The Gunners versus West Ham United, Manchester United v The Black Cats, and Additional Fixtures – Clockwatch

Arsenal Lineup: David Raya, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Riccardo Calafiori, Rice, Eze, Odegaard; Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres, Trossard.

Bench: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ben White, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Jhon Mosquera, Norgaard, Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Nwaneri, Gabriel Martinelli.

West Ham Team: Areola, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Max Kilman, Diouf, Lilian Magassa, Goncalo Fernandes, Bowen, Paqueta, Summerville, Fullkrug.

Subs: Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Igor, Wilson, Guilherme, James Rodriguez, Oliver Scarles, Dan Potts, Marshall.

Manchester United Lineup: Lammens, Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Luke Shaw, Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot, Bryan Mbeumo, Mount, Sesko.

Substitutes: Bayindir, Dorgu, Heaven, Leon, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, Matheus Cunha, Joshua Zirkzee.

Sunderland Team: Jens Roefs, Trai Hume, Mukiele, Javier Alderete, Masuaku, Le Fée, Xhaka, Sadiki, Bertrand Traoré, Isidor, Simon Adingra.

Bench: Patterson, Daniel Ballard, Lutsharel Geertruida, Neil, Rigg, O’Nien, Talbi, Brobbey, Eliezer Mayenda.

A substantial couple of 3pm fixtures in the English top flight has me questioning the changes to the nation. At least they are two games with plenty of intrigue.

West Ham United journey via the Overground from Stratford station to Highbury for Nuno’s second fixture in charge of the Hammers. The Gunners earned a convincing win in the week’s match and look built to last. Given the manager’s approach for practical play and Arteta’s priorities typically involving dominance over creativity, this may become a tight contest. The outcome may depend on whether or not West Ham can get to grips with the Arsenal’s set-pieces.

Could the chaos persist at the Theatre of Dreams as in-form The Black Cats take on underperforming Man United? Ruben Amorim’s rigid tactical system in a defensive shape appears more and more it is on its last legs, another defeat might spark more talks of boardroom meetings from the club hierarchy. The Black Cats created surprise at the Nottingham Forest’s stadium in their last match and have approached their return to the Premier League with increased focus than recent arrivals in the past years.

In other matches, Middlesbrough will probably need a victory at Fratton Park to regain the top of the Championship as Coventry are ahead at Sheffield Wednesday. Bristol City v QPR is another fixture that draws attention in the Championship.

There’s an intriguing local rivalry in the third tier where Boro face Luton, with the home side able to jump past Bradford City to lead the table with a three points. In EFL League Two, Walsall and the Ammies will be aiming to climb the standings with the current leaders, the Gills and Swindon, currently in action.

Internationally, I’ll also be keeping an eye on Borrussia Dortmund’s fixture with RB Leipzig.