The Premier League is back from its international break slumber and starts with a bang at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday lunchtime where fierce rivals Spurs and West Ham do battle.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is under intense pressure to get a result at home to fast-starters Brentford before Arsenal go to Bournemouth in the teatime kick-off looking to join Liverpool as the only teams with 2,000 top-flight wins.
On Sunday, champions Manchester City face bottom club Wolves and the game of the weekend is at Anfield, with Arne Slot’s league-leading Liverpool hosting a rejuvenated Chelsea, before Nottingham Forest take on a stuttering Crystal Palace to round out week eight on Monday night.
Here, we tell you everything you need to know about the weekend’s action, including the latest injury updates and team news, the players to look out for and something all of our experts are looking forward to at the games they will be reporting from.
The Premier League returns this weekend, with Erik ten Hag’s future one of the key storylines
Meanwhile, Chelsea make the trip to Liverpool in what is the standout game of the weekend
SATURDAY
12.30pm: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v WEST HAM UNITED
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Referee: Andy Madley
TV/radio: LIVE on TNT Sports 1 and talkSPORT
Our expert’s view: Tottenham have spent a fortnight stewing on the collapse from two up to defeat at Brighton. It was the best of Spurs quickly followed by the worst of Spurs. ‘Unacceptable’ according to Ange Postecoglou. And I’m most keen to see what kind of reaction they summon. This London derby usually comes with an edge and West Ham have their own momentum to sustain. They know how Postecoglou’s team will try to go about it and Julen Lopetegui is perfectly capable of devising a plan to counter their strengths. MATT BARLOW
Players to watch: Tottenham – Brennan Johnson. On fire with goals in each of his last seven appearances, six in six for Spurs and one for Wales. West Ham – Jarrod Bowen. On the rebound after being left out of the England squad and on target in this fixture last season, when West Ham won 2-1.
Key stat: West Ham can make it back-to-back wins away at Spurs for the first time since 1966.
Tottenham injury news – Out: W Odobert (hamstring). Doubts: L Bergvall (knock), H-M Son (hamstring), Richarlison (calf)
West Ham injury news – Out: N Fullkrug (achilles)
Mail Sport prediction: Tottenham win
3pm: FULHAM v ASTON VILLA
Craven Cottage. Referee: Darren England
TV/radio: LIVE on talkSPORT
Our expert’s view: I covered this fixture last season when an Ollie Watkins brace gave Villa three points and put them back in the top four. There’s no doubting what Watkins brings but Jhon Duran is in the form of his life and I’m looking forward to seeing if the Colombian comes off the bench and finds the net again. AADAM PATEL
Players to watch: Fulham – Adama Traore. Watching Traore, you never know what to expect. Pep Guardiola called him ‘unstoppable’ when Fulham met Man City before the international break. Aston Villa – Jhon Duran. The Colombian averages a goal every 46 minutes in the Premier League this season. And he only scores belters too. Enough said.
Key stat: Villa have lost only once on their last 12 league visits to London, winning eight and drawing three.
Fulham injury news – Outs: S Lukic (shoulder), T Castagne (hamstring), C Vinicius (calf)
Aston Villa injury news – Out: R Olsen (concussion)
Mail Sport prediction: Draw
3pm: IPSWICH TOWN v EVERTON
Portman Road. Referee: Michael Oliver
Our expert’s view: Ipswich are always a great to watch under Kieran McKenna and there are few better places to watch a Premier League game than at Portman Road. Even thinking about the roar that would erupt around that famous old ground if they do pick up their first league win of the season gives you goosebumps. You’re almost guaranteed drama when it comes to watching Everton given the way they have imploded several times already this season. HENRY CLARK
Players to watch: Ipswich – Liam Delap. A defender’s nightmare. He’s quick, physical and has the ability to hold the ball up or run the channels. He’s proven he’s got the final product to match too. Everton – Iliman Ndiaye. A player I’ve always tipped to have a big future after watching him tear it up in the Championship at Sheffield United. He is one of those attacking players you just can’t take your eyes off.
Key stat: Everton are unbeaten in their last five meetings with promoted teams, having won only one of the previous 13.
