Premier League Previews: Analysis of every Matchday 9 game as Arsenal host north London rivals Spurs in a top-of-the-table clash

The Premier League returns after the international break with a full complement of fixtures across the weekend and Monday night.

How will the break from domestic duties affect each club’s form and will any new injuries to key players make an impact?

We preview what's in store from a packed weekend of Premier League action. 

Saturday 1 October 

Bournemouth vs Brentford - 3pm kick-off

Gary O’Neil continued Bournemouth’s upturn in results since the sacking of Scott Parker with a hard-fought point in their last fixture against Newcastle.

Talks continue over a possible takeover at Bournemouth, which could prompt big changes at the club. But the new owners would be wise to take stock of the work O’Neil has done in a short space of time.

The Cherries are looking far more organised and carry an attacking threat through the likes of Billing, Anthony and Solanke.

Brentford come into this match off the back of a 3-0 home defeat to Arsenal.

After the match manager Thomas Frank heaped praised on the Gunners and the way they performed, but he’ll be expecting a lot more from his players against Bournemouth.

Frank has impressed at Brentford and has been linked to other Premier League jobs, but will need to get back to winning ways to show why he’s so coveted.

Ivan Toney, fresh from receiving an England call up (but not playing), will be looking to get back to goalscoring ways after drawing a blank against Arsenal.

Brentford will certainly need to offer more on the attacking front in this fixture. 

Crystal Palace vs Chelsea - 3pm kick-off

The Eagles haven’t played a Premier League match for nearly a month, so will be hoping the international break keeps some of their players ticking over.

Their two previous matches against Brighton and Manchester United were postponed due to a planned train strike and the Queen’s death.

Defender Chris Richards was withdrawn from the USA squad, so is unlikely to be fit for the visit of Chelsea. The 22-year-old, signed from Bayern Munich in the summer, is yet to start a Premier League match for Viera’s side.

The manager will be happy that star man Wilfried Zaha made it back to South London unscathed. The Ivorian will be an important player as Palace look to move away from the relegation zone and make the most from their game in hand.

New Chelsea manager Graham Potter takes charge of his first Premier League game, after the Blues’ 0-0 draw against Salzburg in the Champions League.

That match raised a few questions over his team selection and set up, so it will be interesting to see what side he puts out at Selhurst Park. Edouard Mendy and Christian Pulisic should be available for selection after overcoming injuries.

Questions remain about how to get the best out of Aubameyang. Plus, defensively Thiago Silva looks vulnerable and there appears to be a lack of confidence burdening some of the players.

One bright spark is the fine form of Raheem Sterling, who is scoring important goals and posing a real threat to defences. 

Fulham vs Newcastle - 3pm kick-off

Fulham’s top goalscorer Aleksandar Mitrovic faces his former club at Craven Cottage. The Serbian managed 10 Premier League goals for the Magpies in the two seasons he spent with them in the top flight. He already had six goals to his name for Fulham this season.

What’s more, his fellow forwards got in on the act in Fulham’s last game – a 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. New signing Joao Palhinha opened his account with a stunning strike, while Willian and De Cordova-Reed added assists.

Newcastle added another draw to their record last time out with a 1-1 result against Bournemouth at St. James’ Park.

Eddie Howe’s side are still searching for just their second win of the season after their opening day of the season victory over Nottingham Forest.

New signing Alexander Isak has two goals in two games for the Geordies, but they’ve not been winners.

The Swede picked up a knock while away with his country and returned to Newcastle. He’s unlikely to feature against Fulham, but Callum Wilson has recovered well from his hamstring injury and could return.

Bruno Guimaraes returned to the side after injury, but picked up a thigh injury while on international duty with Brazil. 

He’s likely to be in the squad to face Fulham, but may not be fit enough to start.

Allan St-Maximin is still recovering from a hamstring injury, while Chris Wood and Jonjo Shelvy continue their progress towards full fitness. 

Liverpool vs Brighton - 3pm kick-off

Liverpool host Brighton for their first Premier League match in nearly a month after postponements to their games against Wolves and Chelsea.

Andy Robertson remains out with an injured knee, while Naby Keita missed Guinea’s international matches through injury. Youngster Curtis Jones could return, while senior midfielders Jordan Henderson and Thiago are now back and ready to play.

Beside injury concerns, Klopp will have to decide whether to go with Nunez, Firmino or Jota, and all eyes will be on Virgil van Dijk. His performances have come under scrutiny recently.

Roberto De Zerbi takes the hot seat at Brighton, taking the Seagulls to Anfield for his first taste of Premier League action.

The former Shakhtar boss left his post with the club topping the table before the Russian invasion of Ukraine brought an abrupt end to the season.

Prior to Shakhtar, De Zerbi managed Sere A side Sassuolo, where he managed two eighth-place finishes. He also managed Palermo and Benevento.

De Zerbi takes charge of a Brighton team that currently sits fourth in the table. Graham Potter had the team playing some excellent football, with the likes of Trossard, Gross and Alexis Mac Allister coming to the fore.

Brighton beat Leicester 5-2 in their last outing – their only real slip up coming against Fulham at the end of August when they lost 2-1.

De Zerbi will have to try and pick up where Potter left off while stamping his own style on the team. 

Southampton vs Everton - 3pm kick-off

After an impressive win against Chelsea, Southampton have lost their last two matches 1-0.

They put in a really poor performance against Aston Villa in their last outing, when they should’ve been trying to heap pressure on the hosts and their manager Steven Gerrard.

The main issue with the Saints appears to be their consistency in front of goal. Che Adams has two Premier League goals this season, while Adam Armstong has one.

