City chase seven from seven as Arsenal face a Forest test
Manchester City can stretch their perfect start against Ipswich, Arsenal travel to a ground where they keep drawing blanks, and Leeds host a Manchester United side searching for answers.
Matchweek seven arrives with one question hanging over the Premier League: can anyone lay a glove on Manchester City?
Enzo Maresca's side have won all six league games since he replaced Pep Guardiola in the summer, and they sit three points clear of Arsenal at the top. Ipswich Town visit the Etihad on Saturday afternoon having made a solid return to the top flight, with nine points from their first six matches. The catch for the visitors: they have conceded 11 goals in three defeats to top-six opposition across all competitions this season.
Arsenal's awkward trip
Arsenal play on Sunday, so they will know the gap before kick-off at the City Ground. Nottingham Forest, now coached by Oliver Glasner, are an uncomfortable opponent for Mikel Arteta's side — the last two league meetings at the City Ground both ended 0–0. Arsenal arrive in good spirits after a 3–0 Champions League win over Lille in midweek.
Everton put their unbeaten record on the line
The early kick-off on Saturday is one of the most intriguing games of the weekend. Everton are still unbeaten in the league and have conceded just five goals. Chelsea, under Xabi Alonso, arrive level with them on 10 points after thrashing Bournemouth 5–1 in their last league outing — but they have let in 13 goals so far, and something will have to give.
Pressure at Elland Road
Leeds United, seventh on nine points, host a Manchester United side that sits 13th with six. United are winless in five games in all competitions, including a 2–0 defeat at Atlético Madrid in the Champions League in midweek, and they face a run of eight matches in 30 days. Leeds won 2–1 at Old Trafford in April; a home win on Sunday would open a six-point gap between the sides.
Also worth watching
- Brentford v Liverpool: Andoni Iraola's Liverpool have nine points from six league games, their lowest return at this stage since 2022/23 — yet they have won both Champions League games.
- Newcastle v Aston Villa: Villa come in buoyed by a 6–0 Champions League thrashing of Fenerbahçe.
- Tottenham v Coventry (Monday): Frank Lampard's promoted side arrive full of belief after beating Newcastle 4–1 for their first home Premier League win in 25 years.
Fixtures (UK time)
| Day | Match | Kick-off |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 17 Oct | Everton v Chelsea | 12:30 |
| Sat 17 Oct | Brentford v Liverpool | 15:00 |
| Sat 17 Oct | Fulham v Hull City | 15:00 |
| Sat 17 Oct | Manchester City v Ipswich Town | 15:00 |
| Sat 17 Oct | Newcastle United v Aston Villa | 17:30 |
| Sun 18 Oct | Bournemouth v Sunderland | 14:00 |
| Sun 18 Oct | Brighton v Crystal Palace | 14:00 |
| Sun 18 Oct | Leeds United v Manchester United | 14:00 |
| Sun 18 Oct | Nottingham Forest v Arsenal | 16:30 |
| Mon 19 Oct | Tottenham Hotspur v Coventry City | 20:00 |
Fixtures and kick-off times can change for TV. Follow every game live on our scores page.
