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The international break may have offered solutions for skeptics lately—Scotland’s exhilarating World Cup qualification being a standout example—but it’s hard for fans to suppress their thrill for the Premier League’s return this weekend.
After enduring three international pauses since the season’s kickoff, domestic football is set to embark on one of its most captivating phases, with the pre-Christmas schedule providing a prime opportunity for teams to solidify their top-four aspirations amidst a hectic lineup of matches.
Among the most eagerly awaited fixtures as league play resumes is the showdown between title contenders Arsenal and their fierce north London adversaries, Tottenham, at the Emirates Stadium.
In other matchups, Manchester United aims to extend their renewed vigor against Everton at Old Trafford, while at the opposite end of the standings, Wolves seek a turnaround in their debut under new manager Rob Edwards against Crystal Palace.
But before the weekend’s action kicks off, Daily Mail Sport experts Lewis Steele, Riath Al-Samarrai, Kieran Gill, Isaan Khan, and Ian Ladyman gathered to delve into the key topics surrounding the Premier League’s comeback.
Arsenal will look to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table as they welcome Tottenham to the Emirates
The team I can’t wait to watch this weekend is…
LS: Man City. Why? Because they were sensational against Liverpool. Pep Guardiola’s side were as good as they have been since they won the Treble, in fact. But can they repeat it? Can Erling Haaland keep going at this rate and can Jeremy Doku replicate his performance? Newcastle away is always tricky even despite the fact Eddie Howe’s men have been poor of late.
KG: I agree on Newcastle-Manchester City. St James’ Park, 5.30pm start on a Saturday, Newcastle need a win, City want to pile the pressure on Arsenal, and no matter what happens, you get to hit the Toon afterwards? Yes, please.
RA-S: Aston Villa. Their form since late September has been excellent after the mess they made of the earlier fixtures. Another reason is Morgan Rogers, if only as a means to compile evidence for why, oh why, so many excellent analysts see him as a better option for England than Jude Bellingham.
IK: Manchester United. Have Ruben Amorim’s men really turned a corner? Yes, they’re unbeaten in their last five matches. Though their last two games, ending 2-2, didn’t reflect performances of a team ready to go to that next gear just yet. A good display and win against Everton would keep up the unbeaten streak, while giving an indication as to where they stand.
IL: Liverpool. There has been a whole heap of over-reaction to their struggles this season. They have half a new team and have been missing their goalkeeper. Who would have thought it? Regardless, they do have to get motoring soon if they are to quieten the noise. Liverpool’s fixtures are actually quite palatable between now and the New Year so opportunity knocks. Saturday’s opponents Nottingham Forest took five points off the champions last season so Arne Slot’s players should not be short of motivation.
Erling Haaland is hoovering up goals at an alarming rate and will look to continue his run of form against Newcastle
The game I’d be buying a ticket for if I was a punter would be…
RA-S: Liverpool v Nottingham Forest. Liverpool’s results have been fairly dire and so too the first impressions of Arne Slot’s rebuild. We keep banking on a sudden upturn, but it hasn’t happened. I’m not convinced a win against Forest will restore masses of faith, even if they are far sturdier under Sean Dyche, but nor would I bank on it based on what we’ve seen to date.
LS: Arsenal v Tottenham. I suspect everyone will go with the North London Derby but there is a reason for that… it is always a brilliant watch. The Gunners slipped up slightly in the game before the break so all eyes on whether their bitter rivals can hurt them again. I can’t see it, though… even without injured Gabriel, Mikel Arteta’s men should beat Spurs.
IK: I agree, it has to be the North London Derby. Each one I have covered has always been memorable owing to the sheer dislike between both Arsenal and Tottenham. Gabriel’s injury does add an extra intrigue – though I suspect the Gunners will still be far too strong.
KG: I do think when covering a club so closely, you can start to contract Stockholm syndrome, because I actually find myself looking forward to a 10-hour round trip to Turf Moor to go watch Chelsea in a 12.30pm kick-off. Enzo Maresca hasn’t had the best luck against sides that defend deep, and now they face a resolute Burnley side, so I find myself excited to see how they navigate that challenge.
IL: Newcastle v Man City. A late kick-off means that there will be a couple of hours in the afternoon to take in a few of the excellent pubs that lie between the central station and St James’ Park. So who really cares if the game isn’t any good? It should be, though. Newcastle have to start motoring soon if they are to shake off some early season sluggishness while City can close to within a point of leaders Arsenal if they beat Eddie Howe’s team.
For once it may be the home team trying to play the more intricate football. Meanwhile Erling Haaland has only scored four goals since the Premier League broke for internationals. Of the 20 games he has played this season, has only failed to score in two of them!
After defeat to Manchester City, Liverpool’s match against Nottingham Forest is set to intrigue
The team I have been worrying about during the international break (other than poor old Wolves) was…
RA-S: Fulham. On recent form, their nearest rivals are Wolves, who are no one’s idea of good company right now. Marco Silva is a fine manager and the club are keen to tie him to a new contract, but there is only so much he can do with injuries, a thin squad and such limited options up front.
