Nottingham Forest vs. Tottenham Hotspur

City Ground, Friday, 8pm Local, 3pm Eastern

Forest welcome Tottenham in a potentially crucial match for the Midlands side. Steve Cooper is still in charge, despite persistent rumors of his demise. A win over Spurs, who looked much better last time out, would go a long way to preserving his position - if that’s indeed still a possibility. Last time out Cooper fielded many of his stalwarts from last season, and the result was an improved performance, even if it only earned them a point. Look for Forest to line up similarly and to try to exploit Spurs’ high line with the likes of Anthony Elanga and Morgan Gibbs-White. The fullbacks, Harry Toffolo and Neco Williams, are also likely to return, as they were crucial cogs in the Forest machine last weekend.

Ange Postecoglou’s side earned a fortifying win last time out against Newcastle, battering the Magpies 4-1. Son Heung-min was electric, Richarlison scored twice, and the side looked back to its free-flowing best. Forest have been struggling recently, so the North London side have an excellent opportunity to build on their last victory. There are still far more absentees than supporters would like to see, but each week that Spurs can clock 3 points means they're that much closer to the likes of James Maddison and Micky van de Ven returning. Brennan Johnshon, who hasn’t filled up the scoresheet, has looked more and more comfortable in the side, and it seems fitting that he may have a major part to play on his return to the City Ground.

Bournemouth vs. Luton Town

Vitality Stadium, Saturday, 3pm Local, 10am Eastern

The suddenly electric Cherries welcome Luton on Sunday afternoon, hoping to extend their winning run. While some of the newer arrivals to the South Coast club have been key to their resurgence, last season’s heroes drove their dominant win over Manchester United. Dominic Solanke has enough quality to lead Bournemouth past the Hatters, and he finally has the supporting cast he needs. Few teams have forced Andoni Iraola’s side to break them down, so the Cherries may well have a new challenge at their home patch. How they can adjust to creating their own momentum may well decide the match.

Luton Town have put together two strong, but ultimately fruitless, performances - falling in tight matches to two of the best clubs in the league, Arsenal and Manchester City. While this could point to better chances against Bournemouth, it has to be noted that both of those showings came at home. Whether the Hatters can take this new form on the road remains to be seen. Elijah Adebayo has made a habit of big time headers in recent weeks, and set pieces could be the key to a Luton win. If Rob Edwards’ side does pull ahead, they’ll be in for a big task holding the South Coast side, but the Hatters won’t see this as an impossible challenge.

Chelsea vs. Sheffield United

Stamford Bridge, Saturday, 3pm Local, 10am Eastern

Chelsea have not been able to follow up their brief renaissance and have gone back to their struggling ways, losing comfortably to Everton last time out. The West London club looks so disjointed, so fragile, that it’s not shocking that Mauricio Pochettino is facing some rumblings of pressure. However, after a few false dawns, Christopher Nkunku has joined full team training, and may finally feature. Assuming one player will solve everything would be a mistake, but any bit of positivity is precious for Blues’ supporters. Even without Nkunku, Chelsea will still feel that they should beat bottom of the table Sheffield United, though Chris Wilder’s return - and the Blades subsequent improvement - complicates matters.

Sheffield United notched a much needed victory last weekend, and fans of the Yorkshire club have had their hopes stoked by their former manager’s arrival. Cameron Archer, Gustavo Hamer, and James McAtee - who scored their last winner - looked bright against Brentford and will be key to any positive Blades result. New manager bounce is a bit of a myth, and the hole that the Blades are in is likely already too much of a mountain for their squad to climb. But it’s a marker of how well Wilder is thought of (and how poorly Chelsea have played recently) that it wouldn’t feel like a shock if the bacon-butty men come away with a point or more.

Manchester City vs. Crystal Palace

Etihad Stadium, Saturday, 3pm Local, 10am Eastern

The Champions got back to winning ways away to Luton, and they’ll try to build on that result at home to Roy Hodgson’s Eagles. That win came at the end of a 4 match winless run, but there are plenty of reasons to think that was more of a blip than anything else, even if City have struggled to reach the heights of recent seasons. Jack Grealish was key to their comeback victory, but the Englishman has struggled for starts after the arrival of Jérémy Doku. How Pep Guardiola balances the two very different wingers will be an interesting storyline to follow as the campaign progresses. The Champions should have more than enough at home to grab all 3 points and put pressure on the current top 3. 

