The new Premier League season continues on Friday night, with Manchester City looking to make it two wins from two under Enzo Maresca at Crystal Palace.
Once again, there’s plenty to look forward to in Gameweek 2, with 10 fixtures spread across four days from Friday to Monday.
From Liverpool’s bogey team to Frank Lampard’s favourite team, here’s a Premier League stat for each Gameweek 2 fixture.
Premier League stats you might see in Gameweek 2
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City
- Erling Haaland could become the third player to score in each of his first six Premier League appearances against a single opponent.
With his freshly trimmed hair, Haaland was surprisingly lacking a cutting edge last weekend. In fact, he failed to score on GW1 of a Premier League season for the first time since his arrival in England.
He will, therefore, welcome the opportunity to face Palace, against whom he has scored in all five of his appearances in the top flight.
Should he find the net, he would be only the third player after Raheem Sterling and Mohamed Salah (both against Bournemouth) to score in each of his first six Premier League games against a single opponent.
Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest
- Liverpool could lose three straight home league games against Nottingham Forest for the first time.
The Tricky Trees have become something of a bogey team for the Reds in recent times, winning on both their last two Premier League visits to Anfield.
In fact, since their return to the top flight in 2022, no side has won more games against Liverpool (three).
Under Oliver Glasner, they now have the chance to become the first visiting team to win three consecutive league games at Anfield since Crystal Palace between 2015 and 2017. It would also be a first for Forest overall.
It won’t be easy, though. Liverpool haven’t lost their opening home match of a Premier League season since 2003/04.
Bournemouth vs Everton
- Everton could win their opening two matches of a Premier League season for the first time since 2020/21.
Everton made a winning start to the campaign, after beating Crystal Palace 2-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium last weekend.
The Toffees are now looking to make it back-to-back wins at the start of a Premier League season for the first time since 2020/21 under Carlo Ancelotti.
Although, Everton have lost their opening away game in each of the last four campaigns, while not since 2017/18 have Bournemouth lost their first outing on home soil.
Coventry City vs Hull City
- Frank Lampard could record six wins against a single opponent for the first time in his managerial career.
Frank Lampard loved playing against Hull City as a player, scoring a couple of memorable goals for Chelsea and going unbeaten in six appearances (W4 D2).
He’s continued in that vein as a manger, avoiding defeat in all eight of his meetings in all competitions (W5 D3).
That tally of five wins is his joint-most against any side, and he would love to make that six by guiding Coventry to their first victory since returning to the top flight.
Tottenham vs Newcastle United
- Tottenham could lose their opening two matches of a Premier League season for the first time since 2011/12.
After just surviving relegation last season, Tottenham had that sinking feeling again as they began this term with a 3-0 defeat at Brentford.
The recent head-to-head record suggests things won’t improve against Newcastle, who have won six of the eight most recent Premier League meetings.
Not since the 2011/12 season under Harry Redknapp have Spurs lost their first two league games of a season, while it was in the inaugural Premier League campaign of 1992/93 that they last failed to score in their opening two outings.
Tottenham Hotspur have lost six of their last eight Premier League games against Newcastle (W1 D1), and haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last 14 against the Magpies.
Tottenham haven’t lost their opening two Premier League games in a season since the 2011-12 campaign, while Spurs last failed to score in their first two games in 1992-93.
Chelsea vs Brighton
- Brighton could become the first team to score 3+ goals in four successive league games against Chelsea since West Ham between 1972 and 1974.
Brighton have been a bogey team for Chelsea in recent times, winning each of the last three Premier League meetings between the sides. The Seagulls have also scored three goals on each occasion.
Not since West Ham between 1972 and 1974 has a side scored three or more times in four consecutive league matches against the Blues.
The recent form book also doesn’t make particularly pleasant reading for Chelsea, who have won their opening home game in just one of the last seven seasons.
Leeds United vs Brentford
- Brentford could win their opening two games in a top-flight season for the first time since 1935/36.
Brentford hit the ground running last weekend with a dominant display against a hapless Tottenham.
The Bees will now look to build on that momentum by winning back-to-back matches at the start of a league season for the first time since 2006/07. Meanwhile, you must go all the way back to 1935/36 for the last time they did so in the top division.
Not since 2018/19 under Marcelo Bielsa have Leeds, who won 1-0 away at Forest, started with back-to-back victories.
Sunderland vs Fulham
- Fulham could win four successive league games against Sunderland for the first time.
Sunderland haven’t won any of their last six Premier League home games against Fulham (D3 L3).
The Cottagers have prevailed in each of the last three league meetings overall, and could win four on the spin against the Black Cats for the very first time.
Gonzalo Garcia marked his Premier League debut with a goal against Chelsea last weekend. He could now become the first Fulham player to score in both his first two appearances in the competition since Pavel Pogrebnyak in February 2012.
Manchester United vs Ipswich Town
- Manchester United could lose their first two league matches in a season without scoring for the first time since 1933/34.
Michael Carrick endured a huge reality check in his first match since permanently taking charge of Manchester United, who were beaten 2-0 by newly promoted Hull last weekend. He’s now failed to win any of his three Premier League games against a promoted club (D1 L2).
The Red Devils have only previously lost their first two matches in a Premier League season in 1992/93 and 2022/23. Although, not since 1933/34 have they been beaten in their opening two games of a league campaign without scoring.
On a brighter note, Ipswich Town’s Emersonn has the chance to become the first player to score in his opening two top-flight appearances for the Tractor Boys since Adam Tanner in January 1995.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
- Arsenal could win their opening away in five consecutive league seasons for the first time.
Arsenal hit the ground running in their quest to retain the Premier League crown, with a statement 3-0 win over newly promoted Coventry last weekend.
The Gunners have won their opening away game in each of the last four seasons, keeping a clean sheet on each occasion. They now look to go five in a row for the very first time.
As for Villa, who were thrashed 4-0 at Brighton, they haven’t lost their first two games of a campaign without scoring since 2002/03. Although, they have won their last three Premier League home games against the reigning champions.
We’ll be back on Tuesday with the Premier League stats that actually happened in Gameweek 2.
