The 2026/27 Premier League season is already beginning to take shape, with Manchester City setting the early pace at the top of the table as English football prepares to return from the international break. After five matches, Manchester City are the only team with a perfect record, having won all five of their opening league […]

The 2026/27 Premier League season is already beginning to take shape, with Manchester City setting the early pace at the top of the table as English football prepares to return from the international break.

After five matches, Manchester City are the only team with a perfect record, having won all five of their opening league games to collect 15 points.

Arsenal are second on 12 points, while Brighton & Hove Albion have made an impressive start to the campaign and sit third with 10 points.

The Premier League is currently on an extended international break following the opening five Matchweeks, with the competition scheduled to resume on Saturday, October 10, 2026.

Manchester City have been particularly impressive at the start of their title defence. The champions have scored 13 goals and conceded five in their first five matches, giving them a goal difference of +8.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have won four of their five games and suffered one defeat. Their next opportunity to close the gap on City comes when they host Leeds United in the opening match of Matchweek Six.
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Brighton have also emerged as one of the early surprises of the season. They have scored 16 goals in five matches, the highest tally among the teams in the league at this stage, and currently have a goal difference of +11.

Brentford and Leeds United have also made strong starts, with both teams unbeaten after five matches.

The next round of fixtures could significantly change the picture at the top, particularly because Manchester City face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, October 11.

It will be one of the biggest matches of Matchweek Six, with City looking to maintain their perfect start against a Liverpool side that has also collected six points from its opening five matches.

The Premier League has highlighted the match as one of the major fixtures of the weekend, with City’s Erling Haaland and Liverpool’s Alexander Isak among the leading scorers going into the international break.

Before that, Arsenal will welcome Leeds United on Saturday, October 10, with Mikel Arteta’s side looking to keep pressure on the league leaders.

Manchester United will also be under the spotlight when they host Tottenham Hotspur in the late Saturday fixture.

United have had a difficult opening to the campaign, winning only one of their first five matches, while Tottenham are still searching for their first league victory after five games.

Another intriguing fixture will see Aston Villa host Brentford, while Chelsea welcome Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge.

Sunderland will take on Brighton, giving the promoted side a difficult test against one of the highest-scoring teams in the division.

Ipswich Town will face Fulham, while Crystal Palace will host Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Hull City will also welcome Everton before Liverpool’s meeting with Manchester City.

The weekend will conclude on Monday, October 12, when Coventry City host Newcastle United.

The current Premier League standings show just how early it is in the campaign. While Manchester City have opened up a three-point advantage over Arsenal, there is still a long way to go before the title race begins to take its final shape.

The battle behind the top two is already interesting, with Brighton, Brentford and Leeds all making strong starts.

Liverpool and Everton are also among the teams with six points, while Newcastle and Hull City have collected six points from their opening five matches.

At the other end of the table, Tottenham and Fulham are yet to record a league victory, while Bournemouth, Coventry and several other sides are already under pressure to improve their results.

For Manchester City, the immediate challenge is maintaining their perfect record when they travel to Liverpool.

For Arsenal, the priority will be avoiding another slip when Leeds visit the Emirates.

And for Manchester United and Tottenham, their meeting could be particularly important as both sides look to turn around disappointing starts.

The Premier League’s return therefore promises to deliver a weekend packed with important storylines — from the early title race and the battle for European places to the fight at the bottom of the table.

With only five matches played, there is still plenty of football to come, but Manchester City have already sent an early warning to their rivals: if anyone wants to take the Premier League title away from them, they will have to catch them first.

Upcoming Premier League fixtures

Saturday, October 10

Arsenal vs Leeds United — 12:30 BST

Aston Villa vs Brentford — 15:00 BST

Chelsea vs Bournemouth — 15:00 BST

Ipswich Town vs Fulham — 15:00 BST

Sunderland vs Brighton & Hove Albion — 15:00 BST

Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur — 17:30 BST

Sunday, October 11

Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest — 14:00 BST

Hull City vs Everton — 14:00 BST

Liverpool vs Manchester City — 16:30 BST

Monday, October 12

Coventry City vs Newcastle United — 20:00 BST

The Premier League has confirmed these fixtures as part of Matchweek Six, with several kick-off times revised for television coverage.