Premier League Preview: a look at 6 BIG weekend matches
The Premier League season is starting to take shape. We’ve picked out 6 games for you to take a closer look at this coming weekend, including a tricky trip to Tyneside for Liverpool.
Saturday 26th August
Ghanaian star Antoine Semenyo scored early at Anfield last time out, but the Cherries ultimately succumbed 3-1 to Liverpool. New signing Tyler Adams is a doubt with a hamstring injury, while Burkinabé winger Dango Ouattara is out until at least October.
The Ange Postecoglou era is underway at Tottenham after they claimed an impressive win over Man Utd last time out, their first success against the Red Devils in the league since October 2020. Senegalese star Pape Matar Sarr scored his first goal for the club and should retain his place alongside Mali’s Yves Bissouma in an impressive all-African midfield pairing.
Spurs have now scored in 14 EPL games running, with 12 matches in that sequence featuring goals at both ends, including their last 7 on the road.
Did you know? The last 2 Premier League H2Hs between these sides were won 3-2 by the away side
The Gunners won 10 of their 12 Premier League London Derby clashes last season, drawing the other 2. They’ve won their first capital clash of this season too, narrowly beating Crystal Palace despite being down to 10 men for the final quarter of the match. Martin Ødegaard’s penalty was his 10th away goal in the league since the start of last season.
By contrast, Fulham lost to Brentford last time out in their own capital clash. American centre-back Tim Ream is suspended for the visit to Arsenal after his dismissal against the Bees, while Arsenal will likely recall Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back with Jurrien Timber out injured and Takehiro Tomiyasu suspended after 2 yellows inside 7 minutes at Selhurst Park.
If Bukayo Saka plays for the hosts, he’ll make his 83rd consecutive Premier League appearance. Saka scored the decisive goal in Arsenal’s first home game of the campaign against Nottingham Forest.
Did you know? According to SkySportsStatto, The Gunners have more Premier League wins (36) than defeats (34) after being shown a red card
Erik ten Hag’s United narrowly beat Wolves on the opening day, getting away with a late penalty shout for the visitors, and then they lost 2-0 at Tottenham despite producing 22 shots. Only 6 of those were on target though.
United will have to improvise in midfield with news that new signing Mason Mount, who started both of the aforementioned games, has been ruled out until the international break. New boy Rasmus Højlund could potentially make the bench after a back injury.
In Premier League home games under their Dutch manager, United have conceded more than 1 goal on just 2 occasions, failing to win both times.
Did you know? Nottingham Forest picked up 8 points in away Premier League games last season, making them the worst side in the division on their travels in 2022/23
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is a hot topic in world football right now, and no wonder, with his team playing some of the most attractive football in Europe. Solly March, surely one of the most underrated players in England, has 10 goals and 5 assists in his last 19 Premier League starts for the Seagulls (as per Opta Analyst).
West Ham’s impressive 3-1 win against Chelsea last time out was achieved with 10 men after Nayef Aguerd’s 67th-minute dismissal. The Moroccan, who also scored the opener in that match, won’t be available here.
New signing James Ward-Prowse assisted 2 of the Hammers’ goals against Chelsea. The former Southampton skipper has created 25 Premier League goals from set-pieces, meaning he’s now just 8 behind all-time leader Chris Brunt in that metric (via Opta Analyst).
Did you know? Brighton’s 8 goals this season have been scored by 6 different players, representing 4 continents
Sunday 27th August
Phil Foden is still only 23 years old but has already racked up 131 appearances in the Premier League. He starred for the champions in their narrow 1-0 win over Newcastle last time out, supplying the assist for Julián Álvarez’s goal.
Life back in the BIG time for Sheffield United has been tough with defeats against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest. A clash with last season’s treble winners is a daunting challenge but not the type of fixture where manager Paul Heckingbottom will be under pressure to claim points.
Did you know? Phil Foden created 7 chances from open play against Newcastle, his most in a Premier League match (via Opta Analyst)
Alexis Mac Allister was sent off for Liverpool in their 3-1 win over Bournemouth but the Argentine’s ban has been overturned following a successful appeal. He should take part in an intriguing midfield battle, alongside new teammate Dominik Szoboszlai, against the formidable trio of Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Bruno Guimarães.
Jürgen Klopp’s Reds will need to be at their very best against an excellent, energetic team under Eddie Howe, as they were when doing the double over the Magpies last season despite finishing below them
Did you know? Liverpool were 1 of just 2 visiting sides (along with Arsenal) to leave St James’ Park with all 3 points last season
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