Week 8 is upon us in Premier league action, and as Liverpool made the jump to first place after Everton faltered against Newcastle, the race for the top of the table is heating up even though it’s still early in the season. There’s plenty of room for movement as we head into this week’s slate of matches, so let’s look at what you should and shouldn’t be watching this week.
Best of Week 8
Manchester City v. Liverpool
Sunday, November 8, 11:30AM ET
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Watch on Peacock
This will hands down be a fight to the finish, as Manchester City (11 points, 10th place) will look to make a big jump in the table — potentially all the way to 3rd place — as they take on Liverpool (16 points, 1st place) in a crucial match-up that will see Man City battling to gain ground early in the season. They’ll have to do it without some key players, though, as Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho, and Benjamin Mendy will all be out for this contest which is a big blow to both City’s attack and defense. While they’re dead middle of the table, they’ve only lost one match this season while drawing two and winning three, most recently coming off a 1-0 win over Sheffield. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool is enjoying reclaiming their first-place spot after a 2-1 victory over West Ham in Week 7. The Reds will continue to be without stalwart defender Virjil van Dijk after he underwent knee surgery a couple weeks ago following an injury in their match against Everton. While van Dijk will be missing from the squad long-term, Klopp will have to find a way to keep the Reds’ defense locked down until his return, if he’s even able to make a return during this season.
Worst of Week 8
Crystal Palace v. Leeds United
Saturday, November 7, 10:00AM ET
Selhurst Park, London
Watch on NBCSN and Universo
Both sides coming off losses in Week 7, Crystal Palace (10 points, 13th place) will play host to Leeds United (10 points, 12th place) as they’re smashed right next to each other in the standings, with Leeds only ahead on a slight goal differential lead. Leeds were embarrassed by Leicester City last week as Youri Tielemans bagged a brace and led City to a 4-1 win over United. Stuart Dallas scored his side’s lone goal and they’ll be hoping for a win to jump further ahead of Palace, while potentially cracking the top 10. Palace lost to 6th-place Wolverhampton by a 2-0 score line last week, now only able to win once in their last five outings. Leeds have won three of the last four league matches against Crystal Palace, but this one could be up in the air as two struggling teams jockey for position so they don’t slip too far down the table this early in the season.
Week 8 Sleeper
Arsenal v. Aston Villa
Sunday, November 8, 2:15PM ET
Emirates Stadium, London
Watch on Peacock
Similar to Palace and Leeds, these two sides sit next to each other at 8th and 9th with Villa ahead only on goal differential. Arsenal is coming off a big 1-0 win over Manchester United last week, while Aston Villa have now lost their last two in a row, most recently a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Southampton. A win for either of these sides could potentially see them leap as high as 2nd place, depending on other results around the league. There’s a big jump on the line for both of them, and while Villa has scored 15 to Arsenal’s 9 this season, it could go either way at Emirates Stadium.
This Weekend’s Full Schedule
All times listed are Eastern.
Friday, November 6
12:30PM - Brighton & Hove v. Burnley - Peacock
3:00PM - Southampton v. Newcastle United - Peacock
Saturday, November 7
7:30AM - Everton v. Manchester United - NBCSN, Universo
10:00AM - Crystal Palace v. Leeds - NBCSN, Universo
12:30PM - Chelsea v. Sheffield United - NBC, Universo
3:00PM - West Ham United v. Fulham - Peacock
Sunday, November 8
7:00AM - West Brom v. Tottenham - NBCSN, Universo
9:00AM - Leicester City v. Wolverhampton - NBCSN, Telemundo
11:30AM - Manchester City v. Liverpool - Peacock
2:15PM - Arsenal v. Aston Villa - Peacock