It promises to be another big weekend of English Premier League action with everything building up to Manchester City vs. Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. However, it is not all about the EPL’s top two meeting, there is a selection of other games coming up this weekend that is well worth your consideration. Coming into the fifth round of games, the early season standings are still taking shape and there will be other be changes to the initial trends which have emerged but some teams will be trying to make the most of any early campaign momentum to put themselves in the best possible position with City currently the only side to have taken 12 points from the four games played so far.
We look ahead to this weekend’s games to keep an eye on.
West Ham United vs. Chelsea
The Blues have a chance to move into the vicinity of the top two or three when they travel to take on the Hammers in Saturday’s early game. Eighth in the table with two wins and a draw since an opening day defeat to City and things suddenly appear brighter for Enzo Maresca’s side. West Ham ae down in 14th with four points from as many games which is below what was expected of them this year, but Chelsea is an opportunity to put that right and to move level on points with their London rivals. Even at this early stage, a draw does really help either side so expect an entertaining watch as the Premier League’s weekend offering gets underway.
- Date: Saturday, September 21 | Time: 7:30 a.m. ET
- Location: London Stadium – London, England
- Watch: USA Network | Stream: Fubo (try for free)
Liverpool vs. Bournemouth
Later on Saturday, two of the EPL’s American-owned clubs meet when the Reds host the Cherries at Anfield. Arne Slot’s men bounced back from an unexpected home loss to Nottingham Forest by winning away at Milan in midweek, despite falling behind to Christian Pulisic’s opening goal. Now it is up to Liverpool to put a bit of pressure on City and Arsenal ahead of Sunday given that a win could take them level with City on 12 points which would be ideal in the event of a draw at Etihad Stadium. With Bournemouth midtable with five points from four games, there is potential for this one to be tricky for the hosts although they are expected to get back to EPL winning ways.
- Date: Saturday, September 21 | Time: 10 a.m. ET
- Location: Anfield – Liverpool, England
- Watch: USA Network | Stream: Fubo (try for free)
Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United
Saturday’s later game sees Oliver Glasner’s struggling side welcome an equally underwhelming Erik ten Hag outfit to Selhurst Park. Palace have two points from four games and need a turnaround in form while United have won two of their four games but lost the other two so are in need of consistency. The Red Devils will fancy themselves for this one but the Eagles have not been as bad as their results perhaps suggest. There is definitely potential for the pressure to increase on Ten Hag so this game could be one to earmark as a potential upset result.
- Date: Saturday, September 21 | Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Selhurst Park – London, England
- Watch: NBC | Stream: Fubo (try for free)
Brighton and Hove Albion vs. Nottingham Forest
Moving on to Sunday’s games and early season high-flyers Brighton and Hove Albion will be visited by Forest who won at Liverpool last time out. Fabian Hurzeler’s men are in sixth and unbeaten so far with two wins and two draws and that form helped the German to win the August manager of the month award which made him the youngest tactician to ever receive the prize. The Seagulls will hope to continue their strong early run of results and get back into the European places which is where they will hope to finish this term.
- Date: Sunday, September 22 | Time: 9 a.m. ET
- Location: American Express Stadium – Brighton, England
- Watch: USA Network | Stream: Fubo (try for free)
Manchester City vs. Arsenaló
There are no prizes for guessing that this one is the game of the weekend in the Premier League and arguably in all of Europe despite Serie A boasting the Milan Derby on Sunday evening. The Gunners can inflict some damage on the vulnerable defending champions who struggled in attack against Inter in midweek and Mikel Arteta’s men have already shown with their North London Derby win over Tottenham Hotspur that they can deal with key absentees such as captain Martin Odegaard. With City currently two points clear of Arsenal at the summit, this has the potential to significantly impact one or both of their title aspirations even this early in the campaign.
- Date: Sunday, September 22 | Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
- Location: Etihad Stadium – Manchester, England
- Watch: USA Network | Stream: Fubo (try for free)
