Matchday 13 Danger: Four Potential Shocks

This weekend marks the one-third point of the Premier League season, and while the battle between Chelsea and Arsenal is the main event, defining the early title picture, there are four other fixtures where the established order could be completely upended, offering the biggest potential for upsets.

Man City are at home to Leeds United this weekend. Manchester City, reeling from a loss last weekend and a midweek European defeat, are now desperate for a response. However, when Erling Haaland is not scoring, City’s attack often appears surprisingly basic. Facing a Leeds side fighting relegation, a failure to find the early breakthrough could see the hot-and-cold visitors frustrate the title contenders, potentially causing them to drop unexpected points.

Tottenham Hotspur hosts Fulham in a London derby. Thomas Frank’s Spurs side needs a drastic turnaround in form after conceding nine goals in their last two outings, including a heavy Champions League defeat. They face a tricky Fulham side, and Tottenham’s home form this campaign has been surprisingly poor, lacking the necessary consistency and confidence. Given their defensive fragility, it is very plausible that they could drop points again against Marco Silva’s well-organized team.

Crystal Palace welcomes Manchester United to Selhurst Park. Manchester United’s embarrassing home defeat to a ten-man Everton side highlighted their profound struggles in front of goal; Ruben Amorim’s team looked toothless despite the advantage. They now face Crystal Palace, who boast one of the best defenses in the league and are notoriously strong at home. With United also struggling with their away form, the Eagles, who have already put up strong defensive displays this season, are in a prime position to inflict another humiliating defeat.

West Ham United takes on Liverpool. Arne Slot is receiving a brutal induction into the Premier League, with his defending champions shockingly losing nine out of their twelve matches played this term. The wounded Liverpool side is closer to the relegation zone than the top of the table as they head to West Ham. The Hammers are beginning to find form and confidence under Nuno Espirito Santo, having secured recent wins. Liverpool’s porous defense, which has been leaking goals, makes this an extremely dangerous fixture that could easily result in yet another miserable defeat for the champions.