Tottenham troubles and frustrated forwards - What to watch out for this weekend

We delve into the Premier League action ahead of gameweek four with a talking point from every game, bookended by Manchester United’s trip to Southampton and a derby between Arsenal and Tottenham.

Southampton vs Manchester United - A chance for Greenwood?

It’s Saints against Devils in Saturday’s early kick-off and despite 12 teams sandwiched between the two in the table, United only hold a one point t advantage over their hosts. This weekend could see Mason Greenwood start for the first time in the league, with Anthony Martial a doubt through injury.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has shown real faith in the youngster and the club clearly see him as a first team player having allowed both Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku to leave. The teenager now faces the task of replacing the latter’s goal threat in this fixture, with Lukaku scoring four in four against Southampton.

Chelsea vs Sheffield United - Blades seek more cutting edge up front

A 2-1 defeat at well-fancied Leicester was far from a disastrous results as far as newly promoted Sheffield United were concerned but Chris Wilder made it very clear that he wasn’t pleased with the performance of his side. Defensively they have coped with the step up very well to now - only Manchester City and Everton have conceded fewer shots - but in the final third there may be a shake up.

The Blades immediately looked brighter upon Billy Sharp and Ollie McBurnie’s introduction last weekend and now both have scored from the bench they may take the places of the goalless Callum Robinson and David McGoldrick. To now Wilder has made just one change to his XI across three matches. Expect that to change.

Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa - Can former forwards haunt Villa?

While both sides won their last league fixture, polarising results in the League Cup will ensure Villa approach the game in higher spirits. Roy Hodgson’s side failed to break down Colchester at home before crashing out on penalties and it was another blank fired by Christian Benteke, who has just one goal at Selhurst Park to his name since the start of the 2017/18 season.

The former Villa man will in all likelihood be replaced by another player to have donned the claret and blue in Jordan Ayew and the travelling fans will be wary of both forwards coming back to bite them. 

Leicester vs Bournemouth - Foxes to pick off falling Cherries

Three games into a new season a coach may expect to contend with two or three early  season injuries but Eddie Howe has eight men sidelined at present. Not all are guaranteed starters, that’s for sure, but he the coach wouldn’t want his team to pick itself at this early stage and his options in all positions are relatively thin on the ground.

Leicester, meanwhile, could have a fully fit squad for the visit of Bournemouth and remain unbeaten this season, with the chance to move up from fourth and justify their billing as a top six candidate.

Manchester City vs Brighton - Can Brighton frustrate City once more?

With five wins from five meetings over the past two years, Brighton aren’t exactly a bogey club for Manchester City but they have tended to put up more of a fight than most. Indeed, in that run the champions have never been more than a single goal up after an hour, so in that sense new Seagulls boss Graham Potter will want to take the positives from his predecessor’s work.

His side haven’t conceded a first half goal so far this season, with the earliest across league and cup coming in the 55th minute against Southampton whilst playing with ten men. City, however, have scored as many or more first half goals (five) as 16 of the top-flight teams have managed over 90 minutes.

Newcastle vs Watford - Will Watford finally change formation?

While we’re only three games into the season and Newcastle just earned an excellent win away at Tottenham it’s the battle of the bottom two at St. James’ Park. Unlike their hosts Watford remain pointless so far but while the pressure is mounting on head coach Javi Gracia the Spaniard will have taken confidence from a convincing cup win over Coventry.

It may have come against League One opposition but Tuesday’s victory was encouraging in the most part due to the inclusions of both Ismaila Sarr and Danny Welbeck. Both are in with a chance of starting and the former, who scored in midweek, should enable Gracia the natural width his side have lacked.

West Ham vs Norwich - Will Pukki power on?

When he scored against Chelsea last weekend Teemu Pukki became only the tenth player ever to have scored in their first three Premier League appearances. He’ll be aiming to make it four on the spin and join only Diego Costa and Niall Quinn in doing so, up against a Hammers backline that was somewhat overlooked as the club sought to revamp their attack.

In turn Manuel Pellegrini’s side have shipped seven goals and looked very open in their first three matches, so Norwich - who have only scored fewer (six) than Liverpool and Manchester City - are likely to create chances in the capital.

Burnley vs Liverpool - Can Reds finally keep out Burnley

While Liverpool were the clean sheet kings last season the Reds are yet to record a shutout after three matches and Alisson’s absence through injury has already been felt. They are the only team with maximum points thus far but travel to a Burnley side that have started well and in Ashley Barnes possess one of the league’s in form forwards stretching back to the start of the year.

Only Sergio Aguero and Sadio Mane have scored more Premier League goals in that time and Jurgen Klopp’s side have failed to keep Barnes and co. at bay in their last six meetings with the Clarets. Could this be their toughest test yet?

Everton vs Wolves - Azzurri hot shots waiting for league chance

With both of these sides in action in midweek, changes may well be made by both Portuguese coaches come Sunday and two men in particular will be chomping at the bit to earn a first league start. Moise Kean did play from the off in the cup victory over Lincoln for the Toffees, though Patrick Cutrone is yet to start in any competition for Wolves.

The two Serie A summer imports are considered among Italy’s top young striking prospects, with Kean recently leapfrogging Cutrone in the pecking order for the national side. Both, given the opportunity, will want to prove a point should they come head-to-head at Goodison.

Arsenal vs Tottenham - Gunners to target Spurs’ suspicious right side

While it was abundantly clear that Kieran Trippier was nowhere near his best last season, Tottenham’s decision to offload the England international was questioned when they opted against signing a replacement. Juan Foyth is tipped to be Pochettino’s first choice moving forward but remains injured and has now been joined on the sidelines by Kyle Walker-Peters.

Serge Aurier is fit but his future is seemingly up in the air so there is a chance that Moussa Sissoko could fill in, so playing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wide on the left may well come into Unai Emery’s thinking. The Gabon international has six goals in seven appearances against Tottenham.