Matchday 6 of the 2024-25 Premier League kicks off with a banger pitting Newcastle United against Manchester City – a clash which will hopefully set the tone for an awesome round of football in the English topflight.
Newcastle, despite being quiet on the transfer front this season, have the ambition to become a Premier League heavyweight… and there is no better litmus test for that than coming up against the four-time reigning champions, Man City.
The Magpies will host the Citizens at St James Park early on Saturday afternoon, and – with the help of the inspiration provided by their dedicated supporters – the Black and White army might just have enough to bloody the nose of Pep Guardiola and his charges.
“It is the ultimate test,” admitted Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. “The games against Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal examine us more than any other. We are looking forward to the challenge and we have to be ourselves… the best version of ourselves, because nothing less will be good enough.”
Arsenal and Liverpool will have the chance to respond to City’s result later on Saturday: The Gunners welcome Leicester City to the Emirates Stadium in the mid-afternoon block of kick-offs, while the Reds will close out the day in the early evening by facing Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Stadium.
One of Liverpool’s stand-out players thus far has been midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who says new manager Arne Slot has given him the confidence to adapt to a deeper-lying role: “I just feel good in my skin, to be honest. But does that have a reason? Yeah, things are going well at the club. I’m just doing my thing, and it’s working out well now,” said the Dutchman.
“He [Slot] gives me confidence now. He just lets me start in the line-up. It’s going well. As a player, you obviously want to get minutes. For me, that confidence is part of it. With that confidence, I feel more comfortable, and with the minutes, it keeps getting better.”
Sunday is headlined by Manchester United hosting Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford – with the Red Devils hoping for some redemption at ‘The Theatre of Dreams’, given that their last home Premier League match was a 0-3 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool – while Monday’s match closes out the round, as Bournemouth and Southampton meet for a South Coast derby at Vitality Stadium (Dean Court).
“It’s really difficult to build any momentum but I think every team has to deal with that,” said Saints manager Russell Martin, who is trying to walk the fine line between getting his team to play a possession-based style, while still getting the results needed to survive in the Premier League.
You are entitled to the best football… After all, you’re a DStv subscriber, DStv is your home of choice and value. Get connected and upgrade to DStv Compact to catch all the exhilarating thrills and spills from England’s elite division 24/7, 365 days of the year. DStv Stream customers are also able to enjoy all the action – all you need is a fast, stable, and reliable internet connection. Download the MyDStv app on your mobile app store or visit www.dstv.com and manage your account.
Broadcast details
Saturday 28 September
- 13:30: Newcastle United v Manchester City – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
- 16:00: Arsenal v Leicester City – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
- 16:00: Brentford v West Ham United – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 1
- 16:00: Chelsea v Brighton & Hove Albion – LIVE on SuperSport Blitz and SuperSport Variety 3
- 16:00: Everton v Crystal Palace – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 2
- 16:00: Nottingham Forest v Fulham – LIVE on SuperSport Events
- 18:30: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
Sunday 29 September
- 15:00: Ipswich Town v Aston Villa – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
- 17:30: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
Monday 30 September
- 21:00: AFC Bournemouth v Southampton – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2