James Ward-Prowse offers a threat from set-pieces, but there’s no consistent goalscorer in their ranks. Injury to Romeo Lavia, who scored against Chelsea hasn’t helped either.

Southampton will need to get back on track quickly before the pressure builds on Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Not too long ago the pressure was all on Frank Lampard. But a win against West Ham and draws against Leeds, Brentford and Nottingham Forest seem to have steadied the ship.

The arrival of Neal Maupay has added another goal threat in the absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, while Anthony Gordon has found form at the right time.

The blossoming partnership between Conor Coady and James Tarkowski has also helped the Toffees keep two clean sheets in their last two matches.

Defender Nathan Patterson will be assessed for an ankle injury he sustained while playing for Scotland. He joins Jordan Pickford, Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey and Mason Holgate in the treatment room – as the injuries pile up for the Blues. However, Calvert-Lewin could return against Southampton. 

West Ham vs Wolves - 5.30pm kick-off on NOW via BT TV

Things are starting to get a little bit worrying for West Ham as defeat to Everton in their last match saw them slip into the relegation zone.

While it’s still early in the season, the Hammers would’ve been looking to challenge much further up the league, especially after making some eye-catching summer signings.

Perhaps it’s down to playing mid-week in Europe or Moyes still deciding on his strongest team, but things don’t seem to be clicking for West Ham.

Paqueta is still finding his feet, while Scamacca is yet to make his mark in the Premier League. Maxwel Cornet seems to be preferred off the bench, while Bowen and Benrahma are yet to hit the heights of previous seasons.

Wolves sit just one place above West Ham. They’ll be without defender Nathan Collins after his straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Jack Grealish.

Unsurprisingly, Wolves lost that match to the current Champions, but the issue with Wolves isn’t in defence.

Up front, Bruno Lage’s men are struggling to score goals. Raul Jimenez is suffering from fatigue and is unlikely to start against West Ham, while their new signing Sasa Kalajdzic suffered an ACL injury just 45 minutes into his debut against Southampton.

Diego Costa has been brought in to offer some support up top, but even with the international break is unlikely to be match fit for the Hammers match.

Adama Traore, who is always a scary proposition for defenders, is also likely to miss out with a hip injury. 

Sunday 2 October

Manchester City vs Manchester United - 2pm kick-off on NOW via BT TV

The first Manchester derby of the season is a mouth-watering proposition. While City have looked unstoppable up front, with Haaland scoring for fun and De Bruyne and Foden pulling the strings in midfield, Pep’s men have given opponents a glimmer of hope with some of their defending.

The Blues remain undefeated, but both Aston Villa and Newcastle have managed to take a point against the current champions.

Despite being on the receiving end of a nasty challenge against Wolves, Jack Grealish should remain in the starting line-up for the derby.

Summer signing Kalvin Phillips remains out with a shoulder injury, but Aymeric Laporte is close to returning from a knee injury. He’ll probably take a place on the bench though, with Pep likely to put his trust in Akanji again. John Stones' injury for England against Germany means Nathan Ake might also get a look in. 

Since that shock 4-0 defeat to Brentford in August, United have been in great form. Their last league match saw them beat table-toppers Arsenal 3-1 at Old Trafford.

Playing the Champions at the Etihad is likely to prove far tougher though. The Red Devils will be without Anthony Martial, but Marcus Rashford could return after missing out on England duties due to injury.

Jadon Sancho wasn’t selected by Gareth Southgate, so may have a point to prove if selected by ten Hag.

It will be fascinating to see whether Martinez and Varane (or Maguire if he features) can stop Haaland and whether Antony and Ronaldo can make their mark against City. 

Leeds vs Aston Villa - 4.30pm kick-off on NOW via BT TV

After a promising start to the season, Leeds’ recent form has taken a turn, with just one point from nine.

Their last match, nearly a month ago, saw them suffer a heavy defeat to Brentford.

That game also saw manager Jesse Marsch sent off after referee Rob Jones failed to award Leeds a penalty. Marsch received a fine and a one-match touchline ban, which he’ll serve against Villa.

But while Marsch will have to watch from the stands, there is good news about players returning  from injury.

Both Patrick Bamford and Liam Cooper could make their returns after turning out for the U21s to build up their match fitness.

Aston Villa appear to be on the opposite trajectory to their opponents. After a poor start to the season, Villa have found some form taking four points from six.

A draw against Manchester City and a victory against Southampton has eased some of the pressure on Steven Gerrard going into the game at Elland Road.

That said, Gerrard will see this fixture as the perfect opportunity to push on up the table.

Villa go into the game with some key players missing through injury, with Matty Cash nursing a hamstring injury, Lucas Digne struggling with an ankle problem, and Boubacar Kamara out for a couple of months with a sprained knee. 

Monday 3 October

Leicester vs Nottingham Forest - 8pm kick-off on NOW via BT TV

Leicester City are in must-win territory now and failure to secure all three points at home against Nottingham Forest could well cost Rodgers his job.

The Foxes performed well during the first half of their last match against Spurs, but were undone in the second half with some poor individual errors, resulting in a 6-2 defeat.

James Maddison was Leicester’s bright spark and is capable of dragging Leicester off the bottom of the Premier League table, but City could do with big performances from a few others.

Perhaps some of the old guard could come into the starting line-up – Vardy, Albrighton and Perez could give Leicester some extra attacking impetus. Wilfred Ndidi is likely to miss out with a hamstring injury.

Nottingham Forest will be looking to bounce back after their 3-2 defeat to Fulham in their last match.

Forest sit one place above Leicester and didn’t pick up any points in September. They’re scoring goals, but struggling to keep them out.

Moussa Niakhate could be back soon to sure up the defence having received a call up to the Senegal team, but he’s still lacking match fitness.