All eyes are on the four undefeated teams in the world’s most competitive soccer league this weekend.
Champions Arsenal, moneybags Manchester City, underdogs Hull City, and revitalized Chelsea each won their two opening games. Who will stay unbeaten?
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Newly-promoted Hull will be hoping for a third successive victory with home advantage against a luckless Aston Villa (12.30 pm Saturday EST, NBC and Peacock).
This early in the season, every game is a big one, and here are six more face-offs that will send fans into agony or ecstasy!
When: 3 p.m. ET
Where: USA Network or stream on DIRECTV, Sling, Hulu
Liverpool under new manager Andoni Iraola are not a short-term fix; that’s not his style, so patience will be needed as the team absorbs his coaching. Results so far have only underlined that. But will fans give him the time? Banner signing Bradley Barcola will surely start his first game tonight, but he doesn’t address the gap left by Salah’s departure on the other wing. Playing Dominik Szoboszlai at right back will not please anyone.
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The Tractor Boys meanwhile look best-equipped of the promoted teams to stay up. There was no big name signing, but they have strengthened most positions. Nothing says Liverpool will stroll this one.
When: 7:30 a.m. ET
Where: USA Network, stream on HBO Max
It was a summer of turmoil on Tyneside, yet an almost entirely rebuilt side, stripped of top talent like Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimarães, has held Liverpool at home and strolled to a 2-0 away win at Spurs. New manager, German Matthias Jaissle, must be as relieved as the fans, particularly given one of his key signings – defender Amar Dedic – has made an immediate impact with three assists in two games.
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The Cherries have yet to win, but this won’t be a steal for the Magpies. They finished sixth last season, one place below Liverpool, have held on to their best players, notably midfielder Alex Scott, and have a European adventure to come.
Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
When: 10 a.m. ET
Where: USA Network
Few would fancy the chances of replacing a giant like Pep Guardiola, but City have backed new manager Enzo Maresca, twice breaking their transfer record. They haven’t missed a beat so far – even if they have had a very easy start to the season with promoted Coventry City the latest easy hit.
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The Sky Blues have signed 11 players, spent £126 million and broken their transfer record four times with Ghana midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi looking like a baller. Anything less than defeat here would be a triumph, but it looks like a long, hard season is a-coming down the tracks.
When: 10 a.m. ET
Where:Peacock
Spurs had a lucky escape last season and went on a summer spending spree, yet have zero points to show after two games. It’s early days, but manager De Zerbi must mould this team rapidly – another loss will have alarm bells ringing. Signings like Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes should shore up midfield, but the Harry Kane-size hole up front remains.
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Forest now have a highly rated manager in Oliver Glasner, but he has to overcome the loss of the team’s best player, Elliot Anderson. The recruitment of Liam Delap up front is a gamble, but he deserves a new start. A point away at Anfield shows the team has grit, but it needs to sparkle, or its notoriously antsy owner will want to know why.
When: 9 a.m. ET
Where: USA Network
Michael Carrick took the Reds to third last season, but fans have been underwhelmed by the close season. Where was the marquee signing? Losing to Hull on Matchday One hardly helped the mood. Bruno Fernandes remains a vibrant, creative force in midfield but there are questions about defence.
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Manager David Moyes would have hoped for a few generous signings too; instead, there’s already an air of crisis around the Toffees. They lost key players, nearly sold a home-grown favourite before a U-turn, while major transfers fell through. The return of mercurial winger Jack Grealish was not enough to quell fan discontent, but results have been solid enough in their opening fixtures. When Liverpool meets Manchester, sparks fly; this match should be no different.
When: 11:30 a.m. ET
Where: USA Network
The weekend’s biggest clash pitches the league champions against a side greedily eyeing their crown.
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Chelsea’s owners have backed Xabi Alonso with some big money signings. Morgan Rogers from Villa will ensure the moody Fernandez is not missed, but shoring up the goal with Martinez might be the smartest signing of the lot. Two wins in two means fans head into the game feeling confident.
Arsenal have made a solid unbeaten start so far, overcoming a tricky test against Aston Villa on Monday. The midfield and defense look even stronger with the arrival of Bruno Guimarães and Ezri Konsa but the question marks over the forward line have not been answered. Viktor Gyokeres needs to step up in his second season. Gunning down their West London rivals would be a start.
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