Premier League. Week 2 – Copybet
Friday night sees the start of the second round of the 2025/26 Premier League season, as Club World Cup winners Chelsea visit West Ham at the London Stadium.
In a round of fixtures that also includes some heavyweight showdowns at the Etihad Stadium and St James’ Park, here are three selections to consider for Game Week 2 in the English top flight.
West Ham United vs Chelsea
Starting with the first match of the round, Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea will look to get their first victory of the season when they head across the capital to take on former Blues manager Graham Potter’s West Ham.
Both sides had disappointing opening matches with West Ham hammered 3-0 at newly promoted Sunderland, while Chelsea were unable to break down Crystal Palace and had to settle for a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues were slightly fortunate after Palace had a goal disallowed due to a VAR intervention, however, Chelsea did have the chances at the end to snatch all three points. The draw looked a fair result but nothing but a win will do when they head to the London Stadium.
West Ham’s opening display was disjointed and raises serious questions about the make-up of the squad. The Hammers were too easily opened up by Sunderland and looked toothless in attack.
Backing the Blues to win by two goals at 11/10 appeals.
Manchester City vs Tottenham
No team has beaten Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Premier League more than Tottenham Hotspur. In fact, across Guardiola’s entire coaching career, Liverpool are the only team he has lost more games to as a manager than Spurs.
Last season, Tottenham went to the Etihad and claimed a 4-0 victory, before sealing a 2-1 League Cup win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. City did manage one success against this weekend’s opponents, edging a 1-0 win in London in February when Spurs were prioritising their midweek European fixtures and rotated their team heavily.
That is not to say it has all gone Tottenham’s way in recent seasons. Guardiola’s side defeated Spurs in both the FA Cup and the league the previous year. However, the last 15 meetings between the two clubs have produced six City wins, two draws and seven victories for Tottenham.
City looked in imperious form against Wolves last weekend but a much stiffer test awaits with Tottenham’s visit.
Spurs enjoyed a comfortable win over Burnley, but it was their resilient performance in the UEFA Super Cup against PSG that provides more encouragement that they can offer stern resistance on Saturday.
At 83/50, backing Tottenham to leave the Etihad with at least a point looks a shrewd move.
Newcastle United vs Liverpool
The champions began their campaign in style with a thrilling 4-2 win over Bournemouth. Liverpool’s attack looked in supreme form, but questions remain over their defence.
With Alexander Isak still unavailable for Newcastle amid Liverpool’s ongoing transfer pursuit, the Magpies looked weak in attack in their last outing against Aston Villa. Even after Ezri Konsa’s red card, Eddie Howe’s side struggled to create clear chances and were forced to settle for a goalless draw.
Liverpool have dominated this fixture in the Premier League in recent years. They are unbeaten in 17 such meetings with Newcastle, winning 13 of those, including three of their last four visits to St James’ Park.
Newcastle can take some encouragement from their League Cup final victory over Arne Slot’s side last season, but the Reds’ attacking quality should once again prove too much.
At 101/100, Liverpool look a strong option to take all three points.