Football Park's 2025/26 Premier League MW4 Saturday Preview

Football Park's 2025/26 Premier League MW4 Saturday Preview

After a week's absence due to the September international break, the Premier League returns for it's fourth round of fixtures.

With two London Derbies and a battle on the South coast, we look to be in for a fiesty Saturday of action.

Here's what to expect from all eight of the day's matches.

Postecoglou's Forest Visit The Emirates

Ange Postecoglou's first test since replacing Nuno Espirito Santo at the Nottingham Forest helm will be to return the club to winning ways against Arsenal.

Fittingly, the ex-Spurs boss, who won the Lilywhites their first trophy in 17 years this summer, will be returning to the land of his previous enemy so soon.

The Australian manager said this about his appointment:

Quote “The one thing that hits you the most when you go into a new role is the responsibility. It’s a fantastic football club with great history and, even in recent times, it has done really well.

“You bear that responsibility, but I’m excited and I’m looking forward to it and I’m really happy to be here, this Club has real ambitions and that’s really important to me.

"We’ve got an exciting squad. Playing against the Club last season, you could tell there was a really strong unity across the Club and you want to be a part of that because you know that’s what’s required to be successful.

“I understand the history of this football club and I understand there’s a responsibility there, and I’ll bear that responsibility. I’m honoured and I’m humbled, but more importantly I’m determined to make sure this football club takes its rightful place.”

Forest were emphatically beaten 3-0 by West Ham United in what could only be classed as a shock result given the disparity in the two's positionings in the table prior to the match - it is important for Forest to get a result this time if they are to keep up with the leading pack.

As for the Gunners, they lost to Liverpool in an early title clash, with a stunning free-kick goal the difference at Anfield.

However, they remain without key players such as Bukayo Saka - who will likely return for next week - plus Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and now William Saliba, as the Frenchman was brought off early at Anfield with an ankle injury.

🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: William Saliba will be out for 3-4 weeks after picking up an injury vs. Liverpool. [Source : lequipe] pic.twitter.com/brx6ggyl79

— FPL Updates&Tips 24/25 (@FPLUpdates_Tips) September 6, 2025

Must Win For Villa

Aston Villa travel to the new Hill Dickinson Stadium knowing that they have no choice but to win this game.

The Villains, who qualified for the Europa League last season, are currently 19th having lost two and drawn one from their first three games.

With Emiliano Martinez failing to secure his move to Manchester United on deadline day after pushing for a move all summer, it will be interesting to see if he will have a place in the team, or even the squad, for this one.

The reintegration of Emiliano Martinez at #AVFC - what happens next?

He will not be the first or last. This is what happens when a player has to reintegrate after a failed move - told by an ex-PL manager, ex-PL Chairman & senior PL figure. @TheAthleticFChttps://t.co/Dp6M0AR8SE

— Jacob Tanswell (@J_Tanswell) September 10, 2025

Everton on the other hand are in fine form under David Moyes, as they look to secure a top half finish for the first time in several years with the Scotsman back for his first full season and the buzz with the fresh home ground.

Will this be the day that Villa finally score a goal this season?

Woltemade and Wissa Set For Debuts?

Saturday's match against Wolverhampton Wanderers will be the first chance to see whether their early season struggles have been entirely based around the Alexander Isak saga, or if they truly are a team in crisis.

Luckily for the Toon Army, the window is shut, £125m has been made with the sale of the Swede and Nick Woltemade plus Yoanne Wissa have both joined the attacking force.

👨‍👦 6ft 6in Nick Woltemade and 5ft 9in Yoane Wissa up front for Newcastle this season.

🔙 Welcome back, Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/1188z579pA

— FourFourTwo (@FourFourTwo) September 1, 2025

With Anthony Gordon not eligible for selection due to his three-match suspension, the new duo should both be expected to start up front, alongside Anthony Elanga.

A match against Wolves may have come at the perfect time for them, as the Midlands club sit rock bottom following a battering to Manchester City and other losses against Bournemouth and Everton.

Wolves had their own transfer wantaway issues, with star striker Jorgen Strand Larsen even missing their last game amidst a link to actually join Newcastle, rather than Woltemade.

The Norwegian international is expected to return to the side, as the club have since offered him a new contract to further tie him to the club.

Will Palace's Guehi Gamble Pay Off?

Crystal Palace's own deadline twist say Marc Guehi stay at the club despite a deal sheet having been submitted to Liverpool, as manager Oliver Glasner threatened to quit if the centre-back was sold, due to a lack of depth.

The Eagles remain unbeaten and are coming off the back of a remarkable 3-0 thumping of Aston Villa, so they will need to put in another great performance if they want to show Guehi that staying at Selhurst Park is still a good option.

