Nairobi United players during a previous match/ HANDOUTNairobi United vs KCB
[Police Sacco Stadium, Friday, 4 pm]
After months of courtroom drama, the 2026/27 SportPesa League season finally gets underway this weekend, with Nairobi United hosting KCB in an intriguing city derby at Police Sacco Stadium. The curtain-raiser pits a lethal Nairobi United side against an experienced KCB outfit in what promises to be a closely fought encounter.
Previous meetings between the two Nairobi-based sides have often been decided by defensive discipline, tactical caution and fine margins. Nairobi United won 2-0 away in January before the teams settled for a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture in March.
Nairobi United finished last season strongly in fourth place with 53 points, five ahead of seventh-placed KCB. Under Patrick Aussems, Nairobi United will look to impose a possession-based identity, with patient build-up and controlled circulation expected to underpin their approach.
Meanwhile, KCB will draw on the experience of Robert Matano, whose teams traditionally thrive on tactical discipline, physicality and a well-drilled defensive shape. With neither manager likely to want to start the new campaign on the back foot, this could be a cagey opening encounter, with both sides wary of committing too many men forward.
Prediction: Nairobi United 1-1 KCB
Manchester United vs Tottenham
[Old Trafford, Saturday, 7.30 pm]
Old Trafford gets another chance to roar Manchester United back to life when Tottenham arrive for one of the standout clashes of Matchday Six.
Michael Carrick’s United have endured a difficult start, winning once in their last five Premier League outings and languishing in 12th place with five points.
They entered the international break with a 1-1 draw against Fulham before their EFL Cup campaign was ended by Brighton. Tottenham arrive in even greater trouble.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side sit bottom of the table and are still searching for their first Premier League victory of the campaign. With only two goals scored all season, Spurs have looked desperately short of confidence in the final third and are struggling to embrace De Zerbi’s tactical demands.
The key battle could be Tottenham’s blunt attack against a Manchester United defence that has shown plenty of vulnerability itself. United should have enough firepower to exploit Spurs’ defensive frailties, but their own inconsistencies make a comfortable afternoon far from guaranteed.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Tottenham
Liverpool vs Manchester City
[Anfield, Sunday, 6.30 pm]
Anfield braces for another heavyweight Premier League match, but there is a striking sense of the unfamiliar about Liverpool versus Manchester City.
For the first time since 2015, the fixture will be played without either Jürgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola in the dugout, with Andoni Iraola and Enzo Maresca now entrusted with steering the two giants into a new era.
The off-field storyline adds another layer to an already combustible occasion. This will be Manchester City’s first match since an independent commission found the club guilty of serious financial rule breaches, ensuring Maresca’s league leaders will walk into a ferocious Anfield atmosphere.
The Kop will need little encouragement, with the home crowd ready to turn every tackle, misplaced pass and refereeing decision into another source of pressure. Liverpool have quietly started to build something impressive at the back. Three consecutive Premier League clean sheets suggest genuine structural improvement.
Their concern, however, lies at the other end. With Cody Gakpo sidelined and Alexander Isak carrying a thigh knock sustained on international duty, Liverpool could lack the attacking depth required to sustain pressure against City for 90 minutes. Even without the suspended Phil Foden, City possess enough creative ammunition to hurt any defence.
Rayan Cherki has grown increasingly influential in the No. 10 role, while Erling Haaland remains the ultimate reference point in the final third. City travel to Merseyside in pristine form, riding a seven-game winning streak in all competitions and sitting top of the Premier League with a perfect 15 points from their opening five matches.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City
