Liverpool and Manchester City revive rivalry while aiming to close Arsenal's lead
Manchester City welcome Liverpool this weekend for the newest instalment in a gripping rivalry that has shaped the Premier League over the last almost ten years although on this occasion both sides are chasing the leaders.
League leaders Arsenal will be keen for their two biggest challengers to neutralise one another at the Etihad Stadium yet a victory for Manchester City or Liverpool could provide a vital morale lift.
The Gunners meanwhile take on ex-skipper Granit Xhaka as they head to fourth placed Sunderland whereas Manchester United look for payback after losing to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.
AFP Sport examines three main discussion points before this weekend's fixtures:
Liverpool prepare for Haaland challenge
Arne Slot has stabilised matters at Anfield by returning to a reliable backline following a sequence of four Premier League losses that risked upsetting Liverpool's campaign.
It remains early to determine if the title holders have fully recovered but back to back victories and shutouts versus Aston Villa in the Premier League and Real Madrid in the Champions League represent positive progress.
Liverpool boss Slot's back four for the last two outings consisted of Conor Bradley, Ibrahim Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson all of whom featured for the club in the previous season.
Come Sunday the Reds confront a far tougher task in the shape of Erling Haaland who has netted an impressive 27 times in 17 appearances across club and international duty this term.
The Norwegian striker has bagged a brace in each of his previous four domestic matches on home soil. Another pair on Sunday would see him reach 100 Premier League strikes at a blistering pace.
Man Utd seek Spurs payback
Tottenham and Manchester United clash on Saturday for the initial encounter since their showdown in the Europa League final back in May involving two underperforming outfits.
Spurs who ended last season in 17th spot in the Premier League parted ways with manager Ange Postecoglou even after securing a 1-0 triumph to halt their 17 year wait for silverware.
United who came 15th opted to retain Ruben Amorim.
Each team could claim their choice was wise despite a patchy beginning to the current season considering they share 17 points from 10 matches and remain contenders for Champions League qualification.
Spurs began strongly with new manager Thomas Frank although their record at home has faltered with only one success in five league encounters.
Tottenham faced jeers from their supporters after a lacklustre showing in the previous week's 1-0 loss to London foes Chelsea.
However they thrashed Copenhagen 4-0 in the Champions League midweek with Frank describing it as a "step forward in terms of how we want to play".
United whose streak of three successive wins halted courtesy of Nottingham Forest last week will crave a win over Spurs following four losses to them in the prior campaign.
Xhaka's heartfelt Arsenal return
Might Sunderland skipper Granit Xhaka prove the player to crack Arsenal's impenetrable rearguard?
Mikel Arteta's Gunners have triumphed in their previous eight outings across all tournaments while keeping clean sheets a shared benchmark for an English elite division side.
They hold a six point advantage atop the Premier League and co lead the group stage standings in the Champions League.
Xhaka has transformed since moving to freshly promoted Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen and earned praise from former Liverpool centre back and Sky Sports analyst Jamie Carragher as the "signing of the season".
The Swiss playmaker notched his debut goal for the Black Cats against Everton on Monday alongside three assists to his name.
Xhaka aged 33 expressed anticipation about confronting the team where he enjoyed "seven amazing years".
"We know the quality that Arsenal has," he stated to Sky Sports. "It will be an emotional game for myself."
Arsenal will desire that he refrains from relishing the occasion excessively.
Fixtures
Saturday (1500 GMT unless stated)
Tottenham v Manchester United (1230), Everton v Fulham, West Ham v Burnley, Sunderland v Arsenal (1730), Chelsea v Wolves (2000)
Sunday (1400 GMT unless stated)
Aston Villa v Bournemouth, Brentford v Newcastle, Crystal Palace v Brighton, Nottingham Forest v Leeds, Manchester City v Liverpool (1630)