Five things to look out for in the Premier League this weekend: A top of the table clash, Mourinho under pressure, and Cardiff scoring off set-pieces
Can Liverpool prove their title credentials at Wembley?
Last season Liverpool were outplayed at Tottenham’s temporary home, losing 4-1 after Mauricio Pochettino’s side put on a vibrant, attacking display which highlighted clear deficiencies in Liverpool's backline.
Things have changed since then and Jurgen Klopp’s side have breezed through their opening four games, collecting a maximum twelve points. New signings Naby Keita and Alisson have been impressive and the question is whether Liverpool can lay down a marker and prove they can challenge favourites Manchester City for the Premier League.
They have the players to do so, but as Tottenham showed in their 2-1 defeat by Watford two weeks ago, there are questions over whether any side has the mentality to compete with City this season.
Will Warnock really attack at the Bridge?
Cardiff surprised people two weeks ago scoring twice against Arsenal through a direct, attacking display. The Bluebirds scored their first goals of the season, but were also punished for errors at the back, losing 3-2.
Neil Warnock has pledged to put in an attacking performance at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, saying the team isn’t good enough to shut up shop.
Cardiff may lack quality, but they have pace in their forwards with Junior Hoilett and Bobby Reid. Despite four wins for Maurizio Sarri, Chelsea’s defence has occasionally looked fragile, with the team regularly leaving plenty of space behind Marcos Alonso at left-back and playmaker Jorginho in midfield.
For Cardiff to get anything from the game they will need to utilise their strength at set pieces. If they fluff their lines at big moments like they did against Arsenal, then it could be a long afternoon in west London with Eden Hazard and Pedro on top form for the Blues so far this season.
Cardiff scored the opening two goals of their Premier League campaign against Arsenal (Source: Getty)
Has Emery really changed Arsenal?
Unai Emery had a very hard task ahead of him this season taking over from Arsene Wenger after 22 years as Arsenal manager.
The club finished sixth last year and remain a highly unbalanced squad stuffed with creative players but fundamentally lacking in width and defensive resilience.
Arsenal remain very open at the back, even if they are playing a more purposeful passing game. With forwards Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang forming a deadly partnership they can cause trouble for any team.
They have played some blistering football going forward, but it remains to be seen whether they can replicate that and combine it with improvements in defence. A trip to St James’ Park to play a Newcastle team desperate for points is a good test for Emery’s side.
Will the Mourinho saga continue against Watford?
Javi Gracia picked up the Premier League manager of the month award, after guiding Watford to third in the table with four wins out of four in August, having brought the feel-good factor back to Vicarage Road since taking charge of the Hornets in January.
By contrast, everything seems gloomy for Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, despite their 2-0 win against strugglers Burnley last time out. United have lost two of their four league games this season and talk persists of a rift with Paul Pogba, while questions remain over the quality of their back four.
If they lose to Watford this week it could prove another episode in what could be shaping up to be an increasingly grim exit process for Mourinho.
Read more: Why Mourinho was destined to be short-term fix for United
There is always potential for further unrest at West Ham especially after starting the campaign with four defeats (Source: Getty)
Can West Ham get off the mark?
It’s been a tumultuous time at West Ham since they moved into the London Stadium, with fans invading the pitch, courtroom conflicts with stadium owners the LLDC, and their third manager in two years.
Manuel Pellegrini’s arrival and the £100m summer spend that followed brought a sense of optimism to east London.
Sadly, this positivity hasn’t been matched on the playing field, with West Ham losing their opening four games including a wretched 1-0 defeat by Wolves at an emptying home stadium.
This weekend they play Everton at Goodison Park, having only won at the Merseyside ground three times since the inception of the Premier League in 1992. Marco Silva’s Everton remain undefeated in seventh place this season.
Crystal Palace stayed up last year despite losing their opening seven games, but if West Ham lose this weekend Pellegrini will inevitably feel the pressure.
The club has shown itself to be highly combustible in recent times and there is every possibility the unofficial ceasefire between supporters and the board will collapse once again unless there is an upturn in form in the near future.