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Three matchdays have flown by in the 2021-22 Premier League campaign and the points table is slowly starting to take shape. Nuno Espirito Santo has guided Tottenham Hotspur to three wins in as many games in the Premier League. With their perfect record of nine points, they sit at the top of the table. Second-placed West Ham United have also started brightly, recording two wins and a draw in their first three Premier League matches of the season.
Defending champions Manchester City have gathered six points so far, while their crosstown rivals Manchester United have picked up seven. Chelsea and Liverpool have seven points each and are occupying fourth and fifth places, respectively. Arsenal, on the other hand, are yet to open their account and are sitting at the bottom of the barrel.
The fourth gameweek of the English Premier League has more exciting fixtures in store, which could have a telling impact on the league table. Today, we will give you a list of the top-five things that could happen over the weekend.
#5 Ferran Torres and Jamie Vardy to clash as Leicester host Manchester City
Defending champions Manchester City kicked off their Premier League campaign with an unexpected defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. After being beaten by the narrowest of margins, 1-0, they bounced back strongly in the next two matches. Ferran Torres, who was added to the Manchester City roster in the summer of 2021, played a part in both victories.
Torres was not on the scoresheet in the 5-0 win against Norwich City, but was an important part of the puzzle. Against Arsenal, he registered two goals and an assist, emerging as one of City’s best players. On Saturday, Torres and Manchester City will make the trip to Leicester, where Jamie Vardy reigns supreme.
Guardiola believes Torres has qualities that resemble Vardy’s, and it would be interesting to see who takes the cake on Saturday. Vardy has scored eight Premier League goals in 14 matches against Manchester City over the last five years.
#4 Chelsea to return to winning ways against Aston Villa
Chelsea and Liverpool had to share honors when the two met on the third matchday of the Premier League. The Blues were in pole position to steal maximum points after Kai Havertz’s header in the first half, but Mohamed Salah’s penalty denied them maximum points at Anfield. Even more frustratingly, Reece James saw red for handling the ball inside the area, leading to Salah’s penalty.
Aston Villa, their opponents for the weekend, have picked up four points from their three Premier League matches. Their draw with newly-promoted Brentford on the third matchday was far from comfortable and Villa are likely to struggle against the European champions. Chelsea are the overwhelming favorites for this Saturday’s fixture and should pick up maximum points at Stamford Bridge.
#3 Arsenal to open their account against Norwich City
Premier League great Arsene Wenger faced a lot of heat for not taking Arsenal to a league title win in his final years as manager. His disciple, Mikel Arteta, is finding it even more difficult to do something worthwhile for the Gunners fans. For the first time in their Premier League history, Arsenal have failed to register a win in their first three matches. They cannot afford to extend that shameful streak.
Arsenal’s opponents, Norwich City, are also desperately looking for their first point of the season. They have not registered a win in their last 23 Premier League matches in London, which should be encouraging for Arteta’s team.
Arsenal are yet to score a single goal in the 2021-22 Premier League campaign, which is depressing for a team with such a rich history. Strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette still have plenty of firepower left in them and must find a way to make themselves useful against Norwich.
#2 Leeds United to make Liverpool work for maximum points
Leeds United and Liverpool are two of the most free-scoring teams in English Premier League history. On Sunday, they are set to add another chapter to their famed rivalry.
2019-20 Premier League champions Liverpool have started their title challenge strongly. They have picked up seven points out of nine, only dropping two points at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea in the previous gameweek. They are unbeaten in their last eight away Premier League games and will be confident of bringing three points back from Elland Road.
Leeds, on the other hand, have not yet won in the 2021-22 Premier League campaign, registering two draws and suffering a defeat. But their home record is nothing to be scoffed at. The Whites have only endured one defeat in their last 10 league games and will do anything to improve their tally on Sunday against Liverpool.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo to make his second Manchester United debut
The most highly-anticipated event of the 2021-22 Premier League campaign is set to take place on Saturday, when Manchester United host Newcastle United. Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the best players in the history of the sport, is set to make his second debut for Manchester United on that day.
Manchester United have re-acquired the services of Ronaldo from Juventus for an initial fee of €15millon this summer. A further €8million fee could be paid to Juventus in bonuses.
In his first term, Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 appearances, winning three Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League. Although 36-years-old, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, is still scoring for fun and could give United a boost in the title race.
Ronaldo, who will be wearing his famous number 7 jersey at Manchester United, has an impressive record against Newcastle United. During his first spell with the Red Devils, Ronaldo recorded six goals and five assists in 11 appearances in all competitions against Newcastle United.
