Premier League Matchday 10: Leaders Arsenal face tough Liverpool test

Liverpool’s trip to leaders Arsenal dominates a busy Premier League weekend at both ends of the table.

Champions Manchester City face Southampton, Manchester United are at Everton on Sunday evening and rock-bottom Nottingham Forest host Aston Villa on Monday night.

We have every Matchday 10 game previewed below with all the key stats.

Bournemouth vs Leicester (Saturday, 3pm)

Leicester will look to build on their victory over Forest by ending their Bournemouth hoodoo on the South Coast.

The Foxes have not won in five Premier League trips to the Vitality and face a Cherries side on a four-game unbeaten run.

But it could be just the kick-start Jamie Vardy needs this term after scoring four and assisting one in his past three games against Saturday’s opponents.

Interim boss Gary O’Neil has made Bournemouth a more solid outfit but they have gone three home games without a goal, their worst run since 2005.

Chelsea vs Wolves (Saturday, 3pm)

Graham Potter takes charge of his first Premier League home game at Chelsea when Wolves visit Stamford Bridge.

None of the Blues’ past 14 managers have lost on their league debuts at the Bridge, with 10 winning and four drawing.

Wolves may be managerless after sacking Bruno Lage last Sunday but they have proven a thorn in Chelsea’s side, having not lost to them in either of the last two seasons.

The game will also see Diego Costa return to Chelsea — he scored 30 goals and assisted nine in 45 top-flight home appearances for the West Londoners.

Manchester City vs Southampton (Saturday, 3pm)

Southampton are Manchester City’s visitors as Erling Haaland looks to score a hat-trick for an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League home game.

The Norwegian striker has 14 goals in eight league outings — Kevin De Bruyne was City’s top scorer last term with 15.

Ralph Hasenhuttl is under increased pressure at Southampton and they have only picked up two points from their last 11 trips to the Etihad.

Haaland will be licking his lips with Saints on an 18-match league run without a clean sheet on the road.

Newcastle vs Brentford (Saturday, 3pm)

Newcastle are turning St James’ Park into a fortress, having lost just one of their last 14 league matches on Tyneside, ahead of their clash with Brentford.

They have won five of their six league games against the Bees, while the West Londoners’ last five trips to Newcastle have seen 26 goals netted.

Entertainment could be on the menu again with the Magpies forcing more high turnovers (87) than any other side, and Thomas Frank’s men conceding the third most shots (14) from the same situations.

While the visitors would move above their hosts with a win, Eddie Howe’s outfit know victory could see them move into the top four.

Brighton vs Tottenham (Saturday, 5.30pm, Sky Sports)

Roberto De Zerbi’s first game at the Amex sees his new Brighton side host a stuttering Tottenham.

The Seagulls have won two of their last three league games against Spurs, though did lose 2-0 at home in March and in last February’s FA Cup fourth-round encounter.

De Zerbi holds a less than impressive record against Antonio Conte, failing to earn victory in their four Serie A meetings.

While Harry Kane is eyeing a fourth goal in his last five visits to the Amex, Leandro Trossard is looking to score in a third consecutive Premier League game for the first time.

Crystal Palace vs Leeds (Sunday, 2pm, Sky Sports)

Sitting 17th in the table after seven games, Patrick Vieira will be keen for his Crystal Palace side to start firing on all cylinders when Leeds come to South London.

Palace have scored first in four of their last five games, but are winless in their last four outings.

It is Jesse Marsch’s 20th league game in charge of Leeds and he will be looking to end a 16-year wait for a win for the West Yorkshire club at Selhurst Park.

Since his appointment, the Whites have picked up 45 cards (42 yellows, three reds) — only four Premier League managers have seen their side receive 50 cards in their first 20 games.

West Ham vs Fulham (Sunday, 2pm)

There is renewed optimism at West Ham as Fulham make the trip across the capital on Sunday.

The Hammers beat Wolves last week before backing that up with a 1-0 victory at Anderlecht on Thursday night and have not lost any of their past 11 Premier League home games against the Cottagers.

But not since January have David Moyes’ side won back-to-back games in the top flight and Fulham, despite last week’s defeat to Newcastle, have shown themselves to be no pushovers this term.

Star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic loves a London derby too, having scored against Brentford, Arsenal and Tottenham already this season.

Arsenal vs Liverpool (Sunday, 4.30pm, Sky Sports)

The game of the weekend takes place at the Emirates as leaders Arsenal look for a rare victory over out-of-sorts Liverpool.

Only once in the last 14 league meetings between the two have the Gunners picked up three points — and that was when no crowd was in attendance in July 2020.

Mikel Arteta’s side have won eight home games in a row though, while Liverpool are yet to earn victory on their travels this term.

They will hope a trip to North London knocks Diogo Jota into gear — the Portuguese forward has eight goals in 11 games against the Gunners.

Everton vs Manchester United (Sunday, 7pm, BT Sport 1)

There is Sunday night football on Merseyside as Manchester United aim to bounce back from their derby disappointment with a win at Everton.

The Red Devils secured a 3-2 win at Cypriot outfit Omonia Nicosia on Thursday night, but have suffered eight defeats in their last 10 away league games.

Frank Lampard’s side, meanwhile, come into the game on the back of two consecutive victories and have only lost one of their past seven top-flight meetings with United.

Summer signing Antony netted a stunner in the 6-3 defeat to City and he would become the first United player to score in his first three Premier League games if he strikes at Goodison Park.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa (Monday, 8pm, Sky Sports)

Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper signed a new contract until 2025 on Friday, so will come into Monday’s game against Aston Villa in good spirits.

This despite Forest losing their last five matches, shipping a whopping 18 goals in the process as they struggle to adapt to life back in the top flight.

They have faced the most shots (136) and the most shots on target (56), and sit bottom of the table ahead of the weekend.

Villa are on a three-game unbeaten run, yet failing to beat 10-man Leeds at Elland Road means the jury is still out on Steven Gerrard in the Midlands.