Liverpool v Manchester City at Anfield headlines Premier League return

The Premier League resumes this weekend after a prolonged international break, with a high-profile visit to Anfield standing out: Manchester City travel to face Liverpool on Sunday. The match is City’s first top-flight fixture since an independent panel upheld 114 of the 115 charges relating to alleged financial rule breaches between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons, and the Anfield atmosphere is expected to be intense.

WHAT TO WATCH

Anfield and the City panel ruling
Manchester City’s trip to Liverpool will draw attention beyond the usual rivalry. Liverpool were identified in reporting as City’s main challengers across much of the period covered by the panel’s findings, and the weekend fixture is likely to carry an extra edge.

Arsenal’s response
Reigning champions Arsenal host Leeds United in the early Saturday kick-off. Arsenal arrive seeking a response after a 3-0 defeat at Brighton before the break, while Leeds have started the campaign strongly.

Pressure at Old Trafford
Manchester United welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford. Both managers — Michael Carrick and Roberto De Zerbi — are under pressure following disappointing starts to the season and will hope for a victory to kickstart their campaigns.

Promoted clubs at home
All three promoted sides are at home: Ipswich Town v Fulham, Hull City v Everton and Coventry City v Newcastle United. Each fixture is a chance for the newcomers to pick up valuable points in front of their supporters.

Closely matched fixtures
Several games look evenly poised on paper. Aston Villa v Brentford, Chelsea v Bournemouth and Sunderland v Brighton are among fixtures described as difficult to call; betting markets in the UK reflect the possibility of shared points.

FINAL NOTE
The weekend offers a mix of high-stakes rivalry, managerial pressure, promoted-club opportunities and a number of tightly matched games — providing several talking points as the season gets back under way.