EPL notebook: Is Manchester Derby as big without Aguero?

Looking at it, it’s tough for a review panel to go Aguero’s way, and the timing couldn’t be tougher for City manager Pep Guardiola, who is looking to keep City’s perfect 3-0 record intact heading into a massive match next weekend against crosstown rival Manchester United (7:30 a.m. ET), a team also sharing the top spot and unbeaten thus far on the season.

There are no matches this week because of FIFA international dates, but jumping ahead it's certainly something to think about. 

The Manchester Derby, as it's called, is one of the biggest matches of the season, and for City, losing a player like Aguero certainly has the oddsmakers believing that United is the early favorites to sit three points clear at the end of 90 minutes.

So what caused Aguero to have a momentarily lapse in judgment? He’s yet to speak about the incident since the ban was imposed, but looking at the footage, you’d have to assume that this is a classic case of emotion overtaking common sense, the same way it has countless times in soccer, from Zinedine Zidane infamously head-butting Marco Materazzi to the three times (yes, three separate times) Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez decided to bite opponents in frustration more recently.

Everyone understands the how, but this is another case in which the pundits will discuss the WHY. It’s a silly moment that changes the narrative of what still is a must-watch match.

From the looks of it, without Aguero’s spark plug play, his silly moment puts his squad at a severe disadvantage in its biggest game of the season.

Prediction? United takes this one, 3-1. 

Is Leicester still Leicester?

The flashes have certainly been apparent, especially coming off a massive win last week, but the question remains if Leicester City can replicate the jaw-dropping success it displayed last season on the road to becoming EPL champions. As it stands, the squad currently sits in ninth place. In the immediate, Leicester has a chance to replicate the success from last week’s soggy 2-1 win over Swansea against Liverpool (Saturday, Sept. 10; 12:30 p.m. ET).

The Reds drew Tottemham last week (as yours truly predicted, by the way) but would really like to assuredly take what would feel like a “statement win” over the EPL champions. It looks like Jamie Vardy found his legs, and Riyad Mahrez is still destroying the opposition with his dribbling — so with that said, Liverpool may have its hands full even at home.

See this one a win for Leicester after a 2-0 final.

Other notable tune-ins

The two matches above are the biggest of next weekend, but there are still definite games you’ll want to stay locked on as they determine pole position in this early EPL marathon. Stoke City will look to get back to winning ways against a Tottenham team that has owned that matchup. The Spurs won 4-0 in their last meeting, and forward Erik Lamela always has a good showing against Stoke.

Chelsea plays the headliner on Sunday, Sept. 11, in an 11 a.m. ET away match against Swansea. For Chelsea, another team yet to lose this season, this is a chance to remain atop the leaderboard and possibly even leapfrog the current leaders in City, as the Blues have to be salivating given that the Manchester Derby could see some shifting. For the Swans? They’d just like to get some points after losing their last two. Could a home return spark this? If anything, it sparks a draw, which is how I see this one ending at 1-1.

If these teams aren’t your favorite, take this trip to see when your squad kicks off next weekend.

Deadline day: DONE.

The doors on the summer transfer window officially closed Thursday, but not before a few teams took the opportunity and beefed up their current rosters. Who are the winners? You’d have to see Manchester United creating a “Big 3” with the addition of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba in to assist United legend Wayne Rooney in an EPL title quest.

Liverpool brought in three young upgrades, most notably goalkeeper Loris Karius. Manager Jurgen Klopp referred to Karius on the club's website as a “good goalkeeper and an even better footballer."

There were many other winners and losers, but Manchester United and Liverpool really stand out among the pack.