Premier League fans rued the fact that the international break disrupted the English top-flight as it was picking up steam with a cluster of eye-grabbing results. The international matches could worry some clubs, as players have travelled far and wide, and played tough games in a close period of time. This could cause fatigue and lead to more open games in the Premier League in the upcoming Matchweek.
Let’s take a look at 5 things to look forward to in Matchweek 5 of the Premier League
Merseyside Derby
The big game of this coming weekend in the Premier League will be the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton, which will be the early kick-off on Saturday. Defending champions Liverpool were battered by Aston Villa and suffered an embarrassing defeat, while Everton are the only side to win all four games of the season so far.
The weekend’s game is perhaps Toffees manager Carlo Ancelotti’s biggest test of this season, and the performance and result will show if these good performances have been a flash in the pan or a true indication of how good this Everton side is. Everton haven’t defeated their neighbours in a decade, with their last win against Liverpool coming in 2010 at Goodison Park.
Mikel Arteta’s big test
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side have got off to a good start as well, winning three of their four games so far. Their only defeat came at the hands of Liverpool last month. Arteta faces off against his old mentor Pep Guardiola this weekend when Arsenal face Manchester City at the Etihad.
City are still struggling defensively which could be something that the Gunners could exploit. Arteta has already got one over Guardiola earlier this year when his side convincingly defeated City in the FA Cup semi-final and might actually enter the game as slight favourites given City’s mounting injury issues.
Can Manchester United bounce back?
Manchester United will need to turn things around and do so quickly. They face Newcastle United on Saturday, who defeated them last year at St. James’ Park. United’s defence has been all over the place, and it wouldn’t have been helped by another poor performance by Harry Maguire in an England shirt.
With a run of tough fixtures in the Premier League and Champions League set to follow, the Red Devils will have to get a win against the Magpies, who have lost just one of their four Premier League games this season.
The Battle of the winless four
West Bromwich Albion, Fulham, Burnley and Sheffield United are the only four sides to not register a win in the Premier League so far this season, and in an interesting coincidence, the teams face each other this weekend. West Brom host Burnley, while Fulham travel to Sheffield United, and all four will hope to get their first wins of the campaign.
This is an early-season relegation six-pointer that could actually prove to be decisive at the end of the season.
Leicester City and Aston Villa’s opportunity to go to the top
Aston Villa have been the biggest surprise package this season, as they have won all three of the games they have played, and are one of two sides still undefeated in the league this season. The Villans put on a clinical performance against Liverpool, and they will need to show the same tenacity and energy when they face Leicester City on Sunday.
A win for either side and a loss for Everton could see the winners go to the top of the table if other results go in their favour. This clash between Leicester and Villa will be an exciting one, between two teams that are great to watch going forward.
