Premier League: Man City Eye 3-point Lead As Liverpool, Leeds, Man United Face Sunday Tests

Manchester City will have the opportunity to open up a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League when they host Sunderland on Sunday, after Arsenal’s perfect start to their title defence was brought crashing down by a 3-0 defeat at Brighton.

Arsenal had entered the weekend level on 12 points with City but ahead on goal difference. However, goals from Pascal Gross, Charalampos Kostoulas and Chema Andres condemned the champions to their first league defeat of the season and left City top on goal difference before their meeting with Sunderland.

Sunday’s programme features four matches, with three kicking off at 2pm before Fulham entertain Manchester United at Craven Cottage at 4.30pm.

Man City seek fifth straight win against Sunderland

Manchester City go into their Etihad Stadium clash with Sunderland with a chance to establish a clear advantage at the summit.

Enzo Maresca’s side have won all four of their opening league matches and have conceded only twice, while Erling Haaland leads their attack after scoring four league goals so far. City also defeated Manchester United 1-0 in their most recent Premier League outing.

Sunderland, meanwhile, have made a mixed return to the top flight, taking four points from their opening four matches. They arrive at the Etihad after securing a maiden Europa League victory against AZ Alkmaar in midweek.

City will also be without Phil Foden through suspension, while Sunderland are missing Reinildo. Doku is a doubt for the hosts.

A victory would take City to 15 points and give them a three-point cushion over Arsenal before the international break.

Iraola returns to Bournemouth as Liverpool seek consistency

At the Vitality Stadium, Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola faces his former club Bournemouth in one of the weekend’s most intriguing encounters.

Liverpool have collected six points from their opening four league matches, with just one victory, while Bournemouth are still searching for their first league win under Marco Rose. The Cherries, however, have shown enough attacking promise, having led in each of their four matches without converting those advantages into victories.

Iraola’s return adds an emotional dimension to the fixture, but the Liverpool manager will be more concerned with ending his side’s inconsistent start.

The Reds have also struggled away from home, winning only four Premier League matches on the road since last Christmas, although they have won nine of their last 12 visits to Bournemouth. Dominik Szoboszlai, who has been among Liverpool’s most consistent performers, will be one of the players expected to provide the cutting edge.

Liverpool are also without several players, including Federico Chiesa and Hugo Ekitiké, while Bournemouth have their own injury concerns.

Leeds aim to maintain unbeaten start against Palace

Leeds United will attempt to extend their impressive opening to the season when Crystal Palace visit Elland Road.

The newly promoted side are unbeaten after four matches, having taken eight points, and come into the contest on the back of a 4-1 demolition of Newcastle United. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has already scored three league goals for the Whites.

Palace, by contrast, have endured a more difficult start, with two defeats from their opening four games. Their defensive vulnerability will be tested by a Leeds side that has scored seven times already.

Leeds will be without Joe Rodon, while Crystal Palace have Marc Guéhi suspended and goalkeeper Dean Henderson and striker Jean-Philippe Mateta among their injury concerns.

For Leeds, another victory would strengthen their position among the early pace-setters and underline their impressive adaptation to life back in the Premier League.

Man United face Fulham test after turbulent week

Manchester United head to Craven Cottage knowing that another dropped points could intensify the scrutiny surrounding their start under Michael Carrick.

United have four points from their opening four league games and suffered a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City last weekend. They then surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Brighton in the EFL Cup in midweek.

Carrick has urged his players to move on from the setbacks, but United now face a Fulham side that earned a goalless draw at Liverpool last weekend.

The visitors will have to cope with a lengthy injury list, including Matthijs de Ligt and Amad Diallo, while Luke Shaw is a doubt. Fulham are also without Tom Cairney, with Ryan Sessegnon doubtful.

For United, the fixture presents an immediate opportunity to respond before the international break. Fulham, meanwhile, will look to build on their point at Anfield and add further pressure to a United side searching for stability.

With City potentially pulling three points clear, Liverpool seeking momentum, Leeds defending an unbeaten start and United desperate for a response, Sunday’s four fixtures could significantly reshape the early Premier League picture.