It’s only now, with the transfer deadline passed and the international break boxed off, that it feels as though the 2017-18 Premier League season is underway in earnest.
The brash return of the world’s most lucrative league is accompanied by so much excitement after a summer off, though with just three games scheduled before players jet off to fulfil their national-team commitments, momentum is hard to come by early in the campaign. Now, with squads finalised, managers and players can begin to refine their respective blueprints.
This weekend will lend a glimpse into what the 20 sides involved can realistically offer between now and the January window. And a number of fascinating clashes have been tossed out by the fixture computer.
Read on for a focus on the three marquee fixtures and a line on the remaining seven fixtures from Week 4 of the Premier League, and be sure to get the best odds for these matches from our green listed bookmakers.
Manchester City vs. Liverpool
There are some matches between some of the Premier League’s top six sides that can occasionally fail to live up to the hype. Though there’s little doubt the lunchtime showdown between City and Liverpool will deliver in terms of entertainment.
Pep Guardiola’s team have invested heavily in key areas of the side and subsequently boast a remarkable squad. Yet early in the season, despite their haul of seven points, they’ve yet to sparkle as anticipated. There will be hope that Raheem Sterling’s last-gasp winner at Bournemouth will nudge them into top gear.
In many respects, Jurgen Klopp will hope that’s the case. His Liverpool side, after all, have relished the big games under his guidance, thriving against the other sides in the top seven last season. Stylistically, they’re set up perfectly to take advantage of enterprising opponents and there’s no doubt City will seek to open the game up here.
Klopp is evidently an expert at motivating his side for these types of occasions too. Having hammered Arsenal last time out and thrived at the Etihad Stadium previously, the Reds will head to Manchester knowing they have the gameplan to get the better of City. (2-3). Top odds for this matchup can be found in Coral.
Everton vs. Tottenham Hotspur
After away trips to Manchester City and Chelsea before the international break, Everton’s testing start to the 2017-18 term continues when they welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Goodison Park.
The Toffees have done plenty of interesting business in the summer window and the challenge for Ronald Koeman will be to fit these new faces into a cohesive setup. The early signs suggest Everton will be a more robust defensive outfit, but with the potency of Romelu Lukaku gone, incision in the final third may be a little scarcer.
Spurs will be delighted to get away from Wembley for now. Although they’ve been unfortunate at the national stadium in some of their losses, in the 1-1 draw against Burnley they were a long way short of their best. Encouragingly for Mauricio Pochettino, Harry Kane rediscovered his touch in front of goal with England during the international break.
Everton will be hopeful of getting closer to the top six this term and it’s these types of encounters they must thrive in if they’re to cut down that gap. But Spurs are combative, canny and up for the battle away from home; they’ll do enough to earn an important point at a difficult venue to visit. (1-1), find great odds for this match at Ladbrokes.
Leicester City vs. Chelsea
What a difference a few weeks make for Chelsea. After the opening-day loss to Burnley there was a sense the Blues were on the cusp of a crisis, with Antonio Conte seemingly miffed at the work done—or otherwise—by the club in the window. Now the situation feels a little rosier.
The wins over Tottenham and Everton have settled the champions down, serving as a reminder of how talented this team and their manager is. A third win in a row at the expense of Leicester would ensure any thoughts of an early season meltdown at Stamford Bridge are shelved.
Leicester are in an interesting position themselves. Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy both remain, they’ve made some strong signings in the summer and they’ve played well in all of their matches so far. Yet they appear to be lacking the intangibles needed to get over the line against the best sides, as losses to Arsenal and Manchester United illustrated.
The King Power Stadium will see some familiar faces in the Chelsea side too, with N’Golo Kante set to feature and Danny Drinkwater poised to make his debut for the Blues. Expect a fiery backdrop to this game as a result, but for the champions to rise to the occasion and continue their resurgence. (1-3)
Arsenal vs. Bournemouth
After scrambling to keep Alexis Sanchez on the final day of the summer window, there’ll be an antsy atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium. A disappointing window and a pitiful surrender at Anfield last time out means a fast start is needed for the Gunners to keep their fans onside here; they’ll eventually have too much for a slow-starting Bournemouth. (2-0)
Southampton vs. Watford
Saints halted the Huddersfield juggernaut last time out, with manager Mauricio Pellegrino showing his defensive acumen as a coach. On home soil they’ll be expected to press on in search of three points, but Watford have impressed so far and will cause issues on the counter-attack. (1-1)
Brighton & Hove Albion vs. West Bromwich Albion
Brighton have yet to find the back of the net in the top flight and will find it tough to get the better of one of the meanest defences in the division. West Brom enjoyed one of the finest transfer windows of any side in the top flight and will swagger down to the south coast. A narrow win will see them take three points back to the Midlands. (0-1)
Stoke City vs. Manchester United
On the cusp of the campaign Stoke seemed to be a side with the potential to amble aimlessly through the Premier League season, yet there have been signs of life in the win over Arsenal and the draw at West Brom. Yet finding a formula for getting the better of Jose Mourinho’s imperious United is surely beyond them. (0-2)
Burnley vs. Crystal Palace
It’s remarkable that three games into a Premier League season, Frank De Boer is fighting to save his job. After three losses and no goals in those encounters, the pressure is on the Dutchman. Playing a confident Burnley at and intimidating Turf Moor is not a place where players lacking confidence tend to flourish either. (1-0)
Swansea City vs. Newcastle United
Both of these sides picked up morale-boosting victories last time out, though it’s Swansea who feel as though they have more impetus on the cusp of this one. While Newcastle failed to make necessary additions late in the transfer window, the loan signing of Renato Sanches for the Welsh outfit will create a buzz about the Liberty Stadium on Sunday. (2-1)
West Ham United vs. Huddersfield
There’s unlikely to be two sets of supporters in the country with more polarising views on their respective managers than these two. David Wagner has Huddersfield dreaming after a stunning start to life in the top flight. Slaven Bilic needs a win after three appalling losses to start; home advantage should help them to an entertaining draw. (2-2)
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