Arsenal, Leeds Unitedlockhorns at the Emirates Stadium
Separated by just three points and three positions in the early-season Premier League standings, Arsenal and Leeds United reconvene at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday lunchtime following the international break.
The reigning champions entered the hiatus shell-shocked owing to a 3-0 reverse to Brighton & Hove Albion, while Leeds still have zero losses on their top-flight record after five matches.
The Gunners’ three-goal loss was poetic in a neutral sense, as it marked their heaviest Premier League defeat since an identical result against none other than Brighton in May 2023, while also allowing Manchester City to enter the international break in top spot.
However, disappointment gave way to delight right at the end of the lengthy domestic pause, as Arsenal confirmed that Arteta had signed a new long-term contract, prolonging the partnership between the club and the manager with the best win rate in the history of the men’s team – 61%.
As well as taking nine points from a possible 15 to sit fifth in the table, Leeds possess the Premier League’s joint-best defensive record with just three goals shipped, superior to Arsenal’s four and level with Everton’s own trio.
The first game back after the international break brings with it many uncertainties, but even with a host of fitness concerns, Arsenal’s squad depth should come to the fore at home as the Gunners return to triumphant ways.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Bottom club Tottenham travel to face Manchester United
Premier League basement club Tottenham Hotspur will endeavour to end their winless streak when they travel to Old Trafford to face another bottom-half club in Manchester United on Saturday evening.
These two teams butt heads eight months on from the Red Devils securing a 2-0 home win over Spurs, courtesy of goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes.
After finishing last season on a high by securing a third-placed finish in the Premier League, Man United have accumulated just five points from their opening five games this term, the club’s joint-lowest tally at this stage of a top-flight campaign.
Sitting 12th in the Premier League table and already 10 points behind rivals Man City at the summit, Man United head coach Michael Carrick is not bothered by the off-field ‘noise’ around his position. However, he will be aware that the margin for error is slim as he tries to recapture the pragmatic magic that rescued their previous campaign.
Man United have also won just one of their last nine encounters with Tottenham (D3 L5), though that was the aforementioned two-goal success at Old Trafford last season; the Red Devils last won back-to-back games over Spurs between March and October 2022.
Both sides have looked compromised by defensive vulnerabilities and now have mounting injury concerns to deal with, but the Red Devils should ultimately possess the necessary firepower to outscore their visitors and return to winning ways on home soil, leaving De Zerbi’s men rock bottom.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Barcelona resume their La Liga campaign at home to Getafe
Barcelona will be aiming to make it nine straight wins in all competitions when they resume their La Liga campaign at home to Getafe on Saturday.
Hansi Flick‘s side are top of the La Liga table on 21 points, while Getafe occupy 11th, boasting eight points from their opening seven matches of the 2026-27 season.
Barcelona have not missed a step this season – it has almost been note perfect from the Catalan outfit, who once again look the team to beat in La Liga this term, while they should also be very much in the argument when it comes to the Champions League.
Flick’s side have a record of seven wins from their seven league games this season, scoring 31 times and conceding seven, and they sit at the top of the La Liga table on 21 points, five clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid and already six ahead of fourth-placed Real Madrid.
The Catalan side will be back in European action next week, heading to Turkey to tackle Galatasaray, before facing Real Betis in the league and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League ahead of El Clasico at home to Real Madrid in Spain’s top flight.
Getafe have not managed to beat Barcelona since October 2020, while they have never overcome the Catalan side away from home, so history could be created on Saturday.
Barcelona are a difficult team to back against at the moment given their quality; Getafe have struggled for goals this season, and we are expecting Flick’s team to continue their winning run.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Atletico Madrid visit the Estadio de Mendizorroza to face Alaves
Atletico Madrid will be looking to move within touching distance of Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table when they visit the Estadio de Mendizorroza to face Deportivo Alaves on Saturday. Both sides went into the international break in contrasting form, with the home side claiming just one point from the last nine available.
Despite this slump in form, Deportivo Alaves sit sixth in the La Liga standings with 11 points from seven games and could leapfrog Sevilla into fifth place with all three points this weekend.
On the other hand, Atletico Madrid claimed bragging rights in the first edition of the heated Madrid derby last time out when they secured a 2-1 victory over rivals Real Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Diego Simeone’s side have won three league games on the bounce since their 2-1 loss against Liverpool in their UEFA Champions League curtain-raiser on September 9, scoring nine goals and keeping two clean sheets.
Atletico Madrid have picked up 16 points from their seven La Liga matches so far to sit second in the standings. With 16 points from seven games, Atletico Madrid have enjoyed a solid start to the season, and they will look to continue from where they left off just before the international break.
Alaves have seen their form take a huge dip in recent weeks, and while they will draw encouragement from recent home results against Atletico, we see them struggling this weekend once again.
Credit: sportskeeda
FIXTURES
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
Arsenal 11:30 Leeds United
Aston Villa 14:00 Brentford
Chelsea 14:00 Bournemouth
Ipswich Town 14:00 Fulham
Sunderland 14:00 Brighton
Manchester United versus Tottenham
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
Rayo Vallecano 12:00 Athletic
Alavés 14:15 Atletico Madrid
Barcelona 16:30 Getafe
Real Madrid 19:00 Villarreal
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
Genoa 13:00Fiorentina
Inter Milan 16:00 Parma
Napoli 18:45 Frosinone
