There are some MASSIVE matches scheduled in the next four weeks. Ben Bloom picks out 10 of the biggest fixtures to look out for when the Premier League returns from the international break.
Spurs v West Ham
The first match after the break is a crucial London derby. West Ham United could climb above a Tottenham Hotspur side who have struggled for consistency so far this season and threw away a two-goal lead to lose at Brighton & Hove Albion in their last outing.
West Ham earned only their second win of the Julen Lopetegui era last time out, beating Ipswich Town, and they have won this fixture only twice in the last decade. But one of those was last season and if Spurs lose this London derby again and other results go against them, they could end Matchweek 8 as low as 13th in the table.
Southampton v Leicester
It has been a tough start to the season for the three promoted sides with just one win from their collective 21 matches – that earned by Leicester City against AFC Bournemouth in Matchweek 7. Can Southampton, who are already three points adrift of safety, get their first victory in this early-season six-pointer?
Leicester are already five points better off than Southampton and the Foxes have good memories of this fixture: they equalled the record for the biggest Premier League victory with a 9-0 away win almost five years ago to the day in 2019.
AFC Bournemouth v Arsenal
Last season’s three-way battle for the title went down to the wire and the same trio have started this campaign in a similar vein, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal separated by just a single point at the top of the table.
Playing a day before their rivals, Mikel Arteta’s side have the chance to reach the summit when they travel to Bournemouth, who begin a difficult run, with Aston Villa and Man City to follow their encounter with the Gunners.
Liverpool v Chelsea
Arne Slot’s Liverpool reign could hardly have started better, with his side sitting top of the Premier League.
However, they are yet to face a team higher than 10th and Chelsea’s visit starts a six-week period that also includes league matches against Arsenal, Brighton, Villa and Man City.
Resurgent Chelsea are the Premier League's form team, with only Arsenal able to match their 10 points from the last four matches, and the Blues would move one point behind Liverpool with a win at Anfield.
Arsenal v Liverpool
Exactly a week after welcoming Chelsea to Anfield, Slot’s team face a huge match at Arsenal, which could have major implications for the title race during a two-week period in which Man City face two winless clubs sitting in the relegation zone.
Both Liverpool and Arsenal are in UEFA Champions League action before their Premier League encounter, facing RB Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk respectively, with Liverpool playing away and having one fewer day's rest than Arsenal, whose European match is at Emirates Stadium.
Everything points to an enthralling fixture, with Premier League matches between the two sides averaging almost four goals per game over the last decade.
Wolves v Crystal Palace
Neither Wolves nor Crystal Palace would have envisaged heading into this international break without a league win, but both are sitting in the relegation zone and desperate for a reversal of fortunes.
In a huge day at the bottom of the table, all six of the current bottom six clubs face each other, with Ipswich taking on Leicester and Southampton hosting Everton. Gary O’Neil’s Wolves side then take on Southampton the following week.
Man Utd v Chelsea
Just a few weeks ago, this fixture looked likely to be a mid-table showdown between two underperforming sides, but their fortunes have differed markedly since those opening few fixtures.
While Chelsea have flourished, heading into the international break in fourth, Man Utd have continued to stutter. After defeats to Spurs, Liverpool and Brighton, Erik ten Hag will know how important a big win at Old Trafford could be.
Brighton v Man City
If the current league table is anything to go by, it would be no surprise if Man City are still unbeaten as they prepare for the next international break.
After taking on three sides in the bottom half of the table, Pep Guardiola travels with his team to Brighton, where they will look to replicate last year’s 4-0 success.
Fabian Hurzeler has already avoided defeat against Man Utd, Arsenal and Spurs this season, though, and his Brighton side will not be an easy opponent for Man City.
Liverpool v Aston Villa
Liverpool’s testing period continues with Aston Villa's visit to Anfield. By now, results will likely have shown whether or not Slot’s side are true title contenders.
Unai Emery's men will be in the middle of a month that also includes tricky fixtures against Spurs, Club Brugge and Juventus.
Navigating Champions League football is a new task for Villa, who have not won at Anfield since September 2014.
Chelsea v Arsenal
Unbeaten heading into this fixture last season, Arsenal almost came unstuck when they fell two goals behind as Chelsea looked on track for one of their finest wins under former manager Mauricio Pochettino.
But the Gunners scored two late goals to share the spoils and start a difficult period for Chelsea that lasted until Christmas, winning just three of nine Premier League matches. Chelsea have won just one of their last nine league meetings against Arsenal.
