clinical in front of goal their supporters will have valid  hope of getting a result from their journey to the North East.

Prediction: Sunderland 2 Norwich 2

Star Performers: Jermaine Defoe; Nathan Redmond

 

Swansea City v Newcastle United

A great start for Swansea as they secured an unexpected draw against reigning champions Chelsea.  John-Jo Shelvey was outstanding and seems to have returned this season in better physical condition.  He is very focused and now has the potential to push for a recall to the England squad.  It will be interesting to see how resilient Newcastle are away from home this season, especially given that our expectation is that Swansea will have the bulk of possession. The pace of Moussa Sissoko and Gabriel Obertan will be critical to their counter attacking threat.

Prediction: Swansea City 2 Newcastle United 1

Star Performer: John-Jo Shelvey

 

Tottenham Hotspur v Stoke City

Both sides lost on opening day, but each remain positive about their prospects this season and with good reason, especially for Spurs who were unlucky not to get something at Old Trafford.  They hope to have Hugo Lloris back in goal and with their defensive reinforcements, look for them to improve on the one shut out that they managed last season in home league games.

Stoke have been boosted by the amazing signing of Xherdan Shaqiri from Inter Milan, who is available to make his debut.  He has the ability to change matches and, when playing regularly, will only enhance his potency. This week perhaps may be a little too soon for that impact to be realized. Ryan Shawcross has had back surgery this week, whilst Bojan also misses out this weekend.

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2 Stoke City 0

Star Performers: Toby Alderweireld; Christian Eriksen

 

Watford v West Bromwich Albion

Watford were a surprise package on opening day. They will take confidence from their performance at Everton and it is at home where they will have to be prolific if they have any chance of survival. West Bromwich Albion were, quite frankly, appalling.  Ricky Lambert aside, they lacked the commitment that sides managed by Tony Pulis are usually renowned for.  The manager took responsibility for his tactical errors, but this cannot disguise an abject display.  Expect a different outcome on Saturday in what even now can be seen as a 'six pointer'.

Prediction: Watford 0 West Bromwich Albion 2

Star Performer: Ricky Lambert

 

West Ham United v Leicester City

What a start for both these clubs.  West Ham produced the shock of the weekend beating Arsenal and in Reece Oxford they have found a gem!  The sixteen year old central defender was more worried about his exam results from High School than the Arsenal forward line last week, and his performance was incredible for one so young. Dimitri Payet was also outstanding and looks to be a quality addition to their ranks, although the jury is still out as to whether he can perform at this level on a cold January evening in Sunderland.

Diafro Sakho was arrested last week on assault charges but is available for selection.  Morgan Amalfitano has been told he is no longer in the first team and will, therefore, be looking for a new club.

Leicester hit the ground running with four goals.  Riyad Mahrez scored twice, including a penalty, and the Leicester threat will be because of his pace along with Jamie Vardy.  Both sides will have attacking intent and a decent match awaits.

Prediction: West Ham United 2  Leicester City 2

Star Performers: Dimitri Payet; Riyad Mahrez

 

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS


Titans Use Fourth-Round Pick On Gunnar Helm
Jarquez Hunter

Rams Select Jarquez Hunter In Fourth Round
Mike Trout

Blasts His Ninth Home Run Of The Season

Texans Trade Up For Woody Marks

Jets Select Arian Smith In Fourth Round
Ryan Mountcastle

Adley Rutschman, Ryan Mountcastle Not In Game 1 Lineup

Panthers Select Trevor Etienne 114th Overall
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Wasn't Available Friday Due To Recent Usage

Giants Take CFP Darling Cam Skattebo
Darius Garland

Won't Suit Up For Game 3
Ha-Seong Kim

Targeting June/July Return

Jags Bolster Backfield With Bhayshul Tuten

Titans Selected Chimere Dike At No. 103
Darius Garland

Unavailable For Pregame Warmup
MLB

Yankees and Blue Jays Postponed On Saturday
Colt Keith

Not In the Lineup For Game One Of Doubleheader
Jrue Holiday

Classified As "Day-To-Day"
Spencer Steer

Hits Two-Run Home Run On Friday
Agustín Ramírez

Agustin Ramirez Hits First Career Home Run In Multi-Hit Effort
Jacob Wilson

Hits Third Home Run In Three-Hit Game On Friday
Paul Skenes

Strikes Out Nine In Win Over Dodgers
Shane Baz

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Trevor Larnach

Homers, Collects Four RBI On Friday
Jordan Beck

Power Surge Continues, Homers Twice On Friday
Jacob Markstrom

Ends Losing Spell Friday
Devin Williams

Blows Save On Friday, Yankees Make Temporary Move At Closer
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Collects Two Points In Friday's Win
Connor McDavid

