There is no lunchtime fixture this Saturday, with Leicester welcoming Nottingham Forest to the King Power on Friday night, but that only serves to provide ample space for the mouth-watering slate of games this weekend.
Southampton go in search of an unlikely maiden win in the Premier League this season against Manchester City, while Everton look to record back-to-back victories in their clash against Fulham on Saturday afternoon.
Elsewhere, Brentford entertain Ipswich Town and Aston Villa look to maintain their great start against an in-form Bournemouth. But, in truth, Saturday is just the appetiser for Sunday’s main course.
Hapless Crystal Palace take on Tottenham in a 2pm London derby, Chelsea face Newcastle and West Ham will fancy their chances against Manchester United. But the main event is Liverpool’s trip to Arsenal, where the league leaders could open up a seven-point gap over the injury-hit Gunners with a win.
Here, we tell you everything you need to know about the action, including the latest injury updates and team news, the players to look out for and something all of our experts are looking forward to at the games they will be reporting from.
League leaders Liverpool can open up a seven-point lead over Arsenal with a win at the Emirates
The Gunners are hoping for a repeat of their win over the Anfield club last season on Sunday
Under-fire Oliver Glasner is one of four managers hoping to lead their side to their first Premier League win of the season
SATURDAY
3pm: ASTON VILLA v BOURNEMOUTH
Villa Park. Referee: Andy Madley.
TV/radio: BBC 5 Live and highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.20pm
Our expert’s view: Aston Villa are yet to suffer from a ‘Champions League hangover’ this season – instead Unai Emery’s team seem to improve with every week that goes by. I have really admired the job Andoni Iraola has done at Bournemouth and it was no huge surprise they managed to turn over Arsenal last weekend. They will head to Villa Park buoyed by that result. HENRY CLARK
Players to watch: Aston Villa – Morgan Rogers. England aren’t exactly short of options in the Number 10 role but Morgan Rogers is playing as well as any of his counterparts. He glides with the ball at his feet and has an eye for a killer pass to unlock a defence.
Bournemouth – Antoine Semenyo. Has showed glimpses of what he was capable of last season after his move from Bristol City but has started the current campaign in terrific form.
Key stat: Bournemouth have scored six goals after the 70th minute this season — that’s more than any other Premier League team.
Aston Villa injury news: Out – Philogene (ban), Doubt – Onana (hamstring)
Bournemouth injury news: Out – A Scott (knee), L Sinisterra (unknown). Doubts – None.
Mail Sport prediction: Aston Villa win.
3pm: BRENTFORD v IPSWICH
Gtech Community Stadium. Referee: Lewis Smith.
TV: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.20pm
Our expert’s view: Ipswich’s early-season promise has taken a knock in recent weeks after damaging defeats by West Ham and Everton. The Tractor Boys are still searching for their first top-flight win since 2002 and they will be desperate to bounce back against fast-starters Brentford, who have scored first in their last six games. WILL PICKWORTH
Players to watch: Brentford – Mikkel Damsgaard. It’s been a long time since the Dane scored that free kick against England at Euro 2020, but in recent weeks he’s shown signs of starting to fulfil that vast potential and is a class act on the ball.
Ipswich – Jack Clarke. The winger tore up the Championship last season with Sunderland and always gets bums off seats when he’s running at defenders. His partnership with Leif Davis on Ipswich’s left is one to watch.
Key stat: Brentford’s games have seen 31 goals this season (14 for, 15 against) – only Wolves fans have seen more (33)… and no stadium has seen more goals than the Gtech (17).
Brentford injury news: Out – Thiago (knee), Nunes (back), Hickey (thigh), Dasilva (knee). Doubt – Henry (knee).
Ipswich injury news: Out – Tuanzebe (hand), Greaves (hamstring), Luongo, Donacian (both ankle). Doubt – Al Hamadi (groin), Johnson (knock).
Mail Sport prediction: Draw.
3pm: BRIGHTON v WOLVES
Amex Stadium. Referee: Michael Oliver.
