The Premier League returns after the international break with some exciting matches. Southampton will play Manchester United in the early kickoff, followed by Brighton against Ipswich. Later, Liverpool, managed by Arne Slot, will take on Nottingham Forest, and Manchester City will host Brentford at the Etihad Stadium. On Sunday, the North London Derby will see Tottenham face Arsenal, and Newcastle will wrap up the weekend by visiting Wolves.
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Southampton vs Manchester United
Southampton recently suffered three consecutive losses: 1-0 defeats to Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, followed by a 3-1 loss to Brentford, where Bryan Mbeumo scored twice and Yoane Wissa added another before Yukinari Sugawara scored a late consolation for Southampton. Manager Russell Martin, who guided the team to promotion last season, is now under pressure to improve results by the end of September. The team is still missing key players like goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu (Achilles) and Kamaldeen Sulemana (ankle), while Ben Brereton Diaz is fit to start up front after being subbed off tactically in Chile’s recent World Cup qualifier. Ross Stewart is back in training but still needs match fitness, and manager Martin may rotate the midfield with new signings Mateus Fernandes and Adam Lallana. For Manchester United, Erik ten Hag confirmed that Rasmus Hojlund, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Victor Lindelof, and Mason Mount remain injured, but Manuel Ugarte is fit to make his debut, potentially replacing Casemiro after a tough game against Liverpool. Bruno Fernandes is also available after a minor knock in Portugal’s Nations League match.
Brighton vs Ipswich
Brighton kicked off their season with wins over Everton and Manchester United, followed by a 4-0 EFL Cup win against Crawley Town, but their perfect run ended in a 1-1 draw with Arsenal, where Joao Pedro equalized after Kai Havertz’s opener, with Arsenal’s Declan Rice controversially sent off. Brighton’s James Milner is sidelined with a hamstring injury, Matt O’Riley is recovering from ankle surgery, and Solly March may only make the bench, while Mats Wieffer, Ferdi Kadioglu, and Brajan Gruda are doubts. Joao Pedro and Julio Enciso, back from international duty, will be assessed for fitness. Meanwhile, Ipswich received good news with Omari Hutchinson returning to training after a hamstring injury, and Wes Burns, Nathan Broadhead, George Hirst, and Harry Clarke also rejoining the squad. Deadline-day signing Jack Clarke could make his full debut, while Sammie Szmodics, Chiedozie Ogbene, and Delap are hoping to keep their starting spots.
Crystal Palace vs Leicester City
Despite losing Michael Olise to Bayern Munich, Crystal Palace kept Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi, while Jean-Philippe Mateta shined at the Olympics and Adam Wharton impressed in midfield. However, Palace have struggled this season, suffering losses to Brentford and West Ham before a 4-0 EFL Cup win over Norwich lifted spirits. They then earned a point with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea, with Eze equalizing after Nicolas Jackson’s opener. This weekend, new signings Matt Turner, Maxence Lacroix, Trevoh Chalobah, and Eddie Nketiah could debut, although Chadi Riad is injured and Rob Holding is out after a dispute with manager Oliver Glasner. Wharton, dealing with minor injuries, should still start, but Matheus Franca remains sidelined with a fractured rib. Leicester signed Jordan Ayew permanently and took Odsonne Edouard on loan, though the latter can’t face his parent club. With Patson Daka injured, 37-year-old Jamie Vardy leads Leicester’s attack, and Enzo Buonanotte could replace Oliver Skipp in a more attacking midfield lineup.
Fulham vs West Ham
After a 1-0 opening defeat to Manchester United, Fulham bounced back with four points from their next two games, including a 2-1 win over Leicester and a 1-1 draw with Ipswich, where Adama Traore equalized after Liam Delap’s opener. Sitting 13th in the table, Fulham have only won three of their last 12 Premier League matches, but they are injury-free heading into the weekend clash against West Ham. Marco Silva may give Sander Berge his full Premier League debut, and Joachim Andersen could feature at centre-back. Traore is pushing to keep his spot on the right wing. Meanwhile, West Ham’s Niclas Fullkrug is a doubt after a knock on international duty, and Aaron Cresswell remains out with a hamstring injury. Alphonse Areola could return in goal, while new signing Carlos Soler may start on the bench, with Guido Rodriguez, Edson Alvarez, and Lucas Paqueta likely to start in midfield.
Liverpool vs Nott’m Forest
On a day when Mohamed Salah’s brilliance at Old Trafford should have been the main story, the Egyptian forward sparked speculation about his future by hinting that this season could be his last with Liverpool. Salah provided two assists for Luis Diaz and scored his usual goal in a dominant 3-0 win over Manchester United, helping manager Slot achieve a feat Jurgen Klopp managed only once—winning the first three league games of the season. Slot could break a Premier League record by keeping four clean sheets in his first four matches, something no manager has done since 1992. Federico Chiesa may make his Liverpool debut this weekend, while Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister are expected to recover from minor injuries in time. However, Harvey Elliott is sidelined for up to eight weeks with a broken foot. On the Nottingham Forest side, new signings James Ward-Prowse and Morato could feature, though Danilo and Willy Boly remain out with injuries. Striker Chris Wood will be hoping to score his first league goal against Liverpool, having failed to do so in 11 previous attempts.
