With prospective title contenders flexing their muscles and the relegation battle already taking shape, this promises to be the most compelling weekend of the Premier League season so far.
With such a lot at stake at both ends of the table, Press Association Sport picks out five of the most pertinent pointers that this Saturday’s action is likely to bring.
Pogba Hammered?
Paul Pogba’s performance – and his interaction with Jose Mourinho – will come under the microscope as Manchester United head to rejuvenated West Ham.
And the Frenchman’s reaction – having received a sort-of vote of confidence from his manager – could go a long way towards shaping United’s season. A fine performance and a good win, and the training ground spat from Wednesday could be as good as forgotten. But another defeat for United could make Mourinho’s reign seem increasingly untenable.
Hazard a guess
After his stunning performance to sink Jurgen Klopp’s men in the Carabao Cup in midweek, Eden Hazard will hope to repeat the feat on Saturday. The Stamford Bridge clash could define who will be the most likely challengers to Manchester City this season, and with both clubs and their respective managers on top of their games, it could come down to a moment of genius from a player like Hazard to both lift Chelsea into the driving seat, and highlight his own ascension to the game’s true elite.
Gunners firing
They always warned replacing Arsene Wenger could be an impossible job at the Emirates, and Unai Emery’s early weeks at the helm were hardly covered in glory. But Emery has slowly won the confidence of his players and that has paid off in their rise up the table. Victory over fourth-placed Watford on Saturday will make it five in a row for the Gunners, and perhaps suggest they should not quite be written off as they bid to muscle back in among this season’s title challengers.
Hot Spurs?
Tottenham’s win over Brighton last weekend was worth its weight in gold for Mauricio Pochettino after an unprecedented run of three consecutive defeats. But the tests are coming thick and fast for a team whose failure to strengthen in the summer begged questions of their capabilities in terms of a title push. Anything less than a convincing win at struggling Huddersfield on Saturday, and those questions are certain to rear up once again.
Rough ride for Rafa
Given all the backroom shenanigans at St James’ Park, it is bordering on the remarkable that a manager of the calibre of Rafael Benitez is still at the helm. But after the Magpies’ poor start to the season, there is a feeling that failure to beat Leicester on Saturday could trigger major repercussions. The Spaniard’s CV indicates he is much better equipped than for a Premier League relegation battle. Defeat to Leicester and Rafa’s final word could well be ‘adios’.
