The international break is over, and the Premier League Gameweek 6 preview starts with a big question: can Liverpool stop Manchester City’s perfect start?
City head to Anfield with five wins from five. Elsewhere, Arsenal return home looking for a response, Chelsea welcome Bournemouth, and Manchester United face Tottenham at Old Trafford. There is plenty riding on this weekend, even with the season still young.
Here are the fixtures, the main talking points and our NAS-P Football predictions. Team news reflects the updates available on Friday, 9 October.
Before looking ahead, revisit our Premier League Gameweek 4 review.
Premier League Gameweek 6 fixtures
All kick-off times are in Nigeria time: WAT, UTC+1. This weekend, Nigeria and the UK are on the same clock. The fixtures below follow the official Premier League schedule.
| Match | Date | Kick-off |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal vs Leeds United | Saturday, 10 October | 12:30 WAT |
| Aston Villa vs Brentford | Saturday, 10 October | 15:00 WAT |
| Chelsea vs Bournemouth | Saturday, 10 October | 15:00 WAT |
| Ipswich Town vs Fulham | Saturday, 10 October | 15:00 WAT |
| Sunderland vs Brighton | Saturday, 10 October | 15:00 WAT |
| Manchester United vs Tottenham | Saturday, 10 October | 17:30 WAT |
| Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest | Sunday, 11 October | 14:00 WAT |
| Hull City vs Everton | Sunday, 11 October | 14:00 WAT |
| Liverpool vs Manchester City | Sunday, 11 October | 16:30 WAT |
| Coventry City vs Newcastle United | Monday, 12 October | 20:00 WAT |
Follow every match on our live scores page for scores as the action unfolds.
Liverpool vs Manchester City: can Liverpool stop the leaders?
Manchester City lead the table with 15 points. Liverpool are sixth on nine, so this is an early opportunity for the hosts to close the gap.
Liverpool have something to build on. Their 1-0 victory at Bournemouth before the break was their third consecutive league clean sheet. Andoni Iraola has spoken about the defensive understanding developing between his players, with Ronald Araújo part of that improving unit.
The attacking news is less encouraging. Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo have been ruled out after returning from international duty with thigh and ankle injuries respectively. Their absence changes the outlook considerably: Liverpool must find a way to trouble City without two important forwards.
City have confirmed that Erling Haaland is fit and available. Phil Foden will miss the match through suspension following his sending-off in the Manchester derby.
For me, the key battle is what happens when Liverpool commit players to the press. Winning possession high up the pitch could help compensate for their missing attackers. But if City escape that pressure, Liverpool’s defenders could be left protecting too much space.
The home side also need patience. Anfield will want intensity, but chasing every pass would give City opportunities to pull the team apart. Liverpool must choose when to press and make those moments count.
NAS-P Football prediction: Manchester City to edge it. Liverpool’s improved defending gives them a chance, but losing Isak and Gakpo makes the task harder.
Manchester United vs Tottenham: who finds a way forward?
United are 12th with five points, while Tottenham sit bottom with two. Neither club has made the start its supporters wanted.
This feels like a match where the opening spell matters. United need to give Old Trafford something to get behind. Tottenham need to avoid spending the afternoon reacting to the home side.
Friday’s team news confirmed that Spurs defenders Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke are available. Pedro Porro is sidelined, while Dejan Kulusevski continues his recovery. Mykhailo Mudryk, Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons remain out.
For United, Patrick Dorgu, Benjamin Šeško and Manuel Ugarte are unavailable. Carlos Baleba could make his debut, with Noussair Mazraoui and Amad requiring assessment.
My concern for United is whether they can turn pressure into good chances. Moving the ball around Tottenham’s box will mean little if nobody attacks the spaces inside it. Spurs, meanwhile, cannot afford to become so cautious that their forwards spend the match isolated.
There should be opportunities for both teams. The question is which side can take them without becoming careless at the other end.
NAS-P Football prediction: A narrow Manchester United win. Home advantage gives them my vote, although this is far from a comfortable pick.
Arsenal vs Leeds United: a response required
Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat at Brighton interrupted their strong opening run. Leeds arrive unbeaten, making this a demanding return to league football for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Arsenal are second with 12 points; Leeds are fifth on nine. The visitors have earned the right to approach this game with confidence.
The latest reporting lists William Saliba among Arsenal’s absentees, with Kai Havertz and Ezri Konsa requiring fitness decisions. Leeds also have injury concerns, including Dan James and Joe Rodon.
