Red vs Blue: Showmax Premier League serves up a blockbuster weekend

Football fans across the continent are in for a blockbuster weekend in the Premier League, as the battle of Red vs Blue takes centre stage.

Showmax Premier League brings you three massive fixtures that will have you on the edge of your seat. The action kicks off with the fierce Merseyside derby as Liverpool take on Everton at Anfield.

The drama continues at Old Trafford, where Manchester United will face Chelsea in a clash of two of the league's titans. Finally, the weekend culminates in a title-contender showdown as Arsenal host Manchester City at the Emirates, making for an unmissable trifecta of red versus blue rivalries.

Ahead of these monumental clashes, Showmax has previews and insights from the players themselves. We caught up with Manchester City's Bernardo Silva and Rodri ahead of their trip to Arsenal, while Chelsea's João Pedro gives us his thoughts on the battle at Old Trafford. For the Merseyside derby, Everton's Iliman Ndiaye shares his perspective on the fierce rivalry.

Arsenal v Manchester City: Live from the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, 21 September at 17:30

Manchester City players Rodri and Bernardo Silva preview the game

What is the mood like after the emphatic win against Manchester United last weekend?

Rodri: Really great atmosphere to be honest. The international break was way too long for me, especially since we had lost our last game before the break. It’s not nice to go away on international break on the back of a defeat. We came back and won against the neighbours, turned the city blue again, so it feels great. This is just the beginning of the season though, but it’s a good feeling. Now we need to do it again.

Do you think the win was an important one, a statement victory?

Bernardo Silva: It was more than a statement victory. Our intention was to give something back to the fans. The beginning of the season hasn’t started as expected, and we know what this game means to our fans, so we were happy we could deliver, and play well. Winning 3-0 against your neighbours is always a good sign. Now we just must improve and be consistent.

Rodri, you have missed plenty of football due to injury. How are you feeling now that you have returned and do you feel like you are back to the level that saw you dominate in football games?

Rodri: Of course not. I have started my recovery. I want to be smart and do not want to frustrate myself, so I am slowly trying to improve in every game that I play. I am getting physically stronger and so I am happy. We can talk about this in January or February whether I have reached my level or not. For now, I am just happy to be back. I have missed playing football plenty.

Bernardo: Rodri on a bad level is better than lots of players on a good level, so we as a team are very happy to have him back on the pitch.

What has it been like being captain of Manchester City, Bernardo?

Bernardo: I have always believed that the leadership of the team can’t come from just one player. We were successful as a football club for many years because we had five, six, seven leaders on the pitch that took steps forward when needed. We still have that in our team even though we have lots of young players now. As the captain, I will need the likes of Rodri and Erling to bring the team back to the level we are expected to be at.

What have you made of the addition of goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma?

Rodri: To be honest, in the first game he played, it felt like the opposition had to hit it pin point in the corner if they were going to score, that’s how good he was.

Bernardo: He gives that feeling of being like Thibaut Courtois. He is tall and is a big guy. He is only 26 years old and has played at the highest level for such a long time. In his first game for City he looked very comfortable and so it’s good to have a player like him.

You head to Arsenal this weekend. How important is it for you to win at the Emirates?

Rodri: We are going with a mentality to win. I don’t care what happened last season, we have the level to show our best shape. We know they have an unbelievable team and have made incredible signings and their squad has improved over the years, but we will go there to win. I know it is just the beginning of the season, but it will send a good message to win at their home.

Bernardo: Arsenal are a strong team and one of the contenders to challenge for the league. It’s not just about getting three points; it’s also about taking away three points from a title contender.

Manchester United v Chelsea: Live from Old Trafford on Saturday, 20 September at 18:30

Chelsea’s João Pedro ahead of the Man Utd clash

How are you adjusting to Chelsea’s system?

I think because I had Roberto De Zerbi as a manager in the past, it has made it easy for me to adapt to the system at Chelsea. Enzo Meresca wants the striker to link up play from deep and make runs in from behind, and that is like how I played at Brighton, so it won’t be too hard for me to adapt, and Chelsea’s system suits me well.

You can play as a number 9 and number 10, but which do you prefer?

I think I can play in both positions, depends on what the gaffer wants. At West Ham, I started as a 10, and then in the second half I played as a number 9 and felt good in both positions. The most significant difference between the two positions is that when you playing as a 10, you touch the ball much more and make more runs in from behind and create space.

What has the atmosphere been like since you joined Chelsea?

The atmosphere is very good. I think everyone is happy because we started the season well and we won a trophy and now we have won two games in the Premier League. We need to keep moving like that.

Liverpool v Everton: Live from Anfield on Saturday, 20 September at 13:30

Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye speaks ahead of the Merseyside Derby

A Merseyside Derby is always a massive occasion. What does Everton have to do to get something at Anfield?

I think just play our game, really. Since the beginning of the season, we have played well and so we really need to just continue that momentum into this game. We need to give our hundred percent, play our game, be really focused. Anfield is not an easy place to go, but we will go there and give it everything to try to get the win

Psychologically, what will a win against Liverpool do for Everton?

It will do so much good. Obviously, they are top of the league currently and Premier League champions, so going to Anfield and getting a win will give us a massive boost and so much energy for the remainder of the season, not just for us as a team but also for the fans. It will make us believe even more in ourselves.

What is the mood at the club now? You have a new stadium, some new signings. Is the team optimistic?

I feel like there’s plenty of belief in this club now. We have our new stadium and some new players, and it feels great to have this new project and to start fresh. The club are proud, the fans are proud, and so it’s an exciting time. The players now believe we can do something big this season. The coach told us we have these certain targets to achieve in the beginning of the season, and us players believe it is achievable.

What impact has David Moyes had, both on the club and you personally?

He has had a big impact. When he first came in, he changed the way everyone was thinking and gave players confidence, which is the most important thing to have. If you play a game with confidence, everything can go well. We have the confidence and belief that we can achieve big things this season, and we will be working hard to ensure we go fully prepared into every game.

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