The Premier League returns this weekend after a short international break. There is a full schedule of games on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Here is a more detailed look at those potentially crucial encounters:
Manchester United v Leicester (Kick-off 3 PM)
At Old Trafford, Manchester United face a test of character, as they host top-six hopefuls Leicester City.
The Red Devils head into this potentially tough clash on the back of an inconsistent start to their Premier League campaign. United kicked off the campaign with a 4-0 home hammering of Chelsea.
However, since the win, though, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team have drawn twice against Wolves and Southampton, while losing 2-1 on home soil against Crystal Palace. The mixed start to the Premier League campaign means that the home side has won just once in nine top-flight games.
United usually strong home form has slipped of late, as they have won once in their last five matches at Old Trafford in the Premier League. One clean sheet in eight home league games is also a poor record on home soil.
The Red Devils have beaten Leicester in nine of their last ten home games. United are the slight favourites to record another home win over the Foxes too.
Leicester have made a bright start to the new Premier League campaign, as they are unbeaten in their games, having recorded two wins and two draws. The Foxes have beaten Sheffield United and last time out Bournemouth.
Their unbeaten run early in the campaign means that the Foxes are now five games undefeated in the Premier League dating back to last season. The visitors head into this clash with an inconsistent recent away record, as they have won just three of their last ten on their travels while winning just one of their last four away games in the top-flight.
Wolves v Chelsea (Kick-off 3 PM)
Winless Wolves host Chelsea at Molineux in another one of the 3 PM kick-offs, with both sides needing a victory to kick-start their Premier League campaigns.
Wolves started their league campaign drawing against Leicester, Manchester United and Burnley before suffering a 3-2 defeat at Everton last time out. The results mean that the side from the Midlands has failed to win in five top-flight matches stretching back to last season.
One positive that Wolves have maintained, despite their winless run Nuno Espirito Santo’s team are undefeated in ten league outings at Molineux. They head into this clash without centre-back Willy Boly due to suspension.
Chelsea have started life under new boss Frank Lampard in unconvincing fashion, winning one, drawing two and losing one of their four games in the Premier League. Last time out the Blues blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Sheffield United. Lampard’s team have now won just once in five Premier League outings.
The Blues have a poor recent away record in the English top-flight, winning just once in their last five league matches on their travels. A 3-2 win over Norwich in their last away game in the top-flight ended a four-game away run without a victory for the Blues.
This weekend’s other results
Saturday (3 PM unless stated)
Liverpool v Newcastle (12:30 PM Kick-off)
Brighton v Burnley
Sheffield United v Southampton
Tottenham v Crystal Palace
Norwich v Manchester City (5:30 PM kick-off)
Sunday
Bournemouth v Everton (2 PM Kick-off)
Watford v Arsenal (4:30 PM Kick-off)
Monday
Aston Villa v West Ham (8 PM Kick-off)
Who will record victories in the Premier League this weekend?
