Can Arsenal keep their winning streak going?
Arsenal come into the game against West Brom on the back of a 10 game winning streak in all competitions, after their opening day defeat to Aston Villa at home. With Özil picking up from where he left off at Real Madrid, with three assists in as many games and Giroud showing just why Wenger thought so highly of him, Arsenal certainly are riding on a high.
They are up against a West Brom side who are fresh from making history after becoming the first West Brom side to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford since 1978. Their attack looks delightful to watch and will provide a stern test to the Arsenal juggernaut, who are looking to make it their ninth straight away victory in the Premier League.
Will Everton continue their good form against the citizens under Martinez?
Under David Moyes, Everton had a very good record against Manchester City in the league, which saw them win nine of their last 12 meetings between them. With City reeling on the back of a humiliating defeat to Bayern Munich in midweek, Martinez might well fancy his chances and making it four wins on the trot for the toffees. Having won three and drawn three, Everton are currently the only unbeaten side in the league.
Whilst City are the League’s highest scorers with 14 goals, they have already lost twice in their opening six games and Pellegrini is yet to find his best XI. And with Lukaku leading the charge, Everton look like they might well give City a run for the money at the Etihad on Saturday.
Something has to give at the KC Stadium as Hull entertain Aston Villa
The game at the KC Stadium pits two in-form sides of the Premier League together and with both Hull and Aston Villa looking for their third consecutive league win, something has to give. Whilst not many would have predicted Hull’s sensational start to the Premier League, Aston Villa’s two game winning streak is the all more surprising as they were without both Agbonlahor and Benteke.
Whilst Aston Villa go into this game as favorites as they have won their last five meetings with the tigers, without conceding a single, Hull are certainly no pushovers. And the encounter at the KC Stadium certainly promises to be a clash of different styles as Hull have been solid at the back at home, having conceded just a single goal from the their games, whilst Aston Villa are known more for their attacking prowess than their defensive solidity.
Will Sunderland heap more misery on Moyes and Man United?
David Moyes has gone from having the best start of any United manager post Sir Matt Busby, to having the worst Premier League start of any United manager in a matter of days. Whilst the midweek performance against Shakhtar should ease some nerves, the fact is that Moyes is still struggling to find his first XI and Sunderland might yet prove tricky opponents.
On the face of it, it looks barely possible. After all, United are unbeaten in their last 19 games against the Black Cats and look firm favorites to inflict more misery on a listless start to Sunderland’s season. But, lets not forget, the same was said of West Brom last weekend and look what they managed to do. So, Moyes will surely have his task cut out for him, and defeat against Sunderland will heap even more pressure on himself, which he could very well do without.
Can Spurs and Saints add some style to their stubborn resistance?
Both Spurs and Southampton sit pretty at the top of the clean sheet chart with four clean sheets each in just six games. Both sides have gotten off to great starts, but have only scored six and five goals respectively. And whilst both their defenses have been rock solid, their attacks haven’t kicked in gear as yet.
With the likes of Lamela, Eriksen, Osvaldo and Lallana in their ranks, neither Spurs nor Southampton should be struggling for creativity or goals. With both sets of fans looking for some style on top of the steel, this weekend should prove them with the perfect riposte as they are both playing at home against West Ham and Swansea respectively.