I expect Arsenal to have more of the ball, but the quality of their movement will matter more than the possession figure. They need runners who create passing options and force Leeds to make decisions. Too many touches in front of the defence would only help the visitors settle.
For Leeds, the challenge is to offer enough threat when they regain possession. Even a few dangerous breaks can make Arsenal more careful about sending everyone forward.
An early goal would ease the mood at the Emirates. If it remains level deep into the second half, Arsenal will need to keep their composure.
NAS-P Football prediction: Arsenal to win narrowly. Leeds should make them work for it.
Chelsea vs Bournemouth: fresh hope after the break
Chelsea’s last league outing ended in a 3-0 defeat at Brentford. That result left plenty for Xabi Alonso to address before Bournemouth’s visit.
Friday brought a welcome fitness boost. Moisés Caicedo is available, while Cole Palmer, Reece James and João Pedro have trained and are in contention. Marco Palestra is also available. Jamie Gittens, however, is out with an ankle injury.
Those returning options could make a difference, particularly if Chelsea can establish a better balance between attacking and protecting the ball.
My main concern remains what happens after possession is lost. If several players are ahead of the ball, somebody must be ready to delay the counter-attack. Otherwise, one misplaced pass can turn a promising Chelsea move into a dangerous Bournemouth chance.
Bournemouth should look for those moments, but they also need to withstand spells of pressure. Giving Chelsea repeated opportunities around the penalty area would be a difficult way to spend the afternoon.
For the hosts, a controlled performance would be almost as welcome as the points. Supporters need to see a team that can attack without looking vulnerable every time a move breaks down.
NAS-P Football prediction: Chelsea to win. The positive team news strengthens their chances, though they still have to show greater defensive discipline.
The other Gameweek 6 matches
Aston Villa vs Brentford
Brentford’s official preview highlights their set-piece threat, an area Villa must take seriously.
My watchpoint is how quickly Villa move the ball after winning it. If they allow Brentford to settle, finding space could become harder. Brentford will want to make their attacking opportunities count, especially from dead-ball situations.
NAS-P Football prediction: A draw.
Ipswich Town vs Fulham
Ipswich have six points, compared with Fulham’s two.
The hosts will be without the suspended Abdul Fatawu.
I expect a competitive match rather than an easy home afternoon. Ipswich need to use their promising start as encouragement, while Fulham need a performance that gives them something to build on.
NAS-P Football prediction: Ipswich to edge it.
Sunderland vs Brighton
Brighton are third with 10 points; Sunderland have four.
For me, Sunderland’s best chance is to make Brighton defend often enough to interrupt their rhythm. Sitting under pressure for long spells would be risky. Brighton must also avoid letting confidence become impatience if the breakthrough takes time.
NAS-P Football prediction: Brighton to win narrowly.
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest
Palace have four points and Forest have five, leaving both sides with room to improve their position.
Axel Disasi remains suspended for Palace.
I see this as a match that could turn on a set piece or one mistake in possession. Palace need to make home advantage count, but forcing the game too early could open opportunities for Forest.
NAS-P Football prediction: A draw.
Hull City vs Everton
Everton have nine points and Hull have eight. Both have given their supporters encouraging early results.
My watchpoint is the first goal. It could decide which team has to take more risks and which can choose its moments. Hull should aim to keep the match competitive without allowing Everton too much comfortable possession near their box.
NAS-P Football prediction: A draw.
Coventry City vs Newcastle United
Coventry enter this game after beating Nottingham Forest 1-0. Newcastle also won before the break, defeating Hull 2-1.
Matthias Jaissle hopes to recover several players who missed that match. Joelinton is progressing in training, while goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen faces two months out with a hamstring injury.
Coventry need to turn their previous win into confidence at home. Newcastle will want to take control, but they should expect a determined response from a side with something to build on.
NAS-P Football prediction: Newcastle to win narrowly.
Premier League Gameweek 6 preview: our final thoughts
Liverpool against Manchester City is the headline fixture, but it is not the only match worth watching. Arsenal need a response, Chelsea have returning players to welcome, and United against Tottenham offers both clubs an opportunity to change the mood.
Who takes the points at Anfield? Can Tottenham get their first win? And will Leeds make Arsenal’s afternoon uncomfortable?
Share your predictions in the comments and join the conversation with @naspy14.