This Nissan Super Sunday sees two big fixtures, with West Brom hosting Middlesbrough in the early afternoon kick off. Then Pep Guardiola's Manchester City host West Ham at the Etihad, with West Ham looking to move on from their disappointing Europa League exit.
West Brom vs Middlesbrough – Sunday 28th August 2016 – 13:30 - Sky Sports 1
West Brom welcome Middlesbrough to the Hawthorns, with the Baggies looking to put the disappointment of their last home match to bed with a win against Boro.
Tony Pulis' side have had a mixed start this season, with a 1-0 win in their opening match away against Crystal Palace, followed by a 2-1 defeat at home against Everton.
It was a great away performance and to come back will all three points will have delighted manager Tony Pulis.
However, the loss of three points at home is something that will have disappointed the West Brom faithful, especially as they took the early lead.
Gareth McAuley's towering header gave the Baggies the lead in the 9th-minute, with West Brom holding the advantage for nearly half an hour.
Kevin Mirallas levelled on the stroke of half-time ensured the hosts went into the break level, then Gareth Barry made it 2-1 on the hour to ensure all three points went back to Merseyside.
Optimistic Start To Season
Crystal Palace away would have been a tough fixture, to come away with maximum points gave them an excellent platform coming into the Everton match.
Everton produced a spirited comeback that saw them dominate possession, with 7 shots on target from 13 shots overall from 66.4% of the ball.
Pulis' side were second best in almost every department from a statistical standpoint, with 4 shots on target from 11 shots, they were limited to just 33.6% of the ball at home as well.
Having finished 14th in the Premier League last year, the target for West Brom will be to complete a top ten finish.
It will be an enormous challenge to do so, keeping their top players will be a priority and adding more quality will be key as well.
West Brom will also be looking to be more consistent, with a record of one win and one loss this season highlighting the need for stability.
The Baggies will be looking to better their record against Middlesbrough. In 76 matches they have won 29, lost 33 and drawn 14 times.
West Brom are the favourites at 6/4 with Salomon Rondon to open the scoring at 5/1.
Middlesbrough kicked off the new season with a good performance in the 1-1 draw against Stoke, with the point at home one that Aitor Karanka will have been delighted with.
To follow that up with a 2-1 win away against rivals Sunderland was an excellent achievement, with Middlesbrough capitalising on their solid start.
They took the lead in the 13th minute through Christian Stuani, with the Uruguayan unleashing an unstoppable shot past Vito Manone.
He then doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time, with a great team move leading to Negredo teeing up Stuani, who coolly slotted his and Boro's second past Manone again.
Sunderland did find a consolation goal through dutch full-back Patrick Van Aanholt, that was as good as it got for the home side though, with Boro taking maximum points back to the Riverside.
This result will enhance the belief of the club that they can survive in the league, given how much they have invested it will be money well spent.
Middlesbrough In Great Shape
It was a clinical performance from Middlesbrough, who edged possession but failed to make as many chances as Sunderland.
Boro saw 53.1% of the ball and registered 8 shots overall, with three of them on target and Stuani converting two of them.
Karanka will be looking to register back to back wins as a Premier League manager in only his third game, with another away win the perfect result.
Middlesbrough are the underdogs at 2/1 with Alvaro Negredo to open the scoring at 11/2.
Manchester City vs West Ham – Sunday 28th August 2016 – 16:00 - Sky Sports 1
Manchester City welcome West Ham to the Etihad Stadium, with City looking to continue their excellent start to the season.
Manchester City kicked off the new season with a 2-1 win against Sunderland, with a late own goal from Paddy McNair cruelly snatching the points away from the visitors.
The winner came in the 86th minute courtesy of new Sunderland signing McNair, who was very unfortunate to head the ball into his own net, it was a result that Manchester City definitely didn't deserve.
Then came the turn of Stoke, a team that Manchester City have traditionally struggled against away from home.
Mark Hughes and his men were found wanting at the bet 365 Stadium and with goals from Sergio Aguero (27 and 36), and Nolito (86 and 90+5) ensured it was a big defeat at home for Hughes.
They did manage to pull one back through a Bojan penalty and up until the 86th minute Stoke had every chance, the clinical finish from City ensured that fightback never materialised.
Manchester City enjoyed the better of the possession, with Stoke producing half of the shots on target.
Joe Hart Farewell?
The main headline throughout the transfer window has been Pep Guardiola's decision to omit Joe Hart from the starting XI, with Willy Caballero preferred to England's number one.
The confirmation of Claudio Bravo on Thursday has all but confirmed Hart's departure, with the England number 1 enjoying an emotional farewell on Wednesday evening.
Although his performances in the Euro's have been poor, he has always been preferred as the City keeper.
This is a seen as a move for Guardiola to stamp his authority on the squad, with the likes of Mangala and Nasri also deemed surplus to requirements.
Guardiola will be looking to continue Man City's excellent record against West Ham, they will also be looking to avenge the 2-1 defeat they suffered at home last year.
Manchester City are the favourites at 2/7 with Sergio Aguero to open the scoring at 5/2.
Slaven Bilic and his men kick-started life in their new stadium, the London Stadium with a hard fought win against Bournemouth.
They started the season with a narrow 2-1 defeat against Chelsea in the Premier League and they will count themselves serious unlucky.
The follow-up win against Bournemouth was lucky but West Ham stuck in there to gain all three points.
The 1-0 win at the new London Stadium was courtesy of a Michail Antonio header at the back post, the indiscipline of Harry Arter costing the Cherries deeply.
It was a game that saw Eddie Howe's men more than ably compete with West Ham, enjoying higher possession and more shots on target.
In the end, Bournemouth lacked the cutting edge required to finish the Hammers off, and when Harry Arter was shown a red card West Ham went for the jugular.
Optimistic Start To Season
The home defeat against Astana midweek will have angered Bilic, with everything the club worked so hard to achieve last season all but wiped out.
Without the added pressure of European football this season, it allows the Hammers to concentrate on the league. The lack of firepower available to Slaven Bilic at the moment due to injuries
The lack of firepower available to Slaven Bilic at the moment, due to injuries to Andy Carroll and Andre Ayew will be of enormous concern to the club.
They have reportedly opened talks with Loic Remy, who is surplus to requirements at Chelsea.
This is a match that sees West Ham travel to the Etihad Stadium and they will be looking to bounce back after their defeat in midweek.
West Ham will be looking to maintain their excellent recent record against City, with two wins, one defeat and a draw in their last four matches.
West Ham are the underdogs at 9/1 with Enner Valencia to open the scoring at 11/1.
Betting Tips
Negredo to score first @ 11/2 and a 2-2 draw @ 18/1
Aguero to score first @ 5/2 and Man City to win 2-1 @ 8/1