Matchday 4 of the Premier League for 2026/27 is set to be one of the most unpredictable weekends of the early season with a heavyweight Manchester derby, an Arsenal game at Sunderland, and several crucial games for clubs looking to get going. The matchweek covers from September 12 to September 14, 2026.
Manchester Derby Takes Centre Stage
The biggest match of Matchday 4 will probably be Manchester United versus Manchester City on Sunday, September 13. The derby arrives on the early side of the campaign but is already important.
Manchester United, headed by Michael Carrick, have started slow but Manchester City have been the perfect team under the new manager Enzo Maresca. The match will also be to see if United can get to the top of the table or if City will continue their excellent form.
The derby was an important early-season test of the title credentials of both clubs, Reuters said.
Arsenal Aim to Maintain Perfect Start
Arsenal travel to Sunderland on September 12 and will try to continue their fantastic start to the season with Mikel Arteta's side. The Gunners have won their first three league games and also secured a Champions League victory in the last week.
But Arsenal have a daunting schedule. Their match against Sunderland has been moved to an 8pm BST kickoff on Saturday after their Champions League match with Napoli. There’s no traditional 12:30pm Premier League start time on Saturday.
At home, Sunderland will look to make home advantage count and cause an upset against the reigning champions.
Liverpool Face Fulham Challenge
Liverpool will be playing Fulham on Saturday at Anfield. The match has a bit of a subplot, with former Liverpool defender Álvaro Arbeloa returning as manager of Fulham.
Fulham have struggled early in the season and Liverpool will have home advantage. Arbeloa's return adds a certain emotional weight to what could be a crucial match for both sides.
Tottenham Under Pressure
Tottenham Hotspur host Everton on Saturday evening in another game that is attracting attention. The early-season performances of Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi have put pressure on him, making the Everton match particularly relevant.
In another disappointing performance, we would find the results even more critical.
Matchweek 4 is calling 📞 pic.twitter.com/0gQ1y9R7Su
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 11, 2026
Other Matches to Watch
Chelsea welcome Hull City, Aston Villa battle Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth clash with Brentford, and Crystal Palace meet Ipswich Town on Saturday. Coventry City take on Brighton on Sunday and Leeds United play Newcastle United on Monday.
These matches could prove instrumental in the developing battles for European qualification, mid-table stability, and survival.
What to Expect
Matchday 4 should provide a clearer picture of the early Premier League landscape. The Manchester derby is the headline attraction, but Arsenal’s away trip, Liverpool’s clash with Fulham, and Tottenham’s need for a result could all shape the weekend narrative.
The table is still very fluid with only three rounds in play. Matchday 4 could establish the early title contenders from teams still searching for consistency.
