MANCHESTER, Sep 1:The Premier League returns to action on Saturday with the transfer day deadline looming. Manchester City will get a boost with the return of Phil Foden and Manuel Akanji for their home game against Fulham on Saturday, but assistant manager Juanma Lillo was keeping his cards close to his chest over Friday’s transfer deadline activity.
City have picked up where they left off last season, winning all three games to top the Premier League table, despite missing Akanji in their 2-1 win at Sheffield United on Sunday with a minor issue.
Foden was on the bench with an illness, but played the final few minutes, and assisted Rodri’s winning goal.
Speculation also swirled around the immediate future of Joao Cancelo, and Lillo was asked if the Portuguese defender would still be wearing City’s sky blue come Saturday. Match starts at 7:30PM IST
Brighton vs Newcastle
Brighton and Newcastle will have eyes on bouncing back from setbacks last weekend in Saturday evening’s clash.
The Seagulls are hoping to avoid losing successive games for the first time since last October, while the Magpies have been defeated in their last two outings having only lost two of 15 games. Match starts at 10:00 PM IST
Sheffield United vs Everton
Two winless sides meet at Bramall Lane when Sheffield United and Everton face off in Saturday’s early game.
With three successive defeats each, it is only the fifth occasion that two Premier League teams meet on zero points having played three times the most recent being Arsenal’s clash with Norwich in September 2021.
The Toffees are winless in their last six Premier League away games against promoted sides (three draws, three defeats), while boss Sean Dyche has won just one of his five games against the Blades in all competitions (two draws, two defeats). Match starts at 5:00 PM IST
Burnley vs Tottenham
Burnley are the third promoted side still looking for their first win of the season as they welcome a rejuvenated Tottenham to Turf Moor.Spirits are high at Spurs under Ange Postecoglou despite being knocked out of the Carabao Cup in the second round earlier this week, with two wins and a draw to their name in the top flight.The Clarets won 1-0 in their last Premier League home meeting with Spurs in February 2022. Match starts at 7:30PM IST
Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest
Chelsea will hope to make it successive home league victories when Nottingham Forest visit after dispatching Luton last time out.
The 3-0 win last Friday ended a run of nine games without success at Stamford Bridge in all competitions, while the Blues have not won two league matches in a row on home soil since last October. Match starts at 7:30 PM IST
Brentford v Bournemouth
Bournemouth are on the hunt for their first win under manager Andoni Iraola as they visit Brentford.
Recent meetings suggest that wait could continue, with the Bees victorious in their last four home games versus the South Coast side and unbeaten in 10 overall on their own turf (six wins, four draws). (Agencies)
Match starts at 7:30 PM IST.
