Premier League Picks for October 1-2: the North London and Manchester Derbies headline weekend action

After a two-week international break, the Premier League returns on Saturday with a weekend of matches.

Matchday No. 8 of the Premier League season will be a three-day event with games being played Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Two derbies headline the weekend in the league with the North London Derby kicking things off on Saturday and the Manchester Derby being played on Sunday. There are also key fixtures being played in the Premier League outside of the two famed derby matches.

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Here is a look at the weekend in the Premier League.

Let’s start in north London on Saturday with a lunchtime kickoff (12:30 PM UK time). Arsenal are atop the Premier League standings with 18 points out of 21 on offer.

Tottenham are third in the league and just one point from off Arsenal. A win on Saturday would send Spurs to the top of the table until Sunday’s Manchester Derby at the very least.

Spurs do not play well at Arsenal. Since the 2010-11 season, they have won just once at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal benefitted from an easy schedule to start the season. Spurs have had a slightly more difficult start. Although I’d like to say Spurs will win the match, they struggle away to Arsenal.

Arsenal aren’t good enough to win the league. As previously mentioned, they benefitted from an easy schedule. The match should be low scoring with Arsenal coming up with a win at full-time. Spurs’ dreams have died at the Emirates and they will once more.

Result: Arsenal to win

Goals: Under 3.5

Sunday will see the first Manchester Derby of the season. Manchester City will welcome Manchester United to the Etihad Stadium for this one. The Cityzens are unbeaten in seven games this season. They have 17 points from 21 on offer and sit second in the league.

Depending on the result of Arsenal versus Tottenham, Man City could go top of the standings with a win. Man United will attempt to stop City from winning, however.

After a terrible start to the season, Man United are on a four-game winning streak. The team is playing well but may have benefitted from a poor fixture list.

Last season, Man City did the league double over United by a combined score of 6-1, United do not score a lot of goals. They have just eight this season while conceding eight.

Man City striker Erling Haaland has 11 goals to his name, three more than United have scored as a team. He has contributed to 48% of City’s scoring.

Manchester City should win with Haaland scoring once more. He has scored in five straight league matches and should make it six on Sunday.

The Soccer Buddy tool predicts a 2-1 Man City win. The last six games between these teams were close with three goals or fewer deciding the outcome of each match.

Result: Manchester City to win

Anytime Goalscorer: Erling Haaland

Don’t forget the FIFA World Cup kicks off in less than two months. Get up to date on everything for the World Cup on our official blog. 

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