Premier League leaders Liverpool will face their first serious test of title credentials this weekend against Chelsea as the English top flight returns after the international break. Meanwhile, beleaguered Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag cannot afford another misstep from his troubled team when Brentford visits Old Trafford.
Liverpool sits atop the table after securing six wins from their first seven games, but the upcoming schedule promises to be much more demanding for a team chasing its first Premier League title since 2020. Arne Slot has begun his Anfield reign with league victories over Ipswich, Brentford, Manchester United, Bournemouth, West Ham, Wolves, and Crystal Palace. The only setback was a surprising home defeat to Nottingham Forest.
However, that run of fixtures has not been the most challenging, especially with United in turmoil, allowing former Feyenoord boss Slot to acclimatize to English football in a relatively low-pressure environment. Slot’s honeymoon period might soon be over, with fourth-placed Chelsea visiting Anfield on Sunday, followed by a trip to unbeaten Arsenal next weekend.
Chelsea, unbeaten in their last seven matches in all competitions, is just four points behind Liverpool as new manager Enzo Maresca earns accolades for quietly resetting the culture at Stamford Bridge. While Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali reportedly vie for control of the club behind the scenes, Maresca has taken a bloated squad that has underperformed for the past two years and transformed them into top-four contenders.
For both Maresca and Slot, their clash at Anfield will offer a clearer picture of what can be achieved this season.
Pressure mounts on Ten Hag
As the walls close in on Erik ten Hag, the under-fire Manchester United manager’s fate could be settled over the next week.
Ten Hag is fighting to avoid the sack after United’s worst start to a top-flight season since 1989/90.
Languishing in 14th place with only two wins from seven league matches, United are without a victory in their past five games in all competitions.
After United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe sounded out Thomas Tuchel over his potential interest in replacing Ten Hag after the end of last season, the Dutchman might have breathed a sigh of relief when the former Bayern Munich and Chelsea boss accepted an offer to come England’s new manager this week.
Although that removed one potential threat to Ten Hag’s position, it is unlikely to prevent Ratcliffe dismissing the 54-year-old if results do not improve drastically.
Brentford’s habit of scoring within seconds of kick-off this season makes them a serious danger to a team with United’s habit of shooting themselves in the foot.
And even if Ten Hag survives Brentford’s visit, Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho will surely relish the chance to add to his old club’s problems in Thursday’s Europa League tie in Turkey.
Assuming Ten Hag is still in charge by then, United finish a testing week with a trip to lowly West Ham, where defeat could well prove the final straw for the former Ajax boss.
Strugglers eye first win
Champagne-soaked celebrations are already a distant memory for Ipswich and Southampton, who have failed to record a single win since earning promotion from the Championship last season.
But this could be the weekend for both teams to break their duck as fourth-bottom Ipswich host fellow strugglers Everton, while second-bottom Southampton welcome 15th-placed Leicester to St Mary’s.
Crystal Palace, also in the relegation zone, travel to Nottingham Forest in search of their first victory and Wolves — bottom of the table with only one point — hope to defy all expectations by shocking champions Manchester City at Molineux.
Fixtures
Saturday
Tottenham v West Ham (14:30), Fulham v Aston Villa, Ipswich v Everton, Manchester United v Brentford, Newcastle v Brighton, Southampton v Leicester-all 5pm and Bournemouth v Arsenal (1930)
Sunday
Wolves v Manchester City (16:00), Liverpool v Chelsea (18:30)
Monday
Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace (22:00)
