After $2 million transfer spend, the Premier League moves focus to matchday 6
After spending around $2 billion on players across the 20 clubs, the Premier League sets itself up for matchday six of the new season
After spending around 2 billion pounds ($2.3 billion) on players across the 20 clubs, the Premier League has set itself up for another pulsating season of excitement, disappointment, protests, managerial sackings, failure and glory.
Yet there is barely time for the ink to dry on the new contracts signed on Thursday’s deadline day before the teams are back out on the field and the reality of just how much each club has truly strengthened becomes clear.
Premier League: matchday 6 preview
Saturday, 3 September
Everton v Liverpool
Although Liverpool made a stuttering start to the season, Darwin Nunez, Liverpool’s main summer signing, is available again after suspension and the 9-0 win over Bournemouth and the last-second 2-1 victory over Newcastle suggest normal service has been resumed for Klopp’s side.
Lampard, whose team battled against relegation last season and have yet to win this time around, has several new faces as options with midfielders Idrissa Gueye and James Garner signing on deadline day and forward Neal Maupay a recent addition from Brighton and Hove Albion.
Everton have won just one of their last 26 meetings in all competitions with their neighbours, the Toffees are winless in the Premier League so far, having drawn three and lost two of their opening five games.
Brentford v Leeds United
* Brentford have not tasted victory since beating Manchester United 4-0 on Aug. 13 (D2 L1).
* Leeds have yet to pick up an away win, having lost 1-0 at Brighton & Hove Albion and drawn 2-2 at Southampton.
* Brentford will be seeking a first Premier League win over Leeds in their third attempt (D1 L1).
Chelsea v West Ham United
Chelsea have won 28 out of 52 Premier League meetings against West Ham and former Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could make his debut in attack for Chelsea in their London derby against West Ham after completing a late move from Barcelona.
Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth
* This will be the first Premier League meeting between Forest and Bournemouth.
* Forest lost both home and away against Bournemouth in the second-division Championship last season.
* Bournemouth manager Scott Parker was the first coach to get sacked this Premier League season, three days after the newly-promoted side were thumped 9-0 at Liverpool for their third straight defeat.
Newcastle United v Crystal Palace
* Newcastle have scored at least two goals in their last three home Premier League matches.
* The side from the North East Newcastle have won three of the last six league meetings between the two sides, with Palace winning two and one game ending in a draw.
Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham
* Tottenham won eight of their last nine home Premier League games.
* Fulham have failed to win their last seven away league matches.
* Tottenham have won five of their last six meetings against Fulham, with Fulham winning none and drawing one.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Southampton
* Wolves are still seeking their first Premier League win of the season, having drawn three and lost two of their opening five games.
* Wolves have drawn their last three home Premier League games.
* Wolves have won four of the last six games between the two teams, while Southampton have won one and there was one draw.
Aston Villa v Manchester City
Steven Gerrard is under pressure at Aston Villa, who have lost four of their five outings and host Manchester City on Saturday.
Champions City have quickly hit their stride with new signing Erling Haaland having scored nine goals in his first five games, including hat-tricks in the last two matches. and City are undefeated in their last 20 away Premier League matches.
Sunday, 4 September
Brighton & Hove Albion v Leicester City
* Brighton are undefeated in their last six home Premier League games.
* Leicester have won four of the last six games between the two sides, with Brighton winning one and getting one draw.
* Leicester are winless in the league so far this season, having lost three and drawn one of their opening four games.
Manchester United v Arsenal
Manchester United, who have won their last three games, spent over 200 million pounds -- over half of it on Brazilians Casemiro and Antony -- but on Sunday they face Arsenal, the only team in the league with a 100% record.
Mikel Arteta moved smartly in the window to add Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City but the trip to Old Trafford is the toughest test yet for the Gunners.