The Premier League resumes this weekend following the international break, and two players are set to make their hotly anticipated debuts.
Here are the five matches to watch in Week 4.
Monday programming alert: Watch Hull City vs. West Ham United at 2:30 pm ET on Sportsnet World. || Sportsnet World NOW || TV schedule
Hull City vs. West Ham United
Hull had a busy day during the transfer deadline. They signed the likes of Hatem Ben Arfa and Abel Hernandez. Manager Steve Bruce went on a similar spending spree at Sunderland, which led to his eventual sacking.
A few of the new arrivals could make their debuts against West Ham on Monday as Hull will try to stay in the top half of the Premier League table.
The Hammers have scored just twice in their first three matches, and will be relying on summer signing Enner Valencia to replicate this sort of magic.
These sides split both meetings last season and each game was decided by one goal. This promises to be another close affair.
Sunday programming alert: Watch Manchester United vs. Queens Park Rangers at 11:00 am ET on Sportsnet World. || Sportsnet World NOW || TV schedule
Manchester United vs. Queens Park Rangers
Radamel Falcao is expected to make his Manchester United debut on Sunday against Queens Park Rangers. Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw and Daley Blind could also see time.
With the international break in progress, lots of stories surfaced about Falcao’s fitness and his age. He’ll obviously try to grab the headlines with a strong performance on the pitch.
Given the injury to Robin van Persie and the defensive instability, United needed to make these signings. Now manager Louis van Gaal has the chance to show off his new-look team.
Harry Redknapp and QPR won their first match of the season on Aug. 30 with a 1-0 victory over Sunderland. That came nearly a week after a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Tottenham.
United has been average at best so far this year. The new additions will help, but they might start slowly, which would allow QPR to win their second consecutive match.
Chelsea vs. Swansea City
Chelsea faces Swansea City on Saturday at Stamford Bridge in a battle of the only two sides to have won all three of their games so far this season.
The Blues are crossing their fingers entering the weekend as striker Diego Costa is nursing a hamstring injury, although they are hopeful that the Spanish international will be able to start. If Costa isn’t fit enough to play against Swansea, then Didier Drogba or new signing Loic Remy would get the nod instead.
Swansea has lost their last three meetings against Chelsea, but two of the three games finished 1-0. Given their early season form, the Welsh side is primed to continue their strong start to the campaign.
Saturday programming alert: Watch Chelsea vs. Swansea City at 9:30 am ET on all four main Sportsnet channels and Southampton vs. Newcastle United at 9:30 am ET on Sportsnet World. Watch Crystal Palace vs. Burnley exclusively onSportsnet World NOW at 9:30 am ET. || TV schedule
Arsenal vs. Manchester City
New Arsenal signing Danny Welbeck scored twice in England’s win over Switzerland in Euro qualifying. However, manager Arsene Wenger was dealt a blow with Aaron Ramsey limping off the pitch in Wales’ qualifier. However, the Welsh trainers are confident that Ramsey should be fit for the match against Manchester City.
The Citizens are also dealing with a player who picked up a knock on international duty. Stevan Jovetic has a hamstring issue and is in doubt for the match on Saturday.
Jovetic has scored two goals in three appearances for City so far this year, but hasn’t been able to stay healthy dating back to his days with Fiorentina.
Regardless, this is arguably the biggest match of the weekend. City has to keep pace with Chelsea and Arsenal has drawn two Premier League games in a row. It would be a massive boost to their confidence if the Gunners can knick a win at the Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool vs. Aston Villa
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers must have been fuming during the international break. He lost his star striker Daniel Sturridge due to a thigh injury when he was with England. Now Jordan Henderson is questionable for the match versus Aston Villa.
Mario Balotelli will have a lot more responsibility now that Sturridge is hurt. This is his big chance to prove his doubters wrong and take over the game. Balotelli’s strength and speed should be a problem for Aston Villa’s slow defence, so the Italian has the perfect opportunity to impress.
Meanwhile, Villa is undefeated after three matches, something that fans haven’t been used to the last few seasons. The defensive performances have been incredible, which is surprising given how abysmal it was last year.
Aston Villa has conceded just once, but that will be put to the test against Liverpool on Saturday. If they can silence Liverpool, even without Sturridge, then manager Paul Lambert can take solace in that.