There’s always something to go at for English Premier League fans – and this weekend is no exception as the latest match week rolls into town.
The spotlight falls firmly on a pair of underperforming giants on Sunday, as Manchester United and Tottenham face off at Old Trafford.
Mid-table mediocrity is far from good enough for the duo, who have identical records that take them to just seven points from their opening five EPL matches.
Signs of life are there, though, with the Red Devils two unbeaten while Spurs picked up a second victory of the new season to ease the early pressure on coach Ange Postecoglou.
United’s noisy neighbours Manchester City have made yet another blazing start and they make the trip to kick off the Premier League weekend at Newcastle on Saturday lunchtime.
It’s an enticing prospect at St James’ Park with the Toon Army sitting just three points adrift of the serial title winners, despite lying sixth in the early table.
Arsenal survived a grueling second half with ten men to escape the Etihad Stadium with a point last weekend, frustrating the life out of home coach Pep Guardiola despite his side notching a dramatic, last-gasp equalizer to end the resistance.
The Gunners take that mettle – and their unbeaten record – into a home game against Leicester, who head to London winless but at least with a hat-trick of draws to their name since returning to the top flight.
Across the capital city there’s plenty more interest when improving Chelsea welcome Brighton to Stamford Bridge.
The two would swap places in the top six battle if the Seagulls were to pinch all three points but it’s the Blues with the edge in the form guide, having won three of their last unbeaten four since losing on the opening weekend.
Saturday’s evening EPL kick off sees the visit of Liverpool to Molineux to take on bottom club Wolves.
Arne Slot’s Reds have conceded just once so far and start the weekend second in the standings, in stark contrast to their Black Country hosts who have shipped 14 in earning only a single point from their opening quintet.
The Monday night football also has relevance at the wrong end of the table, when Bournemouth and Southampton clash in an all-south coast affair.
Consecutive defeats have punctured the Cherries’ previously promising start to the new term, while the Saints have picked up just a point since bouncing back to the big time from the Championship.
Ipswich haven’t fared much better having also secured promotion last season but have mitigating circumstances having recorded a trio of draws since their nightmare start against Liverpool and Manchester City.
The Tractor Boys host Aston Villa in Sunday’s other fixture, with Unai Emery’s Villans trekking to Suffolk with a record of four wins from five in their back pocket.
Three more Saturday games, meanwhile, include a London derby between Brentford and West Ham.
It was a miserable capital city clash a week ago for the Hammers as they were thrashing at home by Chelsea, while the Bees need to bounce back following successive defeats at Manchester City and Tottenham.
Speaking of miserable, Everton set out to record their first win of the campaign at the eighth time of asking when Crystal Palace visit a decidedly anxious Goodison Park.
Sean Dyche’s Toffees are under the pump despite promising takeover news in the week – and they’ll do well to keep in mind the equally winless record of their visitors to Merseyside.
Nottingham Forest and Fulham complete the set with their City Ground date.
Both have impressed early doors, coming into the weekend nestled inside the top half of the pile and both boasting eight points from their last possible 12.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool
| Result prediction | Liverpool to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Liverpool to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | Mohamed Salah(Liverpool) L. Díaz(Liverpool) |
Ipswich Town v Aston Villa
| Result prediction | Aston Villa to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Aston Villa to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | O. Watkins(Aston Villa) J. Durán(Aston Villa) |
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
| Result prediction | Tottenham Hotspur to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Tottenham Hotspur / Tottenham Hotspur to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
AFC Bournemouth v Southampton
| Result prediction | AFC Bournemouth to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / AFC Bournemouth to win |
| Team to Score prediction | AFC Bournemouth |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |