Luton Town vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Kenilworth Road, Saturday, 12:30pm Local, 7:30am Eastern

The weekend kicks off at Kenilworth Road, with Luton hosting Tottenham. The Hatters have had mixed results at home so far, drawing 1 and losing 2 in 3 attempts. Spurs are a heady proposition for the promoted side, and - frankly - Luton need to either play the best match of their season or get incredibly lucky if they want to take anything from the match. To be a trifle more positive, Carlton Morris has continued his strong start to the season, adding to his account with a great finish against Everton. Tom Lockyer has a talismanic quality about him, and that was only increased when he got a black eye midweek.

However, to be pragmatic, Spurs will be very confident of taking all three points from this match. Imagining Premier League big dogs crumbling at fortress Kenilworth brings me great joy, but it remains unlikely that Ange Postecoglou’s club will roll over. Richarlison has yet to back up his big performance against Sheffield United but started last time out. Look for the Brazilian forward to stamp his authority on the match and interchange with Son Heung-min in the forward line. Tottenham fans have little to fear, but you never know: maybe Luton can channel magic at the Kenny.

Burnley vs. Chelsea

Turf Moor, Saturday, 3pm Local, 10am Eastern

Both clubs come into this matchup bouncing off of much needed wins. Vincent Kompany’s side finally got 3 points away at Luton, and Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea dispatched Fulham on Monday night. Beyond just earning a victory, Burnley’s win was a huge step forward for the promoted club. Luca Koleosho announced himself with a fantastic performance, and Lyle Foster scored on his return from suspension. There are wonderful pieces in this Burnley team who, up to this point, had yet to perform cohesively. This is a difficult contest for the Clarets - made all the more difficult by Chelsea finding a bit fo from. At a minimum, Burnley need to keep the game tight, but a late counter attacking goal is not a far fetched proposition.

Monday’s win over Fulham will have galvanized the young Chelsea team, and it was badly needed. Moisés Caicedo, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Levi Colwill stood out, and Armando Broja led the line with a welcome tenacity. Whether this lineup is the best bet for the Blues going forward remains to be seen, but winning comfortably must have been a welcome change for the still gelling side. In a different campaign, Chelsea would enter this match with confidence, but it’s too soon to assume consistency from the West London club. However, backing up one good performance with another would be a huge step in their rebuild. We’ll see if they’re up to it.

Everton vs. Bournemouth

Goodison Park, Saturday, 3pm Local, 10am Eastern

Saturday brings a quietly massive match at Goodison Park. Everton followed up their first win of the season with a deflating loss to Luton, and Bournemouth have yet to win this season. If either team can capture all 3 points, they’ll have a crucial bit of hope to cling onto going into the break. A loss would send either team deeper into crisis. In Bournemouth’s defense, they’ve had an absolutely bruising start to the campaign, and their poor start was easy to forecast. That said, if we’re to believe they’re headed in the right direction, they need to win this match. New managers should be given time to implement their tactics and culture, but - after such a rocky start - Andoni Iraola has to start producing results.

Goodison Park has been a fortress for Everton. The bear-pit atmosphere that the supporters create there has been a driving force behind their last two survival campaigns. However, right now, the connection between supporters and players is fraying - and a bad performance will invite massive negativity from the stands. This match is an opportunity for the Toffees to start recreating that fervent energy in their fans. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is scoring, Jarrad Branthwaite has signed a new contract - there are shades of positivity at Goodison. Sean Dyche’s squad just needs to prove it can win at home, which is easier said than done.

Fulham vs. Sheffield United

Craven Cottage, Saturday, 3pm Local, 10am Eastern

After a dull draw and a lackluster loss, Marco Silva’s Cottagers are in need of a pick-me-up. Without hoping to sound cruel: enter Sheffield United. The West London side had a solid beginning to the campaign, and sit in 11th place - which, were it to be where they ended up, would be a great season. However, the first inklings of doubt have begun to creep in, and only a win would start to alleviate that worry. The main struggle recently has been converting chances. After losing their top scorer over the summer, the Cottagers are still searching for a consistent offensive presence. Alex Iwobi and Carlos Vinícius have been promising without any end product. Winning is paramount for Fulham, but winning while scoring multiple goals would be even more promising.

