It goes without saying that this weekend’s biggest English Premier League fixture is the Manchester derby. Both teams come into the fixture with 100% records and are hitting on all cylinders under new managers.
However, the Manchester derby isn’t the only big fixture this weekend in the English Premier League. Liverpool host their first match of the season against defending Premier League champions Leicester. Arsenal will host Southampton at the Emirates, hoping to get their season into gear.
Manchester United vs. Manchester City
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will travel across town to Old Trafford for the early match of the weekend. Guardiola’s side sit top of the Premier League thanks to goal difference, but the Blues have Manchester United breathing down their necks.
City will be without top scorer Sergio Aguero, who will miss the next three matches thanks to his elbow on Winston Reid. The Blues’ will be very reliant on wingers Nolito and Raheem Sterling, both have two goals this season.
United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic sits level on three Premier League goals with Aguero, however, the big Swede will play unlike his City rival. Mourinho’s side seem to have the swagger back they have missed since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. Both Mourinho and Ibrahimovic will have a lot of motivation thanks to their distaste for Guardiola, and coupled with the loss of Aguero, United may very well take the first derby of the season.
Liverpool vs. Leicester
Liverpool will debut the newly renovated Anfield in Saturday’s late game against defending champions Leicester. Both teams are level on four points. However, Liverpool have looked the livelier of the two sides so far this term, and arguably should have won last time out against Spurs. Leicester’s newest signing Islam Slimani should start on the bench for the Foxes, but expect him make his debut in the second half. Leicester should have Kasper Schmeichel back after his hernia operation.
Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp’s men should start out in a 4-3-3 formation and Daniel Sturridge should get the start for Liverpool.
Arsenal vs. Southampton
Southampton have played very well against Arsenal in their last three fixtures. The Saints have kept three clean sheets in all competitions against the Gunners. Perhaps adding a Southampton defender to your Fantasy Premier League team would be wise. However, Southampton have a new manager in Claude Puel and Southampton have given up four goals in three games. The Saints haven’t won yet this term either.
The Gunners could see the debuts of Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez, although both only began training with Arsene Wenger’s team on Wednesday.
Stoke City vs. Tottenham
Stoke City are in desperate need of kick starting their season. One point from nine, Stoke currently prop up the English Premier League table. Spurs will be a challenge for Mark Hughes’ side as Spurs are yet to lose this term. Harry Kane hasn’t got off the mark yet, and has looked quite fatigued this season. But Stoke’s defence hasn’t been great, giving up six goals in three matches already. Kane could have his way with Stoke’s porous defence this weekend.
Swansea vs. Chelsea
Chelsea travel to Swansea in Sunday’s Premier League fixture. The Blues are yet to lose this season, but haven’t played well in their last two fixtures against the Swans. The Welsh side took four points from six against Chelsea a season ago, although Chelsea dominated the clubs’ previous four match-ups. Eden Hazard is back in form for the Blues under Antonio Conte, and should have plenty of space to run into on Sunday. Swansea have dropped two straight in the Premier League and have scored once while giving up four.
Other gameweek 4 fixtures:
Middlesbrough vs. Crystal Palace
Bournemouth vs. West Brom Albion
Burnley vs. Hull City
West Ham vs. Watford
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