Some big Barclays Premier League 2013/14 matches are set to take place on Sunday 22 September 2013, when there are four afternoon fixtures scheduled to take place, including the exciting prospect of a Manchester Derby.
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Man City v Man Utd – 4pm, Etihad Stadium
Manchester City host their neighbours, and current Premier League champs, Manchester United, at Etihad Stadium at 4pm. Howard Webb will officiate a match which always produces an interesting spectacle. The context this season is of a Manchester City who are looking out-of-sorts facing a United side which is beginning to gel under new manager David Moyes. Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie are hitting form for United, while City have only really Yaya Toure who can be said to be enjoying a good run.
Derbies are different, though, so anything can happen today at the Etihad.
Arsenal v Stoke – 1:30pm, Emirates Stadium
Despite losing their first match of the season amid grumbles of a lack of incoming talent, Arsenal have managed to place themselves third in the table coming into this home fixture against Stoke City, and know that a win today will likely see them top of the league. Stoke, however, showed last week against Man City that they have continued the good work Tony Pulis setup under Mark Hughes, and are tough nuts to crack.
Crystal Palace v Swansea – 1:30pm, Selhurst Park
Ian Holloway’s Crystal Palace were better than their 2-0 defeat at Manchester United last week (2-0), while Swansea can consider themselves a little unlucky only to have won a point at home against Liverpool (2-2). With the visiting Swans on a high from Thursday night’s impressive 3-0 away win over Valencia, this match is one which could easily go either way: an entertaining prospect for fans.
Cardiff v Tottenham Hotspur – 4pm, Cardiff City Stadium
Apart from their narrow loss to Arsenal, Spurs have looked impressive to date this term, in particular, their new boy in midfield, Eriksen, was excellent in last week’s 2-0 victory over Norwich. Tottenham know that a win in this match might well take them to the top of the league with 5 matches played, so this trip to Cardiff will be an interesting barometer for them. Last season, Spurs won all 6 matches against promoted teams, so Cardiff will have their work cut out this afternoon, but, as they’ve showed already this season, they are certainly no pushovers, particularly at home.
Barclays Premier League 2013/14: Fixtures, Sunday 22 September
Home | KO (BST) | Away | Stadium | Referee |
Arsenal | 13:30 | Stoke | Emirates Stadium | Mike Dean |
Crystal Palace | 13:30 | Swansea | Selhurst Park | Kevin Friend |
Cardiff | 16:00 | Tottenham | Cardiff City Stadium | Mark Clattenburg |
Man City | 16:00 | Man Utd | Etihad Stadium | Howard Webb |