TV: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.20pm
Our expert’s view: It’s getting desperate for Wolves after taking just one point in their first seven matches and realistically it won’t get much easier in this one with their leaky defence… Brighton have been averaged almost two goals a game this season while Wolves concede almost three. Gary O’Neil’s side almost held off Manchester City last week but this will be tough. BEN WINSTANLEY
Players to watch: Brighton – Lewis Dunk. The stalwart centre half is set to make his 250th Premier League appearance for the Seagulls and has played a key role in their three clean sheets so far, Wolves – Jorgen Strand Larsen. In a struggling side he has been a bright light, with three goals and an assist so far this season.
Key stat: Wolves have lost five league games in a row despite scoring…the last team to score and lose six in a row in the top flight was Manchester City way back in 1960.
Brighton injury news: Out – March (knee), Webster (thigh), Milner (thigh), Pedro (ankle). Doubt – Welbeck (back), Minteh (muscle), Adingra (fitness).
Wolves injury news: Out – Hwang (ankle), Mosquera (knee), Traore (knee). Doubt – Johnstone (thigh).
Mail Sport prediction: Brighton win.
3pm: MAN CITY v SOUTHAMPTON
Etihad Stadium. Referee: Tony Harrington.
TV/radio: talksPORT2 and highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One, 10.20pm
Our expert’s view: Southampton are 16/1 to win an outrageously one-sided looking game and if manager Russell Martin perseveres with playing out from the back, he’ll deserve a medal for bravery. There is a dark fascination in whether City hit double figures. For Saints, victory would be their most famous since the FA Cup in 1976. JOE BERNSTEIN
Players to watch: Man City – Erling Haaland. The Kung Fu Viking seems able to score from any height or angle with his superhero powers.
Southampton – Tyler Dibling. Just 18, Dibling is a worthy successor to Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott off the St Mary’s production line.
Key stat: City are on their longest ever unbeaten league run, going 31 games without defeat since being beaten by Aston Villa in December. They’ve won 25 and drawn 6 since.
Man City injury news: Out – De Bruyne (thigh), Rodri (knee), Bobb (calf), Doku (muscular), Walker (knee). Doubt – Grealish (leg).
Southampton injury news: Out – Fraser (ban), Smallbone (hamstring), Stewart (muscle), Bazunu (achilles). Doubt – Sugawara (knock).
Mail Sport prediction: Man City win.
5.30pm: EVERTON v FULHAM
Goodison Park. Referee: John Brookes.
TV/radio: Sky Sports Main Event and BBC 5 Live.
Our expert’s verdict: Everton had four losses to start the season followed by four undefeated matches — and this represents a chance for Sean Dyche’s men to make that five. Jarrad Branthwaite, Everton’s most important player in my opinion, is fit which is a huge boost. Fulham, meanwhile, have lost their last two games — against Manchester City and Aston Villa to be fair — but I like Marco Silva’s side a lot. LEWIS STEELE
Players to watch: Everton – Iliman Ndiaye. A mesmerising player about whom the kids might say ’the streets won’t forget’ due to his unorthodox style. Fulham – Raul Jimenez. It is pleasing to see the Mexican reaching perhaps his best level since the head injury with four goals and an assist in his last five games.
Key stat: Dwight McNeil has been involved in six goals in his last six league games – three goals and three assists.
Everton injury news: Out – Broja (calf), Iroegbunam (foot), Garner (back), Chermiti (foot). Doubt – None.
Fulham injury news: Out – Andersen (ban), Lukic (shoulder), Castagne (hamstring). Doubt – Vinicius (calf).
Mail Sport prediction: Draw.
SUNDAY
2pm: CHELSEA v NEWCASTLE
Stamford Bridge. Referee: Simon Hooper.
TV/radio: Sky Sports Main Event and BBC 5 Sports Extra.
Our expert’s view: After losing to Liverpool, Chelsea could do with reaffirming their upward trajectory under Enzo Maresca by winning here. Fit again Romeo Lavia could start in midfield next to Moises Caicedo, which would give the hosts some bite. Lavia has the makings of a world-class midfielder – you need that to keep £105million Enzo Fernandez out of the team. KIERAN GILL
Players to watch: Chelsea – Cole Palmer. He was strangely subdued at Liverpool but rarely goes two games without doing something special. Newcastle – Lewis Hall. He’s returning to the club who sold him in the summer and will need to tie down Noni Madueke.
