Do United have reasons to be cheerful?
Manchester United have shown signs of improvement this season. Though the reporting has been of a crisis, had they even a mediocre goalkeeper, they would have lost to neither Arsenal nor Grimsby, and it’s also fair to note that, with three of their first five games coming against Mikel Arteta’s side, Manchester City and Chelsea, they were dealt a difficult start. But Ruben Amorim must now start accumulating victories, with a nasty away trip a decent test. Since Brentford were promoted to the Premier League, United have lost two of four games at the Gtech, were outplayed in the one draw and, even in the game they won, were physically dominated for 45 minutes. However, their summer acquisitions have turned a team of uncommon weakness and slowness into one able to compete in duels, win headers and threaten in behind. That should mean United’s class tells in contests such as this – except no side is better at finding ways to lose matches they should win. Daniel Harris
Brentford v Manchester United, Saturday 12.30pm (all times BST)
Guéhi out to stop Reds after blocked move
The only unbeaten teams left this season meet at Selhurst Park. While Liverpool have a 100% record, Crystal Palace’s form has been notable for their sturdy defence. Oliver Glasner’s side have conceded just two goals in five games, with clean sheets against Chelsea, Aston Villa and Sunderland. Key to this setup is their captain, Marc Guéhi, who came very close to signing for Liverpool on transfer deadline day. The England centre-back was understood to be extremely unhappy after Palace blocked the move despite a £35m fee being agreed. Guéhi will now attempt to thwart the team he thought he was joining and who have scored in each of their last 39 league matches – a club record. Billy Munday
Crystal Palace v Liverpool, Saturday 3pm
Injuries and form give George an opening
Tyrique George scored one of Chelsea’s most important goals last season, reigniting their push for Champions League qualification by bagging the equaliser in their crucial late win at Fulham in April. Yet while Enzo Maresca has often talked up the teenage attacker, George looked set to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer. A move to Fulham was on the cards on deadline day, only for it to collapse at the last minute and give the 19-year-old a second chance of making it at Chelsea. Competition, of course, is fierce. But with Cole Palmer struggling with a groin injury, Liam Delap out for months and Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens adjusting to Maresca’s demands, there could be an opportunity for George from the start when Chelsea host Brighton. It would be a deserved reward for his excellent goal at Lincoln in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. Jacob Steinberg
Chelsea v Brighton, Saturday 3pm
Could Darlow oust Perri as Leeds No 1?
After sacking Jesse Marsch in February 2023 Leeds were desperate to recruit Andoni Iraola but the coach, then at Rayo Vallecano, proved resistant and ended up joining Bournemouth instead. Elland Road regulars now have a chance to witness the tactical choreography they missed out on as Iraola’s high flyers head to West Yorkshire but Daniel Farke will hope to prove that he was not such a shabby choice. After last week’s win at Wolves the Leeds manager’s confidence is high but, with his first-choice goalkeeper, Lucas Perri, still injured, he could do with another strong performance from Karl Darlow. The former Newcastle keeper has played so well in the past two games, against Wolves and Fulham, that Farke may yet have a decision to make once his summer signing from Lyon is fit again. If Darlow’s long kicking seems superior to Perri’s, his shot-stopping and judgment of crosses have also been excellent. Meanwhile Illan Meslier, for so long the first pick, is transfer-listed and third in Farke’s goalkeeping pecking order. Louise Taylor
Leeds v Bournemouth, Saturday 3pm
City have chance to build momentum
Before Liverpool’s visit on 9 November Manchester City’s league fixtures are Burnley (home), Brentford (away), Everton (home), Aston Villa (away) and Bournemouth (home): a chance against modest opposition to accrue points and momentum. City have won 17 out of Pep Guardiola’s 18 previous meetings with Saturday’s opponents, Burnley, and Scott Parker will send his men out with trepidation. Phil Foden is flying with both goals and assists, which means City are heavy favourites to tally their third league win of the season, particularly as they have scored 12 goals to Burnley’s one in their last three meetings. Jamie Jackson
Manchester City v Burnley, Saturday 3pm
Rigg can refresh Sunderland’s threat
Sunderland have made a terrific start to life back in the Premier League, thanks largely to the excellent work of their recruitment team and a whole lot of money. But though they sit seventh in the table, they are struggling to score – a problem that needs resolving if they are to stay up. Régis Le Bris has opted for a midfield three of Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra, but with the last of these sidelined until December, Chris Rigg – a teenage star of Sunderland’s promotion campaign and a local boy to boot, but mainly on the bench for the first four league games – has a chance to establish himself in the top division. Last time out, against Villa, Rigg was sacrificed after Reinildo’s red card, but he can expect to start again at the City Ground, where his subtlety could be crucial against a defence still adjusting to the demands of a new manager. DH
Nottingham Forest v Sunderland, Saturday 5.30pm
Simons needs freedom to thrive
At Brighton, Xavi Simons made a difference to Spurs after coming on to play a free-running, inside-left role. Simons has often been pinpointed as someone to play left-wing, rather than roam into the centre. The word from Dutch football is the former PSV player is no winger and unlikely to be as effective when forced to man the flanks. His finishing at the Amex was not the best, though one shot forced his compatriot Bart Verbruggen into a good save. He did, though, pin back Brighton and reduce their counterattacking threat. James Maddison is likely to miss the entire campaign. Thomas Frank is optimistic Dejan Kulusevski can return “before the end of this year” but is “not putting a month on it”. That hands Simons a chance to claim a free role as his own. Rodrigo Bentancur was initially given that job at Brighton, tucking in as Destiny Udogie overlapped, but he is more comfortable playing deeper. John Brewin
Tottenham v Wolves, Saturday, 8pm
What does Monchi’s exit mean for Emery?