Totals Three Points In Game 3 Win
Johnathan Kovacevic

Exits Early Friday
Seth Lugo

Tosses Eight Shutout Innings In Friday's Win Over Houston
Sam Montembeault

Suffers Lower-Body Injury Friday
Logan Thompson

Exits Loss With Injury
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Will Throw A Bullpen On Sunday
Brandon Hagel

Suspended For Game 3
Griffin Conine

To Have Shoulder Surgery On Tuesday
Luke Keaschall

Twins Prospect Luke Keaschall Suffers Broken Forearm
Logan Gilbert

Leaves Friday's Start With Forearm Tightness
Tai Felton

Vikings Select Tai Felton To Finish Day 2
Jalen Milroe

Seahawks Select Quarterback Jalen Milroe With The 92nd Pick Overall
Dillon Gabriel

Browns Select Dillon Gabriel 94th Overall
Savion Williams

Packers Pick Savion Williams At No. 87 overall
Kaleb Johnson

Steelers Snag Kaleb Johnson In Round 3
Pat Bryant

Broncos Select Wide Receiver Pat Bryant With The 74th Overall Pick
Jaylin Noel

Texans Select Jaylin Noel With 79th Pick
Isaac TeSlaa

Lions Select Wide Receiver Isaac TeSlaa With The 70th Overall Pick
Jack Leiter

To Start On Sunday
Kyle Williams

Patriots Add Wide Receiver Kyle Williams In Round 3
Harold Fannin Jr.

Browns Draft Harold Fannin Jr. With 67th Pick
Garrett Mitchell

Makes Early Exit
RJ Harvey

Broncos Add RJ Harvey To Backfield With 60th Pick
Jack Bech

Raiders Select Jack Bech With 58th Pick
Tre Harris

Chargers Add Wide Receiver Tre Harris In Round 2
Brandin Podziemski

Not On Injury Report For Game 3
Jimmy Butler III

Warriors Optimistic About Jimmy Butler III Playing Saturday
Jae'Sean Tate

To Remain Out Saturday
Jock Landale

Unavailable For Game 3
Terry Rozier

Out On Saturday
Jrue Holiday

Ruled Out For Friday Night's Game 3 Against Orlando
Kevin Love

To Miss Saturday's Game
Jaylen Brown

Available For Friday Night's Game 3 Against Magic
Gary Payton II

Iffy For Saturday's Action
Jayson Tatum

Officially Available On Friday For Game 3 Against Magic
Luke Kennard

Questionable For Game 4 On Saturday
Darius Garland

Listed As Questionable For Game 3
Ja Morant

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Rui Hachimura

Available For Game 3 In Minnesota
Aaron Ekblad

Available To Return Saturday
Aleksander Barkov

Questionable For Saturday
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Calvin Pickard

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Jonas Siegenthaler

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Luke Hughes

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Could Miss Game 3 On Saturday
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Jalen Brunson

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Zhang Mingyang

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David Onama

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Giga Chikadze

Looks To Bounce Back
Abus Magomedov

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
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Returns To Action At UFC Kansas City
Nicolas Dalby

An Underdog At UFC Kansas City
Randy Brown

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Andre Muniz

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Ikram Aliskerov

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Sergei Bobrovsky

Shuts Out Lightning In Game 2
Cam Fowler

Finishes Thursday's Win With Five Points
Robert Thomas

Posts Four Assists In Game 3 Win
Pavel Buchnevich

Celebrates Hat Trick During Four-Point Performance
Dylan DeMelo

Battling An Illness
Marcus Johansson

Exits Early Thursday
Aleksander Barkov

Hurt In Game 2
Cam Davis

Looking For Better Fortunes At TPC Louisiana
Adam Svensson

Making Third Apperence At Zurich Classic
Max Greyserman

Aiming For Similar Success At TPC Louisiana
Lee Hodges

A High-Upside Player In New Orleans
PGA

Nico Echavarria Looks To Ride Off Of Elite Putting In New Orleans
Gary Woodland

A Player Worth Watching In New Orleans
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Returns To The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
Rasmus Hojgaard

In Search Of Consistency Ahead Of Zurich Classic
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Carson Young

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Taylor Moore

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Kurt Kitayama

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