1. Bournemouth’s strong start to the league, unbeaten since their opening match at Anfield, has been slowed by back-to-back draws against Newcastle and Leeds. They now face Fulham at home on Friday, giving Andoni Iraola’s team a good opportunity to return to winning ways and climb to second in the standings. After a chaotic summer, Iraola has focused on consistency in his lineup. When trailing 2-1 at Leeds, he made three substitutions, bringing in regular starters David Brooks, Alex Scott, and Marcus Tavernier, which paid off with a late equalizer. Defensively, Bournemouth have been solid, conceding only one goal in four matches between their trips to Liverpool and Leeds. Marcos Senesi has been crucial to this stability, often playing in a largely new back five. Iraola praised the center-back for his defensive contributions and threat on attacking set-pieces, highlighted by his headed assist for Eli Junior Kroupi’s leveler at Elland Road. Niall McVeigh
Bournemouth v Fulham, Friday 8pm (all times BST)
2. For Leeds to survive and possibly excel this season, they must continue to be effective from set-pieces. Three of their six league goals since promotion have come from dead-ball situations, and they’ll hope for more—or at least one—against Tottenham at Elland Road on Saturday. Daniel Farke has assigned Sean Longstaff as the main corner taker, and the former Newcastle midfielder has shown both skill and consistency in this role. This change has freed up fellow midfielder Anton Stach to attack the penalty area during set-plays, using his height to challenge for the ball. Longstaff also has a history of making late runs into the box, reminiscent of Frank Lampard, and scoring from open play. Farke is now looking to revive that instinct in a player who struggled last season at St James’ Park but is showing promising signs of resurgence. Louise Taylor
Leeds v Tottenham, Saturday 12.30pm
3. With a challenging trip to Anfield after the international break, Manchester United’s home match against newly promoted Sunderland should, in theory, be a chance for Ruben Amorim to ease the pressure. Instead, it could prove another tough test against a well-organized Sunderland side that possesses two qualities United currently lack: a clear identity and adaptability. When asked how he integrated so many summer signings into a cohesive team, Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris explained, “The new players bring fresh energy and a different style, but we’re not starting from zero—the club’s identity is already established.” While Amorim remains rigid in his approach, Le Bris has demonstrated flexibility, notably switching to a more defensive strategy after five straight losses last season, which laid the groundwork for their Premier League success. Amorim, meanwhile, has made little progress with United, and a loss to Sunderland this weekend could push him closer to the exit. NMc
Manchester United v Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
Ruben Amorim is under intense pressure ahead of another difficult fixture for his struggling team. Photograph: Javier García/Shutterstock
4. After breaking their winless streaks away at Newcastle and at home to Olympiakos in recent games, Arsenal now have the opportunity to put behind them two consecutive defeats by West Ham at the Emirates Stadium. Both losses hurt their Premier League title ambitions, with the 1-0 defeat in February being one of the few times Graham Potter had something to…Nuno Espírito Santo began his challenging time at West Ham with a promising draw against Everton in his first match, which should help him settle in. The former Nottingham Forest manager will aim to build on that result on Saturday, as he hasn’t beaten Arsenal since his days with Wolves in 2021.
Arsenal v West Ham, Saturday 3pm
Enzo Maresca might consider using Roméo Lavia against Liverpool. Lavia impressed in Chelsea’s win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in May, bringing elegance on the ball and skill in beating the press. While he enhances Maresca’s system, his fitness is a concern after an injury in June and only recently returning. Ideally, Maresca would ease him back, but with Andrey Santos and Dário Essugo out, Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo are under pressure in midfield. Rotation options are limited, and both Caicedo and Fernández are playing through minor issues. Lavia is likely not ready to start, having only made one brief substitute appearance this season, but he could be a useful bench option.
Chelsea v Liverpool, Saturday 5.30pm
David Moyes is frustrated with his out-of-form strikers, acknowledging the team is still rebuilding after Beto and Thierno Barry’s struggles. Their poor performance in a recent draw didn’t help his mood. Similar to his first stint at Everton, West Ham has a solid unit but lacks a top striker to make a difference. Creativity isn’t an issue with players like Jack Grealish, Iliman Ndiaye, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, but Beto has only shown flashes of form, and his body language has been concerning. Barry, a £27m signing, has yet to score and was seen as a future prospect. In-form Crystal Palace, unbeaten in 19 matches, could exploit this weakness.
Everton v Crystal Palace, Sunday 2pm
Thierno Barry has had a slow start on Merseyside.
