After the midweek exertions of European football (FC Sheriff anybody?) we return to domestic matters as Arsenal travel to south London as they try to maintain their lead atop the Premier League table.
There is also quite a tasty super Sunday lined up with Sunderland taking on Newcastle in the north east derby as well as Manchester City’s first visit to London of the season to take on Chelsea.
Here are three things to look for as you tuck in to this weekend’s Premier League action:
1) Marouane Chamakh to actually play like a striker.
There is a stat floating about concerning Marouane Chamakh and his success rate in front of goal – it currently sits at a 100%. Not too shabby eh? Ah, the only reason it is at that high level is because the Crystal Palace frontman has only taken one shot. In eight games. One shot. Against Stoke.
It would be safe to say that Palace are in a bit of a mess at the moment. Ian Holloway has departed, Chamakh is awful, they can’t defend very well and they welcome Arsenal to Selhurst Park on Saturday lunchtime. Maybe Chamakh will pull his socks up to show his former club what they have been missing. Maybe.
2) Manchester United to kick start their season.
That last minute equaliser from Southampton was a real kick in the teeth for David Moyes last weekend and Wednesday’s less than convincing 1-0 defeat of Real Socieadad will have done little to appease the Old Trafford faithful.
Moyes needs to motivate his team for their upcoming clash with Stoke and a comprehensive 3-0 defeat of the Potters will go a long way to getting United back on the right track. Of course, three points will be good enough no matter how the game is won, but a home game against sub standard opposition is the kind of occasion where United used to throw about their weight and simply overpower their opponents.
3) Sergio Aguero’s fine form to continue.
How about that Sergio Aguero eh? He is in blistering form and the Argentinian striker has formed a very effective partnership with summer signing Alvaro Negredo. Another brace from Aguero during the week in CSKA Moscow made in four in two games for City hitman but now face a much bigger test on Sunday as they travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea.
Can Aguero maintain his excellent form? Will Yaya Toure dominate the midfield? It will be an intriguing match up and it is the pick of this weekend’s action.