The international break delivered plenty of drama over the past three weeks. Lionel Messi played what was described as his final game for Argentina. He said goodbye to the national team in front of an emotional crowd at Estadio Antonio Vespucio Liberti in Buenos Aires.
Cristiano Ronaldo experienced a very different international break. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star left Portugal’s national camp following reported differences with head coach Jorge Jesus.
Now, club football returns to the spotlight. Manchester City also dominated the headlines after reports claimed the Premier League case against them had produced a guilty finding on 114 of 115 charges.
The attention on Enzo Maresca and his team will intensify when the league campaign resumes.
This weekend brings several high-profile Premier League fixtures. Manchester United face Tottenham Hotspur, while Liverpool host Manchester City in a mouthwatering clash at Anfield on Sunday.
Here, Sport Just Sport writer Anurag Tyagi examines the betting markets for the televised top-flight matches in Gameweek 6. He also shares his predictions and suggested bets.
Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur – Saturday, October 10, 17:30
Manchester United fans felt optimistic after their team finished third last season. Some even claimed United could have won the league if Michael Carrick had taken charge at the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
Their argument had some support. No Premier League team earned more points than United between Carrick’s appointment in January 2026 and the end of that season.
However, the mood has changed dramatically. United now sit 10 points behind the league leaders, despite playing only five matches.
The season remains young, but their performances should concern the fans. United scored five goals against Ipswich at Old Trafford. Remove those goals, and Carrick’s side has scored only three times across its other four matches.
The Red Devils need a response as their rivals continue to pull away.
Head to head
Manchester United have dominated this particular fixture. The Red Devils have won a staggering 97 times in the 207 head-to-head meetings against Tottenham Hotspur, who have managed to win just 58 times, while 52 matches ended in draws.
But Spurs have been on the positive end of this particular fixture in recent times.
Before Manchester United’s 2-0 home win last season, Spurs were on a six-game unbeaten streak against United in all competitions. During this run, Spurs also orchestrated a famous 1-0 win over United in the Europa League final.
Team news
Marcus Rashford, Benjamin Sesko, Noussair Mazraoui and Kobbie Mainoo are all doubtful for the home team.
Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert are long-term absentees for Spurs. Dejan Kulusevski is nearing full fitness, but this game may come too soon for the former Juventus star.
Match odds
Manchester United are priced at 8/11 to win, with the draw at 16/5 and Tottenham Hotspur at 15/4.
Suggested bet
Both teams have been far from their best, but Spurs seem to have more issues in every position.
United are expected to concede, but we back Carrick’s team to win 2-1 in this fixture.
Liverpool vs Manchester City – Sunday, October 11, 16:30 (BST)
A fixture between Liverpool and Manchester City needs no extra ingredient, but this time the build-up is all about Manchester City, and for all the wrong reasons.
If you are not from another planet, and even if you do not follow football, you must have heard the sensational news surrounding City and the finding that they were liable for 114 of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League.
That’s not the topic of this article, but the charges could still have an impact on City and their players, with media questions likely to focus on the case rather than their performances on the pitch.
In terms of performance, City have been perfect. They are the only team with an unblemished record this season, winning every game leading up to this huge encounter at Anfield.
For Liverpool, this is an opportunity to avenge last season’s defeats at the hands of Manchester City, who did the double over the Reds.
Andoni Iraola’s men are also one of five teams in the Premier League, including City, yet to lose a game this season.
City will look to brush aside the off-field issues with a statement win, while Liverpool will aim to record their first league win at home this season.
Head to head
Liverpool hold a dominant head-to-head record over Manchester City in all competitions.
The Reds have won a staggering 110 of their 231 meetings with the Cityzens, who have won 63 times, while the remaining 58 matches ended in draws.
Since April 2022, Liverpool and Man City have won five times against each other in all competitions.
But it was City who did the double over Liverpool last season, winning home and away in the Premier League.
Team news
Cody Gakpo suffered an ankle injury during the Netherlands’ UEFA Nations League match against Serbia. The Dutch international is a major doubt for this game.
Alexander Isak also left Sweden midway through the international break due to a minor injury, but the former Newcastle United striker is expected to regain full fitness ahead of this encounter.
Hugo Ekitike and Conor Bradley remain long-term absentees for Liverpool.
Phil Foden is suspended following a red card against Manchester United.
Antoine Semenyo and Nico O’Reilly both picked up injuries during the international break and might miss this game.
The most concerning issue for Enzo Maresca is the fitness of star striker Erling Haaland, who came off during Norway’s UEFA Nations League defeat against Portugal.
Match odds
Liverpool and Manchester City are both priced at 8/5 to win, while the draw is available at 11/4.
Suggested bet
Despite all the attention on Man City’s charges ahead of this game, City are expected to turn up in the same way they have been playing since the beginning of the season.
In a game of this magnitude, expect both teams to approach it with caution. A 1-1 draw looks like the most likely outcome here.
Coventry City vs Newcastle United – Monday, October 12, 20:00 (BST)
Coventry City vs Newcastle United will wrap up Matchday 6 in the Premier League with a game on Monday night.
Frank Lampard’s team will host this game at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Four straight defeats to start the season had The Sky Blues facing a long and difficult campaign.
Coventry were among the favourites for relegation before the season began, and their poor start only strengthened that view.
But they showed plenty of fight just before the international break with a sensational 1-0 away win at Nottingham Forest.
The result lifted Coventry off the bottom of the table, although they remain in the relegation zone in 18th heading into this game.
For Newcastle United, it has been a topsy-turvy start to the new season under new manager Matthias Jaissle.
But the fact that the Magpies have taken eight points from their first five matches and sit only one point away from the top four shows the team has quality.
A win here could potentially see them finish this round closer to or inside the Champions League places.
Head to head
There’s no surprise here, as Newcastle United are the dominant team in this particular fixture.
The Magpies have almost won twice as many games, with 18 wins in 35 meetings against Coventry, who have managed just eight wins, while nine matches ended in draws.
Newcastle are also on a seven-game winning run against The Sky Blues in all competitions, with their last defeat against them coming on October 16, 1999.
Match odds
Newcastle United are priced at 11/10 to win, with Coventry City at 12/5 and the draw at 11/4.
Suggested bet
With a return of just one goal in five games, Coventry’s issues in front of goal can’t be ignored. But Newcastle have conceded nine goals in five matches as well.
A 2-1 win for Newcastle United seems the most likely outcome here.
READ NEXT: Celtic news: Martin O’Neill commits future to Scottish Premiership champions