KG: I have to agree on Fulham. They’re 15th, hardly made use of the summer transfer window, and I’d be surprised if Silva signs a new deal. He knows he would be a wanted man if he became a free agent.
IK: Burnley. They are at risk of being slowly cut adrift if results don’t turn their way very soon. The Clarets face Chelsea and Newcastle within their next four matches. The R-word is becoming stronger.
IL: Tottenham. There is nothing to worry about really. Spurs hired Thomas Frank because they wanted an upgrade on last season. But he has taken them from 17th (last season’s finish) to fifth and still some Tottenham fans aren’t happy. Missing a load of players – including their centre forward and two best midfield players – Tottenham look a little vulnerable ahead of Sunday’s visit to Arsenal and if it goes wrong then heaven knows what nonsense we will be forced to listen to on the phone-ins. Spurs would take a draw at the Emirates right now, for sure.
Fulham are missing goals and after failing to spend in the summer could face a difficult winter
The player who has staked his claim during the break was…
RA-S: Harry Wilson. See above for my thoughts on Fulham, so it might help their cause that Wilson was exceptional for Wales against North Macedonia. Granted, that’s a thin argument…
IL: Bukayo Saka. We have known for a long time that the Arsenal wide man is a seriously good player but the way he volleyed in England’s first goal during a relatively quiet performance against Serbia last week showed that he is now ready to take that next step to truly elite status.
Arsenal are title favourites for a reason but have been in this position before and not managed to get the job done. If it is to be different this time, manager Mikel Arteta will need his big players to stand up and lead. Last season Saka missed some big games with injury. This time he looks ready to go the distance.
KG: Estevao has shown why he should be starting for Brazil when they go to the World Cup next summer. Two starts, a scorer in each match, including a penalty which he was selected to take despite Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior and Matheus Cunha being on the pitch at the same time. Estevao is Brazil’s brightest light at 18 years old, and Chelsea are lucky to have him.
LS: I would have had Estevao too, but an honourable mention in this section must also go to Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly who looks better every time I watch him.
IK: Who else but Estevao? He scored in both of Brazil’s friendlies against Tunisia and Senegal, adding to his impressive cameo performances for Chelsea. He will surely ignite the Premier League soon.
Estevao dazzled for his country during the international break and has crunch fixtures ahead in Chelsea blue
The manager who needs to hit the ground running is…
RA-S: Ruben Amorim. Manchester United picked up prior to the break, but it will take more than a short run of promising results to overcome the doubts around his work that have amassed in the past year. Their next five are against Everton, Palace, West Ham, Wolves and Bournemouth – it’s a big opportunity.
LS: Daniel Farke. Avoiding the obvious and Rob Edwards at Wolves, I am going with the Leeds boss. They have lost four of their last five, conceding three to Nottingham Forest and Brighton in the two games before the break. Next up is Aston Villa (h), Manchester City (a), Chelsea (h), Liverpool (h) then Brentford (a). It does not get any easier and their league position could plummet if they are not careful.
IK: Rob Edwards. After the flak he’s received for dumping Middlesbrough, Edwards has a point to prove. Only an immediate string of results will give Wolves the faintest hope of survival.
IL: Marco Silva. Almost without anyone noticing, Fulham have slipped in to something of an early winter pickle. Having started the season well, it seemed as though the club by the Thames were about to sail upstream to another progressive season. But with Silva out of contract at the end of the season and no signs of a signature on a new deal, his team have lost five of their last six in the Premier League. Indeed, the only team Fulham have beaten from the top flight since September 20 has been bottom club Wolves. Fulham have three home games out of four between now and a trip to Burnley in the middle of December. Silva has to find his real self soon.
Ruben Amorim has a good opportunity to put together a run of wins with Manchester United
The player with the most to prove before January window opens is…
LS: Florian Wirtz. He was called a ‘little boy’ by Gary Neville in Liverpool’s defeat at City. I do think most of the criticism of the German has been way over the top but when you cost £116million – not his fault, of course – every single touch is microanalysed. He and fellow new boy Alexander Isak must do more to help their team.
RA-S: Antoine Semenyo has nothing whatsoever to prove to Bournemouth, but what can he prove to those higher in the food chain? That £65m release clause feels like a bargain waiting to happen, but United and Liverpool, both of whom have shown interest, restocked in the summer. Will Tottenham have another go at getting him? They should.
IK: I’d pick Antoine Semenyo too. An impressive run from now until January puts him right in contention for a lucrative move elsewhere in the Premier League, or abroad. He’s a fine player indeed with a big future ahead.
KG: Let’s go with Nicolas Jackson. On loan from Chelsea at Bayern Munich and with the Africa Cup of Nations looming, he needs to start showing why the Germans should be considering signing him permanently at the end of the season. Otherwise, he’ll be coming back to Cobham.
IL: Anyone who plays for Wolves… sometimes it’s not just the manager, you know?