The fourth round of the 2026/27 English Premier League season gets underway on September 12.
As reported by İdman.Biz, the highlight of the weekend will be the Manchester derby at Old Trafford. Another intriguing fixture sees Chelsea host newly promoted Hull City, the surprise package of the opening three rounds.
After three matches, only Manchester City and reigning champions Arsenal have maintained perfect records. Hull City surprisingly sit just behind them, while Tottenham, Fulham and Coventry are still searching for their first league victory.
Chelsea – Hull City
One of Saturday's most interesting clashes will take place at Stamford Bridge, where fourth-placed Chelsea host third-placed Hull City.
The London club began the season with victories over Fulham (3:2) and Brighton (4:3) before losing 2:1 to reigning champions Arsenal. Xabi Alonso's side have scored eight goals, the joint-best tally in the league alongside Brighton, but have also conceded seven.
Chelsea again demonstrated their attacking potential in midweek, thrashing Leeds 6:3 in the League Cup.
Hull have taken a completely different approach. Back in the Premier League after a nine-year absence, the Tigers stunned Manchester United 2:0 in their opening match, then beat Coventry 1:0 away before drawing 0:0 with Aston Villa.
Seven points from three games represent Hull's best-ever start to a Premier League season. Sergej Jakirovic's team are also the only side in the competition yet to concede a goal.
Hull have become only the sixth promoted team in Premier League history to collect at least seven points from their opening three matches. None of the previous five were relegated at the end of the season. Seven points is also the second-best return by a promoted side after three games, with only Bolton, who collected nine in 2001/02, doing better.
However, Hull received a reminder ahead of their trip to London that their unbeaten run will not last forever, losing 1:0 to Sunderland in the League Cup.
Chelsea continue to have selection problems, with Moises Caicedo, Marco Palestra, Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha ruled out. Hull also have a lengthy injury list.
The head-to-head record strongly favours the hosts. Chelsea have won their last nine meetings with Hull in all competitions. However, there is another notable trend: the Londoners have failed to win their last four Premier League home games against newly promoted teams, recording three draws and one defeat.
Manchester United – Manchester City
The biggest match of the round will take place at Old Trafford on Sunday. League leaders Manchester City, who have nine points, face 11th-placed Manchester United, who have collected four.
Michael Carrick's team began their campaign with a surprise 2:0 defeat to Hull City before thrashing Ipswich 5:2 and surrendering a lead in a 2:2 draw with Everton.
Enzo Maresca's Manchester City, meanwhile, have won all three Premier League matches and enter the derby with a perfect record.
United's mood improved significantly following their European outing. On Thursday, the Red Devils defeated Baku club Sabah 4:0 at Old Trafford in the opening round of the UEFA Champions League league phase.
Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko and Lisandro Martinez scored the goals. Sesko found the net for the second consecutive match after also scoring against Everton.
Manchester City also made a successful start to their Champions League campaign, beating Porto 2:0 away. Maresca's side have therefore won all four competitive matches since their defeat in the Community Shield.
The upcoming derby will be the 199th competitive meeting between the two Manchester clubs. United have won 81 of the previous 198 encounters, City have claimed 62 victories, while 55 matches have ended in draws.
In the Premier League era, the teams have met 60 times, with City winning 27, United 25 and eight ending level.
Last season, the clubs exchanged home victories. City won 3:0 before United, with Carrick having only recently returned to the club as manager, took revenge with a 2:0 victory in January.
Carrick could now become only the third Manchester United manager to win his first two league matches against Manchester City.
Marcus Rashford is expected to return for United after being rested against Sabah. Nico O'Riley is available again for City, while Jeremy Doku will miss the derby through injury.
United remain without Manuel Ugarte, Amad Diallo, Carlos Baleba and Matthijs de Ligt.
Premier League Matchweek 4 schedule – Baku time
September 12
18:00. Bournemouth – Brentford
18:00. Aston Villa – Nottingham Forest
18:00. Chelsea – Hull City
18:00. Crystal Palace – Ipswich
18:00. Liverpool – Fulham
20:30. Tottenham – Everton
23:00. Sunderland – Arsenal
September 13
17:00. Coventry – Brighton
19:30. Manchester United – Manchester City
September 14
23:00. Leeds – Newcastle
Premier League table before Matchweek 4
1. Manchester City – 9
2. Arsenal – 9
3. Hull City – 7
4. Chelsea – 6
5. Brentford – 5
6. Liverpool – 5
7. Newcastle – 5
8. Everton – 5
9. Leeds – 5
10. Brighton – 4
11. Manchester United – 4
12. Sunderland – 4
13. Crystal Palace – 3
14. Ipswich – 3
15. Bournemouth – 2
16. Nottingham Forest – 2
17. Aston Villa – 1
18. Tottenham – 1
19. Fulham – 0
20. Coventry – 0
