The Premier League resumes this weekend with Matchday 7, and Sportsnet will have live coverage of five games, including Sunderland vs. Manchester United, Arsenal vs. Leicester City and Chelsea vs. Newcastle United.
Check out the breakdown and broadcast info for this week’s top matches below (all stats courtesy of the Premier League).
MONDAY
West Bromwich Albion vs. Everton 
Broadcast info: Sportsnet World at 2:00 pm ET
The main story: The rift between Saido Berahino and West Brom appears to be over. Berahino threatened to never play for the club again after he failed to force a summer transfer move. But he scored on his return for the Baggies last week against Aston Villa, and is expected to start again on Monday when they host the Toffees.
Player to watch: Ross Barkley has been involved in five goals (two goals, three assists) in six league appearances this campaign. Last season, he had a hand in four goals in 29 league matches.
Match notes: West Bromwich Albion are winless in their last five league games vs. Everton (with two draws)… Everton have kept three consecutive clean sheets away from home in the league for the first time since December 2013… Since Tony Pulis took charge in January, the Baggies have kept more clean sheets (14) in the Premier League than any other club.
SATURDAY
Leicester City vs. Arsenal 
Broadcast info: Four main Sportsnet channels at 9:30 am ET
The main story: It’s not a must-win game for the Gunners, who are coming off that controversial loss to Chelsea last week. But Arsenal could desperately used a bounce-back win after their naive performance at Stamford Bridge, to say nothing of the fact they’ll want to keep league leaders Manchester City (who they trail by five points) within reach.
Player to watch: Riyad Mahrez. The Foxes’ Algerian midfielder has been the best player in the league through the first six games of the season—he’s a hand in eight goals, more than any other player
Match notes: Only once in the 18 league meetings between these two sides have Arsenal failed to score… Leicester have not beaten Arsenal since 1994-95 (one win, six draws and 11 losses)… The Foxes have won as many points in their last 15 top-flight matches (34) as they had in their previous 48 matches in the Premier League before this run (34).
Manchester United vs. Sunderland 
Broadcast info: Sportsnet World at 9:30 am ET
The main story: This is a classic tale of two clubs at different ends of the table. United sits second overall, just two points adrift of rivals Manchester City, while winless Sunderland is dead last with two draws. It seems highly unlikely they’re going to claim their first win of the season at Old Trafford, even with United dealing with injuries to Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo that will force Louis Van Gaal to shuffle his defence.
Player to watch: Anthony Martial. The French teenager already has two goals for his new club, and he could become the first player to score in each of his first three Premier League appearances for Manchester United.
Match notes: Sunderland have defeated Manchester United just once in their last 26 league meetings (with 19 losses)… Manchester United have conceded just twice in their last five league home matches against Sunderland… After scoring in his first three consecutive matches against United in the Premier League, Jermain Defoe has managed two goals in 18 league appearances vs. the Red Devils since.
West Ham United vs. Norwich City 
Broadcast info: Sportsnet ONE at 9:30 am ET
The main story: Sitting third in the table, West Ham has been one of th surprises of the season thus far. They’ve already won away to Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool, and if they beat Norwich they will claim 15 points from their first seven matches—they’ve never won more than 13 points in their opening seven matches of a campaign.
Player to watch: John Ruddy. Norwich have scored 10 goals and only been shut out once in the league, but they have yet to record a clean sheet. The Canaries’ goalkeeper should have his hands full with a potent West Ham attack on Saturday.
Match notes: West Ham United are undefeated in four league games against Norwich City at home (with two wins)… The Hammers have used 24 different players in the league this season; two more than any other side… Norwich have not won any of their last 13 league away fixtures in London (with five draws).
Newcastle United vs. Chelsea 
Broadcast info: Sportsnet ONE at noon ET
The main story: Chelsea appear to be back on track, winning their last three games in all competitions but their slow start to the season means they trail league leaders Manchester City by eight points. A win at St James’ Park would help the Blues to continue to build momentum. However, that might not be so easy—starting ‘keeper Thibaut Courtois remains out injured, while Diego Costa has been banned for three games, which means they’ll have to turn to either Loic Remy or Radamel Falcao to fill in.
Player to watch: Papiss Cisse. The Senegalese has been limited to one appearance this campaign, but he’s enjoyed success vs. Chelsea, scoring four times against the Blues in previous seasons.
Match notes: Newcastle United have won their last three league home matches against Chelsea… Jose Mourinho has never won a league match at St James’ Park (two draws and three losses)… Eden Hazard has scored more goals (4) against Newcastle in the league than any other opponent.
ALSO OF INTEREST
Tottenham vs. Manchester City 
Kickoff: Saturday at 7:45 am ET
The main story: Manchester City is coming off a rough week, losing to Juventus in the Champions League and suffering its first loss of the domestic campaign (to West Ham United at home) after opening with five straight wins. The good news for the Citizens is that Sergio Aguero if fully fit after picking up an injury two weeks ago. He’s tortured Spurs in previous seasons (see match notes) and will lead the line at White Hart Lane in what should be a bounce-back win for City.
Player to watch: Harry Kane. The Spurs forward has failed to score in any of his six league appearances this season, but he bagged a brace the last time he faced a team that was top of the league (vs. Chelsea in January).
Match notes: Sergio Aguero has scored 10 goals in seven league appearances against Tottenham, his highest tally against any club in the competition… Manchester City have scored 27 goals in their last eight league meetings vs. Spurs… Manchester City have won five consecutive league road games. They have never won six in a row.
