Five Premier League Matches To Watch This Weekend

The 2022-23 Premier League makes a return with mouth-watering fixtures after the international break, with two London derbies and the Manchester Derby on the menu at the Emirates,  Selhurst Park, and the Etihad Stadium.

The pick of the bunch is the clash between table-toppers Arsenal and Tottenham on Saturday.

1. Arsenal vs Tottenham

The Gunners have started the season by winning their first six games of the season before losing to resurgent Manchester United.

Tottenham are also unbeaten in their first seven games in the Premier League, winning five and drawing two.

Bukayo Saka and Ryan Sessegnon

It promises to be a cracker as both sides will be aiming to cancel out each other, The Gunners particularly will be going for revenge after Spur denied them a Champions League ticket towards the end of last season.

Arsenal are on top of the log with 18 points to show,  while Tottenham are in the third position with 17 points.

Players to Watch:

Gabriel Jesus: The Brazilian has adapted so well at the Emirates Stadium, scoring four Premier League goals.

Harry Kane: The English striker has started the season on a bright note with six goals from seven games.

Time 12: 30 pm Nigerian time on Saturday

 

2. Manchester City vs Manchester United

The Manchester Derby is one of the most interesting derbies in football, but it has been one-sided for a long time, with Manchester City enjoying the bragging rights.

Manchester United have recovered from their disastrous start to the season by earning important wins over Liverpool and Arsenal to bring hope to their supporters.

Man City players celebrate against Manchester United

Manchester City's quality has never been in doubt, especially with the acquisition of Erling Haaland in the summer, the Citizens have gone a step above their rivals.

Erling Haaland has started the season like a house on fire with an impressive return of 11 Premier League goals from seven matches.

Kevin De Bruyne has also been at his electrifying best, providing six assists in seven games.

 

Players to Watch:

Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho

Time 2 pm Nigerian time on Sunday.

 

3. Crystal Palace vs Chelsea

Chelsea's new coach Graham Potter will take charge of his first Premier League game since he was appointed to replace Thomas Tuchel.

The Blues have endured a poor start to the season, winning three out of their six games,  while Crystal Palace have not fared any better with just one win out of six.

Potter will be hoping to see an improvement from Chelsea defensively and offensively as the blues have struggled to maintain solidity at the back and consistency in front of goal.

Marcos Alonso celebrates scoring against Crystal Palace

Chelsea are in the seventh position, while Crystal Palace finds themselves in the 16th position on the Premier League table.

Ngolo Kante is expected to return for Chelsea alongside Edouard Mendy.

Jack Butland and James McArthur are expected to be in action for Crystal Palace after a spell on the sidelines.

 

Players To Watch:

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang,   Wilfred Zaha, Raheem Sterling

Time: 3 pm Nigerian time on Saturday

 

4. Liverpool vs Brighton

Liverpool have struggled to impress since the start of the season, with most of their key players yet to hit top form.

After taking the title race to the wire last season, the Reds have struggled to replicate that form in the early stages of the season.

Mohammed Salah, Virgil Van Dijk, and Trent Alexander Arnold have all had a disappointing start to the season, which is affecting the team.

New signing Darwin Nunez has struggled to impress after a big move from Benfica in the summer.

Salah in action against Brighton

Injuries have not been kind to Liverpool, too with their key midfielders missing in action.

Brighton, on the other hand, have enjoyed a strong start to the season with an impressive win over Manchester United on the first day of the season.

The Seagulls are in the fourth position on the Premier League table with four wins out of six.

The man that is responsible for their stunning performances this season, Graham Potter, has left to take up the same role at Chelsea.

New coach Roberto De Zerbi will hope to continue a good job of Graham Potter, but he has a tough match to start with against a wounded Liverpool side.

Players to watch:

Mohammed Salah, Luis Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister, Danny Welbeck.

Time: 3 pm on Saturday.

 

5. Leicester City vs Nottingham Forest

Brendan Rodgers is walking on a tightrope following Leicester City’s poor start to the season.

The Foxes have lost six out of seven Premier League matches this season, and he has been tipped as the next coach to be fired.

The club failed to strengthen the team in the summer with no replacement for departed goalkeeper Jasper Schmeichel.

Leicester City Players

Star striker Jamie Vardy has been unable to replicate his form with age catching up on him.

Goalkeeper Dan Ward has been poor, conceding cheap goals, nothing seems to be working at the King Power Stadium.

Nottingham Forest signed 23 players in the summer after making a return to the Premier League after over two decades away.

The team's form has not improved yet despite the summer outlay winning one out of their first seven games, they have lost five matches to sit 19th on the log.

It is the battle between the bottom two, with both sides looking for a win to kick start their season and put smiles on their supporters' faces.

Players to watch:

Jamie Vardy, Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, James Maddison

Time: 8 pm Nigerian time on Monday.