The Premier League resumes this weekend with Matchday 8, and Sportsnet will have live coverage of five games, including Manchester City vs. Newcastle United and Chelsea vs. Southampton.
Check out the breakdown and broadcast info for this week’s top matches below (all stats courtesy of the Premier League).
SUNDAY
Swansea City vs. Tottenham 
Broadcast info: Four main Sportsnet channels at 10:30 am ET
Player to watch: Gylfi Sigurdsson. The former Spurs man has found new life in Wales following a disappointing spell at White Hart Lane, and has become an integral member of Garry Monk’s starting 11. He’s been somewhat quiet this season, with a goal and an assist in seven games, so look for the Icelandic international to turn it up a bit against his former club on Sunday.
Match notes: Swansea City have taken just one point from their previous eight Premier League matches against Tottenham… Spurs have won three consecutive league matches for the first time since February… Gylfi Sigurdsson has scored 15 goals and collected 14 assists in 58 league matches for Swansea; he had eight goals and four assists in 57 league games for Spurs.
ALSO OF INTEREST
Everton vs. Liverpool 
Kickoff: Sunday at 8:30 am ET
Player to watch: Daniel Sturridge. After missing the first five matches of the campaign due to injury, Sturridge scored his first two goals in his second game back against Aston Villa last week. He also has a history of burning Everton, with five league goals against the Toffees. The only team he’s scored more often against in the league is Newcastle United.
Match notes: Everton have gone nine league matches without a victory against Liverpool… Liverpool have lost just one of their last eight league matches at Goodison Park, losing 2-0 in October 2010… This fixture has seen the most red cards in Premier League history (20).
Arsenal vs. Manchester United 
Kickoff: Sunday at 11:00 am ET
Player to watch: David de Gea. Manchester United have reeled off five wins in six games since the Spaniard’s return from exile, as he’s provided the team with a major boost of confidence and solidity while it has sorted out its defensive issues. The Red Devils are a much better team with De Gea between the posts, and they’ll need him to be at his best when they travel to London to take on the Gunners.
Match notes: Manchester United are unbeaten in four away matches against Arsenal… Wayne Rooney scored his first Premier League goal (October 2002), his first league goal for United (October 2004) and his 100th league goal (January 2010) against Arsenal… Louis van Gaal has lost just one of his five meetings with Arsene Wenger (all competitions).
SATURDAY
Manchester City vs. Newcastle United 
Broadcast info: Four main Sportsnet channels at 9:30 am ET
Player to watch: Nicolas Otamendi. With Vincent Kompany still sidelined with a calf injury, it’ll be up to the Argentine newcomer to quarterback a defence that has leaked goals, and help a City side that has lost two straight to get back on track after opening the season with five consecutive clean sheet victories.
Match notes: Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 17 Premier League meetings with Newcastle United (with 15 wins)… City have scored two or more goals in each of their last 14 league matches with Newcastle (39 goals in total)… City have conceded more goals in their last two league matches (six) than in their previous 11 matches (four).
Aston Villa vs. Stoke City 
Broadcast info: Sportsnet ONE at 9:30 am ET
Player to watch: Mame Biram Diouf. The Senegalese striker has been in a rich vein of form this season, with five goals in seven league appearances. It was his header in the 83rd minute that was the difference vs. Bournemouth last week, giving the Potters their first victory of the campaign and lifting them out of the relegation zone.
Match notes: Aston Villa have won just two of their last 11 league meetings vs. Stoke City (with five draws)… Stoke have averaged 1.43 points per match in league visits to Villa Park… Aston Villa’s last three league matches have ended in losses by a one-goal margin.
Sunderland vs. West Ham United 
Broadcast info: Sportsnet World at 9:30 am ET
Player to watch: Dimitri Payet. The Frenchman is proving to be one of the best summer signings in the Premier League, as he has given the Hammers’ midfield a real shot in the arm with his dynamic play—to say nothing of the fact he has three goals and three assists thus far.
Match notes: Sunderland have won just one of their last six league matches against West Ham United (with three draws)… West Ham have never won four consecutive road matches in a single Premier League season… After recording three consecutive clean sheets in May, Sunderland have conceded in each of their last eight league matches.
Chelsea vs. Southampton 
Broadcast info: Four main Sportsnet channels at noon ET
Player to watch: Graziano Pelle. While no Chelsea player has scored more than one goal in the league thus far, Pelle has found the back of the net four times in seven matches for the Saints. With Diego Costa still suspended and Eden Hazard not playing to his usual standards, the Italian offers the most dangerous threat to score in this one.
Match notes: Jose Mourinho has never lost a Premier League match to Southampton (four wins and two draws)… Southampton have won just one of their last 13 trips (with eight losses) to Stamford Bridge—a 4-2 victory in January 2002)… No side has allowed their opponents more shots on target this season than Chelsea (45), while Southampton have allowed the fewest (17).
