Bruno Guimarães marked a personal moment on Saturday by answering back to Sunderland supporters after scoring his first goal for Arsenal. The midfielder had already been the target of pre-match abuse on his return to the stadium, where fans labelled him a “fat rat” because of his Newcastle United past.

After the match, Guimarães took to Instagram and addressed the taunts directly. Writing alongside a nod to the insult, he posted: “The fat rat wishes you a nice weekend,” before adding: “They know what they are.”

The result clearly carried extra weight for the Brazilian. Although an away match at Sunderland is not usually among the biggest fixtures on Arsenal’s schedule, it has long had a stronger meaning for Guimarães because of what happened during his time at Newcastle.

Sunderland completed the league double over Newcastle last season, a run that included Guimarães playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 defeat at the Stadium of Light in December 2025. He then missed the return fixture, a 2–1 loss, through injury. As Newcastle captain last season, those results would have left a mark.

This time, however, Guimarães left with a sense of revenge and a performance that drew praise from Mikel Arteta. The Arsenal manager spoke warmly about the midfielder’s influence after the final whistle.

“Unbelievable, but again the personality that he has, and this was a special game for him as well, what it means for him,” Arteta reflected after the final whistle.

“How he grabs the game, making decisions that he’s made … the goal was incredible, and the assist as well to Bukayo [Saka] to put him through. I’m really impressed with him.”

The first midweek stretch of the season has already brought Champions League and Carabao Cup action, and the Premier League schedule now tightens again around Gameweek 4.

Sunday’s Manchester derby is the clear centrepiece, but there is plenty elsewhere to weigh up, from Chelsea and Liverpool enjoying home advantage to Arsenal facing a testing trip away from home.

Here is a revised look at how the weekend may unfold, based strictly on the evidence from recent form, results and context in the draft.

Aston Villa are tipped to edge Nottingham Forest 2-1, with both sides still searching for their first league win and Villa Park likely to favour the home team. Bournemouth and Brentford could cancel each other out in a 1-1 draw, while Chelsea are expected to make short work of Hull and win 3-0 as their attack meets a defence that has impressed but may not be able to sustain that level.

Crystal Palace are backed to beat Ipswich 2-1 after a timely lift in form, and Liverpool are forecast to defeat Fulham 3-1, with the hosts carrying momentum into the fixture. Tottenham and Everton look set for a 1-1 draw, a result that would fit the recent frustrations around Spurs and the unbeaten start made by the visitors.

Arsenal are predicted to keep their perfect start going with a narrow 1-0 win at Sunderland, while Brighton are expected to leave Coventry with a 3-1 victory. The weekend’s biggest game, Man Utd against Man City, is called as another 1-1 draw, reflecting uncertainty on both sides despite City’s winning run.

Monday closes with Leeds against Newcastle, a meeting that could finish 2-2 after both clubs have shown enough going forward to suggest another open contest.

Manchester United may need to look elsewhere after a fresh development involving Newcastle United left back Lewis Hall, who has reportedly agreed a new deal at St James’ Park.

Hall had been the leading option for United, but Newcastle were always clear that he was not available. United examined alternatives as well, including Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde and Manchester City’s Rayan Aït-Nouri, yet the conditions attached to those possible moves were not attractive enough and the club stepped away.

The situation has now shifted further against United. Hall was said to be open to a move, but The Times reports that United’s enquiry came at roughly the same time Newcastle were already “progressing” in talks over a new contract that includes a substantial pay increase. That would place Hall among the “best paid” players in the squad.

The agreement is understood to be a five-year contract, extending his previous deal by two seasons. His former deal had been due to run until the end of the 2028-29 campaign, while the new arrangement lasts until 2031.

Newcastle were not under pressure to sell. Their summer sales of Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães gave them financial strength, but Hall’s contract situation meant there was still no urgency. With five years now separating him from free agency, their leverage in any future talks only improves. In theory, his valuation can rise further.

United could still make another approach, but persuading Newcastle to accept around $81 million (£60 million) within the next two years looks increasingly difficult. Marc Cucurella remains the most expensive left back in Premier League history after his 2022 move from Brighton & Hove Albion to Chelsea, a deal worth up to £63 million.

Hall remains a rare combination of present value and long-term potential. At 22, he is young enough to be viewed as an investment, yet already among the best left backs in England. If his progress continues in a younger Newcastle side doing well under new manager Matthias Jaissle, he could be in line to start for England at Euro 2028.

The other names United considered this summer did not offer the same balance. Balde and Aït-Nouri both sit behind at least one natural left back at their clubs, while Jorge Salinas has limited senior experience despite his breakout season in La Liga 2 for Racing Santander in 2025-26. Antonee Robinson would have provided only short-term cover.