Gameweek 2: Week Preview
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Now the Tipple season has fully kicked off, we will be introducing weekly fixture previews every time a new gameweek is released in order to give you an idea of why and how we have come to pick the fixture list.
In order to make Tipple as unpredictable and fun as possible, we choose the 5 hardest fixtures using a mixture of a difficulty algorithm, and of course sometimes human opinion, so that you can never be sure if you’re going to get an unbelievable 30+ points week, or slip down the table with a 0 win -10.
So, here it is, Gameweek 2’s fixture list.
Premier League
Bournemouth vs Wolves
Both suffering heavy defeats to title favourites in their first match, admittedly with Bournemouth doing a bit better than Wolves, it will be an interesting contest to see which can overcome that initial setback and try to get their season up and running.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
A defeat to Nottingham Forest in their first game, Brentford will be keen to bounce back with a win in their first home game of the season, and Keith Andrews will want to get his managerial reign off to a good start and put that initial loss behind him.
For Villa, the draw with Newcastle was perhaps a bit worrying, with them only registering 3 total shots at home, and probably came away the luckier of two sides to gain a point. With the opposition dominating most of that game, Villa will be hoping for a better performance this time around.
Burnley vs Sunderland
The two promoted sides from last season, both with very different welcomes to their Premier League seasons. Sunderland battered West Ham in their first game, deservedly winning 3-0, whilst Burnley suffered a bit more of a sobering 3-0 loss away at Tottenham. Admittedly, two very different challenges, and with Burnley at home in this match, we are expecting a much closer affair.
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest
Palace were the victims of a contentious decision to rule out Eze’s free kick against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, and whatever your view on it, they will feel hard done by not to have come away with the 3 points. With them being at home and facing a Nottingham Forest side who are visiting on the back of the 3-1 win we spoke about earlier, this match is certain to be a difficult one to predict.
Everton vs Brighton
Much has been said about Everton’s aspirations this year, and with Brighton visiting it will be a good test of where they are. If they have any chance of achieving Europe this year, this sort of match at home is one they should be winning really, however as seen before Brighton are a steady top 10 team, and it is not going to be an easy match for the hosts.
Championship
Charlton vs Leicester
Charlton have had a spectacular start to life back in the Championship, and are yet to concede a goal, winning their first game 1-0 against Watford, and drawing 0-0 away at Bristol City. They also recorded a steady 3-1 win in the EFL Cup against Stevenage midweek last week.
For Leicester, it has been a bit of a different story. Being one of the favourites for the league and with the team that they have, they will be slightly disappointed with their start; needing a late goal to win at home to relegation favourites Sheffield Wednesday, and losing their second game away to Preston North End.
Will this be the game where Leicester can get their promotion campaign kicked off? Or will we see Charlton continue their impressive start
Swansea City vs Watford
Both of these teams have had a loss and a win to start the season, perhaps Swansea’s 1-0 win against Sheffield United last weekend the highlight. With both coming in off the back of 3 points last weekend and both with roughly similar aspirations this season, it’s anyone’s guess what will happen in this match.
The main decision probably lies with how Watford want to play it being away from home, they could look to play more defensively and gain their first away point of the season.
Norwich vs Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough are yet to concede a goal in the league this season, however they did concede 4 at home to Doncaster in the EFL Cup, read into that what you will. Norwich on the other hand, have recorded a loss and a win in their first 2 games, both ending 2 goals to 1. The teams they have been playing have been roughly of the same calibre, and with Manning in charge, Norwich are sure to be looking at challenging with Middlesbrough to break into the play-offs this season. An early season six-pointer which could have huge implications for the season.
Preston vs Ipswich
Probably the easiest out of the 5 championship games to have a “safe bet” on, however Ipswich have not fully clicked yet, and with Preston at home and on seamingly steady form after a 1-1 draw and 2-1 win respectively to start the season, this match could have more to it than meets the eye.
Our advice? Stay away, think this one could be the one that has an unexpected heavy defeat penalty.
Sheffield United vs Millwall
What has happened to Sheffield United? With 3 losses in all competitions, they are looking a shadow of their former selves. They will be desperate to get their season started this weekend at home to Millwall, but the fans could turn quickly should things start to go the wrong way.
