Premier League Match Day 8 Preview: Liverpool Seek Redemption, City Chase Momentum, and Chelsea Eye a Third Straight Win

The Premier League returns this weekend, and after a tense international break, the race for early-season dominance is heating up. From Liverpool’s redemption mission against Manchester United to Chelsea’s bid for a third consecutive win, fans can expect fireworks across England’s top stadiums.

Liverpool vs Manchester United: A Clash Of Form And Fire

Anfield will host another edition of one of football’s greatest rivalries. For Liverpool, this is a must-win. Arne Slot’s side suffered three straight defeats before the international break – a rare blemish for the defending champions. Yet all those losses came away from home. Back at Anfield, Liverpool have been flawless, with five wins from five across all competitions.

Manchester United, meanwhile, remain unpredictable under Ruben Amorim. The Red Devils snapped a poor run with victory over Sunderland, but their away record is dismal – winless in eight league games on the road. United’s last triumph at Anfield came in 2016, and history doesn’t favour them here.

If Liverpool rediscover their rhythm, United could be in for a long afternoon. Mohamed Salah’s extraordinary record against United – 19 goal involvements in their Premier League meetings – makes him the man to watch once again.

Manchester City vs Everton: Guardiola’s Machine Keeps Grinding

Manchester City are quietly climbing back up the table. With Pep Guardiola’s side sitting fifth and chasing a third straight league win, their numbers remain frightening. They’re averaging more points per game than any other team in 2025 and have already scored 55 goals this year.

Erling Haaland continues to lead the charge, sitting on nine goals in seven matches. Another strike this weekend would make it the third time he’s hit double digits within the first eight games of a Premier League season – a record only he has achieved before.

City’s slight tactical shift this season – with less possession and fewer passes – hasn’t slowed their success. Even without the influential Rodri, sidelined with a thigh injury, they remain dominant at home. The Etihad fortress has seen seven wins from their last eight league games, and Everton will need something special to change that.

For David Moyes, the challenge is steep. His teams have lost on each of his last eight league visits to City, and Everton have never beaten a top-three finisher away under his management.

Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea: Postecoglou Under Pressure

Ange Postecoglou’s early days at Nottingham Forest have been rocky. Nine games without a win, and growing pressure from owner Evangelos Marinakis, means Forest’s home tie against Chelsea could be make-or-break for the Australian.

Chelsea, by contrast, are beginning to look sharp again. Enzo Maresca’s men enter this match on the back of two straight wins, including a dramatic late victory over Liverpool sealed by teenage sensation Estêvão Willian. The 17-year-old’s rise has given the Blues new attacking energy, though Maresca will watch from the stands after accepting a one-match touchline ban.

Chelsea will also welcome key players back from injury – including Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Wesley Fofana – though Cole Palmer, Benoît Badiashile, and Levi Colwill remain sidelined.

If the visitors continue their resurgence, Forest’s patience with Postecoglou may run out before November’s next international break.

Fulham vs Arsenal: The London Test

Arsenal resume their campaign at Craven Cottage, fresh from going top of the league before the international break. Yet the trip to Fulham is anything but straightforward.

The Gunners will be without captain Martin Ødegaard for up to six weeks due to a knee injury, and summer signing Viktor Gyökeres is struggling for form, having gone over 600 minutes without a goal. Still, Mikel Arteta’s side boasts momentum, with key players like Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Martinelli all scoring on international duty.

Fulham, meanwhile, are desperate to halt their slide after back-to-back defeats. Manager Marco Silva hasn’t had much good fortune against Arsenal, but his team have taken points off them at home in recent seasons.

This London derby promises intensity – and perhaps a few surprises – as both sides look to steady their rhythm post-break.

A Weekend Of Reckonings

From the City Ground to Anfield, this weekend could define how the season’s early storylines unfold. Liverpool are chasing redemption, City are quietly asserting their control, Chelsea are reviving their identity, and Arsenal are balancing brilliance with depth challenges.

The Premier League is back, and so too is the chaos, drama, and thrill that makes every match day unmissable.

{Source:Various: Opta, ESPN, Africa, BBC Sport}

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