Welcome to the Premier League season’s first derby-rich weekend.
Liverpool and Manchester United are looking strong and are set to renew hostilities, while Arsenal and Tottenham hook up in the always spirited North London Derby.
Here is a preview of the Premier League’s third weekend.
Saturday programming alert: Watch Newcastle United vs. Fulham (on Sportsnet’s main channel) and Cardiff City vs. Everton (on Sportsnet World) at 9:30 a.m. ET/6:30 a.m. PT. You can also watch both of these matches on Sportsnet World Online. Watch Norwich City vs. Southampton at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT exclusively on Sportsnet World Online
Sunday programming alert: Watch Liverpool vs. Manchester United on Sportsnet World at 8 a.m. ET/5 a.m. PT. You can also watch this match on Sportsnet World Online
Liverpool vs. Manchester United
Anfield, Liverpool – Sunday
There are few fixtures in world soccer as compelling as this one, no matter the two clubs’ circumstances.
Manchester United comes into this contest after a mostly toothless display at Old Trafford in a 0-0 draw against Chelsea last week, although the sight of Wayne Rooney fitting in efficiently and creatively in support of Robin van Persie was a good sign for David Moyes.
The Red Devils also have a three-match win streak over Liverpool.
For manager Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool, on the other hand, it has been so far so good in the league. Daniel Sturridge continues to play with a chip on his shoulder and the England international has rewarded the Reds with all the offence they have needed with two goals in two 1-0 victories.
It has not been all smooth sailing for the club (both wins were far from convincing) and after surviving a real scare mid-week in the League Cup – complete with a serious knock to Kolo Toure against League One side Notts County – Rodgers has much to be concerned about ahead of Sunday.
Arsenal vs. Tottenham
Emirates Stadium, London – Sunday
For once Tottenham has been making as much noise in the media – if not more – than Arsenal with all the drama surrounding superstar midfielder Gareth Bale and his impending move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
But while Andre Villas-Boas’ club has not dominated two presumably weaker opponents thus far, they do have six points and two clean sheets to their credit, and as such it’s tough to label them as “distracted.”
Roberto Soldado has wasted no time in contributing offensively, scoring both of Spurs’ goals so far, while Brazil’s Paulinho has been as creative and dangerous as advertised since his off-season move from Corinthians.
After a convincing win over Fulham last weekend, and an easy drubbing of Fenerbahce in the Champions League playoffs in mid-week, almost all seems to be back on track for Arsenal.
Midfielder Jack Wilshere and defender Laurent Koscielny are back and fit for the club while Olivier Giroud has been a steady source of offence thus far for the Gunners, posting two goals in the league to date.
The bad news for Arsene Wenger’s club is that Lukas Podolski picked up a left hamstring injury after being carted off against the Turkish giants. He will miss up to 10 weeks as a result, meaning the pressure for the French manager to spend money appears likely to increase significantly.
The clubs split the derby last season, with the Gunners winning 5-2 at the Emirates in mid-November, and Tottenham taking the return fixture 2-1 in early March.
Cardiff City vs. Everton
Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff – Saturday
How Cardiff City will follow up on their incredible upset of Manchester City last Sunday will be one of the league’s burning questions heading into this weekend.
Malky Mackay’s club had little trouble dispatching Accrington Stanley in the League Cup and all indications appear to be pointing upwards for the newly promoted side.
Fraizer Campbell was the toast of the Premier League after his two goals off corners within eight minutes gave the Welsh team a 3-2 win over Manchester City, but it is a safe bet that manager Roberto Martinez and Everton will pay close attention to that particular facet of the Bluebirds’ attack.
For their part the Toffees have only managed two draws in the Premier League so far, beginning with a disappointing 2-2 affair away at Norwich City, followed by a remarkable goaltending performance by West Brom’s Ben Foster at Goodison Park.
A mid-week surviving of League Two side Stevanage in the League Cup should do something to raise some more questions about the club, but perceptions of Everton’s opening month will largely rest on how they deal with this match.
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Newcastle United vs. Fulham
St. James’ Park, Newcastle – Saturday
So far the 2013-14 season has been no fun at all for Newcastle United as the absence of midfield maestro Yohan Cabaye appears to have left the team clueless going forward in their two Premier League games to date.
Perhaps an opening weekend loss dished out by powerhouse Manchester City can be forgiven, but a downright unimaginative scoreless draw at home last weekend against West Ham has fans of the Magpies wringing their hands.
Fulham endured a solid beating from Arsenal last Saturday and then just barely survived a mid-week League Cup scare from Burton Albion of League Two, so both teams will be looking to take a much needed step out of their respective mediocrity.
In both affairs between the clubs last season, the hosts took one-goal victories with the Cottagers grabbing three points in December and Newcastle returning the favour in early April.
Norwich City vs. Southampton
Carrow Road, Norwich – Saturday
Which Norwich City side will show up on Saturday is anybody’s guess.
Will it be the plucky, aggressive team that bounced back on opening day to earn a draw versus Everton? Or will it be the disjointed side that could not take advantage of, and fell to, 10-man and recently promoted Hull City?
The Canaries did unload six goals on League Two club Bury in the League Cup – including two from recently acquired striker Johan Elmander – but points will be harder to come by for Chris Hughton’s club once September rolls around.
Four points in two matches is a nice start for manager Mauricio Pochettino’s Southampton and his Saints did not miss a beat with a 5-1 thrashing of Championship strugglers Barnsley in the League Cup. Striker Rickie Lambert, at 31, remains one of the darlings of the Premier League thus far.
One season ago the two teams split the points on both occasions; a 1-1 draw on the south coast in late November, and a scoreless tilt at Carrow Road in early March.
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