Sheffield United have lacked a spark since they gave up their lead against Tottenham. That collapse was followed by an 8-0 shellacking and a comfortable 2-0 loss. Paul Heckingbottom has done admirably with this squad, and his early season form was particularly impressive when one considers how late so much of the Blades’ business was finished. However, this match may be make or break for his spell with the side. With an international break looming, it would be naive to brush aside concerns for Heckingbottom with the club rooted to the bottom of the league. A resolute performance - and even better, a win - is desperately needed to turn around the abysmal last few weeks for the Blades.

Manchester United vs. Brentford

Old Trafford, Saturday, 3pm Local, 10am Eastern

The season has not been kind to Manchester United, and the Red Devils currently sit in 10th place. Their own mismanagement has been compounded by player issues and injuries, and a trip to Old Trafford lacks any intimidation factor. Brentford at home should be a winnable fixture for United, but with such inconsistent performances, it’s difficult to have any confidence in them. Rasmus Højlund has been a bright spot, and Bruno Fernades and Marcus Rashford always have the capacity for game changing quality - any of them could step up for the club. However, beyond any individual performance, the team needs to inspire the fanbase. After losing to Palace last time out, a chorus of boos rained down over Old Trafford. This club has too much potential to be sunk so low so early in the campaign.

Standing in the way of a potential renaissance is Brentford. The Bees’ early results have been mixed, with a long unbeaten start undercut by only winning 1 match so far. They are well-managed, well-balanced, and likely to be safe - but they’ve lacked a wow factor in the past few outings, and they’ll need to recapture the spark of the early season to grab a win in Manchester. Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa have gone quiet, after shouldering the scoring burden early on. Getting one or both of their top forwards firing again could be the boost Brentford need to spring a surprise on the floundering Red Devils.

Crystal Palace vs. Nottingham Forest

Selhurst Park, Saturday, 5:30pm Local, 12:30pm Eastern

This match may not seem electrifying on paper, but the late game on Saturday has the potential for real excitement. Both Palace and Forest seem unlikely to be dragged into the relegation battle, and both sides have offensive talent galore. While massive stakes are part of what makes football so thrilling, the rare match where both teams can truly just set out to hammer the other with little to no consequences should be cherished. Eberechi Eze is set to miss an extended period with a hamstring injury, so Palace will need to find new creative avenues. Roy Hodgson continues to lead the Eagles admirably, and he has the opportunity to firmly entrench his club in the top half of the table with a win.

Steve Cooper’s side have been similarly impressive in their early outings, and - after last season - that shouldn’t be taken for granted. It’s frankly a miracle that Forest not only survived last season but that they seem on course for a comfortable campaign this time around. Anthony Elanga has grabbed hold of a starting place, and his steady growth in the side feels like it’s leading towards a big performance. Palace have not been easy to turn over this year, but if Elanga and his comrades in the forward line can counter attack in unison, the Midlands club could run out of South London with a fortifying victory.

Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Liverpool

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

Both teams squaring off on the South Coast are coming off frustrating defeats. Brighton were bopped 6-1 by a clinical Aston Villa, and Liverpool had a very well publicized last minute defeat at Tottenham. Roberto De Zerbi’s side has alternated between irresistible attacking displays and humbling disorganized losses. There’s an open question as to whether or not clubs have figured out the Italian manager’s tactics, with multiple teams exposing space left open on the counter. Working in the Seagulls’ favor, however, is their ability to avoid extended bad runs of form. Ansu Fati looked bright when he subbed on last weekend, and he may be in line for a start. Despite their poor result last time out, Brighton have a tremendous arsenal of attacking options - and they’re facing a team with who have only produced one league clean sheet.

Liverpool have been in the news for all the wrong reasons, with endless discussion of VAR, replays, and officiating dominating the airwaves. The players, to their credit, seem to have put it in the rear-view mirror, winning relatively comfortably in the Europa League on Thursday. Brighton have been a tough proposition for the Merseyside club recently, and they lost last year's match at the Amex 3-0. While Liverpool are not defensive stalwarts, it should be noted they’ve only conceded 7 goals - which ties them for 3rd fewest in the league. Expect Darwin Núñez to start, as his pace on the counter will be a key opportunity to unlock Brighton’s back line. Whatever the result, fans and neutrals alike will be treated to high-tempo attacking play from both clubs, and that should make for top-tier entertainment.

