Matchweek 4 Preview: Old Trafford Summit Meeting Headlines Bumper Premier League Weekend

Four rounds into the new Premier League season and the table is already throwing up some intriguing shapes. Manchester City sit top with nine points, closely shadowed by Arsenal on the same tally, while Hull City's bright start has them third going into the weekend. Elsewhere, plenty of last season's bigger names are still finding their feet, which makes this set of fixtures compelling reading right across the card.

Ten matches are scheduled across Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with the standout arriving at Old Trafford on Sunday. But there is quality and jeopardy throughout, from a relegation-zone six-pointer at Villa Park to a resurgent Sunderland side testing themselves against the league leaders' closest challengers.

Manchester United vs Manchester City

The pick of the weekend sees Manchester United, 11th with four points, host Manchester City, who sit top of the pile on nine points. City's early-season form has been the most consistent in the division, and United will need a big performance at Old Trafford to arrest their sluggish start. Expect City to look to dominate possession and stretch a home side still searching for cohesion. Prediction: Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City. Full match details are available via the Manchester United vs Manchester City page.

Sunderland vs Arsenal

Sunderland have made a solid return to the top flight, sitting 12th with four points from their opening games, but they face a stern test against an Arsenal side level on points with Manchester City at the summit. The Gunners' away form will be examined at the Stadium of Light, where a vocal home crowd could make life awkward early on. Prediction: Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal. More on this one via the Sunderland vs Arsenal preview.

Chelsea vs Hull City

One of the more eye-catching fixtures of the round pits fourth-placed Chelsea, on six points, against surprise package Hull City, currently third with seven. Hull's start has been the story of the campaign so far, and Stamford Bridge represents their biggest examination yet. Chelsea will fancy home advantage to reassert themselves near the top four. Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Hull City. Details at Chelsea vs Hull City.

Tottenham vs Everton

Tottenham find themselves down in 18th with just a single point, a troubling return that puts extra pressure on this home fixture against Everton, who arrive in far better shape in eighth place with five points. Spurs need a response in front of their own supporters, but Everton's steadier start suggests they will not make it easy. Prediction: Tottenham 1-1 Everton. See the Tottenham vs Everton match page for more.

Liverpool vs Fulham

Liverpool, sixth with five points, host a Fulham side yet to open their account this season, sitting bottom on nil points. Anfield is traditionally a difficult venue for sides in Fulham's position, and Liverpool will be keen to close the gap on the teams above them. Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Fulham. Full coverage at Liverpool vs Fulham.

Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest

A genuine relegation-zone concern sees Aston Villa, 17th with a single point, take on Nottingham Forest, just above them in 16th with two. Both sides will regard this as an early must-win contest, and the pressure of the table positions should make for a tense, cagey affair at Villa Park. Prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Nottingham Forest. More via Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest.

Leeds vs Newcastle

Monday night's fixture brings together two sides in reasonably good early-season health: Leeds, ninth on five points, and Newcastle, seventh with the same tally. Elland Road should provide a lively atmosphere for what looks a finely balanced contest between two teams with similar league positions. Prediction: Leeds 1-1 Newcastle. Preview at Leeds vs Newcastle.

Also this weekend

• Bournemouth (15th, 2pts) host Brentford (5th, 5pts) at the Vitality Stadium, with Brentford's stronger league position making them slight favourites. See Bournemouth vs Brentford.
• Crystal Palace (13th, 3pts) and Ipswich (14th, 3pts) meet at Selhurst Park in a fixture between two closely matched mid-table sides — details at Crystal Palace vs Ipswich.
• Coventry, bottom on zero points, host Brighton (10th, 4pts) on Sunday, with Brighton expected to test a Coventry side still seeking their first points — see Coventry vs Brighton.

With the top of the table still tightly packed and several established names finding themselves lower than expected, Matchweek 4 promises to sharpen the picture of where this season's contenders and strugglers truly stand.