By Gray Whitebloom
After the Premier League’s best youth products were given some rare first-team minutes in the Carabao Cup third round midweek schedule, the top-flight’s established stars return to action on Saturday.
For the first time this season, eight Premier League matches have been packed into one mouth-watering day of football. While reigning champions Manchester City aim to preserve their 100% record, all teams involved in European competitions are in action and awaiting a first six-point shot at the other end of the table.
Here’s everything you need to know about a busy Saturday.
Aston Villa v Brighton
Aston Villa beat Brighton on the final day of last season | Eddie Keogh/GettyImagesPosition: Birmingham, England
stadium: Park of the Villa
Date: Saturday 30 September
Starting time: 12:30 BST / 07:30 ET / 04:30 PT
Referee:Andy Madley
ERA: Stuart Attwell
Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off has the makings of a blockbuster. Aston Villa have perhaps been a little too entertaining for Unai Emery’s tastes as they are one of only two clubs to have scored and conceded at least ten goals already this season.
Brighton are the most prolific team in the division – averaging three goals per game – but are yet to keep a clean sheet. If the Seagulls can defeat Villa this weekend, they will become the first non-Big Six team to win six of their first seven premier league matches from Newcastle United in 1996.
Bournemouth-Arsenal
Andoni Iraola is still waiting for his first win as Bournemouth manager | Steve Bardens/GettyImagesPosition: Bournemouth, England
stadium: Vitality stage
Date: Saturday 30 September
Starting time: 3pm BST / 10am ET / 7am PT
Referee: Michael Salisbury
ERA: David Coote
Arsenal he might still be worrying about theirs Draw 2-2 in the derby against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, but at least the memory of a Premier League victory is fresh. Bournemouth fans must think back to April for the club’s last top-flight win.
That hazy 4-1 win over Leeds United was ten Premier League games ago (D3 L7) – no other club in the division is currently enduring a longer wait for three points. Andoni Iraola will have to outsmart his fellow Gipuzkoa native, Mikel Arteta, for a first triumph in the English top flight.
Everton-Luton
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored in consecutive Everton appearances for the first time in 16 months | Vince Mignott/MB Media/GettyImagesPosition: Liverpool, England
stadium: Goodison Park
Date: Saturday 30 September
Starting time: 3pm BST / 10am ET / 7am PT
Referee: Anthony Taylor
ERA: Paul Tierney
The most recent point gained by Luton Town in the English top flight came at Everton’s Goodison Park, although that was in March 1992. The Hatters are still looking for victory at any venue and remain the only team in the entire division who has yet to win even take the lead this season.
Everton, by comparison, are bouncing back into the competition on the back of consecutive league and cup victories.
This may not be up to the aesthetes; no club attempted longer throws than Everton whilst Luton boast the highest percentage of passes over 30 yards. He heats those necks before parking them in a position firmly facing the sky.
Manchester United-Crystal Palace
Manchester United and Crystal Palace faced each other in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday | Visionhaus/GettyImagesPosition: Manchester, England
stadium: Old Trafford
Date: Saturday 30 September
Starting time: 3pm BST / 10am ET / 7am PT
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
ERA: Peter Bankes
Roy Hodgson doesn’t seem like the grudge-holding type, but Erik ten Hag is still worried. “I know the opponent is looking for revenge,” the beleaguered Manchester United manager worried before the match.
Crystal Palace may have been comfortably defeated by United in the EFL Cup four days earlier, but Hodgson boasts a four-match unbeaten Premier League record at Old Trafford. No visiting coach in the competition’s history has ever made five consecutive trips to the Theater of Dreams without losing.
Newcastle v Burnley
Burnley have not won a league match at St James’ Park since 1976 | Will Palmer/Allstar/GettyImagesPosition: Newcastle, England
stadium: San Giacomo Park
Date: Saturday 30 September
Starting time: 3pm BST / 10am ET / 7am PT
Referee: Thomas Bramall
ERA: Jarred Gillett
Only one Premier League team has ever followed up an eight-goal run with defeat in the following league match – and that was Newcastle United in 1999. However, Burnley have offered little evidence to cause the Magpies concern.
Finding the net eight times against Sheffield United last weekend, Newcastle he scored twice as many goals as Burnley scored in five Premier League games. The Clarets can’t even blame poor finishing; only Sheffield United have averaged fewer expected goals than Burnley this season.
West Ham v Sheffield United
David Moyes will take charge of his 900th league match as manager on Saturday | Michael Regan/GettyImagesPosition: London, England
stadium: London Stadium
Date: Saturday 30 September
Starting time: 3pm BST / 10am ET / 7am PT
Referee: Graham Scott
ERA:Darren Bond
After an impressive start to the new season, picking up ten points from their opening four games, West Ham United head into the weekend on the back of consecutive Premier League defeats.
Yet, as David Moyes would be quick to point out, these defeats were handed out to Manchester City and Manchester City Liverpool. Sheffield United, the team supporting the rest of the division with 17 goals conceded after six games, are a more accommodating foe.
Wolves-Man City
Gary O’Neil insisted Saturday’s meeting with Manchester City will not be a ‘free success’ for Wolves | Justin Setterfield/GettyImagesPosition: Wolverhampton, England
stadium: Molineux
Date: Saturday 30 September
Starting time: 3pm BST / 10am ET / 7am PT
Referee: Craig Pawson
ERA: Robert Jones
This week, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Gary O’Neil warned: “The Premier League is ruthless.” No team offers less margin for error than reigning champions Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s side are yet to drop a point in their bid for an unprecedented sixth title in seven years but were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Newcastle in midweek. The last time City lost a match, he responded by scoring a goal faster target in FA Cup final history by defeating United at Wembley.
Tottenham-Liverpool
Ange Postecoglou inherits a Tottenham team that has beaten Liverpool just once in their last 23 meetings in all competitions | Marc Atkins/GettyImagesPosition: London, England
stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Date: Saturday 30 September
Starting time: 5.30pm BST / 12.30pm ET / 9.30am PT
Referee: Simon Hooper
ERA:Darren England
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has not suffered a home league defeat since November 2020, when he was in charge of Yokohama F Marinos in Japan’s top flight.
Then, Postecoglou didn’t need to downplay his history as a Liverpool fan, a club with players who decorated his bedroom while growing up in Australia. “I loved it Happy days Me too,” Postecoglou said this week in typically amiable fashion, “I don’t even have The Fonz posters anymore.” But can Postecoglou maintain his Perfectamundo home record on Saturday?
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as Today’s Premier League fixtures: Your guide to Saturday’s fixtures.
