Manchester United v Fulham

Not many pundits would have expected the Cottagers to be three points better off than United heading into this game, but that is the case after Martin Jol’s men’s five-star display against Norwich City.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side had to wait two extra days to start their campaign but fluffed their lines at Goodison Park amid a defensive injury crisis and a headline-grabbing performance from Toffees star Marouane Fellaini.

United are still stretched at the back for this weekend but the fact Fulham are traditionally poor away from the capital suggests a Robin van Persie-inspired home side will take all three points.

Verdict: Van Persie to score two or more – 9/2

Aston Villa v Everton

Villa endured a season to forget last term but things did not go to plan for Paul Lambert’s first game in charge when they went down 1-0 at promoted West Ham last weekend.

The success of Lambert’s tenure with the Villans will largely be decided in front of the demanding Villa Park faithful who have seen their side slump from Champions League hopefuls to relegation candidates inside only a couple of seasons.

Everton, who shocked Manchester United on Monday, continue to perform miracles under David Moyes on a shoestring budget and have the attacking flair to make it two wins from two following a stalemate at half-time.

Verdict: Draw/Everton – 9/2

Norwich v QPR

There were 10 goals involved in Norwich and QPR’s respective season openers – however neither side managed to find the back of the net as they were spanked by Fulham and Swansea respectively.

QPR’s embarrassment came in front of their own fans at Loftus Road which was a shock given Mark Hughes’ men’s rich vein of home form towards the end of last year.

However, bank on Chris Hughton to lead his side to victory at Carrow Road for his first home game given the fact the Rs have not beaten the Canaries in the last five league games between the clubs.

Verdict: Norwich to win 2-1 – 8/1

Southampton v Wigan

With due respect this is hardly the most glamorous of Premier League games although it was always on the cards they would be pointless going into the match after Saints started with a clash at Manchester City while Wigan lost out to Chelsea.

However, Nigel Adkins’ side managed to score twice against the champions and were actually leading with 20 minutes left to play at Eastlands before Edin Dzeko and Samir Nasri struck for the Blues.

Latics, who are set to lose Victor Moses to Chelsea imminently, are known as slow starters and will have their work cut out at St Mary’s as Saints’ vociferous fans welcome the return of Premier League football to their ground.

Verdict: Saints to win – 11/10

Sunderland v Reading

Sunderland managed to hold Arsenal at the Emirates in their opener which was about as much luck as the Black Cats could have hoped for last weekend.

Since then they have managed to land Steven Fletcher for £14m from Wolves as they look to add a cutting edge to the side which was lacking last season.

But the Royals have a star hitman of their own in the shape of Russian Pavel Pogrebnyak and he has been on board for a while – in contrast to Fletcher who is likely to start this one on the bench.

Verdict: Draw – 5/2

Tottenham v West Brom

Last season this was a battle between veteran managers Harry Redknapp and Roy Hodgson – but neither will be in the dug-outs this time around, with the former out of work and the latter installed as England manager.

Both clubs have taken big gambles on their new men at the helm – Chelsea flop Andre-Villas Boas at White Hart Lane and long-term number two Steve Clarke at the Hawthorns in his first managerial post.

Clarke did get off to a winning start last weekend against former employers Liverpool as AVB’s men lost out to Newcastle.

Regardless, Spurs will have too much for the Baggies on the day and don’t be surprised if Jermain Defoe – in tandem with Emmanuel Adebayor – steals the show now he has found a manager who seems to believe in him again.

Verdict: Defoe hat-trick – 20/1

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