The Premier League is back this weekend after a short international break and the fixture list has been more than generous to us, with a number of high-profile matches to keep an eye on. Here, we take a look at some of the more intriguing match-ups.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
Will form go out of the window?
The first game of the weekend is on Saturday afternoon and it pits Liverpool against Wolves. While the Reds will be without the suspended Virgil van Dijk, they are one of the form teams in the league. Jürgen Klopp’s men are unbeaten in 15 and have taken 10 points from their opening four matches this term. By comparison, Wolves have won just three of their last 10 matches in the English top-flight. However, their sole win of the 2023/24 campaign did come on Merseyside as Gary O’Neil’s men defeated Everton late on.
Wolves have been surprisingly decent in attack, creating chances with an Expected Goals value of 6.7. Poor finishing has limited them to just four goals but you have to assume that this bad luck in front of goal will eventually come to an end – if they keep creating chances.
Pedro Neto’s performances have gone a little under the radar. After two injury-hit campaigns, the 23-year-old looks back to his best. He’s chipped in with three assists already and has created four big chances, the joint-most in the Premier League this season. With Liverpool potentially fielding a weakened backline, Ibrahima Konate and Trent Alexander-Arnold are doubts, the Portugal international could be a difference-maker.
The best form of defence is attack?
You wouldn’t think it, but Manchester United and Brighton aren’t doing too well defensively this season. The Red Devils host the Seagulls on Saturday looking to make it three wins from three at Old Trafford, but this is going to be their toughest challenge on home turf so far.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side have the most goals in the Premier League this season (12) and have won three of their four matches. While they’re fairly potent going forward, they are yet to strike a balance and have struggled defensively. For context, only Bournemouth, Sheffield United and Fulham have a higher Expected Goals Conceded total in the English top-flight this term, with Brighton giving up chances worth 8.1.
United will look to exploit this. Though they are at home, expect them to look to make the most of their pace in attack by playing on the break. Defensively, they aren’t doing much better than the visitors, racking up an Expected Goals Against total of 7.6 across games against Wolves, Spurs, Nottingham Forest and Arsenal.
It might simply be a case of the team with the best attack on the day wins this, because going off what has happened so far this term, neither defence is going to hold up to too much scrutiny.
A top-of-the-table clash
Few would’ve envisioned this at the start of the season but West Ham United find themselves in fourth spot in the Premier League after four matches and they’re unbeaten. David Moyes’ men were dealt a difficult hand too, coming up against both Chelsea and Brighton in two of their three opening matches.
Yet they confidently dispatched both teams, racking up a 6-2 aggregate scoreline victory in the process.
They now host Manchester City knowing a win over the reigning champions could take them to the top of the table.
This particular match sees the two highest-rated FotMob players in the league, in Rodri, and James Ward-Prowse face off. The pair have an average rating of 8.37 this term and have proven to be difference-makers and match-winners in multiple games already. Whoever comes out on top in that battle could well decide the outcome of the game.
It looks set to be an interesting clash with both teams having fairly solid defensive units this season. City have the best defensive record in the English top-flight, conceding 0.5 goals per game. West Ham are third, averaging a goal against per game.
City will no doubt dominate the ball but the Hammers are one of the best counter-attacking teams in the league this season. It could be an entertaining 90 minutes.
Time for a reaction
Newcastle kicked off their 2023/24 season with an empathic win over Aston Villa at St James’ Park. However, Eddie Howe’s men haven’t picked up a single point since that game, losing to Manchester City, Liverpool, and Brighton. They need to add to those points on the board sooner rather than later and the Saturday evening match against Brentford is an ideal opportunity to put in a statement performance.
The Bees are unbeaten having won one and drawn three of their opening four matches. Thomas Frank’s side have had a deceptively good start to the season and are currently ranked first in the entire league for Expected Goals (10). Bryan Mbeumo is enjoying life as the main man and has four goals to his name. He’s actually racked up the second-highest Expected Goals haul behind only Erling Haaland while Yoane Wissa is proving himself to be a real handful during his stint in the starting XI in place of the suspended Ivan Toney.
It won’t be easy for the Magpies on Saturday but they need to end this run of losses. If not, Howe might soon find himself under pressure despite his heroics with the team last season.
A sticky situation for Everton
Everton picked up their first point of the season prior to the international break after claiming a 2-2 draw with Sheffield United. They now welcome Arsenal to Goodison on Sunday looking for their first win of the campaign. In truth, Sean Dyche’s men have been unlucky. They’ve scored just two goals in the Premier League despite creating chances with an Expected Goals value of 7.3. The addition of Beto and Arnaut Danjuma should ease the over-reliance on Dominic Calvert-Lewin but these chances are, at some point, going to have to be converted otherwise the Toffees will find themselves in a relegation battle.
They’re coming up against an Arsenal team who have been in dominant form this season, despite their 2-2 draw with Fulham. They are ruthless in attack and are fairly resolute defensively. It will be a tough ask for Everton, even at Goodison, but they did manage to cause an upset last season with a victory over the Gunners.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
You can follow every match from the Premier League live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage and player ratings. Download the free app here.