West Ham United vs. Newcastle United

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

Both West Ham and Newcastle are coming off triumphant midweeks. West Ham earned a late win over Freiburg in the Europa League, while Newcastle produced one of the greatest results in the club’s long history by beating PSG 4-1 in the Champions League. The Hammers have more recent experience playing in Europe, and that might prove to be a major advantage. Jarrod Bowen has continued his rock n roll start to the season, and he’ll look to keep that form going, especially on the break. James Ward-Prowse has proven to be one of the signings of the summer, with his facilitation in both open play and from dead ball situations becoming crucial to West Ham’s early success. David Moyes has already shown that he can tailor a game plan to frustrate high-quality opposition, and Sunday’s matchup is another opportunity.

Newcastle performed extraordinarily in the Champions League this week, but it remains to be seen if they’ll ride the high of this great win or be slightly hungover from such a big night. The Magpies have completely left their poor start behind them, winning their past few matches comfortably. And, while their success is rightly caveated, some of the best performances have come from players who were at the club before the Saudi takeover. West Ham do present a challenge for the Geordie club, as the Hammers are very happy to put the attacking onus on their opponent - inviting pressure while coiling for a counter attack. Eddie Howe’s side will need to balance offensive risk and reward, but they’ll feel wholly capable of earning all 3 points.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Aston Villa

Molineux, Sunday, 2pm Local, 9am Eastern

While Wolves had the honor of being the first team to beat Manchester City in the league, they cannot rest on their laurels when Aston Villa comes to town on Sunday. Pedro Neto continues to shine and is understandably fueling transfer rumors. Hwang Hee-chan has found a solid vein of form and - more crucially - is performing more consistently than ever. Craig Dawson rightly earned plaudits for containing Erling Haaland. These players, among others, should give supporters of the Midlands club hope, but it’s hard to escape the idea that Wolves need everyone to have the match of their lives to earn wins against big sides. While Aston Villa may not sit on top of the table, they did just turn over Brighton and show grit in earning a late win in the Europa Conference League. Gary O’Neill needs to ensure that his club plays like the side that beat City, not the side that drew to Luton. 

Villa will be bouncing into Molineux on Sunday afternoon, and why shouldn’t they? They’ve won three on the bounce in the league, Ollie Watkins is on fire, John McGinn has grown into his captaincy - confidence should be permeating the club like fabric softener. If you want some pragmatism, Villa have lacked consistency in the early going, peppering in a few humbling defeats along their travels. Also, their recently returned midfielder, Jacob Ramsey, is set for another spell on the sidelines. Instinct points to Villa having enough to win away at their midlands rival, but instinct pointed to a comfortable City win last week as well - and we all know how that turned out.

Arsenal vs. Manchester City

Emirates Stadium, 4:30pm Local, 11:30am Eastern
The unquestionable game of the weekend pits last season’s top 2 clubs against each other. Recently, City have had the upper hand over Arsenal (if we discount the Community Shield) and their two wins over Mikel Arteta’s side last campaign were the nails in the coffin for the Gunners’ title challenge. The North London club has had a solid start to the league, but could do with a statement victory against a fellow frontrunner. That’s easier said than done, especially considering Arsenal fans will be sweating the health of Bukayo Saka up until the lineups are announced. However, Manchester City have squad concerns of their own, and much has been made of Rodri’s suspension. Whether or not his absence is enough of an advantage for the Gunners remains to be seen, but this matchup feels more finely poised than recent editions.

Manchester City, it should be said, are still tremendously good. They had been undefeated in the league prior to their loss to Wolves, and Erling Haaland is still the top scorer. It will take a lot to knock them off their perch. However, they have shown just the slightest sense of weakness, which is enough to have fans desperate for a title race begging for them to be fallible. Pep Guardiola’s side has the opportunity to silence the chatter and put to bed rumors of his club’s vulnerability. This match will likely be cagey and physical - with both sides motivated to avoid a humiliating loss. But, if it can live up the hype, this could be one of the early contests of the season.