Ipswich injury news – Outs: A Tuanzebe (hand), J Cajuste (knee), M Luongo (knock). Doubts: D O’Shea (back)
Everton injury news – Outs: Y Chermiti (ankle), A Broja (achilles), N Patterson (hamstring), T Iroegbunam (foot). Doubts: J Garner (back), J Branthwaite (thigh)
Mail Sport prediction: Ipswich win
3pm: MANCHESTER UNITED v BRENTFORD
Old Trafford. Referee: Sam Barrott
TV/radio: LIVE on BBC Radio 5 Live
Our expert’s view: Brentford have scored within the first two minutes of their last four Premier League games, and it will be interesting to see how a United side who have been sluggish this season cope with Thomas Frank’s quick starters. Erik ten Hag cannot afford to be caught cold by a rival who has been linked with his job. CHRIS WHEELER
Players to watch: Man Utd – Christian Eriksen. The former Brentford player is back in form and back in favour for United this season. Brentford – Bryan Mbeumo. His tally of six goals Premier League goals is one more than the entire United squad combined.
Key stat: United have won their last five home league games against Brentford by a combined score of 13-2.
Man Utd injury news – Outs: Mainoo (muscle), Maguire (calf), Mount (knock), Yoro (metatarsal), Shaw (hamstring), Malacia (knee)
Brentford injury news – Outs: I Thiago, J Dasilva, R Henry (all knee), M Jensen (calf), A Hickey (hamstring), G Nunes (back). Doubt: Y Wissa (ankle)
Mail Sport prediction: Man Utd win
3pm: NEWCASTLE UNITED v BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
St James’ Park. Referee: Peter Bankes
Our expert’s view: The return of Alexander Isak for Newcastle actually gives them two new players – because shifting Anthony Gordon back to the left from a makeshift centre-forward role is like regaining your best player in his best position. Can Newcastle finally marry a good performance with a victory? It’s all been a bit sticky so far this season. CRAIG HOPE
Players to watch: Newcastle – Anthony Gordon. Back at St James’ after penalty miss at Everton and disappointing break with England. Brighton – Yankuba Minteh. Returns to the club he never played for but for whom he helped solve a PSR headache this summer.
Key stat: Brighton were unbeaten in their first four Premier League visits to St James’ but have not won any of the last three.
Newcastle injury news – Outs: K Trippier (hamstring), S Botman, J Lascelles (both knee). Doubts: C Wilson (back), M Dubravka (knee), L Miley (ankle)
Brighton injury news – Outs: J Pedro, M O’Riley (both ankle), A Webster, J Milner (both hamstring), S March (knee). Doubts: P Estupinan, J Enciso (both fatigue), C Baleba (knee)
Mail Sport prediction: Newcastle win
3pm: SOUTHAMPTON v LEICESTER CITY
St Mary’s Stadium. Referee: Anthony Taylor
Our expert’s view: It’s too early for any match to be a must-win but this is pretty important for both sides – Leicester’s win over Bournemouth last time out was the only Premier League victory for either of these promoted teams so far. Russell Martin needs his possession-obsessed Saints to start firing… though last season the Foxes won both league meetings handsomely, recording 5-0 and 4-1 victories. BEN WINSTANLEY
Players to watch: Southampton – Cameron Archer. The centre forward scored his first league goal for the club last time out at Arsenal – Saints have only scored four in their seven games so far so no pressure… Leicester – Wilfried Ndidi. The creative midfielder was part of the Nigeria team who were stranded for 15 hours in a Libyan airport last week but boss Steve Cooper insists he’s physically and mentally ready for this one.
Key stat: Leicester are one of only three teams – along with Arsenal and Man City – to have scored in every Premier League game this season.
Southampton injury news – Outs: R Stewart (muscle), G Bazunu (achilles), J Stephens (suspended)
Leicester injury news – Outs: J Stolarczyk (foot), P Daka (ankle), H Choudhury (shoulder)
Mail Sport prediction: Leicester win
5.30pm: BOURNEMOUTH v ARSENAL
Vitality Stadium. Referee: Rob Jones
TV/radio: LIVE on Sky Sports Main Event and BBC Radio 5 Live
Our expert’s view: I’m looking forward to being able to hear the instructions from Mikel Arteta on the touchline and clearly observe the more intricate interactions between the players. Watching a game at the Vitality Stadium affords you a better view than at most Premier League grounds, owing to the stands being so close to the pitch in this intimate venue. ISAAN KHAN
Players to watch: Bournemouth – Antoine Semenyo. The forward has started the campaign strongly, scoring three goals and proving one assist in seven matches. Arsenal – Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian started slowly and his place looked under threat, but of late, Martinelli has showed signs that he could well be getting closer to the form which saw him net 15 league goals in his 2022-23 breakout campaign.
