After the latest worldwide break – one which was full of a beneficiant serving to of drama – the Premier League returns this weekend with all 20 top-flight golf equipment resuming home duties.
From the highest of the desk to the underside, there are many intriguing questions that will likely be answered throughout Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Listed here are 5 key questions going into this weekend’s motion.
Can Arsenal lengthen their lead on the high?
The Premier League desk makes for fairly good studying for Gunners followers proper now. Mikel Arteta’s males are 4 factors clear on the summit, having not been crushed since August.
They boast the meanest defence within the league, having conceded simply 5 objectives, though they might be with out Gabriel for a number of weeks after the Brazilian picked up an thigh damage whereas away on worldwide responsibility.
Sunday sees the go to of fierce north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur to the Emirates. Spurs seem rejuvenated below Thomas Frank this season, at the moment sitting fifth within the desk and can doubtless make it a removed from snug afternoon for the Gunners, who might transfer seven factors clear by the tip of the weekend if outcomes elsewhere go their means.
Are Liverpool out of the title race?
Liverpool had been the final group to beat Arsenal, but when the Gunners’ kind has been scintillating since, the identical can’t be mentioned of the champions.
The Reds have endured a dismal interval of late, with back-to-back victories over Aston Villa within the league and Actual Madrid within the Champions League coming in amid of a run of simply three wins in 10 in all competitions.
Their dip in kind has seen them fall to eighth within the desk, eight factors adrift of high spot. On Saturday, Arne Slot’s aspect welcome a Nottingham Forest group unbeaten in three matches in all competitions below new boss Sean Dyche.
Defeat for Slot’s males would depart them at severe threat of falling out of rivalry within the title race.
Can anybody cease Erling Haaland?
If Liverpool’s struggles have coincided with the inconsistency of their star-studded – to not point out costly – front-line, in Haaland, Manchester Metropolis have arguably the world’s in-form striker.
The 25-year-old added 4 extra objectives to his tally this season whereas away with Norway, taking his complete for membership and nation this time period to a formidable 32 objectives in 20 video games.
Tottenham and Aston Villa are thus far the one Premier League groups to have saved Haaland at bay this season. Hoping so as to add their identify to that record is Newcastle, who welcome second-placed Metropolis to St James’ Park on Saturday.
Will Wolves get their first league win of the season?
New boss Rob Edwards will take cost of his first recreation on Saturday when Wolves host Crystal Palace nonetheless trying to find their first league victory of the marketing campaign.
They continue to be rooted to the underside of the desk having claimed simply two factors. The Midlanders are seven factors adrift of Nottingham Forest however will likely be hoping to expertise the quick resurgence that often comes from a change within the dug out.
Can Sunderland stay within the high 5?
Of the newly promoted sides, the Black Cats have undoubtedly started the season brightest. Regis Le Bris’ aspect have shocked a number of individuals after profitable 5 and drawing 4 of their opening 11 fixtures.
Sunderland at the moment discover themselves in fourth, seven factors behind leaders Arsenal and simply three adrift of second-placed Manchester Metropolis.
They’re unbeaten in 4 and will likely be stuffed with confidence after scoring a last-gasp leveller in opposition to the Gunners in a 2-2 draw final day trip.
They journey to a Fulham aspect on Saturday hoping to enhance on a document of only one win in six league video games.
