The 2025/26 Premier League season returns this weekend after the September international break, and there are several big matchups worth watching – and a trio of clubs aiming for a top five place who should be on upset watch.
### Arsenal
Given Nottingham Forest were close to qualifying for the Champions League last season ahead of powerhouses like Manchester City and Newcastle United, Arsenal losing to Forest wouldn’t be that huge of an upset.
But [Arsenal](https://goonernews.com/) are also Premier League title contenders and even Champions League title hopefuls after making it to the semifinals last season – and blowing out Real Madrid – so Forest winning would qualify as an upset.
Forest have talent at all levels of the team. They have one of the better goalkeepers in the Premier League, a solid defense, Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White leading the midfield charge, and Chris Wood coming off a 20-goal season – and he’s already off to a hot start in front of goal in 2025/26 with two in three games.
### Manchester City
Manchester United haven’t exactly been setting the world on fire to start the 2025/26 season, as Ruben Amorim’s side got smacked by lowly Grimsby Town in the League Cup to send them spiraling to a new low.
However, Manchester United did get a win last time out against Burnley, and they have always played Manchester City tough. All bets are off in the Manchester Derby, especially since the Citizens haven’t exactly been impressive themselves to start the season, recently blowing a game to Brighton.
Man United are coming into Matchday 4 with key injuries like to new signing Matheus Cunha, but that’s just a chance for Benjamin Sesko to shake things up and make a statement, proving he is the right No. 9 for the Red Devils. And Bryan Mbeumo? He looks just as much of a star as he was last season for Brentford.
### Aston Villa
On form, Everton beating Aston Villa doesn’t even appear to be an upset, as Everton have been one of the best teams to start the 2025/26 Premier League season while Villa are literally 19th in the table with only the woeful Wolves ranking out lower.
But since Aston Villa are supposed to be top five contenders and a perennial European side under Unai Emery, Everton trouncing them this early in the season still qualifies as an upset.
Villa have not scored a single goal this season, and all of their attackers have been awful, including star striker Ollie Watkins. Everton, meanwhile, have been on fire, with winger duo Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye completely tearing defenses apart – and Villa’s weak defense just gave up three to Crystal Palace.
**Joe Soriano** is the editor of _The Trivela Effect_ and a FanSided Hall of Famer who has covered world football since 2011. He’s led top digital communities like _The Real Champs_ (Real Madrid) and has contributed to sites covering Tottenham, Liverpool, Juventus, and Schalke. Joe’s work has appeared in _ESPN_, _Bleacher Report_, and _Sports Illustrated_. He also helped manage _NFL Spin Zone_ and _Daily DDT,_ covering the NFL and pro wrestling, respectively.