It’s what we’ve all been waiting for, after the international break, Premier League football returns this weekend! And the good news keeps comin’, because there’s not one derby, but TWO!
On the Saturday at 12:30pm we have Arsenal v Tottenham, and on the Sunday we’ve the Manchester derby with a 2:00pm start.
Kickin’ off proceedings is the North London derby as Tottenham Hotspur travel to the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal are currently top of the league, though they’re just one point ahead of their bitter rivals, Spurs.
Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal’s Saviour?
The Gunners will go into this fixture brimming with confidence. Arsenal look reinvented. New signing, Jesus, has been nothing short of a revelation. Whilst being potent in attack, the North London side now look more assured at the back with the addition of Saliba and Zinchenko.
In their last game before the break, Arsenal hammered Brentford 3-0 with Brazilian forward, Gabriel Jesus, (who else?) adding to his goal tally. New boy, Fabio Vieria, impressed with a classy performance and got onto the scoresheet, too.
It’s clear that Mikel Arteta has Arsenal playing a particular brand of football. Quick, precise, and intricate passing often slices open defences. With that said, Antonio Conte has transformed Tottenham Hotspur. They’re a typically robust side who are tough to break down and game to battle with anyone. Especially their city rivals.
Stubborn Spurs
Tottenham have started their campaign terrifically. Along with current Champions, Manchester City, they remain unbeaten in the league. As well as being hard to beat, they boast one of Europe’s most prolific forward partnerships.
Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane are two names that’ll unsettle the nerves of the wiliest defences. Add in the slick skills of Swedish winger, Kulusevski and the tenacity of Richarlison, Spurs’ attacking options has serious depth.
By his high standards, the Korean superstar, Son, had a slow start to the season. Unfortunately for Leicester, the forward found his form again. Coming off from the bench, he netted a hattrick in under 15 minutes. Harry Kane also featured in the scoring with the game finishing 6-2 to Spurs.
With just a point separating two teams in fantastic form, this derby is shaping up to be a belter. Does the Manchester derby have the hallmarks of being a classic?
Blitzin’ Blues
Six-time winners of the Premier League, Manchester City, host the red half of the city at the Etihad. Unsurprisingly, Pep Guardiola’s men have started the season in the way champions do, by winning.
The Citizens were never starved of goals or goalscoring opportunities. So, what would you do? Sign a generational goal machine in Erling Haaland, obviously. The Norwegian arrived in English football and has taken it by storm. He’s scored 11 goals in 7 games, that’s more than what Leeds, Aston Villa, Chelsea and plenty others have managed.
Perhaps a surprise recruit was centre back, Manuel Akanji from Borussia Dortmund. The Swiss international has proven to be a clever bit of business, slotting in seamlessly and helping City stay unbeaten.
This is a team that isn’t short on confidence or world-class quality. Wolves found that out the hard way after just 1 minute played. Jack Grealish bagged his first goal of the season after being assisted by the elite playmaker, Kevin De Bruyne. The game finished 3-0 with goals from Haaland and Foden.
Back in Business?
Erik ten Hag’s season started in the worst possible way. The Red Devils turned it around with a massive victory over Liverpool and are responsible for Arsenal’s only defeat of the season. Thankfully for United fans, it seems things are starting to click. But will it be enough to trouble City?
Prior to the international break, Manchester United racked up away wins with clean sheets against Southampton and Leicester. Then at Old Trafford, a debut goal from Antony and a brace from Rashford secured United their fourth consecutive win.
It’s been a busy transfer window for Manchester United. They’ve got themselves a superb defensive midfielder in Casemiro, a determined and technically gifted centre back in Martinez and a left back who has performed well in Malacia. All three have combined well to galvanise United, but will it be enough to keep out City’s frontline?
JD Predicts…
Much like the North London derby, the Manchester derby features two teams with a new look in frightening form. These games are really hard to predict, but we’re gonna’ give it a go.
We think the North London derby will have goals, but there won’t be an outright winner on the day. We fancy this to end 2-2. With City having De Bruyne and Haaland firing on all cylinders, it could be too much firepower for United. We reckon this will end with City winning 3-1. How do you see these games going?
Follow @JDFootball to keep on top of all the latest football news and get access to exclusive content!