Crystal Palace come into this contest on a very poor run of form, with a manager who’s lashing out after every match - not exactly a positive sign. That said, the Eagles have had success away to City over recent seasons, even nabbing wins on 2 occasions. While this iteration of Palace may seem lightyears away from Manchester City, there’s always a chance. If they were to pull off an upset, they’ll need to be resolute defensively and get some magic from their attackers, who have been stagnating recently. Michael Olise’s return hasn’t quite been the boost fans hoped for, but he has the quality to turn a game in his side’s favor at any moment.

Newcastle United vs. Fulham

St. James Park, Saturday, 3pm Local, 10am Eastern

A few weeks ago, this match would have been tipped for a clear Newcastle victory. However, now the tables have turned, and it’s high-flying Fulham who look more capable of getting a win. The Magpies were taken apart by Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, and crashed out of the Champions League in midweek. That may well help them in the long run in terms of fixture congestion on their thin squad, but it will sting the players. They have their first chance to rebound when the Cottagers come north to St. James Park, where they’ll hope the home atmosphere can drive a strong response. Anthony Gordon and the newly fit duo of Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak should provide some offensive threat, but they’ll need to contain Fulham, who have shown some firepower of their own in recent contests.

Marco Silva’s side have posted back to back 5-0 wins, and they head to the Northeast feeling that Newcastle are there for the taking. Raúl Jiménez has been knocking them in, and Alex Iwobi and Willian’s contributions have driven the Cottagers’ recent success. If that veteran trio can continue their form, the Magpies could well be in trouble. Also key to Fulham’s improvement has been Tosin Adarabioyo’s inclusion in the side over captain Tim Ream - his speed has allowed for a more flexible back line. Newcastle could well begin a return to form on the day, but Marco Silva will be quietly confident that they can challenge on Tyneside.

Burnley vs. Everton

Turf Moor, Saturday, 5:30pm Local, 12:30pm Eastern

The showpiece match of Saturday features Sean Dyche’s return to Turf Moor, where he was a long time manager. Vincent Kompany has his Clarets playing a very different brand of football, and the clash of styles will be the main story on the night. Burnley have put together a few more convincing performances, but they’re running into a Toffees side who have been purring for a few weeks. The young talent at Turf Moor has struggled for consistency, but Zeki Amdouni and Wilson Odobert have both found the back of the net in recent weeks. If they can unlock Everton’s defense and knock in an early goal, they may be able to hold on to a positive result on their home ground.

Dyche spent 10 years at Burnley, so his return is hotly anticipated at Turf Moor. He will certainly have his own feelings on the day, but most importantly he brings a strong side with him. Everton have won 3 in a row, and would be in 10th place if they weren’t carrying a points deduction. On current form you’d expect the Toffees to be able to handle Kompany’s side, though they’ll be without the suspended Jarrad Branthwaite who had been instrumental for the Merseyside club. Even with him out, the offensive side of things bodes well for Everton, with the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucouré, and Dwight McNeil all fit and firing. It would be an upset if Everton were to drop points, and Sean Dyche isn’t the sort of man who’ll be too sentimental.

Arsenal vs. Brighton & Hove Albion

Emirates Stadium, Sunday, 2pm Local, 9am Eastern

Arsenal were knocked off the top of the table last weekend and look to get back on track when Roberto De Zerbi’s side makes the trek up to the Emirates. The Gunners will hardly be kicking themselves about their performance against Aston Villa, as they were comfortably the more dangerous of the sides, despite failing to score, but there’s no doubt the result was a setback for the North London club. Brighton are unlikely to provide as much defensive resistance - the Seagulls are yet to keep a clean sheet in the League - so Mikel Arteta’s side will be confident that they can get on the scoresheet. Combine that with the Gunners’ excellent defensive record, and there are lots of reasons to be positive for Arsenal fans.

Brighton were held to a 1-1 draw away at Burnley, but the scoreline hides just how many chances the Seagulls created. Simon Adingra, Kaoru Mitoma, Evan Ferguson, and Jack Hinshelwood each had great chances to win it that were only kept out by a ludicrous goalkeeping display. Arsenal are a more robust defensive prospect, but - if the South Coast side attacks with that much venom - it’s very unlikely that Roberto De Zerbi’s side will be kept from scoring. That said, it’s also quite unlikely that Brighton will be able to keep the Gunners out of the goal, despite holding Marseille in midweek. This match, hopefully for neutrals, has the potential to be an entertaining, end to end affair.