For Millwall, this match could come at the perfect time, with Sheffield United struggling, and themselves coming in off of a 3-0 home defeat to Middlesbrough, this could be the perfect opportunity for a statement win to rectify last Saturday.
League One
Luton vs Cardiff – BIG BET
An early kick off big bet? We know, it’s not the nicest. But two of the favourites for the league taking each other on live on Sky Sports+, it was hard to resist.
Cardiff have had the better start of the two, with a 0-0 draw away to Port Vale, followed by a 3-0 battering of Rotherham at home, they will be confident going into this one seeing the football they are playing. However Luton still have essentially a high level Championship team playing in League One, so of course they should not be written off.
We think this is not only the best match of the week, but also the hardest one to predict.
Bolton vs Lincoln
Two teams with eyes on the top half, and an early 6 pointer in the race for the play-offs. Both teams will be looking to win this one, Bolton after a bit of a shaky start (1 Win, 1 Draw, 1 Loss) and Lincoln after recording 6 points from their first 3 games. With Bolton being at home, they will be expecting an attacking play style from the off, but Lincoln, on the back of a 3-2 win to Plymouth, will be a dangerous team to contend with on the counter attack.
Huddersfield vs Stevenage
The favourites for the league vs the early pace setters, of course we couldn’t ignore this one. Both have had impressive starts to the campaign, Stevenage more so considering they were not amongst the favourites, and both will be hoping to continue this here.
Mansfield vs Leyton Orient
Both have had unconvincing starts to their 2025/26 seasons, recording 3 and 4 points respectively, and both will be desperate to get a bit of form behind them. Mansfield come into the game off of a 2-1 away win at Exeter, whereas Leyton Orient recorded a 2-2 draw with heavily fancied Stockport, they also won their previous match before this 2-0 at home.
A match which could determine how their seasons will be shaped, and a very valuable 3 points to be won for either side, I don’t see either of these going for a draw.
Plymouth vs Blackpool
A bit of a horror start for Plymouth in their first season back in League One after relegation last year, losing all 3 of their opening games, and not looking very convincing in any of them either. They will be desperate to show their fans they will be challenging this year, and really need to kick start their season at home this weekend.
As for Blackpool, a 3-2 win against Huddersfield last weekend saw them get their first points on the board, but they will need to find some consistency if they want to achieve what they have set out to this season, and with Plymouth struggling to find their feet at the moment, this is the perfect opportunity.
League Two
Walsall vs Salford
Last season’s “nearly team” against the seemingly forever “nearly team”, Walsall have put their playoff final upset behind them and started the season with 2 wins out of 3 to place themselves neatly just inside the play-off places. With Salford only behind them on goal difference, this will be an interesting contest to see who, if not both, has the credentials for a real push this year.
Bristol Rovers vs Cambridge
Not a great start for Bristol Rovers at all, and after a lot of expectation about this season too, they have recorded 0 points from their first 3 games. Back at home against a Cambridge side who have won one, drawn one, and lost one, they will be desperate to put things straight, and we predict a close-knit game that is going to be very hard to predict. If Rovers don’t win this, they will be giving everything not to lose it.
Cheltenham vs Barnet
Maybe somewhat an “easier” pick if you were to look at preseason expectations. However, with only 1 goal registered between the two teams, and 0 points, this might be closer than previously thought. Now, we’re not saying it’s going to be an unbelievable match, but a close one? Possibly.
Gillingham vs Crewe
Both teams undefeated, one (Crewe) winning all 3 of their opening games. Something has to give surely? This one is going to be a very interesting watch, with both teams registering at least a goal a game this season, we’re expecting a good match between two top sides.
Notts County vs Bromley
Bit of a false table at the moment, with Notts County near the bottom whereas they should really be challenging nearer the top. Bromley have gotten off to a decent start, unbeaten in their first 3 matches, but facing Notts away from home will be a difficult challenge, especially with the home side vying to achieve their first win of the season.
So, there you have it, your Tipple Gameweek 2 fixture list. Think you’ve got what it takes to get all 6 picks correct? Download Tipple on the app store and get involved now!
