Matchday 4: Crunch Game For Arsenal, Tough Test For Liverpool & More

After the season’s first international break, the Premier League returns on Saturday with a mouthwatering lunchtime kick-off between London rivals Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur.

An exciting weekend full of Premier League matches await, which includes Leicester City hosting champions Manchester City and Leeds United clashing with Liverpool at Elland Road.

Let’s take a look at 5 things to look forward to in the Premier League Matchday 4

1. Cristiano Ronaldo’s homecoming

It looked like Manchester United fans would have to be content with three new faces until things changed in a jiffy in the last few days of the summer transfer window. Amidst being linked to a shock switch to Manchester City, Cristiano Ronaldo made a dramatic return to Old Trafford from Juventus on the transfer deadline day.

The Portuguese international, 36, has already taken part in his first training session back with the Red Devils and is in contention to make his second debut for the club where he became a global superstar and won three Premier League titles and the coveted Champions League while netting 118 goals.

Manchester United are up against Newcastle United at Old Trafford and the game is likely to mark the return of the prodigal son, Cristiano Ronaldo. Undoubtedly, the game at Old Trafford on September 11 is going to be the hottest ticket in the town.

2. Tottenham’s chance to continue their juggernaut

Tottenham went into the international break with a 100 per cent start to the new season, beating the likes of Manchester City, Wolves and Watford with a 1-0 margin each.

Nuno Espirito Santo couldn’t have asked for a better start from his boys and will want to keep the momentum going. Next up for Spurs in the Matchday 4 is a London derby against Crystal Palace, who have two points in three games.

A win at Selhurst Park will see Spurs retain their spot at the top of the table, continuing their juggernaut as a result.

3. Arsenal to finally break their duck?

Rock bottom without a single point or even a goal clearly suggest Arsenal are in a state of crisis. Mikel Arteta’s job is on the line and he’ll be desperate to get a response from his boys against Norwich City on Saturday.

Newbies Norwich City are also without a point after their first three games, so they’ll be up for the fight at the Emirates Stadium. Therefore, Arsenal cannot underestimate Daniel Farke’s side and must do what it takes to break their duck in the new Premier League campaign.

4. Can Leicester City stun Man City at the King Power Stadium?

Leicester City welcome Manchester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday hoping to spring a surprise.

A Jamie Vardy-inspired Foxes stunned Pep Guardiola’s City 5-2 at the Etihad Stadium last September, with the former England international bagging a memorable hat-trick. The onus will be on Vardy to lead the charge against the same opposition, this time at home, after netting in the 2-1 victory over Norwich City before the international break.

However, with Manchester City finding their rhythm back by scoring 10 goals in the last two games, it’ll take a big effort from Leicester to stun the champions, but there’s always a chance.

Especially as things stand on Saturday evening, it is still not known whether City will be able to call upon Ederson and Gabriel Jesus. This certainly hands the Foxes an advantage.

5. Liverpool face a tough away trip to Leeds United

In the first three games of the season, Liverpool have given plenty of optimism to their fans by getting back their mojo to destroy teams. Although they couldn’t beat a strong, resilient 10-man Chelsea side at Anfield before the international break, Klopp would have been happy with a few things he saw on that day.

Next up for the Reds in Matchday 4 is a tricky trip to Leeds United on Saturday evening in what is expected to be a tantalizing battle between two of the division’s most exciting sides. The Whites have a distinctive style of play under Marcelo Bielsa and gave a good account of themselves against Everton in their last game.

Liverpool will be barred from calling upon either Fabinho or Alisson Becker on Saturday after the Brazilian FA asked FIFA to impose a five-day ban on several Brazilian players for failing to report for international duty and with Roberto Firmino nursing a hamstring injury, Jurgen Klopp’s side will have their work cut out at Elland Road.