EPL Weekly Wrap Gameweek 6

There’s no Premier League football until 10 October, yet I’ve had more to write about this week than after most full rounds. A verdict finally arrived in Manchester City’s financial case, and the Nations League has already claimed a couple of key players. If you’re after football tips for when the league returns, the injury list is where I’d start. Here’s a breakdown of all the Premier League news you may have missed last week.

This is the story that will hang over the 2026/27 season. The Athletic reported late last week that an independent panel had found Manchester City guilty on 114 of the 115 charges brought by the Premier League in February 2023.

No sanctions have been decided yet.

City didn’t deny the verdict. Their statement said the process was ongoing, and an appeal is expected. The Premier League declined to comment on what it called a private and confidential process.

I don’t see a points deduction arriving any time soon. City’s appeal goes to an independent appeal board, and nothing about this case has moved quickly. On the pitch, they’re top with five wins from five, three points clear of Arsenal.

Arsenal have a problem of their own. Kai Havertz lasted 30 minutes of Germany’s 1-1 draw with the Netherlands before a late, high challenge from Quinten Timber, brother of Arsenal defender Jurrien, forced him off. He’s back in London for assessment.

Sky Sports understand it’s a minor muscle strain. Reports in The Times suggested fears in Germany that he could miss up to four weeks, though that hasn’t been confirmed.

I’d be nervous if I were an Arsenal fan. Havertz has started six of their eight games in all competitions this season and scored three goals. He managed only seven Premier League starts last season. At least Leeds United are first up. Viktor Gyokeres is the obvious replacement if Havertz isn’t ready.

Defensive cover is thin too. William Saliba is still targeting a late-October return.

No club has had a worse international window than Sunderland.

Brian Brobbey limped off in the first half for the Netherlands against Germany, less than a week after his hat-trick in the 5-3 defeat at Manchester City. He’s since withdrawn from the Dutch squad, with Joshua Zirkzee called up in his place.

Less than 24 hours later, Dan Ballard pulled up deep into stoppage time of Northern Ireland’s 1-0 win in Georgia. Michael O’Neill confirmed it was a hamstring injury and ruled him out of their remaining three games.

Sunderland are still waiting to learn how long either player will be out. Winger Romaine Mundle and midfielder Habib Diarra were already sidelined before the window opened, so this squad is thinner than their table position suggests.

I think Brobbey is the bigger worry. There’s cover at centre-back, with Kevin Danso and Nordi Mukiele both options. Up front, the other options are Wilson Isidor and 18-year-old Juan Riquelme Angulo. Sunderland are 14th on four points, one clear of the bottom three.

Two points from five games. That’s Tottenham’s return on a summer spend of more than £300 million, and they’ve scored only twice in the league.

This was supposed to be a different season. Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Savio, and Omar Marmoush all arrived in north London, and I’d have backed that group for the top half. Pedro Porro also went off after 19 minutes against Aston Villa, which won’t help.

Opta’s model gives them a 29.39% chance of relegation and predicts an 18th-place finish. According to Opta Analyst, it’s the first time in 18 years they’ve been bottom after five matches.

Andy Robertson, one of the summer signings, suggested last season’s struggles are still weighing on the squad, with heads going down once they concede. I believe him. Sky Sports noted Tottenham are winless in their previous 48 games in all competitions after conceding first.

There’s talk that Roberto De Zerbi might only have until the end of the break. Their next five league games are Manchester United away, then Coventry City, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, and Leeds before the November break. I’d want at least seven points from that run.

Fulham are 19th on two points and also winless. Coventry are a point better off after their first top-flight win in 25 years.

Gameweek 6 starts with Arsenal against Leeds at 12:30am NZDT on Sunday 11 October, followed by Manchester United versus Tottenham at 5:30am. If you’re comparing prices on the best new betting sites, Liverpool host Manchester City at 4:30am NZDT on Monday 12 October. For anyone using legal betting sites here in New Zealand, Coventry against Newcastle United on Tuesday 13 October at 8am NZDT closes the round.