Premier League Weekend Special: Rivalries, redemption and rising stakes
As the Premier League enters another high-octane weekend, SuperSport lines up fixtures that promise drama, history, and a heavy dose of narrative tension.
From the red-hot Merseyside Derby to a tactical chess match at Old Trafford and a title-tinged showdown in North London, this is a weekend where reputations will be tested and legacies shaped.
LIVERPOOL V EVERTON — SATURDAY @ 1:30PM CAT
Anfield Awaits: Moyes Returns, Salah Reloads, and the Red Mist Looms
The Merseyside Derby is never short on emotion, but this one carries extra weight. David Moyes returns to Anfield with Everton, still chasing his first Premier League win at the ground after 20 fruitless attempts. His record there — D6 L14 — is a haunting stat, matched only by his similarly winless run at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are chasing a fifth consecutive home win over Everton — a feat not achieved since the 1930s. Arne Slot’s side has started the season with four straight wins, and a fifth would echo their title-winning rhythm from 2018-19 and 2019-20.
But this fixture isn’t just about form — it’s about fire. With 25 red cards, it’s the most ill-tempered clash in Premier League history. Eleven of those came under Moyes’ Everton reign, a stat that underscores the intensity of this rivalry.
Mohamed Salah, sitting on eight derby goals, is one shy of Steven Gerrard’s record. Yet his attacking metrics this season — shots, xG, touches in the box — are at career lows. Everton’s Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye, meanwhile, are quietly becoming creative forces, ranking among the league’s best in take-ons and chance creation.
Expect late drama: Liverpool have scored more goals in the final 10 minutes than any other side since last season. Everton’s away form — six wins in 2025 — suggests they won’t go quietly.
MANCHESTER UNITED V CHELSEA — SATURDAY @ 6:30PM CAT
Old Trafford’s Stalemate Saga: Bruno’s Milestone, Pedro’s Surge, and a Shot Storm Brewing
The most drawn fixture in Premier League history returns to Old Trafford, where Manchester United haven’t lost to Chelsea in 12 league games. But the Blues, fresh off a 1-0 win in May, are eyeing back-to-back victories over United for the first time since the Ancelotti era.
United’s recent home form is improving — two wins in their last three — and they’re finally showing attacking intent. With 94 shots in their last four home games, United is peppering goalkeepers but struggling to convert.
Bruno Fernandes, set for his 200th Premier League appearance, leads the league in chances created (14) but remains assist-less. Matheus Cunha, meanwhile, has the most shots on target without scoring — a stat that speaks to United’s inefficiency.
Chelsea’s João Pedro is the man in form, with five goal involvements already. His record against United — three goals in five games — makes him one to watch. And Bryan Mbeumo’s curious stat line — six goal involvements v Chelsea, all away — adds another layer to the narrative.
With both sides vulnerable defensively (United’s xG against is among the worst), this could be a fixture that finally breaks the draw curse.
ARSENAL V MANCHESTER CITY — SUNDAY @ 5:30PM CAT
North London’s Power Play: Arteta’s Edge, Haaland’s Capital Reign, and Gyökeres’ Emergence
Arsenal v Manchester City is no longer a one-sided affair. The Gunners have won two of their last four league meetings with City and are unbeaten in their last three at home against the reigning champions. Mikel Arteta could become the first manager to go five league games unbeaten against Pep Guardiola — a seismic shift in their mentor-protégé dynamic.
City arrive with a post-Europe hangover: five losses in their last seven league games following midweek continental action. Their last such defeat? A 5-1 hammering at the Emirates.
Arsenal’s home form is pristine — three wins, nine goals, zero conceded. Viktor Gyökeres has scored in both of his home appearances, and his pressing stats (166 final-third pressures) lead the league. He’s the embodiment of Arteta’s high-intensity blueprint.
Erling Haaland, however, remains a looming threat. With 19 goals in 20 league games in London and the best minutes-per-goal ratio in the capital, he’s built for these moments. His duel with Gyökeres — the league’s top penalty-box presser — will be a fascinating subplot.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, fresh off a clean-sheet debut, adds intrigue to City’s backline. If he keeps another, he joins elite company — only Kasper Schmeichel and Stefan Ortega have done so in their first two starts for the club.
All matches live on SuperSport
This weekend isn’t just about points — it’s about pride, power, and proving a point. From historic droughts to tactical revolutions, the Premier League is serving up a feast. And every bite matters.
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