Liverpool get the Premier League fixtures back underway following the international break and they host 18th place Watford at Anfield on Saturday.
Star man Trent Alexander-Arnold is back in full training ahead of the weekend, with his return coming a lot sooner than expected. Mohamed Salah returned to training on Thursday morning following Egypt’s loss to Senegal in the World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday.
Liverpool sit just one point behind Manchester City following their fantastic run of form. City play Burnley on Saturday in a game which Guardiola has taking a liking to during his time in Manchester.
In their last 12 league meetings, City have won all but one, drawing once in February 2018. They have scored a total of 40 goals in those 12 games, conceding just four. Sean Dyche will be hoping he can get his first win over City since a 1-0 win back in 2015.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Brighton host bottom place Norwich City, while reinvigorated Leeds United host out of form Southampton. Leeds manager Jesse Marsch has shared his thoughts on the potential return of the five-substitutes rule, stating that he would be ‘in favour’ of it.
“It makes games faster and more intensive and gives more playing time for the players. I came from a situation where two years I was working with five subs. Back to three makes me feel handcuffed. (Quotes via BBC Sport)
“Better teams have better rosters, but they also have a better starting elevens. I like, with the way we play, being able to use more fresh players.” (Quotes via BBC Sport)
Following an 8-game winless run, Leeds have now won two games on the bounce, beating Norwich and Wolves. Marsch will be preparing as best he can to ensure the run continues.
Wolves face up against Aston Villa, while third place Chelsea take on Brentford at Stamford Bridge.
After their fantastic unbeaten run, Newcastle have now lost two in a row, conceding late goals to both Chelsea and Everton in cruel 1-0 losses. Although in a good position of safety, Eddie Howe will be wanting a response from his players, as they travel to London to face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Leicester City face Ralf Rangnick’s Manchester United, while West Ham host struggling Everton.
Bruno Fernandes has signed a contract extension with Manchester United, keeping him at the club until 2026. The Portuguese playmaker has made 117 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring an impressive 49 goals and also bagging 39 assists.
Leicester will be looking to continue their recent upturn in form as Brendan Rogers men have managed to pick up nine points in 12 in their last four league matches.
The Foxes have been dealing with injuries all season and they have been dealt another blow as the weekend approaches.
Wilfried Ndidi has been ruled out for the rest of the season and they will be without their defensive rock as they head into one of the busiest periods of the season, with them fighting not just in the Premier League, but also the UEFA Conference League.
Although dealing with several serious injuries this season, Rogers is still positive that he and his players can achieve their objectives for this season.
“We won five of our seven games before the break, with some of our influential players coming back.
“This week we could train, get some detailed work into those who stayed, and bring new guys into training.” (Quotes via BBC Sport)
Crystal Palace host the Monday night special as they take on Arsenal at Selhurst Park. Bukayo Saka withdrew from the England squad after testing positive for Covid but is now back in training and is ‘feeling good’, according to Mikel Arteta.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has been dealing with a hip injury and Arteta provided an update on the Gunners keeper.
“Aaron is a doubt. He is still feeling not great and hasn’t trained yet, so we don’t know what he’ll be able to do on Monday.” (Quotes via BBC Sport)
With Ramsdale out, the goalkeeping spot will be filled by Bernd Leno, who made his first start since August against Aston Villa two weeks ago. The German kept a clean sheet in his first game back, and made a great last minute save from Phillippe Coutinho to ensure his side took all three points.
Arsenal are in a prime position to qualify for next seasons UEFA Champions League after their recent run of form. The Gunners have won six of their last seven Premier League matches and with them three points ahead of Spurs in fifth and with one game in hand, it is their place to lose now.
They have not competed in the Champions League since the 2016/17 season, where they were beaten 10-2 on aggregate by Bayern München in the round of 16.
