The fourth week of Premier League fixtures is upon us, with the table set to take further shape after the latest round of matches.
Although nothing can be won or lost this early in the season, several noteworthy games are still taking place, as Watford face a daunting 90 minutes against in-form Manchester City.
Dick Advocaat and Sunderland travel to Villa Park, looking to finally get a win under their belts after a turbulent start to their campaign so far.
Arsenal look to get their title hunt back on track away to Newcastle, with Slaven Bilic out to silence his critics when his West Ham side face a tough test at Anfield. Saturday’s fixtures throws up a London derby as Chelsea play host to Crystal Palace.
Wayne Rooney, fresh from a midweek hat-trick that spared him from the chop from fantasy teams across the country, will be hoping to transfer his performance into the league and register his first league goal for United this season.
Here, Samuel Gilbert points out six things to look out for:
Is Wayne Rooney back to his best?
Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney finally ended his 10-game goal drought on Wednesday, netting a hat-trick against Club Brugge in the Champions League.
The England forward will be in action at Swansea's Liberty Stadium on Sunday, hoping to replicate his midweek form.
Rooney stated he always had confidence in his abilities and admits he has no difficulties handling criticism, citing his mental strength as the driving force behind his confident approach.
“If I didn’t have a strong character, that may have affected me, but I know my quality. I wasn’t worried. If it was going on for three, four, five games more then maybe, but it’s early days and I knew when the chances came I’d take them.
In pictures - Club Brugge 0-4 Manchester United:
“I understand because of my name and because of who I am it will get publicised a lot more. That’s my job and I understand it.
“If the goals don’t go in I still bring a lot to my team-mates."
If you have faith in Rooney’s post match chat, you may want to select him as your fantasy team captain for the trip.
Can the Gunners kick-start their season?
A fixture that always excites, Newcastle against Arsenal has produced recent with Saturday’s clash shaping up to follow that trend.
The Gunners stumbled to a 0-0 draw at home to Liverpool on Monday night, and several first team injuries, most notably defensively, threaten to expose a lack of depth; Per Mertesacker is still sick whilst Laurent Koscielny faces a late fitness test after missing Monday’s match with a back problem.
“I would like them to be available but that’s part of the season,” said Wenger. “You can’t complain about that.”
Should both central defenders miss out once more, Calum Chambers and Gabriel will again star, the former after enduring a torrid time against Liverpool.
Some have suggested Arsenal are lacking match fitness, with Wenger admitting its natural for his players to still be finding their sharpness at this point in the season.
“I think we are ready to play 90 minutes but maybe its’s normal as well that after two or three games, you are not completely at 100 per cent. That comes slowly.
“We have started late and as well some players, like Alexis, have come in on August 3 and are not completely there."
Watford's Etihad test
The Premier League new boys have endured a steady start to life in the Premier League so far, but will face their toughest test so far with a trip to Man City.
Quique Sanchez Flores’ side suffered midweek disappointment against Preston in the Capital One Cup but still remain unbeaten in the league, after drawing games against Everton, West Brom, and Southampton - keeping clean sheets in the last two.
The Watford head coach insisted “anything is possible” ahead of his side’s clash with City.
“For us it is very important to prepare a good plan and a good strategy, with the idea to be competitive.
“We are happy with our results in the league and we are in a good position in the table. Of course we have a very tough opponent, but my approach does not change.
The Spaniard was in a philosophical mood in his pre-match press conference, saying his side simply need to take more chances to achieve success in this campaign.
“To score or not to score is sometimes a question of millimetres,” he said. The chances we have we need to score, but we have good chances in matches."
The Hornets will look to striker Troy Deeney to break his league duck, with the forward yet to register in the top division after netting 21 times for Watford in their promotion charge last season.
The Black Cats already in desperate need
Dick Advocaat’s Sunderland side are in desperate need of reinforcements, as the league’s leakiest defence face Aston Villa away at Villa Park.
The Dutchman’s future at the Stadium of Light remains in severe doubt, after a U-turn that Fabian Delph would be proud of, saw him questionably remain as the Black Cats’ boss at the end of last season.
Several off-field problems with owner Ellis Short have added to Sunderland's woes, with a reported £50 million transfer kitty meant for new signings barely touched this summer.
Younes Kaboul and Sebastian Coates have been singled out for criticism, with the early performances of the new signings launching their hat into the ring for the league’s worst defensive pair.
The defenders have been at fault for several goals conceded by the Mackems, surely filling Aston Villa with confidence that goals can be scored when the teams meet - despite them having scored just two goals in their opening three games/
A scrappy clash seems likely with a vital three points the prize for the side who dares.
Bilic faces pressure on top of tricky Anfield trip
As Mauro Zarate scored to put West Ham two goals to the good on the first day of the season, emphatic chants of “super Slaven Bilic” echoed around the Emirates Stadium - Three games later the new West Ham boss finds himself under fire.
Bilic has called for calm at West Ham, after disappointing defeats to Leicester City and newsboys Bouremouth., insisting a few results don’t shape a season.
“There is no panic here but we must improve certain aspects of our game. I wasn’t euphoric after our win at Arsenal so, by the same token, there is no reason to be miserable now.”
The Hammers come up against a Liverpool disappointed not to take all three points against Arsenal on Monday, with Brendan Rodgers' side looking to bounce back in style on Saturday.
In pictures - West Ham 3-4 Bournemouth:
Bilic insists Liverpool must be respected, but has identified areas of the Reds play which he believes his team can take advantage of.
“I’m expecting a tough game, of course. Liverpool have started well. They haven’t conceded any goals and they’ve had good results.
“They have quality in every department and are dangerous up front. They also have their weaknesses which we want to exploit.”
All signs point towards an exciting match at Anfield.
Cabaye and co hope to stun at Stamford Bridge
Champions Chelsea square off against Alan Pardew’s new-look Crystal Palace side, with the Eagles looking to make good on suggestions that a highest-ever league finish could be on the cards.
Palace have impressed so far, with Pardew hinting that further new arrivals at Selhurst Park, on top of his already impressive additions this summer, may yet be on the cards for his side.
“We have done some great business so far in this window and invested heavily in the playing squad, but it’s in the final week or so when business really starts to pick up.
"We’re constantly on the lookout for new ways to improve the team.”
Across London, Jose Mourinho and Chelsea have endured a difficult start both on and off the pitch this season, with the Blues boss attracting criticism for his treatment of his medical stuff, before being questioned over his decision to take off captain John Terry at halftime against Manchester City recently.
Saturday’s meeting is shaping up for an intriguing clash, with Palace handed a perfect opportunity to take some points off their London rivals.