MADRID, 13 (EUROPA PRESS)
Premier League leaders Manchester City and second-placed Liverpool on the same points will be looking to maintain their perfect record in the competition in their clashes with Brentford and Nottingham Forest respectively, in a fourth round marked by the North London Derby between Tottenham and Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola’s men, ahead of the trial for the 115 alleged financial offences and with Erling Haaland seriously in doubt due to a personal problem, face Brentford this Saturday (16.00) when they are top with nine points from a possible nine. The ‘Citizens’, boosted by the victory in the Community Shield, have started the domestic competition like a shot, with only two goals conceded and nine in favor.
Against Brentford, who are sixth with two wins and one defeat and with a chance of making it into the European spots, City will begin their particular ‘marathon’ of matches, four in a row at home in two weeks. Before their fantastic week, with the Champions League opener against Inter Milan, and facing Arsenal in the Premier League, another of the strong candidates for the domestic title.
Arne Slot’s ‘new’ Liverpool will not want to fail either, as they have managed to score three points in a row so far this season to become joint leaders with their spectacular and vertical football. In addition, they have not conceded a goal in three games, with a 0-3 at Old Trafford as their last great achievement, just before the break.
Slot, the first manager since the late Eriksson to win his first three Premier League games with Liverpool, hopes that the two weeks without club competition have not halted Liverpool’s momentum. They are now appealing to the spirit of Anfield, where they will play their next three domestic matches, while next week they will visit AC Milan in the Champions League.
Another of the highlights of the day will be the North London Derby between Tottenham and Arsenal, this Sunday (15.00). The first big test for the ‘Gunners’ who are fourth (7) and suffered their first setback before the break in the form of a draw (1-1) against Brighton, who are now third (7). And the most recent record is favourable to those of the renewed Mikel Arteta, who won the two previous derbies as visitors.
Overall, Tottenham have only won one of the last seven North London derbies. Ange Postecoglou’s men need a boost to avoid sinking too soon in the table, currently tenth with just one win and four points.
Manchester United also face a major challenge, having lost two games in a row and being just two points above the relegation zone. Ten Hag’s project has not yet taken off and against Southampton, who have lost three games in the Premier League so far and are second from bottom, they will have a new opportunity to go up and remove the danger.
This round will also see Fulham-West Ham, with Julen Lopetegui’s men needing to start looking up, Aston Villa-Everton, with Unai Emery close to European places, and Bournemouth-Chelsea, which will put Andoni Iraola’s men’s unbeaten record at stake.
–PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHDAY FOUR SCHEDULE:
-Saturday, September 14th.
Southampton – Manchester United 13.30.
Brighton – Ipswich 16.00.
Crystal Palace – Leicester 16.00.
Fulham – West Ham 16.00.
Liverpool – Notingham Forest 16.00.
Manchester City – Brentford 16.00.
Aston Villa – Everton 18.30.
Bournemouth – Chelsea 21.00.
-Domingo 15.
Totteneham – Arsenal 15.00.
Wolves – Newcastle 17.30.
