Premier League Matchday 4: United out to back up Liverpool win at Saints

A busy Saturday sees five of the big six in action as the Premier League season continues this weekend.

Manchester United kick things off at Southampton, before Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all have winnable 3pm kick-offs.

Early leaders Arsenal play Fulham later on, while Tottenham face a tricky trip to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Southampton vs Manchester United (Saturday, 12.30pm, BT Sport)

Manchester United head to Southampton looking to back up their stunning victory over arch-rivals Liverpool.

Though the Red Devils have not lost at St Mary’s since 2003, their seven-game losing streak on the road is their worst since 1936 when they lost 10 in a row.

Saints ended an eight-game winless run at Leicester in their last league outing, with both clubs going for back-to-back league successes for the first time since February.

New signing Casemiro could make his debut for United, while Che Adams will hope to start after following up his brace off the bench at the King Power Stadium with two more goals in the 3-0 Carabao Cup win at Cambridge on Tuesday.

Brentford vs Everton (Saturday, 3pm)

The pressure continues to build on Frank Lampard as Everton try to avoid their worst start to a season in 12 years when they travel to Brentford.

The Toffees have not failed to win any of their opening four league games since the 2010-11 season and Lampard will hope Tuesday’s 1-0 win at Fleetwood breathes some confidence into his squad.

Since his appointment in February, only Wolves (0.90) are averaging less than Everton’s one point per game in the league.

But Brentford will be a tough nut to crack having kept clean sheets in five of their last six top-flight home games, as well as doing the double over the Toffees last term.

Brighton vs Leeds (Saturday, 3pm)

Leeds head to the South Coast as two sides buoyed by impressive starts to the season clash in Brighton.

The Whites sit third in the Premier League with seven points — their highest position heading into a game since September 2002 — while Brighton also have two wins and a draw to their name.

Though Graham Potter’s side are unbeaten in eight league games, they have failed to score in six of their last nine at the Amex.

On the other hand, Leeds striker Rodrigo has found his scoring boots with four goals in three league outings, with Jack Harrison providing an assist for the Spaniard in each game so far.

Chelsea vs Leicester (Saturday, 3pm)

Thomas Tuchel will be forced to watch from the stands as Chelsea look to return to winning ways against Leicester after their 3-0 reverse at Leeds.

The Blues have not lost back-to-back league games under the German and face a Leicester side with one point from three games so far.

Brendan Rodgers is facing the most difficult spell of his time in charge of the Foxes as his side look to avoid going winless in their first four top-flight games since the last time they were relegated in 2003-04.

The hosts will be without Kalidou Koulibaly after his red card at Leeds, while Rodgers has opted not to recall Chelsea target Wesley Fofana after he was left out last Saturday.

Liverpool vs Bournemouth (Saturday, 3pm)

Still on the search for their first win of the season, Liverpool welcome Bournemouth to Anfield.

Cherries boss Scott Parker was the last Premier League manager to win at Anfield back in March 2021 during his time in charge of Fulham, but the South Coast club have lost on seven of their eight trips there.

It is a decade since the Reds failed to win any of their opening three games — that season saw them pick up their first victory in the sixth match.

But with Mohamed Salah having scored in all six of his games against Bournemouth and the Reds recording 26 wins from their last 33 against promoted sides, Jurgen Klopp will see it as the perfect chance for his side to kick-start their campaign.

Manchester City vs Crystal Palace (Saturday, 3pm)

The sight of Crystal Palace will not fill Manchester City supporters with confidence.

The Eagles took four points off City last season and have only lost on one of their past four trips to the Etihad.

In fact, if Palace do leave with three points they will be only the second side to win away from home at a team managed by Pep Guardiola in back-to-back seasons.

While Eberechi Eze is looking for his third assist in his last three away games, Kevin De Bruyne could become the first ever City player to notch one in five straight games.

Arsenal vs Fulham (Saturday, 5.30pm, Sky Sports)

Fulham make the trip to Arsenal for the 31st time, still looking for their first victory at the Gunners.

But they face the only side with a 100% record in the league after three games — and one who have not lost to a newly-promoted side at home since November 2010.

If Arsenal mark Mikel Arteta’s 100th league game in charge with another win, it will be their best start since the 2004-05 campaign.

The Cottagers will also be full of confidence after picking up five points from their three games and are hoping to go four unbeaten at the start of a season for just the second time in the top flight.

Aston Villa vs West Ham (Sunday, 2pm)

Two sides suffering difficult starts to the campaign meet as Aston Villa host West Ham on Sunday afternoon.

While the Hammers have booked their spot in the Europa Conference League group stage with a 3-0 victory at Viborg, they are goalless and pointless in the top flight.

Villa picked up three points against Everton but defeats to Bournemouth and Crystal Palace have left fans worried.

Given they have not beaten West Ham since 2015, and the Hammers have won on each of their last two trips to Villa Park, David Moyes will be the more hopeful manager.

Wolves vs Newcastle (Sunday, 2pm, Sky Sports)

While Eddie Howe’s Newcastle impressed against Manchester City, Wolves’ defeat to Tottenham made it 10 Premier League games without victory.

Bruno Lage’s men are on their current longest winless streak in the top flight and their longest as a club since March 2013 when they did not win in 12 and were relegated to League One.

Since the turn of the year, the Magpies have picked up 43 points — a total only bettered by Liverpool, City and Spurs.

And they head to the Midlands with Allan Saint-Maximin in irresistible form after setting up two in the 3-3 draw last Sunday — his 15 assists since signing in August 2019 are more than twice that of his nearest team-mate.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham (Sunday, 4.30pm, Sky Sports)

Nottingham Forest have made the City Ground a fortress in recent times, but face their toughest test yet against unbeaten Tottenham.

Only once in the past 13 seasons have Spurs gone unbeaten in their first four games, when they went on to finish second in the 2016-17 campaign.

Forest will be the 32nd opponent Harry Kane has faced in the top flight, with Brentford the only side he is yet to score against after registering blanks in both games last term.

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