- Opta’s supercomputer has delivered its predictions for this weekend’s games
- Manchester United are being backed as more likely to lose against Brighton
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Opta’s supercomputer has delivered its match predictions for this weekend’s second round of Premier League fixtures and believes Brighton have a better chance of beating Manchester United at the Amex Stadium this on Saturday lunchtime.
The 2024-25 Premier League season got off to a bang last weekend, with plenty of talking points rising out of a bumper opening round of fixtures.
VAR was once again a hot topic, with Everton fans bemoaning the system following their 3-0 defeat against Brighton at Goodison Park, after the video referee system ruled out a penalty chance. Eberechi Eze also had a free-kick disallowed by the system during Crystal Palace‘s 2-1 defeat against Brentford.
Defending champions, Manchester City, picked up where they left off last season, claiming a 2-0 victory against Chelsea at the Etihad, with questions still mounting over Enzo Maresca‘s squad size and their transfer dealings this summer.
Arsenal are once again gunning for their first Premier League title since 2004, with Mikel Arteta’s side beating Wolves 2-0, while a new-look Liverpool, under the management of Arne Slot, got their season off to a solid start, besting newcomers Ipswich. One of the most interesting results of the weekend came on Monday night as Leicester held Tottenham to a 1-1 draw at the King Power Stadium, with Jamie Vardy announcing his return to the Premier League with a goal.
Manchester City are looking to continue their solid start to the season with a win against Ipswich
Man United, meanwhile, are being backed by Opta as more likely to lose their game against Brighton at the AMEX Stadium this weekend
But there’s plenty more action coming this weekend, as Manchester United come up against the tough task of overturning Fabian Huzeler’s Brighton at the Amex Stadium, who are fresh off the back of a big victory against Everton at Goodison Park.
Erik ten Hag’s side got their season off to a solid start but left it late to seal victory against Fulham on Friday night at Old Trafford, with Joshua Zirkzee scoring in the 87th minute.
And Opta’s stats boffins believe Brighton have a better chance of coming away with three points on Saturday, giving the Seagulls a 39.4 per cent chance of winning at home, while the stats agency has given the Red Devils a 36 per cent chance of sealing victory.
Despite winning the FA Cup last season, Ten Hag’s side endured a dismal league campaign, finishing eighth in the table – United’s lowest-ever Premier League placing. The Dutchman will no doubt be keen for his side to get off to a solid start to the 2024-25 season, as his side look to target a place in the top four.
Opta’s supercomputer has delivered its predictions for the upcoming round of Premier League matches
Arsenal are gunning to win the league title once again and take on Aston Villa at Villa Park
Southampton are being backed to pick up their first victory of the Premier League season
Meanwhile, newly promoted side, Southampton are being backed to pick up their first win of the season, after they were beaten 1-0 in a heated encounter against Newcastle at St James’ Park last weekend.
Saints take on Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest at St Mary’s this weekend but Opta believe Russell Martin’s side have a 39.3 per cent chance of winning, compared to Forest’s 34.4 per cent chance.
Aston Villa take on Arsenal in a mouthwatering clash at Villa Park, as Unai Emery returns to face his old club. With Arsenal having claimed victory against Wolves last weekend, they come into the clash with a 51.1 per cent chance of winning, according to Opta, who have handed Villa a 24.7 per cent chance of winning.
Elsewhere, two clubs who both suffered defeat on the opening match weekend, Chelsea and Wolves, will come head-to-head at Molineux. It has been a turbulent week for the Blues, who, despite signing both Pedro Neto and Joao Felix in the last week, have been criticised for their business model and bloated squad.
However, Opta is backing Enzo Maresca to pick up his first win as Chelsea boss, claiming they are 52.6 per cent more likely to beat Gary O’Neil’s side. Wolves conversely have a 24.0 per cent chance of winning, while a draw is 23.4 per cent.
Tottenham were held to a 1-1 draw by Premier League newcomers Leicester City on Monday
Sean Dyche will be hoping Everton can upset the odds to defeat Tottenham on Saturday afternoon
Tottenham host Everton in north London and will be hoping to undo the woes of allowing Leicester a second-half equaliser on Monday night.
Ange Postecoglou’s side have a 61.8 per cent chance of winning according to Opta, while Sean Dyche’s side have only an 18.4 per cent chance of sealing their first away win of the season.
Postecoglou cut a defeated figure on the touchline after Spurs succumbed to a draw against Leicester, with the manager admitting his side ‘lacked cutting edge and composure’.
‘It is a disappointing outcome. We were very dominant first half but really wasteful in front of goal. We started the second half similar,’ he said following the match.
He added: ‘I am just really disappointed as we lacked a little cutting edge in the front third and made some poor decisions. We lacked some composure and didn’t get the reward our football deserved.’
Ipswich have a 7.3 per cent chance of beating Pep Guardiola’s side, while City have been handed an 81.6 per cent chance of sealing a home victory
Champions, Man City have been given the biggest winning margin this weekend, as they look to continue their start to the 2024-25 season with a victory against Ipswich.
The Tractor Boys have a 7.3 per cent chance of beating Pep Guardiola’s side, according to Opta, who have conversely handed City an 81.6 per cent chance of