Good news folks, after an extraordinarily boring October international break, Premier League football is back this weekend.
And with it, comes a few very, very important games of football.
From Manchester United attempting to save Erik ten Hag’s job with a win over Brentford, to a top-of-the-table clash between Chelsea and Liverpool, there’s a bit of everything for us to sink our teeth into on Saturday and Sunday.
Here’s four things you need to watch out for during Premier League Gameweek 8.
The result and performance against Aston Villa may have been a bit better than what’s been the norm in 2024/25, but it did condemn Manchester United to their worst ever start to a Premier League season.
That isn’t great.
Things could get even worse for Erik ten Hag and Man Utd this weekend when they face a tricky clash with Brentford at Old Trafford. What makes it even more tricky will be the boatload of injuries Ten Hag will have to contend with too – Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte all look set to miss the game on Saturday.
Could this be Ten Hag’s last week in charge?
In typical Tottenham Hotspur fashion, Ange Postecoglou’s side utterly collapsed in the second half of their clash with Brighton and Hove Albion prior to the international break – giving up a two-goal lead to eventually lose 3-2.
It was a defeat that Postecoglou, rather understandably, said he was ready to “explode” after, and it’s a defeat from which his team are in dire need of bouncing back this weekend.
The Lilywhites will have to beat a resurgent West Ham United in order to do so though. The Hammers were much, much improved in their 4-1 win over Ipswich Town recently, and will be looking to upset their London rivals in Saturday’s early kick-off.
The Premier League’s second best-attack vs its best defence.
Cole Palmer vs Mohamed Salah.
First vs fourth.
That has Super Sunder written all over it.
Liverpool’s clash with Chelsea at Anfield promises to be a brilliant game on Sunday afternoon, with both teams heading into the game in fine form under their new bosses Arne Slot and Enzo Maresca.
It’ll be a real statement win if either team manages to take all three points.
Fun fact: Arsenal can secure their 2,000th top flight win if they see off Bournemouth on Saturday evening.
If they manage to hit that landmark, they’ll become just the second English club to ever reach 2,000 top-flight victories, with Liverpool having done so in December 2021.