The English Premier League is making its return this weekend after the International break that saw most of the players involved in the FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifiers. It is game week 4 and now the games can get rolling with the transfer window closed.
Going into the international break, it was all about trophy scared Tottenham Hotspurs who were leading the table after collecting 3 wins from 3 games. London rivals, West Ham United second and the over stacked Manchester United in 3rd position while European champions Chelsea rounded off the top four positions.
In not very surprising outcomes, embattled Arsenal found themselves in very unfamiliar places with the Gunners record their worst start to the season in over 70 years. This is the worst time that the Gunners start the season with zero goals, zero wins and zero draws in their opening 3 games of the season.
5 Chosen Games To Look Out For In This Weekend’s English Premier League
1. Arsenal vs Norwich City
Arsenal for the first time in over 70 years walks into the 4th game of the season with fans having zero motivation or hope in their team picking up points against a relegated embattled side (well, in all fairness, they too are relegation embattled). 19th placed Norwich city, have scored just 1 goal and have conceded 10. That is one goal better than their hosts for the weekend.
Having put 6 past West Bromwich Albion’s second 11 in the Carabao cup, the fans felt that their team had made a return and getting back to the Premier League, it was business as usual as they received a 5-0 mauling from defending Champions Manchester City.
The Gunners are 20th on the table with the worst record this season with the club facing prospects of relegation if things don’t change with the way the team is being managed. For Mikel Arteta, the game offers an opportunity for him to showcase the progress that he has constantly spoken about through the summer transfer window.
The worrying bit for Arsenal is that in 3 matches, the club has only had 29 shots at goal and a miserable 7 shots on target and only 1 big chance. This by all means is the worst record for the team.
Norwich City has a slight edge on the Gunners given that they have had 29 shots at goal, 7 on target and 2 big chances created. They only best Arsenal having scored 1 goal.
The game pits two of the worst teams in the league with both looking for redemption. The one that will want the three points more will collect them. The chances of a draw in this game are minimal but it’s hard to tell who will have a bright day at the Emirates stadium.
2. Manchester United vs Newcastle United
Call this return of the prodigal son debut as Cristiano Ronaldo will make his second debut for the Red Devils at Old Trafford in front of a full to capacity Manchester United fanbase.
The Portuguese international made a sensational return to Old Trafford after receiving a call from The Boss, Sir Alex Ferguson as media was ripe with rumours that Cristiano would be signing for their rivals Manchester City.
Manchester United will be looking to pick up all 3 points against Newcastle United and many have pitted Ronaldo to score on his debut and why not, this seems to be written in the stars. As all eyes will be on the club most loved son, Pogba, Bruno Fernandez and high flying Mason Greenwood will look to continue with their impressive run in the league so far and chase down Tottenham Hotspurs.
If there ever was a time that Man United was viewed as title contenders in the recent past, this is the best time yet with the signing of four-time UEFA Champions League winner Rafael Varane, five-time UCL winner Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho all adding to an already electrifying squad assembled by Ole Gunnar Solsjaer. Questions have been asked about the midfield pairing of Scot McTominay and Fred.
3. Leicester City vs Manchester City
7th placed defending Champions Manchester City will travel to Leicester for a repeat of the FA Community Shield seasoning fixture where Brendan Rogers’ side came up victors. Both teams have collected two wins and lost one game.
This game has always provided entertainment as both teams love to attack and create chances. Ahead of the Community shield, James Maddison was thought to be leaving Leicester City but now with the transfer window closed, the player should be fully focused on what is ahead of the team.
For Pep Guardiola, the task to retain the English Premier League is on as the chasing pack has caught up in terms of strength. Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool are all looking like title contenders and thus any slip-ups could be enough to see them drop off the title conversation.
The Spaniard will again look to Kevin De Bryune, Rahim Sterling, Jesus for the goals as they are short on the striker’s options ever since the departure of Sergio Aguero. Jack Grealish will provide options together with Algerian talisman Riyad Mahrez.
4. Leeds United vs Liverpool
The old rivalry returns this weekend when Leeds host 5th placed Liverpool. The two teams have faced off 20 times with the Kops winning 13 times while Marcelo Bielsa’s side has managed just 4 wins and a total of 3 draws between the two teams in the English Premier League.
Leeds who finished 9th in the 2020/2021 season currently sits 15th on the table while Liverpool seems to be continuing with the progress of returning to full strength but will need to overcome a Leeds side that love to attack and can always spring up a surprise win.
Jurgen Klopp has almost all his players available to him this weekend and should be able to take on this Leeds side. Sadio Mane and Mo Salah seem to have rediscovered their scoring boots of the 2019/2020 season and will be looked at for the goals.
5. Brentford vs Brighton Albion
Two teams who have made solid starts to the season meet as Brentford host Brighton in an English Premier League clash at the Brentford Community Stadium. A closely fought encounter is predicted here and with both teams often enjoying an open style of play, there are likely to be goals.
Brentford appears to be settling down to life in the Premier League and is yet to taste defeat after three matches. The 2-0 victory over Arsenal on an opening day was a huge confidence boost and they appear to have carried on from there.
Ivan Toney is finally off the mark in the Premier League last time out and manager Thomas Frank will be keen for the striker to go on a lengthy scoring run. However, while Brentford has conceded just once in this season, goalkeeper David Raya has been a busy man between the sticks as they often give away chances to the opposition.
Brighton has been one of the more impressive clubs at the start of the season having seen off Burnley and Watford in their opening two matches. Manager Gary Potter will be keen for improved performance on Saturday after they fell to Everton. Striker Neal Maupay will be looked at for the goals.
What are the other English Premier League Matches this weekend?
- Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspurs
- Watford vs Wolves
- Southampton vs West Ham United
- Chelsea vs Aston Villa
- Everton vs Burnley
Remember that those who predict correctly on the chosen five games will stand a chance to win their respective club merchandise for the season. All you have to do is predict correctly in the comments of the article.
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