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DPA
London
Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea face another test of their unbeaten records this weekend when the Premier League returns after the international break.
Leaders City travel to West Ham, second-placed Liverpool are away to Watford and Chelsea have the trickiest task, on paper, away to Tottenham, just a point behind them in fourth.
City manager Pep Guardiola will assess the fitness of Bernardo Silva after the playmaker withdrew from international duty with Portugal due to a muscular injury.
Should he not make it, Guardiola could call on Fabian Delph, who impressed for England on Sunday, or Ilkay Guendogan, who played in City’s last match.
Guardiola will be aware of the threat posed by West Ham, in particular by striker Marko Arnautovic, who is set to be fit for Saturday’s clash despite a niggling knee injury.
Arnautovic has been linked with a move to one of the English sides in the Champions League but the Austrian says he is focused on helping West Ham.
“I concentrate on West Ham and we have a big game against Manchester City on Saturday and I am only thinking about this game and the following games,” he told Sky Sports in midweek.
“Whatever is going on with my agent and the clubs is not my business.
My business is to perform on the pitch, to put in performances and that is what I want to do.”
Liverpool are just two points behind City after a superb start to the season but manager Juergen Klopp said they still need to work on many things.
“We can improve, we have to and we will,” he said at a Liverpool Football Club foundation dinner this week.
“But between our best football and now, we have to win football games. That’s how it is and that’s what we’ve done already.”
“So many things are better than last year: defending is better, set-pieces are better; we are much more mature in games, game management is better. So many things are better.”
Chelsea go to Tottenham as the third side yet to experience defeat but they will be wary of a home side nipping at their heels.
And Tottenham could have midfielder Christian Eriksen in the starting line-up for the first time in four days.
The Dane played half of his nation’s match with Ireland in midweek and could return, especially with the likes of Erik Lamela only due back from international duty on Friday.
Fifth-placed Arsenal, looking to take advantage of any slip-up from those above them, travel to a Bournemouth side riding high in sixth place.
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is hoping the entire squad is boosted by the call-up of striker Callum Wilson to the England side.
Wilson scored on his debut - the first Bournemouth player to ever score for England - and Howe believes others will benefit.
“It lets everyone know they are being watched and that their form in the Premier League is being evaluated by the people from their countries - whether that’s England or other countries,” Howe told the Bournemouth Echo newspaper.
“The form of the team this season has been strong. That has certainly helped everyone’s cause and will continue to do so as long as we can be successful.
“Hopefully, everyone will take inspiration from Callum’s call.”
Bottom side Fulham will be looking for a morale-boosting victory when they take on fourth-bottom Southampton on Saturday.
Second-bottom Huddersfield travel to Wolves while Cardiff, one point and one place better off, are away to Everton.
Manchester United face Crystal Palace, Brighton and Hove Albion take on Leicester and Newcastle travel to Burnley in the weekend’s other matches.
London
Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea face another test of their unbeaten records this weekend when the Premier League returns after the international break.
Leaders City travel to West Ham, second-placed Liverpool are away to Watford and Chelsea have the trickiest task, on paper, away to Tottenham, just a point behind them in fourth.
City manager Pep Guardiola will assess the fitness of Bernardo Silva after the playmaker withdrew from international duty with Portugal due to a muscular injury.
Should he not make it, Guardiola could call on Fabian Delph, who impressed for England on Sunday, or Ilkay Guendogan, who played in City’s last match.
Guardiola will be aware of the threat posed by West Ham, in particular by striker Marko Arnautovic, who is set to be fit for Saturday’s clash despite a niggling knee injury.
Arnautovic has been linked with a move to one of the English sides in the Champions League but the Austrian says he is focused on helping West Ham.
“I concentrate on West Ham and we have a big game against Manchester City on Saturday and I am only thinking about this game and the following games,” he told Sky Sports in midweek.
“Whatever is going on with my agent and the clubs is not my business.
My business is to perform on the pitch, to put in performances and that is what I want to do.”
Liverpool are just two points behind City after a superb start to the season but manager Juergen Klopp said they still need to work on many things.
“We can improve, we have to and we will,” he said at a Liverpool Football Club foundation dinner this week.
“But between our best football and now, we have to win football games. That’s how it is and that’s what we’ve done already.”
“So many things are better than last year: defending is better, set-pieces are better; we are much more mature in games, game management is better. So many things are better.”
Chelsea go to Tottenham as the third side yet to experience defeat but they will be wary of a home side nipping at their heels.
And Tottenham could have midfielder Christian Eriksen in the starting line-up for the first time in four days.
The Dane played half of his nation’s match with Ireland in midweek and could return, especially with the likes of Erik Lamela only due back from international duty on Friday.
Fifth-placed Arsenal, looking to take advantage of any slip-up from those above them, travel to a Bournemouth side riding high in sixth place.
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is hoping the entire squad is boosted by the call-up of striker Callum Wilson to the England side.
Wilson scored on his debut - the first Bournemouth player to ever score for England - and Howe believes others will benefit.
“It lets everyone know they are being watched and that their form in the Premier League is being evaluated by the people from their countries - whether that’s England or other countries,” Howe told the Bournemouth Echo newspaper.
“The form of the team this season has been strong. That has certainly helped everyone’s cause and will continue to do so as long as we can be successful.
“Hopefully, everyone will take inspiration from Callum’s call.”
Bottom side Fulham will be looking for a morale-boosting victory when they take on fourth-bottom Southampton on Saturday.
Second-bottom Huddersfield travel to Wolves while Cardiff, one point and one place better off, are away to Everton.
Manchester United face Crystal Palace, Brighton and Hove Albion take on Leicester and Newcastle travel to Burnley in the weekend’s other matches.