Brentford vs. Aston Villa

Gtech Community Stadium, Sunday, 2pm Local, 9am Eastern

Earlier in the season, this clash would have been more finally poised. However in recent weeks, Aston Villa have hit such a rich vein of form, and Brentford have been so dramatically hollowed out by injuries, that it seems as if there’s only one possible way this match ends. Brentford’s offensive challenges have been well documented ever since it became clear Ivan Toney would be suspended for the first half of this campaign. They’ve been able to truck along, but Bryan Mbeumo’s long term absence combined with injuries to key facilitators like Mathias Jensen have really hampered Thomas Frank’s side. It’s easy to then suggest they should focus on defense, but they’re stretched there as well. The next few weeks will be about damage limitation for the Bees, who - it must be said - will be comfortably safe regardless.

Unai Emery has Aston Villa absolutely flying. Their last two results, both 1-0 against Manchester City and Arsenal, has cemented their status as serious players at the top of the table. The only concern for supporters of the Birmingham club is whether or not this electric form translates to their away travels. It’s tempting to dismiss the concern, but Villa has been thumped on trips to Newcastle, Liverpool, and Nottingham Forest, as well as drawing with Bournemouth - who had yet to hit their current heights at the time. Frankly, it’s more likely than not that Emery will iron out these difficulties, it’s just one wrinkle in an otherwise pristine season, and Villa will be heavy favorites to nab all three points at Brentford on Sunday.

West Ham United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers

London Stadium, Sunday, 2pm Local, 9am Eastern

*I would like to issue a blanket apology to Gary O’Neil and Wolves Fans for consistently spelling O’Neil as O’Neill up to this point in this website’s lifespan*

David Moyes’ side topped their Europa League group in midweek, which hopefully exorcized memories of the Hammers’ 5-0 defeat to Fulham from supporters’ minds. West Ham have been blithely inconsistent, seemingly content to sacrifice league matches for European progression. If that was their gamble, it’s paid off, and the West London side now have a long lay off to focus on PL form thanks to the bye they’ve earned. This match seems destined to be cagey, with both sides comfortable ceding possession. Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen both have the creative spark necessary to shift a stalemate, and their connection has only grown stronger as they’ve played together more. If Moyes’ side can earn a result, expect those two to be heavily involved.

Wolves were only able to draw to struggling Nottingham Forest in their last match, but will think West Ham are ripe for the taking on the back of a European exertion. Matheus Cunha, who became a punchline last season for his poor finishing and high price tag, has finally settled in the Midlands, scoring and linking well with the rest of Gary O’Neil’s attack. The combined awakenings of Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan have been crucial in Wolves’ steady - if slightly boring - campaign. Wolves are going to survive without fuss, which is an achievement when you consider their disorganized start to the season.

Liverpool vs. Manchester United

Anfield, Sunday, 4:30pm Local, 11:30am Eastern

The match of the weekend takes place at Anfield, with top of the table Liverpool hosting 6th place Manchester United. This fixture has only gone one way in recent years, and - considering both clubs’ current forms - it would be a surprise if the trend didn’t continue with a Liverpool victory. The Merseyside club hasn’t been exactly convincing in recent outings as 2 of their last 3 victories needed late comebacks, but Jürgen Klopp’s side has found ways to salvage results. It also doesn’t hurt that Liverpool are undefeated at home. For all the positivity, fans will be wary of the wounded animal that is Manchester United, and there have been rumblings that the forward line isn’t exactly clicking (Mohamed Salah is the only true attacker to score in their last 4 league matches). On paper Liverpool should expect a great evening, but no result is guaranteed.

Erik Ten Hag and Manchester United are in trouble. They’ve been humbled in the league and bundled out of Europe. They lack a clear identity, they seem fractured, and - on top of all that - they’re facing an avalanche of injuries. Two that they picked up in midweek, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, could unsettle an already chaotic defense, which doesn’t bode well on a jaunt to Anfield. Shaw could be fit in time, and Marcus Rashford seems set to return as well, but it’s an indication of how poor the Red Devils’ season has been that neither of these pieces of news really moves the needle on their expectations. A narrow loss would be good news for Ten Hag, and that’s almost the harshest criticism a Manchester United manager can face ahead of a trip to their rivals.