Sunderland are probably the league's surprise package so far, having thrashed West Ham United on the opening day before securing a last minute winner against Brentford, despite losing 2-0 to fellow promoted side Burnley.

The Black Cats brought in a trio of signings on deadline day, with Brian Brobbey and Bertrand Traore having joined plus the arrival of defender Lutsharel Geertruida on loan.

Traore has previous Premier League experience with Chelsea and Aston Villa, whilst Brobbey comes from Ajax and Geertruida from RB Leipzig, with the latter having been capped 17 times for the Netherlands.

"It's really important" 💬

Sunderland's Regis Le Bris on the importance of having experience in the squad as the club prepare for their match against Crystal Palace 💪 pic.twitter.com/SjD5piP1GD

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 11, 2025

The three could all make their debuts on Saturday, and will certainly strengthen Sunderland in their bid to remain in the Premier League.

South Coast Battle

Bournemouth host Brighton as both look to build on their recent wins.

The Cherries have bounced back very well since they ran out narrow winners at Anfield on the opening night, having beaten Wolves and Tottenham both by a single goal to nil.

The Seagulls are lagging slightly behind, with an opening weekend draw to Fulham and then a loss to Everton, however they did win late in a surprise comeback win against Manchester City.

Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola will have a selection headache, given that Ryan Christie is back from injury and Julian Araujo is back from his suspension.

For both teams, victory will see them firmly into the top half of the Premier League table after four matches.

Fulham Host Leeds

Daniel Farke said that Leeds' trip to Fulham was his "only priority at the moment" when asked how the club's transfer recruitment will help them to stay in the division.

"This is my only priority at the moment" 💬

Daniel Farke is focused on Leeds facing Fulham, in the club's fight to stay in the Premier League. pic.twitter.com/SfiElm7S18

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 11, 2025

Farke said regarding the window and media speculation:

Quote "I don't feel sorry for myself. You won't hear a bad word from me after a transfer window has closed. Once the situation is done, I adapt to the reality. There's not one thought of me to be disappointed or down. I'm fully focused on the next game.

"Let them write us off. We will stay humble. There'll be no fighting messages from me. We'll concentrate on the hard work required to get the points we need."

The Yorkshire club are still awaiting a final decision whether Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka, Lukas Nmecha and Joel Piroe can be involved, as they all are dealing with respective injury concerns.

Fulham are still looking for their first win of the season, having lost 2-0 to Chelsea in controversial fashion and drawn to both Manchester United and Brighton.

If they fail to win again, early pressure could start to mount on Marco Silva, as the expectations this season would have been to at least preserve last season's record that at one point had them fighting for Conference League football.

Fabianski To Play After Return?

Lukas Fabianski could be in line to start for The Hammers in their London derby to fierce rivals Tottenham, having just rejoined the club despite only leaving earlier this summer at the expiration of his contract.

West Ham United have had problems with both of their 'keepers, Mads Hermansen and Alphonse Areola, already this season with both men making some high-profile errors, so the Polish shot-stopper will hope he can plug this hole.

After their remarkable shock 3-0 victory at the City Ground, they have been lifted out of the bottom three despite looking like arguably the worst side so far this season.

Manager Graham Potter has confirmed there are no absentees for the game, however Nicolas Fullkrug had a slight issue with his left calf that meant he could only train lightly.

Tottenham start their post-levy era on Saturday afternoon, and have to bounce back from the loss to Bournemouth that came after good wins against Manchester City and Burnley.

We will have to wait and see whether Yves Bissouma will be included, after he reportedly had a falling out with Thomas Frank, and Micky Van de Ven will be keen to impress again after the recent news that Real Madrid are tracking the centre-back.

Blues travel to Bees

Chelsea will look to take top spot for a few hours at least, as they head to the Brentford Community Stadium.

The match comes amidst news that the Blues are facing 74 charges related to agent fees and third-party investment, dating back from 2009 to 2012 under the old Roman Abrahmovic ownership.

BREAKING: Chelsea have been handed 74 charges by the FA relating to agent regulations and third-party investment in players 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Kjs5RlrB0O

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 11, 2025

Dario Essugo and Liam Delap are both out for Chelsea with injuries that are expected to keeo them sidelined until November at least.

It will be interesting to see if Marc Guiu is included in the side, having had his loan at Sunderland terminated immediately after Delap's injury in order to have necessary back up at striker.

Brentford came so close to taking four points from three games - better than most tipped them to do - but a late Sunderland winner means it's three from three.

Keith Andrews still has a lot of work to do to ensure The Bees survive after what was a disastrous summer, but early signs are suggesting they certainly have the capabilities to do so.