Following the Champions League and Europa League matches played in the week, English clubs will shift their focus back to the Premier League this weekend. Here are five things to keep an eye out for.
Perfect six for Chelsea, Liverpool?
Chelsea and Liverpool have both enjoyed a perfect start to their respective campaigns. They both won their first five matches in the Premier League and then followed up with crucial early victories in the Europa League and Champions League respectively.
Chelsea play away to West Ham United, while Liverpool host Southampton. Both are winnable matches for either side, and they will be out to make it six out of six in the league.
Wounded champions to strike back
Champions Manchester City had their pride badly wounded when French side Lyon beat them at the Etihad in the Champions League on Wednesday. City are already two points behind the two leaders in the Premier League and cannot afford to drift in the race early on. They have a favourable fixture this weekend, against Cardiff City at the Cardiff City Stadium.
The Bluebirds have drawn two and lost four of their competitive games this season, including the last three in all competitions.
Severe test for United momentum
The previous talk of a crisis brewing at Manchester United has began to die down after the Red Devils won their last three matches in all competitions. They have what on paper looks to be a kind run of fixtures over the next few weeks, starting with a home match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
It will not be a walk in the park for José Mourinho’s men however, as Wolves have won their last three matches. The partnership of Rúben Neves and João Moutinho has really started to kick on and will pose a serious test for United’s midfield.
Zaha to pile more misery on Benitez
Wilfried Zaha has proven his quality this season, as well as his importance to Roy Hodgson and Crystal Palace. The former Man United man has three goals in four matches for the Eagles, whose six points so far have been largely thanks to him. Next up for Hodgson’s men is a tricky clash with Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle United.
The Magpies have lost four and not won any of their five matches so far, despite some laudable performances along the way. Their luck might not be about to change, especially if Zaha turns up.
Dyche under pressure?
It seems crazy to speak about the possibility of Sean Dyche being under pressure at Burnley. He is, after all, the man who brought them to the Premier League twice, and seemed to have established them as a top-flight club, with a historic appearance in the Europa League qualifiers just last month. This league season has started badly for the Clarets though, with just one draw and four defeats in five games.
Dyche is very unlikely to be fired by Burnley – even if they went down – but he will definitely be feeling the pressure from the bad results. He will want to turn things around, starting with their difficult match against Bournemouth this weekend.