The 2020-21 English Premier League is back from the international break and kicks off with the Merseyside derby on Saturday lunchtime with current league leaders Everton hosting defending champions Liverpool.
As well as the Toffees, the only other team with a 100% start is Aston Villa. Dean Smith’s side face a tough challenge to maintain that with a trip to Leicester City on Sunday night.
Here’s a look at all of the weekend’s fixtures with your EPL fantasy team in mind:
Everton vs Liverpool
Everton are the Premier League’s joint top scorers through four games whilst Liverpool have scored just one less. The Toffees are without a clean sheet since their season opener whilst Jurgen Klopp’s side shipped seven goals in their final game before the break. Although this fixture is often tight we should be in for goals this time around, making attacking players a good choice for your team. James Rodriguez has scored three in his four games this season, whilst Mohamed Salah is the highest-scoring midfielder in fantasy football.
Chelsea vs Southampton
Edouard Mendy started his Premier League career with Chelsea’s first clean sheet directly before the international break. The goalkeeper comes up against Danny Ings and co at Stamford Bridge this weekend in what could be a real challenge for Frank Lampard’s side, who have made an inconsistent start to start the new season.
Manchester City vs Arsenal
Mikel Arteta will be looking to get another one over former his former employers when Arsenal go to Manchester City on Saturday evening. The Citizens start the weekend in the bottom half whilst only Everton have more points than Arsenal. Can Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang score another winner versus Pep Guardiola’s side?
Newcastle United vs Manchester United
Aside from a 0-3 hammering at home by Brighton & Hove Albion, Steve Bruce’s side have made a fine start, taking seven points from their other three games. Don’t be surprised if Newcastle take points off Manchester United this weekend either with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side jetting off all over the world during the international break and being hammered 1-6 at home by Tottenham Hotspur just before.
Sheffield United vs Fulham
A basement battle kicks off Sunday as the bottom two meet at Bramall Lane. Sheffield Untied and Fulham have each lost all four of their games so far but I have to lean towards a home win here. Chris Wilder’s side are much more tactically adept and solid at the back. In a weekend that looks set for goals galore, Aaron Ramsdale could be your choice as goalkeeper.
Crystal Palace vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Crystal Palace were hammered 4-0 at Chelsea before the international break and will be looking to bounce back against rivals Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend. The Eagles had made a good start to the season with victories over Southampton and Manchester United but have been brought down to earth with back-to-back defeats. Despite losing 2-3 to United and then 4-2 at Everton, I fancy the Seagulls to get something out of this game. Neal Maupay has been delivering the goals so would be a solid choice for your fantasy team.
Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham United
The one London derby of the weekend comes at the new Tottenham stadium with Jose Mourinho’s side hosting West Ham United. The Hammers have recorded stunning 4-0 and 3-0 wins over Wolves and Leicester respectively but face a Spurs side who hammered Manchester United 6-1 before the international break. Heung-min Son and Harry Kane would be obvious choices for your team.
Leicester City vs Aston Villa
Everton and Aston Villa are the only two teams returning from the international break with a 100% win record and Leicester City will be looking to put an end to the latter’s when Dean Smith’s side travel to the King Power Stadium on Sunday night. Leicester have been freescoring themselves so don’t be surprised to see Jamie Vardy back among the goals this weekend.
West Bromwich Albion vs Burnley
A tough game to call on Monday evening as West Bromwich Albion and Burnley have one point between them. That came from Slaven Bilic’s side drawing 3-3 at home with Chelsea whilst the Clarets have only scored three goals in total from their first three games this season.
Leeds United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
The Premier League action concludes at Elland Road on Monday night as we’re in for a good battle between Marcelo Bielsa and Nuno’s sides. Leeds United have made the better start of these two and we should be in for a goalfest based on both of their starts to the new season.
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