The international break is over, and the Premier League returns with a weekend of high-stakes football. The narrative of the early season is in the balance, with two epochal clashes taking center stage. Then, a marauding Everton side looks to heap further misery on a struggling Aston Villa before a mouth-watering Manchester Derby in which both City and United are craving consistency. With the dust settling after the opening three weeks, these games will not only provide three points but also a massive psychological boost for the winners.

Saturday's early kick-off pits a rejuvenated Everton against a besieged Aston Villa. The Toffees have made a positive start to the season, with two wins in their first three matches. This has instilled confidence and direction in the side. Aston Villa's season, by contrast, has been nothing short of a nightmare. They are in the relegation zone, having failed to earn a point or even scored a goal in their opening three league matches. Manager Unai Emery is under huge pressure to turn things around, and fast.

• Match Details: Saturday, September 13th, 2025, 15:00 BST at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

• Everton Current Form: Two wins from three matches, including recent victories over Wolves and Brighton.

• Aston Villa Current Form: Winless, no league goals, and in the relegation zone.

Everton has found a solid defensive foundation and a resilience to grind out results under David Moyes. Their decent home form is a massive boost, and they have been more effective at fashioning chances. At the heart of their success has been the form of new signing Iliman Ndiaye and the ever-industrious midfielder James Garner.

• Everton Key Players: Iliman Ndiaye and James Garner.

• Everton Strengths: Strong home form, defensive organization.

• Everton Weaknesses: Potential for inconsistency over the course of a whole season.

Aston Villa's team, which includes John McGinn and Ollie Watkins, is rich with attacking talent on paper, but they have yet to gel. Their defensive fragility and inability to find the net contributed significantly to their slow start. The team looks disjointed and lacks the self-belief that saw them shine last season.

• Aston Villa Key Players: John McGinn and Ollie Watkins.

• Aston Villa Strengths: Attacking talent on paper.

• Aston Villa's Weaknesses: Inability to take opportunities and defensive weaknesses.

Recent history between the two clubs shows that although Everton may be the favorites due to recent form, the head-to-head record has tended to go in favor of Villa.

Everton will be without some key players, including Vitalii Mykolenko (doubtful) and Jarrad Branthwaite (out with a hamstring injury). Aston Villa's injury list is a genuine worry, with Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana both ruled out with hamstring injuries.

• Everton Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Patterson, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Garner, Dewsbury-Hall; Ndiaye, Grealish, Beto; Calvert-Lewin

• Aston Villa Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Mings, Konsa, Digne; Luiz, Tielemans; Watkins, McGinn, Bailey; Grealish

Sunday's main event is the Manchester Derby, a fixture that rarely disappoints. This derby, however, has an additional layer of anticipation for both teams. Manchester City has made a characteristically inconsistent start to the season, with back-to-back losses to Brighton and Tottenham. This dip in form has witnessed them take up the unfamiliar position of mid-table and has revealed some defensive vulnerabilities.

• Match Details: Sunday, September 14th, 2025, 16:30 BST at the Etihad Stadium.

• Manchester Current Form: Mixed start with one win and two losses.

• Manchester United Current Form: Inconsistent form with a mix of results.

Manchester City's free-scoring attack remains their strength, and Erling Haaland has already opened his account with a hat-trick. The availability of midfield anchor Rodri is a big positive for them. This poor form is uncharacteristic, and they will be raring to get into groove and win.

• Manchester City Key Players: Rodri, Bernardo Silva, and Erling Haaland.

• Manchester City Strengths: Free-flowing attack, possession football.

• Manchester City Weaknesses: vulnerability to counterattacks and recent defensive weakness.

Manchester United's biggest threat is that they can catch teams on the counterattack with Marcus Rashford's speed and the creativity of Bruno Fernandes. Luke Shaw's defensive solidity will also play a big role in trying to neutralize City's attack.

• Manchester United's current state is inconsistent and yields a range of outcomes.

• Manchester City has got off to a mixed start, having won once and lost twice.

• Manchester United Key Players: Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw.

Recent derby results show a finely balanced rivalry, with both sides taking points off each other.

Manchester City has a few injury concerns, with Omar Marmoush a doubt after picking up an international injury during the recent break, and Oscar Bobb expected to be fit. Manchester United has no major injury or suspension concerns, and that is a huge advantage for them.

• Manchester City Predicted XI (4-3-3): Trafford; Aït-Nouri, Dias, Stones, Lewis; Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Reijnders; Foden, Haaland, Bobb

• Manchester United Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Martinez, Varane, Shaw; Mainoo, Amrabat; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund

Current Betting Odds via Stake.com:

Winner Odds

• Everton to win: 2.50

• Draw: 3.35

• Aston Villa to win: 2.95

Win Probability:

Winner Odds

• Manchester City to win: 1.70

• Draw:

• Manchester United to win: 4.70

Win Probability:

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The Premier League matchups this weekend are more than just games; they are defining moments for several teams. Everton can solidify their good beginning with a victory against a desperate Aston Villa, and the Manchester Derby is a pressure-cooker game with both sides in need of a win to gain confidence. The outcomes of these two matches will go a long way towards scripting the narrative of the early Premier League campaign, shaping both the title race and the fight to remain in the division.