After a break for international play, the English Premier League is set to start matches again this weekend. We last took a look at the league as it headed into the first week of October. There are some key games to be played that can have an effect on standings.

Undefeated Clubs

There are four undefeated teams and each of these teams has at least one draw. Those four teams are in the top seven of the Prem. Two of those teams play each other. Of the three other teams, Chelsea has one loss and Liverpool and Tottenham one apiece.

The four undefeated teams are Manchester United (first place- 19 points) Manchester City (second place- 19 points) Newcastle (fourth place- 15 points) and Aston Villa (seventh place- 11 points).

Liverpool (4-1-2) and Manchester United (6-1-0)

Liverpool (fifth place-13 points) hosts first place Man United (19 points). This is a major contest for the club from Liverpool. A draw means a lot and a win even more. The team plays football on a solid basic level and offers a working class approach. In league play, after being defeated soundly by Tottenham Hotspur 4-0, Liverpool has won two straight. They will have all that they can handle with Manchester United. This may be a total blowout on the pitch if they can’t control United’s Rooney. Defense comes first for Liverpool in this game. They meet on Saturday.

Manchester City (6-1-0) and Aston Villa (2-5-0)

Aston Villa has more draws than wins. In fact no team in the Prem has more ties than Aston Vila. The club plays Manchester City on Saturday at Etihad Stadium. City’s Carlos Tevez, who refused to play as a sub against Bayern Munich last month, is facing disciplinary action. How much will that affect Man City? The controversy has been there. Besides the effect of the off field dramatics, the other question is can Aston Villa’s defense in some way stop Manchester City’s offense? Aston Villa looks for a draw. They don’t have enough firepower to knockoff Man City.

Newcastle United (4-3-0) and Tottenham Hotspur (4-0-2)

This Sunday match is a major one. Newcastle is fourth and Tottenham sixth. This could certainly be a tough match for both clubs. Tottenham Hotspur is in the midst of trying to upgrade its defense. But they should be well staffed for this game. On offense they can be explosive. Newcastle may be vulnerable to Tottenham but if Demba Ba and Leon Best can put together an attack a draw or win for Newcastle United could be in order.

Movement in Standings?

This weekend there could be some movement in the standings. If you’re betting on any of these football games be wary of the upset. Manchester City is certainly a club that prime for one. A draw with the tie-happy Aston Villa could be in order. Man United will be taxed by the Liverpool lunch pail team. At this point in the season just about every team is vulnerable for one reason or another. In these three matches anything is possible.