A reshuffle behind the scenes is usually an ominous sign, but Unai Emery remains in a position of strength despite Monchi’s exit as president of football operations. Villa have appointed Roberto Olabe as Monchi’s successor to oversee recruitment and no sweeping changes are anticipated. Olabe, a former Real Sociedad sporting director, like Emery, hails from the Basque Country, and Villa will hope this is the start of a fresh synergy. It was Olabe who appointed Emery as Almería manager almost two decades ago and, two years ago, he was thought to be Villa’s first choice to take on the role Monchi later assumed. Villa have heightened expectations and all parties expect the visit of Fulham to result in a much-needed first league victory of the season, after Thursday’s Europa League win. “Nothing has changed, only the man,” Emery said this week, though how Villa would welcome a different outcome on Sunday. Ben Fisher
Aston Villa v Fulham, Sunday 2pm
Arsenal and Arteta must beware Tonali
Sandro Tonali will almost certainly return to Newcastle’s starting XI against Arsenal after being rested for Wednesday night’s 4-1 Carabao Cup canter against Bradford. Ever since Eddie Howe relocated the Italy midfielder into a slightly deeper role almost a year ago Tonali has frequently proved Newcastle’s outstanding individual. Mikel Arteta regards Joelinton’s physicality and abrasion as a thorn in his team’s side but Tonali is arguably the midfielder most capable of damaging the visitors. The only concern on Tyneside is that, after this season, there will be two years remaining on his contract. It is understood that David Hopkinson, Newcastle’s chief executive, is keen to furnish Tonali with a new deal but that is pending until a new sporting director is appointed. While Ross Wilson remains the favourite to fill that vacancy, extracting him from Nottingham Forest will be far from straightforward. Arteta, meanwhile, will want to atone for painful past defeats by a Newcastle team who are now still adjusting to life without Alexander Isak. LT
Newcastle v Arsenal, Sunday 4.30pm
Moyes could act as Potter’s executioner
The irony will not be lost on West Ham or David Moyes should Everton consign the Hammers to a sixth defeat in seven matches and signal the end of Graham Potter’s uninspiring managerial reign. Many at West Ham were desperate to see the back of the Scot despite him winning the club’s first trophy in 43 years but they could soon be on to their third manager of 2025 with results nosediving under his successors. Potter, meanwhile, was considered a potential replacement for Sean Dyche by Everton’s owners, although never offered the job. Potter has failed to rectify his team’s inability to defend set pieces, with seven goals conceded from corners already this season. If there is any consolation for Potter, Everton have not scored from one this term. Having talked up the importance of the Carabao Cup to Everton after 30 years without a trophy, Moyes duly made seven unnecessary changes for the dismal exit at Wolves in midweek. West Ham managers past and present require a reaction at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Andy Hunter
Everton v West Ham, Monday 8pm
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liverpool | 5 | 6 | 15 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 5 | 8 | 10 |
| 3 | Tottenham Hotspur | 5 | 7 | 10 |
| 4 | AFC Bournemouth | 5 | 1 | 10 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| 6 | Chelsea | 5 | 5 | 8 |
| 7 | Sunderland | 5 | 2 | 8 |
| 8 | Fulham | 5 | 1 | 8 |
| 9 | Man City | 5 | 4 | 7 |
| 10 | Everton | 5 | 1 | 7 |
| 11 | Man Utd | 5 | -2 | 7 |
| 12 | Leeds | 5 | -3 | 7 |
| 13 | Newcastle | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| 14 | Brighton | 5 | -2 | 5 |
| 15 | Nottm Forest | 5 | -4 | 5 |
| 16 | Burnley | 5 | -3 | 4 |
| 17 | Brentford | 5 | -4 | 4 |
| 18 | Aston Villa | 5 | -4 | 3 |
| 19 | West Ham | 5 | -8 | 3 |
| 20 | Wolverhampton | 5 | -9 | 0 |
