The second round of the 2026/27 English Premier League season is underway.
As reported by İdman.Biz, the opening fixture of the matchweek has already been played, with Manchester City cruising to a 4-1 away victory over Crystal Palace. Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki both scored twice as Enzo Maresca's side made it six points from their opening two matches.
Manchester United – Ipswich
Manchester United's first home game of the new league campaign has taken on added significance following a disastrous start to the season.
Michael Carrick's side surprisingly opened their campaign with a 2-0 defeat away to newly promoted Hull City. Ipswich, by contrast, celebrated their return to the Premier League with a victory, beating Sunderland 2-1 at home thanks to Jack Clarke's 90th-minute winner.
United also have several injury concerns ahead of the match. Summer signing Carlos Baleba, who arrived from Brighton, has been ruled out for an estimated two to three weeks with an ankle injury and will miss the Ipswich game. Mason Mount has returned to training, while Amad Diallo remains unavailable.
The match will therefore provide United with their first opportunity to make amends in front of their own supporters following the setback in Hull.
Ipswich, meanwhile, continue to strengthen their squad. On Thursday, the Premier League newcomers completed the signing of Argentina international Exequiel Palacios from Bayer Leverkusen. The midfielder was part of Argentina's 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning squad.
Manchester United are also among Azerbaijani champions Sabah's opponents in the UEFA Champions League league phase. According to the draw, the Baku club will travel to England to face United.
Aston Villa – Arsenal
This fixture can be considered the standout match of the second Premier League round.
Arsenal, another of Sabah's Champions League opponents, began the defence of their English title with a convincing 3-0 home victory over newly promoted Coventry City.
Aston Villa endured a completely different opening weekend. Unai Emery's side suffered a 4-0 defeat away to Brighton, conceding all four goals inside the opening 31 minutes.
Villa are undergoing a significant squad rebuild. Only a day ago, the Birmingham club announced the signing of Senegal international Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea. The forward has been brought in to strengthen the attack following several high-profile summer departures, including Morgan Rogers, while Ollie Watkins is preparing to continue his career at Al-Hilal.
Arsenal, meanwhile, could have two summer signings available for Monday's game – Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa. The Brazilian midfielder missed the opening round with a minor injury but has already returned to training.
The encounter will carry particular significance for Konsa, who moved to Arsenal from Aston Villa this summer and could now face his former club at Villa Park.
Trips to Birmingham have proved difficult for Arsenal in recent years. Since Aston Villa returned to the Premier League in 2019, they have won four of their seven home league meetings with the Gunners, including a 2-1 victory last season.
The reigning champions will now face another test at Villa Park against Emery's significantly reshaped side.
Premier League Matchweek 2 fixtures (Baku time)
August 28
Crystal Palace – Manchester City – 1:4
August 29
Liverpool – Nottingham Forest (15:30)
Bournemouth – Everton (18:00)
Coventry City – Hull City (18:00)
Tottenham – Newcastle (20:30)
August 30
Chelsea – Brighton (17:00)
Leeds – Brentford (17:00)
Sunderland – Fulham (17:00)
Manchester United – Ipswich (19:30)
August 31
Aston Villa – Arsenal (23:00)
Premier League table after Matchweek 1
1. Manchester City – 6
2. Brighton – 3
3. Arsenal – 3
4. Brentford – 3
5. Everton – 3
6. Hull City – 3
7. Chelsea – 3
8. Ipswich – 3
9. Leeds – 3
10. Liverpool – 1
11. Newcastle – 1
12. Fulham – 0
13. Bournemouth – 0
14. Sunderland – 0
15. Nottingham Forest – 0
16. Manchester United – 0
17. Coventry City – 0
18. Tottenham – 0
19. Aston Villa – 0
20. Crystal Palace – 0
