Manchester United and Chelsea are beneath strain to get again on observe because the Premier League returns from a world break, whereas Manchester City purpose to take care of their good begin to the season.
Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal are additionally in spectacular kind with 10 factors from a doable 12 — every with the prospect to climb to the highest of the desk if champions City stumble in opposition to in-form West Ham on the London Stadium.
AFP Sport seems at three speaking factors forward of this weekend’s motion:
Brighton to deepen Man Utd disaster?
Defeats to Tottenham and Arsenal have already left Manchester United six factors off the highest of the desk, dampening hopes of a primary Premier League title problem since 2013.
Brighton gained at Old Trafford for the primary time of their historical past final season however it could not be a shock ought to the Seagulls emerge victorious once more.
United struggled in dwelling victories over Wolves and Nottingham Forest final month and face a step up at school in opposition to Roberto De Zerbi’s males.
Brighton have shrugged off the sale of a few of their prized belongings to win three of their first 4 video games and have scored extra Premier League objectives than some other membership.
Erik ten Hag will likely be hoping new signings Sofyan Amrabat and Rasmus Hojlund may give United a much-needed raise.
Hojlund impressed instead on his debut at Arsenal earlier than the worldwide break, whereas Amrabat is but to function after signing on mortgage from Fiorentina on deadline day.
Money cannot purchase Chelsea objectives
Despite main the Premier League once more when it got here to cash spent within the switch window, Chelsea have gained simply considered one of Mauricio Pochettino’s first 4 league video games in cost.
The Blues have splashed out greater than £1 billion ($1.25 billion) on new gamers in three home windows beneath the possession of a consortium fronted by Todd Boehly.
Yet they nonetheless suffered from a well-recognized lack of innovative of their 1-0 defeat at dwelling to Forest two weeks in the past.
Chastened by their worst Premier League season for many years in 2022/23, Chelsea insist they’re enjoying the lengthy sport, with big charges guess on promising kids changing into stars of the longer term.
But failure to beat a Bournemouth aspect but to style victory within the league beneath Andoni Iraola on Sunday may have alarm bells ringing at Stamford Bridge.
Newcastle endure sluggish begin
Newcastle will return to the Champions League for the primary time in 20 years subsequent week, however after a fast rise fuelled by Saudi money, the Magpies are struggling one thing of a actuality verify.
Eddie Howe’s males have misplaced three of their opening 4 video games, significantly undermining any title aspirations.
Howe can level to a troublesome run of fixtures as mitigation for the sluggish begin.
But after consecutive defeats to City, Liverpool and Brighton, he wants a return to successful methods in opposition to Brentford this weekend to revive a way of calm earlier than jetting off to face AC Milan within the Champions League on Tuesday.
Fixtures
Saturday
Wolves v Liverpool, Aston Villa v Crystal Palace, Fulham v Luton, Manchester United v Brighton, Tottenham v Sheffield United, West Ham v Manchester City, Newcastle v Brentford
Sunday
Bournemouth v Chelsea, Everton v Arsenal
Monday
Nottingham Forest v Burnley
Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com