Key stat: Arsenal have won 11 of these teams’ 14 Premier League meetings, with Bournemouth getting their sole win at home in 2018.
Bournemouth injury news – Doubt: T Adams (back)
Arsenal injury news – Outs: Odegaard (ankle), K Tierney (hamstring), T Tomiyasu (unknown), Neto (parent club). Doubts: K Havertz, B White (both knee), J Timber (muscle), B Saka (hamstring), G Martinelli, O Zinchenko (both calf)
Mail Sport prediction: Arsenal win
SUNDAY
2pm: WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS v MANCHESTER CITY
Molineux. Referee: Chris Kavanagh
TV/radio: LIVE on Sky Sports Main Event and BBC Radio 5 Live
Our expert’s view: It’s pretty grim being a Wolves fan at the moment. Bottom of the table, owners who seem to be singing from a different hymn sheet to supporters and underperforming players. I like the look of Brazilian midfielder Andre, though. His performances could rescue what looks an increasingly dodgy batch of summer signings. TOM COLLOMOSSE
Players to watch: Wolves – Matheus Cunha. One of the most exciting attackers in the league when he is in form. Man City – Josko Gvardiol. What a talent. As effective at the back as he is when raiding forward.
Key stat: If Man City avoid defeat they will set a new club record of 31 Premier League games unbeaten, dating back to December last year.
Wolves injury news – Outs: H-C Hwang (ankle), Y Mosquera, B Traore, E Medina, S Kalajdzic (all knee). Doubt: B Meupiyou (unknown)
Man City injury news – Outs: K De Bruyne (pelvis), O Bobb (leg), Rodri (knee). Doubts: N Ake (thigh), M Akanji (knock), Savinho (fatigue)
Mail Sport prediction: Man City win
4.30pm: LIVERPOOL v CHELSEA
Anfield. Referee: John Brooks
TV/radio: LIVE on Sky Sports Main Event and BBC Radio 5 Live
Our expert’s view: Both teams have taken advantage of benign fixtures until now, but this heavyweight clash should indicate which one of them is the real deal. Leaders Liverpool will hope to take advantage of suspensions to Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana in the Chelsea defence. Mo Salah’s eyes will be lighting up. JOE BERNSTEIN
Players to watch: Liverpool – Trent Alexander-Arnold. His free-kick goal for England suggests he’s not distracted by his future. Chelsea – Cole Palmer. Jumped into Premier League’s A-list after barely a year at Stamford Bridge.
Key stat: Seven of the last nine meetings between these teams in all competitions have been draws.
Liverpool injury news – Outs: Alisson (hamstring), H Elliott (foot). Doubt: F Chiesa (muscle)
Chelsea injury news – Outs: M Cucurella, W Fofana (both suspended)
Mail Sport prediction: Liverpool win
MONDAY
8pm: NOTTINGHAM FOREST v CRYSTAL PALACE
City Ground. Referee: Tim Robinson
TV/radio: LIVE on Sky Sports Main Event and talkSPORT
Our expert’s view: An intriguing game to finish the weekend’s action. Nottingham Forest have had a good start to the season but have done so without winning at the City Ground. Crystal Palace should be doing so much better but remain winless. There was promise against Liverpool but can it be sustained? DOMINIC KING
Players to watch: Nottingham Forest – Callum Hudson-Odoi. His winner at Anfield was the highlight, but he’s been a threat throughout Forest’s strong start. Crystal Palace – Eberechi Eze. The man who can be transformative for them, in this fixture and beyond.
Key stat: Crystal Palace have not beaten Nottingham Forest in the league for 33 years, and are winless in the last 10 meetings.
Nottingham Forest injury news – Outs: J Ward-Prowse, M Gibbs-White (both suspended), Danilo (ankle), I Sangare (hamstring)
Crystal Palace injury news – Outs: C Riad (knee), M Turner (parent club), C Richards (hamstring), M Franca (groin), R Holding (unknown). Doubts: D Munoz (groin), C Doucoure (toe)
Mail Sport prediction: Nottingham Forest win