Is it too early for a relegation battle? Can these teams handle both domestic and European games? Is Ange Postecoglou responding to critics correctly? Will Chris Wood score against his former club, or will Eddie Howe’s new signing, Nick Woltemade, outshine him? Could Anthony Elanga, Newcastle’s £55m acquisition from Forest, finally shine on the right wing? Many questions remain unanswered.The upcoming matches and their outcomes will decide if managers Howe or Postecoglou face “crisis” headlines. Both are in urgent need of a win to turn things around, much like their teams.
Newcastle v Nottingham Forest, Sunday 2pm
Wolves’ new signings must prove their value. Fans made their dissatisfaction clear during the recent loss to Leeds, but manager Vítor Pereira has reasons for optimism. A narrow miss for three points at Tottenham and a Carabao Cup victory over Everton have helped ease tensions. Pereira praises his team’s spirit and his traditional methods, like team bonding at the pub, which are keeping morale high. However, with a relegation battle on the horizon, it’s uncertain if the summer signings will justify their cost.
Wolves v Brighton, Sunday 2pm
Unai Emery has Aston Villa on the right track. Taking over from Steven Gerrard was a smoother transition than his previous role at Arsenal. Emery’s commitment to not wasting time has been evident, and Villa’s progress is thanks to his tactical acumen and motivational skills. Despite a slow start this season, they remained unbeaten in five September matches, ending with victories over Bologna and Fulham. A recent win at Feyenoord suggests Emery’s steady approach will guide Villa through tough times.
Aston Villa v Burnley, Sunday 2pm
Aston Villa have shown tentative signs of improvement after a challenging start to the season.
Phil Foden could help share the scoring load with Erling Haaland. While Haaland has been prolific, Manchester City’s second-highest league scorer is an unfortunate Burnley defender with two own goals. Haaland expressed frustration after defensive errors cost them in Monaco, and Brentford’s strength in set-pieces will test City’s vulnerabilities. Foden has a strong record at the Gtech Stadium, and if he continues his good form, City could become even more dominant.
Brentford v Manchester City, Sunday 4.30pm
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|—–|—————-|—-|—-|—–|
| 1 | Liverpool | 6 | 5 | 15 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 6 | 9 | 13 |
| 3 | Crystal Palace | 6 | 5 | || Position | Team | Played | Goal Difference | Points |
|———-|—————–|——–|—————–|——–|
| 4 | Tottenham Hotspur | 6 | 7 | 11 |
| 5 | Sunderland | 6 | 3 | 11 |
| 6 | AFC Bournemouth | 6 | 1 | 11 |
| 7 | Man City | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| 8 | Chelsea | 6 | 3 | 8 |
| 9 | Everton | 6 | 1 | 8 |
| 10 | Brighton | 6 | 0 | 8 |
| 11 | Fulham | 6 | -1 | 8 |
| 12 | Leeds | 6 | -3 | 8 |
| 13 | Brentford | 6 | -2 | 7 |
| 14 | Man Utd | 6 | -4 | 7 |
| 15 | Newcastle | 6 | -1 | 6 |
| 16 | Aston Villa | 6 | -2 | 6 |
| 17 | Nottm Forest | 6 | -5 | 5 |
| 18 | Burnley | 6 | -7 | 4 |
| 19 | West Ham | 6 | -8 | 4 |
| 20 | Wolverhampton | 6 | -9 | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the key things to watch in the Premier League this weekend with clear and concise answers
General Beginner Questions
1 What are the biggest Premier League matches this weekend
The biggest matches are typically the ones involving the top teams or major rivalries This weekend the mostwatched game will likely be as it could decide the title race
2 What does title race mean
The title race refers to the competition between the top few teams to finish the season in first place and become the champions of the Premier League
3 What is a relegation battle
This is the fight at the bottom of the league table The three teams that finish in the last three places get demoted to the league below so every point is crucial for their survival
4 Why is a players form so important
A players form describes how well they are currently performing A striker in good form is scoring lots of goals which can singlehandedly win games for their team
5 What should I as a new fan pay the most attention to
Focus on the teams at the very top and very bottom of the table Their matches have the highest stakes and are often the most exciting and dramatic
Advanced Strategic Questions
6 How can a single players return from injury change a game
The return of a key player like a star striker or a dominant midfielder can completely transform a teams attack or defense providing a major psychological and tactical boost
7 What is a tactical matchup and why does it matter
This is the strategic battle between the two managers For example one manager might set up their team to press high and disrupt the other teams passing game The manager who wins this battle often wins the match
8 Why are midtable teams with nothing to play for still dangerous
These teams are often relaxed and play with freedom without the pressure of relegation or European qualification This can make them unpredictable and very difficult to beat for teams that are under intense pressure
9 How much impact can a home crowd really have
A massive impact Playing at home in front of passionate fans provides a significant advantage known as