Key stat: Cole Palmer has 18 Chelsea goals and five assists in his last 14 league games at home.
Chelsea injury news: None.
Newcastle injury news: Out – Lascelles (knee), Botman (knee), Wilson (back), Trippier (thigh). Doubt – Dubravka (knee).
Mail Sport prediction: Chelsea win.
2pm: CRYSTAL PALACE v TOTTENHAM
Selhurst Park. Referee: Darren Bond.
TV/radio: Highlights on Match of the Day 2, BBC One 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: The last time I was at Selhurst Park I saw Crystal Palace tear apart Manchester United. They won 4-0, Erik ten Hag looked at the end of his tether and Palace seemed to be going places under Oliver Glasner. I’m intrigued to take another look and see what’s changed because Glasner goes into this one desperate for a win, having lost Olise, Andersen & with Wharton playing through an injury. Incredible how the balance can tilt. MATT BARLOW
Players to watch: Crystal Palace – Eberechi Eze. The undisputed creator in chief for Palace will find opportunities against Spurs who always give opponents a glimpse of hope by the way they play. Can he take it?
Tottenham – Mikey Moore. Spurs fans are rightly excited about the 17-year-old and If he gets the nod on the left in the absence of Son, as Ange Postecoglou suggested on Friday, this will be another chance to continue his very promising start.
Key stat: Palace won five of their first seven home league games under Glasner – since then they’ve not won in four and failed to score in three of them.
Crystal Palace injury news: Out – Franca (groin), Richards (thigh). Doubt – Doucoure (ankle)
Tottenham injury news: Out – Spence (groin). Doubt – Son (knock), Bergvall (cramp).
Mail Sport prediction: Tottenham win.
2pm: WEST HAM UNITED v MANCHESTER UNITED
London Stadium. Referee: David Coote.
TV/radio: BBC 5 Sports Extra and highlights on Match of the Day 2, 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: Julen Lopetegui and Erik Ten Hag are both under pressure but the latter seems to have steadied the ship in recent weeks, with Manchester United unbeaten in four games – albeit with only one win. Lopetegui could desperately do with a result after last weekend’s thrashing by Tottenham but his West Ham team leak goals and have kept just one clean sheet all season. With no Mohammed Kudus, the Hammers will be relying on Jarrod Bowen to produce some magic at the other end. KATHRYN BATTE
Players to watch: West Ham – Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Facing his former club for the first time since his summer move. Will have to try and keep Garnacho quiet but will be determined to impress.
Manchester United – Rasmus Hojlund. Will fancy his chances against this West Ham defence after scoring his first goal of the season against Brentford last weekend.
Key stat: Manchester United have lost four of their eight Premier League meetings with West Ham at the London Stadium.
West Ham injury news: Out – Kudus (ban), Fullkrug (calf).
Man Utd injury news: Out – Antony (foot), Mainoo (thigh), Yoro (foot), Maguire (calf), Shaw (shin), Mount (undisc). Doubt – Evans (knock).
Mail Sport prediction: Draw.
4.30pm: ARSENAL v LIVERPOOL
Emirates Stadium. Referee: Anthony Taylor.
TV/radio: Sky Sports Main Event and BBC 5 Live.
Our expert’s view: I’m looking forward to seeing how Arsenal will defensively cope with Liverpool without William Saliba. The Frenchman is absolutely crucial to the Gunners — he didn’t miss a league match last season — so how they adapt against a side who are, so far, well in the title race is fascinating. ISAAN KHAN
Players to watch: Arsenal — Thomas Partey. He is likely to be slotted in at right back and whether the visitors try and target that side with pace is worth monitoring. Liverpool – Darwin Nunez. The forward has struggled previously but scored against RB Leipzig in midweek. This is a big opportunity for him in a crunch match.
Key stat: Liverpool’s three goals conceded in their opening eight matches gives them the tightest defence in the league.
Arsenal injury news: Out – Odegaard (ankle), Saliba ban), Timber (muscle), Tomiyasu (knee), Tierney (thigh). Doubt – Saka (hamstring), Calafiori (knee).
Liverpool injury news: Out – Alisson (thigh), Elliott (foot), Chiesa (undisc), Jota (chest). Doubt – Bradley (knock).
Mail Sport prediction: Liverpool win.
