The Premier League’s two title favourites will be in action this weekend, aiming to return to the summit following contrasting results last weekend. Arsenal will host struggling Southampton, while Manchester City will host Fulham.

Event # 1 – EPL – Arsenal vs Southampton – 9:00 AM

Arsenal welcome Southampton to the Emirates tomorrow, Saturday, in a game between two sides with very contrasting fortunes. Having established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League again, Arsenal are now Manchester City’s main challengers for the title, having gone close to winning it for the past two seasons, and they are primed to go one better this year. Indeed, Arsenal currently sit third in the league table, one point behind leaders Liverpool, and if they beat Southampton, they will jump to the top of the table ahead of Manchester City and Liverpool’s games later in the day. The Gunners, Arsenal, warmed up for this clash with an impressive display in the Champions League in mid-week, brushing aside French powerhouse PSG 2-0 with ultimate ease.

Meanwhile, Southampton, who was promoted back to the Premier League this season, have not had the start they would have hoped for, and find themselves struggling at the bottom end of the table in the early goings. Indeed, the Saints, Southampton, have had nothing short of a disaster to start the season, as they sit 19th in the table, with just one point from their opening six matches, and must be hoping for a miracle to at least secure a point against the in-form Arsenal. One of five teams yet to win a game in the league this season, Southampton will travel to the Emirates determined to end this run, but they will be under no illusion regarding the task at hand; the Saints optimism stems from the fact that Arsenal are winless against them in their last three meetings.

Key Stats

Arsenal – Arsenal are one of two sides still unbeaten in the league and have scored 12 goals in 6 Premier League matches so far this season.

Southampton – Southampton have won one game so far this season, beating Cardiff City 5-3 in the EFL Cup. Since then, they have been winless in their five league matches.

Both sides – Surprisingly, Arsenal are winless against Southampton in their last three head-to-head meetings, although their last win against Southampton came at home.

The betting tip: Arsenal win.

Event # EPL – Man. City vs Fulham – 9:00 AM

Defending Premier League champions Manchester City ended a run of winning just one of their previous four matches with an impressive 4-0 thrashing of Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League in mid-week, in the process securing their first win in the competition, following their opening day draw at home to Inter Milan. That win enabled Manchester City to continue their unbeaten start to the season in all competitions, as they look to win what would be a record extending fifth consecutive Premier League title. With that said, City will host Fulham, aiming to return to winning ways in the league, having drawn their last two league games, 2-2 at home to Arsenal before a 1-1 draw at Newcastle last weekend. Those two draws saw them being knocked off their perch, with Liverpool now leading the league, but if Arsenal fails to defeat Southampton at home and they beat Fulham they will return to the summit, if Liverpool fails to beat Crystal Palace away in the early kick off tomorrow.

Fulham, on the other hand, make the trip to the Etihad Stadium to face the full force of a rejuvenated Manchester City side looking to return to winning ways. However, Fulham will arrive at the Etihad high on confidence having impressed so far in the opening weeks of the new campaign, unbeaten in 90 minutes in all competitions since their opening game of the season, a run stretching to seven matches. Indeed, Fulham enter this clash following back-to-back wins over arguably in-form sides, serving up both Newcastle and Nottingham Forest their first defeats of the season in the last two weeks. Now, Fulham faces arguably their sternest test of the season when they arrive at the City ground; and they have had a less than impressive record against City in recent times, having lost each of their last 14 games against City, and are winless in the last 20, going back 15 years.

Key Stats

Man City – Man. City are unbeaten in their last 33 home matches in the Premier League and have won 15 of their last 17 league matches, drawing the other two.

Fulham – Fulham last away win at Manchester City came back in 2009, they lost both games against City last season by 5-1 and 4-0 scorelines.

Both sides – Manchester City are unbeaten against Fulham in their last 19 matches, winning 17 and drawing 2.

The betting tip: Man City win.