The Premier League 'Big Six' table in 2022-23: Man Utd 1st, Spurs last...

The Big Six are all expected to finish in the top six positions of the Premier League again in 2022-23, meaning that matches between them have never held so much importance. But which side fares best against their direct rivals?

While the season has been stop-start so far, October has seen an intense fixture list as the Premier League looks to cram in as many games as possible before breaking off for the World Cup next month.

But despite the fragmented nature of 2022-23, each Big Six club has faced at least one fellow Premier League giant and the results have been explosive.

Manchester United lead the way following some statement-making victories over their immediate rivals, with new boss Erik ten Hag appearing to have quickly turned things around for the fallen giants.

Arsenal are next – their victories over Liverpool and north London rivals Tottenham have helped the Gunners enjoy their best-ever start to a league season, with their only defeat this season so far coming in a 3-1 reverse away to Manchester United.

Liverpool bounced back with a vital 1-0 triumph over City but that’s only enough for them to rank fourth in our table after defeats at both Old Trafford and the Emirates. Perhaps they haven't been helped by the poor form of Trent Alexander-Arnold this season.

Chelsea and Spurs are yet to taste victory in a Big Six clash – the August fixture between the pair ended in a fiery draw – but both sides will have further opportunities to get off the mark before the season ends in 2023.

We’ve crunched the numbers and have presented the table below. Expect to see plenty of changes between now and May…

1. Manchester United

Played: 5
Won: 3
Drawn: 1
Lost: 1

Goals for: 11
Goals against: 9
Goal difference: +2
Points: 10

Erik ten Hag faced a huge rebuilding job after taking the United job in the summer and his results against other members of the Big Six suggest he's made a positive start at Old Trafford.

Victory over Liverpool was necessary after defeats against Brighton and Brentford in their opening matches and the Red Devils have also seen off both Arsenal and Spurs at home.

The draw against Chelsea, courtesy of Casemiro's dramatic late equaliser, was greeted raptously by the travelling support and there's a sense of something steely being developed for the first time in years.

(Yes, we'll gloss over the defeat at the Etihad).

2. Arsenal

Played: 3
Won: 2
Drawn: 0
Lost: 1

Goals for: 7
Goals against: 6
Goal difference: +1
Points: 6

The Premier League table toppers suffered accsations of 'same old Arsenal' after their slightly unlucky defeat against United but victories over Spurs and Liverpool underlined their improvement under Mikel Arteta.

Both wins, achieved in front of a raucous Emirates crowd, were fully deserved and Gunners were left ruing the fact that their clash with Manchester City was postponed last week due to a fixture clash.

3. Manchester City

Played: 2
Won: 1
Drawn: 0
Lost: 1

Goals for: 6
Goals against: 4
Goal difference: +2
Points: 3

Defeat at Anfield smarted - with Pep Guardiola proving once again that Anfield occupies a rent free space inside his head - but City hammered United 6-3 and will feel confident of success against Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs when they next meet.

4. Liverpool

Played: 3
Won: 1
Drawn: 0
Lost: 2

Goals for: 4
Goals against: 5
Goal difference: -1
Points: 3

It's been a strange season at Anfield but their 1-0 success over City proved that Jurgen Klopp's side are still capable of beating the very best on their day. They will face Spurs before the World Cup break.

5. Chelsea

Played: 2
Won: 0
Drawn: 2
Lost: 0

Goals for: 3
Goals against: 3
Goal difference: 0
Points: 2

Chelsea are unfortunate not to be higher in our Big Six table; both United and Spurs scored last-minute equalisers at Stamford Bridge and Graham Potter is starting to make the Blues purr under his management.

6. Tottenham Hotspur

Played: 3
Won: 0
Drawn: 1
Lost: 2

Goals for: 3
Goals against: 7
Goal difference: -4
Points: 1

They might be third in the Premier League table but Spurs haven't impressed anybody with their performances this season as their record against the rest of the Big Six demonstrates.