Injury-hit Arsenal have little room for error as they host Premier League leaders Liverpool at the Emirates on Sunday, while Chelsea will face Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.
This is just as two under pressure managers face off at the London Stadium as Julen Lopetegui aims to quell disquiet among the West Ham support against Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United.
Arsenal were tipped to push Manchester City all the way again this season after twice coming so close to a first Premier League title since 2003/04.
But it is Liverpool who lead the way after a near-flawless start to Arne Slot’s reign.
The Gunners’ shock 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth last week leaves them four points behind the Reds and three adrift of second-placed City.
Arsenal could be without three of their most important players with William Saliba suspended, Martin Odegaard sidelined by an ankle injury and Bukayo Saka a doubt due to a hamstring problem.
Defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber could also be missing and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has called on the Gunners fans to be the 12th man on Sunday.
“The place has to be rocking here against Liverpool to give us all the possible energy that they can,” Arteta said.
Liverpool, with 11 wins from 12 matches in all competitions, are flying under their new manager but victory against Arsenal would be the clearest statement yet that they are genuine title contenders.
10-man Arsenal suffer first Premier League defeat to Bournemouth
Manchester United, on the other hand, showed encouraging signs of life in their comeback win against Brentford last week, with Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, and Marcus Rashford linking up well in attack.
It was a welcome sight for beleaguered manager Ten Hag, whose team had failed to find the net in their previous three league matches.
Hojlund scored his first Premier League goal of the season while Rashford, playing on the right of the attack, looked sharp, setting up Garnacho’s goal.
But only winless Crystal Palace, Southampton, and Ipswich have scored fewer than United’s seven goals in eight league games.
Just 10 games into his reign in east London, Lopetegui is already under scrutiny after a second-half collapse in a 4-1 defeat at rivals Tottenham last weekend, AFP reported.
A return of eight points from eight games is not what Hammers fans expected after spending £120 million ($156 million) strengthening their squad in the transfer window.
See the Premier League fixtures slated for the weekend below:
Friday
Leicester v Nottingham Forest
Saturday
Aston Villa v Bournemouth
Brentford v Ipswich
Brighton v Wolves
Manchester City v Southampton
Everton v Fulham
Sunday
Chelsea v Newcastle
Crystal Palace v Tottenham
West Ham v Manchester United
Arsenal v Liverpool
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