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EPL Predictions: Picks, Top Players for Week 4 Premier League Fixtures

Gill Clark@@gillclarkyX.com LogoFeatured Columnist ISeptember 4, 2017

Manchester United's English striker Marcus Rashford (R) celebrates with Manchester United's Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on August 26, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Geoff CADDICK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.  /         (Photo credit should read GEOFF CADDICK/AFP/Getty Images)
GEOFF CADDICK/Getty Images

The Premier League returns after the international break with early table-toppers Manchester United facing a trip to Stoke City, while Saturday's early kick-off sees Manchester City welcome Liverpool to the Etihad Stadium.

There are some other intriguing fixtures that day as troubled Arsenal, who have lost their last two games, take on Bournemouth, while Leicester City face Chelsea at the King Power Stadium.

Towards the other end of the table, Crystal Palace head to Burnley on Sunday hoping to pick up their first points of the season, and on Monday night West Ham United host Huddersfield Town, who have started their debut Premier League campaign strongly with seven points from a possible nine.

Here are the fixtures for the fourth round of matches, predicted results and a focus on three players who could take the headlines for their respective teams:

              

Fixtures and Predictions

Saturday, September 9

12:30 p.m.: Manchester City vs. Liverpool, 2-2

3 p.m.: Arsenal vs. Bournemouth, 3-1

3 p.m.: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. West Bromwich Albion, 0-1

3 p.m.: Everton vs. Tottenham Hotspur, 0-2

3 p.m.: Leicester City vs. Chelsea, 1-1

3 p.m.: Southampton vs. Watford, 1-1

5.30 p.m.: Stoke City vs. Manchester United, 0-2

      

Sunday, September 10

1:30 p.m.: Burnley vs. Crystal Palace, 1-0

4 p.m.: Swansea City vs. Newcastle United, 1-1

      

Monday, September 11

8 p.m.: West Ham United vs. Huddersfield, 0-1

All times BST

       

Sadio Mane, Liverpool

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 19:  Sadio Mane of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield on August 19, 2017 in Liverpool, England.  (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Sadio Mane has started the season in superb form, notching three goals already at a strike rate of one goal every 85 minutes, per BBC Sport.

The pace the Senegal international possesses is a huge asset and looks certain to cause Manchester City's defence problems, while OptaJoe noted just what an impact he has had on the Reds this season:

OptaJoe @OptaJoe

3 - Sadio Mané is the 3rd player to score in the first 3 PL games of a season for Liverpool (Fowler in 94-95 & Sturridge in 13-14). Power. https://t.co/2wPfGNCGLA

City have spent plenty of money on their defence this summer, bringing in Danilo, Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy, but manager Pep Guardiola still does not appear to have settled on a favoured back line in his opening three games.

Football writer Duncan Castles has been critical of Guardiola's team selections, particularly during the draw with Everton at the Etihad:

Duncan Castles @DuncanCastles

Pep Guardiola. Has more money spent on full backs than any manager ever then starts Leroy Sane on the left of his defence... #MCIEVE

Mane will surely be looking forward to taking on a defence that is yet to gel, and on current form he will take some stopping on Saturday.

        

Alvaro Morata, Chelsea

Chelsea's Spanish striker Alvaro Morata celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge in London on August 27, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORI
GLYN KIRK/Getty Images

The Spain international has settled in quickly to life in the Premier League as two goals and two assists in his first three games show, per OptaChelsea:

OptaChelsea @OptaChels

4 - Alvaro Morata has been involved in four goals in his first two Premier League games at Stamford Bridge (2 goals, 2 assists). Home.

Morata has played a big part in the victories over Tottenham and Everton, as Chelsea have recovered well from their shock opening-day defeat to Burnley at Stamford Bridge.

The champions have also been without talisman Eden Hazard due to injury, but Morata has adapted well, particularly against Everton, impressing ESPN FC's Liam Twomey:

Liam Twomey @liam_twomey

Hazard will always be missed, but the interplay between Morata, Willian & Pedro has been very slick & dangerous so far #cfc

Leicester City have conceded a combined six goals in games against Arsenal and Manchester United this season, suggesting Morata may well profit against the Foxes on Saturday.

       

Harry Kane, Tottenham

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 20, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Harry Kane will be happier than most to see the arrival of September with the Tottenham striker still never having managed a Premier League goal in August, per Sky Sports:

Sky Sports PL @SkySportsPL

Harry Kane has never scored a Premier League goal in August - but he is not the only forward to have a bogey month https://t.co/wQZPOWNQrq https://t.co/UwLsaNutyS

However, Kane is off the mark for the new season having scored a double for England against Malta and will now be hoping to open his account for Spurs at Everton.

The striker may also be happier to be playing away from Wembley, where Spurs continue to struggle, as noted by WhoScored.com's Ben McAleer:

Ben McAleer @BenMcAleer1

Tottenham have dropped more points at Wembley this season (5) than they did at White Hart Lane last season (4)

Despite not scoring yet this season for Spurs, Kane has still looked sharp, and with the pressure now off, it would be little surprise to see him find the back of the net at Goodison Park.