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London, UK | Xinhua | There is one match that stands out above the rest in the Premier League this weekend as league leader Manchester City visits Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
City travels to north London after their surprise defeat away to Wolves last weekend ended their 100 percent start to the season and they needed late goals to win against RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.
Rodri is still suspended for Pep Guardiola’s side, but they are boosted by John Stones’ return to fitness against a rival that misfired in Lens in the Champions League.
Bukayo Saka is the big doubt for Arsenal, with the England winger limping out after half an hour in midweek.
Whatever the result on Sunday, Tottenham will go top of the league for 24 hours at least if they win at Luton, who took three big points away to Everton last weekend.
However, the Hatters were brought crashing back to earth on Tuesday when they lost 2-1 at home to Burnley in a match postponed from earlier in the season, and an energetic Spurs will be big favorites for all three points.
It has been another horrible week for Manchester United with a home defeat to Crystal Palace followed by a European setback at home to Galatasaray. Brentford now visits Old Trafford, where there are question marks over goalkeeper Andre Onana and where Marcus Rashford – so important last season – is struggling for form.
Burnley’s first win of the season is a huge boost for the recently-promoted side who has been playing attractive football, but Chelsea’s visit is a stern test for both teams.
Chelsea looked much improved in last weekend’s 2-0 win away to Fulham, with Conor Gallagher given freedom in midfield, although Mauricio Pochettino’s side needs another good performance to confirm that things are finally getting on track.
Everton has lost all four home games this season and entertains fellow struggler Bournemouth at Goodison Park.
Bournemouth has yet to win this campaign and has conceded 15 goals in seven games, and another defeat could make life difficult for coach Andoni Iraola ahead of the international break.
Bottom side Sheffield United is the only other winless team in the Premier League and they visit Fulham, who will take the game to the Blades, after Marco Silva complained they were “too passive” against Chelsea last weekend.
Crystal Palace faces Nottingham Forest in what promises to be a close game, before Sunday features some intriguing games in addition to the Arsenal-City clash.
Brighton, who could be paying for the efforts of their debut European season, entertains Liverpool, after the home side recovered from their 6-1 defeat to Aston Villa with a 2-2 draw away to Marseille. As Liverpool was also in European action, Jurgen Klopp is set to rest some key players for the visit to the south coast.
West Ham faces Newcastle United in a meeting between two in-form sides who both won in midweek, and Newcastle is likely to be buzzing after 4-1 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain, even though an injury to Callum Wilson and suspension for Anthony Gordon robs Eddie Howe of options to rotate in attack.
Finally, there is a Midlands derby between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa – two sides whose rivalry is one of the bitterest in the league, and who are in arguably their best form of the season.
