Actions return in the English Premier League this weekend after the FIFA International break.
And we take a look at some of the headlines making the rounds in and around the Premier League ahead of the weekend fixtures.
Action will begin at the Etihad when Manchester City welcome Liverpool at lunchtime on Saturday and end on Monday at Goodison Park between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal are entering this weekend’s fixtures eight points clear of Manchester City in the table and on paper, their game against Leeds could easily be a walk in the park.
Manchester City’s tough task vs Liverpool possibly without Erling Haaland
Manchester City have a tough game against Liverpool at the Etihad on Saturday. Losing this game will put them ten points behind their title rivals Arsenal. So, the game against Jurgen Klopp’s men is a must win for Pep Guardiola and his men. The Cityzens could be without their main man Erling Haaland, who has already netted 28 goals in 26 appearances for City. The Norway striker missed the international break after feeling discomfort in his groin.
Everton’s 2-2 draw: could it be just a tug on the shirt for Chelsea?
Before their 2-2 draw with Everton prior to the International break, Chelsea were on a three-game winning run. However, Everton, a team battling relegation, could easily stop anyone. They beat Arsenal 1-0 at some point in the season. All eyes will be on Graham Potter’s side to see how they will respond to that draw with Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.
How will Tottenham respond to Antonio Conte’s sack?
The Tottenham hierarchy could not put up with the excesses of their Italian manager and decided to sack the former Chelsea, Inter Milan, Juventus and Italy national team boss during the international break. After Conte’s sack, Tottenham travel to Goodison Park on Monday evening to face the unpredictable Everton side, who have withstood pressures from big teams this season. Spurs are still keeping the fourth place in the table but their next match would tell a lot on how their season will end.