The international break is over and the Premier League roars back this weekend.
Key fixtures: Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest; Brentford vs Chelsea; West Ham vs Tottenham; Burnley vs Liverpool; Manchester City vs Manchester United.
Match officials for Matchweek 4 were released by the Premier League (referee appointments include Darren England on the weekend list).
August monthly awards (official Premier League):
EA SPORTS Player of the Month — Jack Grealish.
Barclays Manager of the Month — Arne Slot (Liverpool).
Guinness Goal of the Month — Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool).
Coca-Cola Save of the Month — James Trafford (Manchester City).
Full Matchweek 4 fixtures (official list)
Arsenal v Nottingham Forest (12:30 UK)
Bournemouth v Brighton (15:00)
Crystal Palace v Sunderland (15:00)
Everton v Aston Villa (15:00)
Fulham v Leeds United (15:00)
Newcastle United v Wolves (15:00)
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (17:30)
Brentford v Chelsea (20:00)
Sunday 14 September
Burnley v Liverpool (14:00)
Manchester City v Manchester United (16:30)
Predictions & tactical review of the Five fixtures that matter
Below I give crisp predictions, the tactical reasons, and the key players to watch. These are informed by form, injuries reported in pre-match pressers, and coach profiles.
Manchester City vs Manchester United – Prediction: Man City 2–1 Man United
Why: City are the machine at home: possession, overloads down the right, and relentless short-passing to unpick blocks. United under Ruben Amorim have looked pragmatic but fragile defensively; City’s wide rotation and pressing intensity will create openings. Expect a late United counter threat so a narrow City win. Injuries and goalkeeping shuffle at United (press coverage) may tilt the balance.
Key player: Erling Haaland coming with a menacing form during the international break/ City creative outlet (whoever starts) v United’s counter players.
Burnley vs Liverpool — Prediction: Burnley 0–2 Liverpool
Why: Liverpool arrive with momentum and Arne Slot’s side have been ruthlessly efficient (three wins from three in August earned Slot Manager of the Month). Burnley will be organised and tough to break down, but Liverpool’s front line Eketek, Salah and Isak would be unstoppable. Expect Liverpool to control wide zones and target Burnley’s high press.
Key player: Dominik Szoboszlai (set pieces) — he’s the form winger/creator who won Goal of the Month.
Brentford vs Chelsea — Prediction: Brentford 1–3 Chelsea
Why: Brentford at home are awkward, direct and disciplined although depleted. Chelsea are on a roller coaster under Maresca although injury noise around their attacking options like Cole Palmer still out, Liam Delap reportedly out for 10-12 weeks. This looks like a classic London duel, a win is the sensible call for Chelsea’s front three in red hot form. We could also see the debut of Garnacho.
Key player: Joa Pedro and Estavo it promises to be a game to keep an eye on.
West Ham vs Tottenham Hotspur — Prediction: West Ham 1–2 Tottenham
Why: London derbies are emotional. Tottenham carry more forward quality and have new pieces who can unsettle West Ham on transition. West Ham will press and make it physical; Spurs will edge it with better moments of individual quality. Expect VAR noise and a late decisive moment.
Key player: Tottenham’s creative forward(s) — expect Palhinha/Kudus combinations to be revealing.
Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest — Prediction: Arsenal 3–0 Nottingham Forest
Why: Arsenal’s home form and attacking balance should be too much. Nottingham Forest are organised but have struggled to contain rapid ball circulation at Arsenal, with a Ange still yet to implement his system this first, Gunners spoiled with too many creators. Arsenal should win comfortably if their rhythm from August carries over.
Key player: Gyokeres / Martin Ødegaard — influence in half-spaces and chance creation.
Why these predictions — a few veteran principles
Match rhythm beats reputation the team with momentum and cleaner match practice tends to dictate tempo. Arne Slot’s Liverpool perfect start explains why they’re favoured away or at home.
Pressing intensity is the equaliser teams that press coherently (City, Liverpool, systems) force mistakes; midtable sides that rely on transitions must be clinical.
Injury noise matters last-minute absences (goalkeepers, midfield pivots, or first-choice forwards) swing 0.4–0.7 goals in expectation never ignore the pressers. (See Guardian build-ups for the latest squad news.)
August Awards what they say about form and narrative (official winners)
The monthly prizes are not vanity they’re temperature checks. Here’s the official winners and the why behind each:
EA SPORTS Player of the Month — Jack Grealish (Everton)
Why: A bright loan start; leading the league for assists in August and transforming Everton’s attacking fluidity. Official announcement: Premier League.
Barclays Manager of the Month — Arne Slot (Liverpool)
Why: Liverpool’s three wins from three and perfect start. Compact, proactive and clinical Slot’s team look like champions by design. Official announcement: Premier League.
Guinness Goal of the Month — Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool)
Why: A last-minute, dipping free-kick at Anfield that won votes and expert praise. A clutch moment exactly the kind winners are made of. Official announcement: Premier League.
Coca-Cola Save of the Month — James Trafford (Manchester City)
Why: A high-difficulty, match-saving stop at Brighton that fans and pundits voted top. Official announcement: Premier League / Manchester City.
How these awards shape the immediate storylines
Grealish’s award signals Everton have a creative heartbeat; he gives them assist volume and a new attacking axis. Managers planning to face Everton must block his supply lines.
Slot and Szoboszlai: Liverpool’s manager and set-piece specialist being acknowledged signals a team peaking in structure and killer moments that’s a frightening combination for the league.
Trafford’s stop underlines that even elite units like City rely on last-ditch saves teams that lack a match-winning keeper will pay the price.
