The Weekender: The Premier League Returns For Round 3
We all got a break after a brief taste, but now the real fun starts as the Premier League returns before the Champions League takes up real estate in the middle of the week.
Premier League Round 3 Preview
Game Of The Weekend: Manchester City vs. Manchester United (Sunday, 11:30am ET)
It's the biggest on the card, but the last few of these have been real slogs. This one might be itchy too, considering the state of each side. City come back after the break having lost their last two, as Pep Guardiola figures out what this version of City should look like. They've adjusted lineups and formations. United had to miracle their ass to the top of the obstacle that was Burnley, at home no less. This actually might be better for them than City, as they won't be expected to carry the play and can just soak up pressure to try and counter at speed. Which Spurs and Brighton showed City are pretty vulnerable to.
The rest of the slate...
Arsenal vs. Nottingham Forest (Saturday, 7:30am ET)
I haven't had time to even go over the bonkers manager change Forest have undergone this week. They put Nuno Espirito Sanchez out of his misery working for the owner and Edu at midnight, and then hired Ange Postecoglou to replace him. There couldn't be a wider spectrum between old and new managers, as Nuno kept his players from crossing the halfway line unless it was totally secure, whereas Big Ange was known for not keeping anybody in his own half.
It won't look like that to start, as Ange did adjust Spurs to be pretty Forest-like in the Europa League, which they won. That will certainly be the prescription first time out away to Arsenal. But how Postecoglou evolves Forest over the coming months should be quite the watch.
Bournemouth vs. Brighton (Saturday, 10am ET)
South Coast derby, with both teams looking to be a burr in the ass of all the top teams once again. Bournemouth come in having won their last two, with the last of those being a truly impressive paddling of Spurs at the Tottenham Stadium. Brighton last out beat City at home. Not only is it a local derby, but a clash of styles that makes for great watching. Brighton's whole raison d'etre is to sucker teams in on their press and then play through and around them. No one presses harder than Bournemouth. It should be a real game of chicken.
Crystal Palace vs. Sunderland (Saturday, 10am ET)
Palace haven't lost yet this season, though that only includes one win, which was their last game where they roasted Villa. Palace can play a little more freely now, knowing who is staying (Marc Guehi) and who is leaving (Eberechi Eze) and what the team will be. Sunderland's season will appear to hinge on how many points they can get at home. This isn't at home.
Everton vs. Aston Villa (Saturday, 10am ET)
Some really differing vibes here. Everton have the new stadium, a sexy new attacking set-up with Grealish, Dibbling/Dewsbury-Hall, and Nidaye, and have won their last three (including the League Cup). Villa haven't won, haven't score, and everyone seems pretty bored with where they are. They may have to roll out new additions Harvey Elliot and Jadon Sancho just to feel anything whatsoever.
Fulham vs. Leeds (Saturday, 10am ET)
Leeds have scored one goal so far on the season, though it's been enough to get them four points. Fulham had a break from feeling aggrieved after getting the Joan Collins special from VAR two weeks ago against Chelsea.
Newcastle vs Wolves (Saturday, 10am ET)
Newcastle can finally get over Alexander Isak. He's gone, they got their money, they've brought in Nick Woltemade, a giraffe ballerina, to replace him, and they can go ahead as is. Wolves have lost all three so far this season, and have looked bad while doing so. Might be another rescue job this season.
West Ham vs. Spurs (Saturday, 12:30pm ET)
All West Ham needed to not look like absolute relegation fodder was a date with a team in Forest that had its manager actively trying to get booted from his job. Spurs should be a sterner test. West Ham can't do the things that Bournemouth can that drove Spurs into the ground. Could be a get-right game for Spurs, but it's also, y'know, Spurs.
Brentford vs. Chelsea (Saturday, 3pm ET)
Mr. Saturday Night Special. Another West London Derby for Chelsea, after needing the feds to get them past Fulham. Brentford rolled out the red carpet for Sunderland last time out, missing a penalty and coughing up a one-goal lead.
Burnley vs. Liverpool (Sunday, 9am ET)
The last time Scott Parker managed a team against Liverpool, his charges gave up nine goals and then he told the press they would do so again that season if they didn't get better players. Bournemouth's management took about 12 seconds after that to pack Parker off. Burnley won't give up nine, likely. Liverpool likely won't be able to roll out Alexander Isak, other than as a sub, so they can spend another week trying to sort out Florian Wirtz.
What else is going on this weekend?
Cubs vs. Rays: The Cubs have basically been playing out the string since the middle of July, no matter how much the fans want to lose their shit over losses to the Nats or Braves. The Rays have been in the tank basically since Jonathan Aranda got hurt and they score four runs per week.
White Sox vs. Guardians: The Sox can play something of a spoiler over the weekend on the Erie shore. Cleveland keeps threatening to get into the wildcard picture, partially because everyone else in the AL Wildcard picture is doing everything they can to keep them around. The Guardians also score four runs per week, but they only give up three. They're 3.5 games back of the Mariners, so they'll have to put up something ridiculous to crash the party.
Bears at Lions: Ugh, god. Just what the Bears need. A pissed off Lions team in their home opener. Is Aidan Hutchinson going to wear Caleb Williams's skin by the 3rd quarter? Tune in and find out!