Premier League Matchday 5: Gunners out to heap more misery on Villa

The first set of midweek fixtures of the Premier League season sees all 20 top-flight teams in action.

Chelsea are in action at Southampton tonight before leaders Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City play at home on Wednesday, as are managerless Bournemouth following Scott Parker's sacking.

Manchester United’s trip to rock-bottom Leicester rounds off the action on Thursday and we have all 10 games previewed.

Crystal Palace vs Brentford (Tuesday, 7.30pm, BT Sport 3)

Brentford are looking to end a 65-year wait for a win at Selhurst Park when they visit Crystal Palace.

But last term’s two 0-0 draws between the London sides suggest entertainment may not be on the menu.

Palace are quickly turning Selhurst into a fortress under Patrick Vieira having won four of their past six matches in South London.

And they will be hoping that Wilfried Zaha is fit — he has scored five of their past six home league goals and in six of their eight Selhurst Park wins since Vieira took charge.

Fulham vs Brighton (Tuesday, 7.30pm, BT Sport 4)

Graham Potter’s impressive Brighton travel to Fulham knowing victory would put them top of the Premier League for 24 hours at least.

The Seagulls are looking to win their opening three away games of a top-flight season for the first time after beating Manchester United and West Ham already.

But they failed to win any of their seven midweek matches last term and Fulham are unbeaten in three Premier League games against them.

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored his 100th Fulham goal last time out and has netted three in two top-flight starts against Brighton.

Southampton vs Chelsea (Tuesday, 7.45pm, BT Sport 2)

Trips to Southampton have proved memorable for Chelsea over recent years — and they will be hoping for more of the same on Tuesday.

The Blues have won seven and drawn two of their last nine games at St Mary’s and have scored in 17 consecutive league clashes at the Saints.

But they did lose 3-0 at Leeds in their last away outing and are trying to avoid back-to-back defeats on the road for the first time under Thomas Tuchel.

Ralph Hasenhuttl's side have had a difficult time since the start of March, losing more matches (16) than any other top-flight outfit.

Leeds vs Everton (Tuesday, 8pm, BT Sport 1)

Leeds host Everton aiming to win a third consecutive top-flight home game at the start of a season for the first time since they won the title in the 1973-74 campaign.

The Whites have not even won three home matches in a row since they returned to the Premier League but have started well under Jesse Marsch.

That has not been the case for Frank Lampard’s Toffees, who are winless in their opening four games for the first time in 11 years.

Anthony Gordon netted for them in the 1-1 draw at Brentford and has had 11 of their 23 shots on target but could yet be sold with Chelsea interested.

Arsenal vs Aston Villa (Wednesday,7.30pm, BT Sport 4)

Premier League pace-setters Arsenal welcome Aston Villa to North London looking to make it five victories in a row to kick off the campaign.

Only three times before have they done that in the top flight, winning the title in 1930-31 and 1947-48, while coming second in 2004-05.

Villa have won three of their past 11 meetings with the Gunners, though all three of them were behind-closed-doors.

Boss Steven Gerrard never triumphed in six league games at the Emirates as a player and knows if that run continues in the dugout, pressure will continue to build after a slow start.

Bournemouth vs Wolves (Wednesday, 7.30pm, BT Sport)

Interim boss Gary O'Neil will be tasked with lifting Bournemouth's squad after the 9-0 humiliation at Liverpool on Saturday was followed by Scott Parker's shock sacking.

The Cherries welcome Wolves to the Vitality Stadium, having shipped 16 goals without conceding in games against Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool since their opening-day win over Aston Villa.

Though Wolves are yet to taste victory this term, they have only lost three of their past 22 clashes against promoted sides.

And with goals in all four of his top-flight appearances against the Cherries, it may be just the kick-start Raul Jimenez needed.

Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest (Wednesday, 7.30pm, BT Sport 3)

Steve Cooper takes his new-look Nottingham Forest side to Manchester City looking to tame the Premier League champions.

Forest last visited the Etihad in January 2009 when they picked up a shock 3-0 FA Cup victory.

But before relegation in 1999 they had lost six successive games against the top flight's reigning champions by an aggregate score of 23-3.

Erling Haaland has six goals in his first four Premier League games and if he nets twice against Forest he will equal the record for a player's first five — held by Sergio Aguero and Mick Quinn.

West Ham vs Tottenham (Wednesday, 7.45pm, BT Sport 2)

West Ham will be searching for a third consecutive home victory over London rivals Tottenham under the London Stadium lights.

But they have lost both their games there this term, last suffering three home defeats in a row under Manuel Pellegrini nearly three years ago.

If Tottenham triumph, they will become the third team after Chelsea and Arsenal to win 100 London derbies in the Premier League.

And in Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son they have two players who love playing West Ham — Kane has scored 11 goals against them and Son has five in his last eight.

Liverpool vs Newcastle (Wednesday, 7.30pm, BT Sport 1)

Liverpool will aim to extend Newcastle’s 28-year wait for a league win at Anfield and back up their 9-0 thrashing of Bournemouth.

The Magpies have only picked up five points in their last 26 trips, conceding a goal every time they have travelled to Liverpool.

In fact, their last victory either home or away was way back in 2015 and even boss Eddie Howe has lost eight in a row against the Reds.

Mohamed Salah drew a blank on Saturday but has netted in all five home games he has played against Newcastle.

Leicester vs Manchester United (Thursday, 8pm, BT Sport, 8pm)

Leicester will hope their recent strong record against Manchester United helps them get their season going at the King Power Stadium.

Brendan Rodgers' men are unbeaten in their past four games against the Red Devils, winning two and drawing two.

But the Foxes have lost three games in a row for the first time since Claudio Ranieri was in charge, when they lost five before his sacking.

United, meanwhile, are looking for a third consecutive Premier League win for the first time this year.

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