Weekend Board: Matches Worth Your Time (31 Oct to 1 Nov 2026)

Manchester United are one point above the drop zone and go to Stamford Bridge. Lookman needs a goal. Arsenal haven't won a league game at Anfield since 2012. Here's what's worth your weekend, with every time in WAT. If you only have room for three matches this weekend, make it these. Each one has a real question attached, and two of them land on Saturday afternoon, so plan the viewing center run accordingly.

1. Chelsea vs. Manchester United: Is this where United's slide stops?

Saturday, 31 October, 1:30 pm WAT, Stamford Bridge

United arrive 16th with seven points from eight league games. They're one point above the relegation zone and winless in eight matches in all competitions. That run includes a 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth and a 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como. Michael Carrick needs something here, and quickly.

The good news for United is Bruno Fernandes, who is expected back in the starting XI. Kobbie Mainoo is training again, but a start isn't guaranteed. Benjamin Sesko, Luke Shaw, Manuel Ugarte and Patrick Dorgu are all out.

Chelsea sit 11 places higher under Xabi Alonso, but they're leaking goals: 15 conceded in the league already. They lost 2-0 at home to Tottenham and have injuries to manage. Joao Pedro and Maxence Lacroix are expected to miss out. Cole Palmer is back after a one-match ban.

The question: can United's midfield, with Fernandes back, protect a defense that has been carved open all month? If not, Palmer will find the gaps.

2. Levante vs Atletico Madrid: Lookman's chance to end the drought

Saturday 31 October, 2:00 pm WAT, Estadi Ciutat de Valencia

This is our Naija pick of the weekend. Ademola Lookman has one LaLiga goal in 10 matches this season, and that came back in August in a 3-1 win over Sevilla. He did score against Manchester United in the Champions League a few weeks ago, which tells you the quality hasn't gone anywhere. The minutes have, though. Previews expect him to start on the bench again.

Atletico are flying without him: six straight league wins, second in LaLiga on 25 points, two behind Barcelona. Koke and Johnny Cardoso are out. Levante are 14th, two points above the relegation zone, and haven't beaten Atletico at home since May 2016.

The question: if Lookman gets 25 minutes against a tiring Levante side, does he take it? A goal here could change Diego Simeone's thinking, and Eric Chelle's too, with the Tanzania qualifiers coming in November.

3. Liverpool vs. Arsenal: Can Arteta finally win at Anfield?

Sunday, 1 November, 5:30 pm WAT, Anfield

Arsenal are second with 21 points from eight games, level with leaders Manchester City and behind only on goal difference. Liverpool are fourth on 15 under Andoni Iraola. That's a six-point gap, so a Liverpool win makes it a race again.

History sits with Liverpool. Arsenal's last league win at Anfield was on 2 September 2012. Both sides are short, though:

• Arsenal: Bukayo Saka is out for six to eight weeks, William Saliba isn't back until after the international break, and Max Dowman starts a three-match ban.
• Liverpool: Jeremie Frimpong and Hugo Ekitike are out, and Dominik Szoboszlai is a doubt. Florian Wirtz is back.

The question: without Saka and Saliba, is Arsenal's squad deep enough to end a 14-year wait at Anfield?

The Naija watch list: Nigerians in Saturday's Premier League games

If you're flicking between channels on Saturday, these are the Super Eagles to look out for, if fit and selected:

We'll have ratings and the fan verdict after the weekend. Monday's Naija Abroad round-up covers how every Nigerian got on, including Osimhen and Awaziem's Friday night meeting in Konya.

Have your say

Poll: Who wins at Anfield on Sunday?

• Liverpool
• Arsenal
• Draw

Comment prompt: Should Lookman be starting for Atletico, or has Simeone got it right? Make your case below.