Manchester City vs Brentford
Manchester City entered the international break on top of the Premier League table, following victories over Chelsea, Ipswich Town, and West Ham United, with Erling Haaland scoring seven goals, including consecutive hat-tricks. City’s 2-0 win against Chelsea, followed by 4-1 and 3-1 triumphs over Ipswich and West Ham, saw Pep Guardiola’s men extend their Premier League record to 12 consecutive wins by two or more goals. As they aim to win their first four games for the ninth time, they are buoyed by a 45-game unbeaten streak at the Etihad Stadium. However, City will be without Oscar Bobb (leg fracture) and Nathan Ake (muscle injury), with Josko Gvardiol likely continuing at left-back. John Stones, Rodri, Phil Foden, and Savinho are all in contention for starts, while Brentford are dealing with injuries to Igor Thiago, Josh Dasilva, Aaron Hickey, Gustavo Nunes, and Mathias Jensen, though Kristoffer Ajer could return after an ankle injury, joining Ethan Pinnock and Nathan Collins in a possible back three.
Aston Villa vs Everton
After an opening-day win over West Ham was followed by a 2-0 home defeat to Arsenal, Aston Villa entered the international break on a high, securing six points from nine with a 2-1 win at Leicester City, thanks to goals from Amadou Onana and super-sub Jhon Duran. Despite only starting three Premier League games, Duran has scored seven times in the league, proving a strong backup for Ollie Watkins. With Villa competing on four fronts this season, including their Champions League debut against Young Boys next week, Unai Emery may rotate his squad, though Jhon Duran could start if Watkins is rested. Villa’s options might be boosted by the returns of Jaden Philogene and Diego Carlos, but Leon Bailey and Matty Cash are sidelined, while Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara are short on fitness. Everton, meanwhile, welcome loan signing Orel Mangala, though Armando Broja remains out, and captain Seamus Coleman is a doubt. Defenders Jarrad Branthwaite and Nathan Patterson are also unlikely to return, while Idrissa Gueye and Tim Iroegbunam may face off against former Everton players Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley.
Bournemouth vs Chelsea
Chelsea’s off-field controversies have overshadowed their on-pitch performances under new manager Enzo Maresca, but with the transfer window closed until January, the focus is now on football. After back-to-back wins over Servette and Wolverhampton, where they scored six goals at Molineux, Chelsea suffered an embarrassing loss to Servette in the Europa Conference League qualifier. A 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, where Eberechi Eze’s stunner canceled out Nicolas Jackson’s goal, left Chelsea in 11th place in the Premier League with a win, a draw, and a loss. Jadon Sancho, on loan from Manchester United, may make his debut this weekend, while Cole Palmer could return from a thigh injury, though Reece James, Malo Gusto, and others remain sidelined. Bournemouth, with Mark Travers set to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal due to loan restrictions, still have Enes Unal and Tyler Adams out, while Philip Billing is doubtful. Luis Sinisterra is likely to start following his standout recent performance.
Tottenham vs Arsenal
Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal are heading into Sunday’s North London Derby with notable absences. Spurs will be missing Manor Solomon (knee), Destiny Udogie (surgery), Fraser Forster (foot), and Ryan Sessegnon (thigh), with Pedro Porro and Richarlison also doubtful. Arsenal, however, only has Jurrien Timber out with a knee injury, though he is nearing a return. In their last 18 encounters since 2016, Arsenal has won six and drawn five, with Arsenal winning three of the last five meetings and Tottenham securing one. Their most recent match, at the Emirates Stadium in September last year, ended in a 2-2 draw.
Wolves vs Newcastle
Newcastle will aim to keep their unbeaten start to the season intact when they face Wolves on Sunday. The hosts have struggled, earning only one point from their first three league games and facing another tough challenge against the Magpies. Newcastle has won three of their last five encounters with Wolves and remains unbeaten in their last five meetings with them. Alexander Isak, who top-scored for Newcastle last season, scored against Wolves and has been in good form, including netting in a 2-1 win over Tottenham before the international break. Newcastle’s defense has been solid, with three clean sheets in their last six games. Meanwhile, Wolves, who drew 1-1 at Nottingham Forest last time out, have injury concerns with Enso Gonzalez Medina, Sasa Kalajdzic, and Boubacar Traore. Newcastle will be missing Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, Lewis Miley, Callum Wilson, and Joseph Willock, but Fabian Schar returns from suspension. Despite these absences, Newcastle is favored to win with a 46.5% probability.
