The Premier League is back this weekend, after what feels like an eternity.
Plenty has happened since Matheus Cunha snatched a late equaliser for Manchester United against Fulham way back on September 20.
As well as the longest-ever international break during a season, there’s been the bombshell news regarding Manchester City. It was just a few days into the break that it was announced the club had been found guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules over a nine-year period.
Unsurprisingly, that news has dominated the headlines since it broke and will continue to be a running theme upon the top flight’s return. Here, we look at five things to keep an eye on upon the Premier League’s restart.
All eyes firmly on Anfield
It’s funny how football works.
Of all the fixtures that Manchester City could be handed for the first game after the news of their charges broke, a trip to Liverpool would be right at the (very) bottom of their list.
Given the history between the two sides in recent years, there is seldom not an edge of these encounters. But this weekend’s visit to Anfield will probably be one of the most anticipated games in the history of the competition. The game is being played amid an unprecedented backdrop.
There is likely to be a cacophony of boos, taunts and other vitriol hurled towards City’s players and staff on Sunday. It will be an occasion not to be missed.
Spurs to ramp up pressure on old boy Carrick?
It’s not been a stellar start to the season for Manchester United, with just two victories in their first seven games across all competitions. That has piled the pressure on Michael Carrick, even this early into his permanent tenure.
He knows a home game against bottom side Tottenham could be just the tonic if he is to silence the detractors.
As for Spurs, a summer transfer splurge has done little to change their fortunes on the pitch. Roberto de Zerbi’s side are winless in their opening five league games and only scored their first league goals in their last outing against Aston Villa, albeit they were two consolation strikes once the game was out of their reach.
They may be low on morale right now but United won’t be taking them for granted. A first Spurs win would not only be a huge fillip for them, it would also crank up the pressure on ex-Tottenham man Carrick ten-fold.
Gunners look to respond
Arsenal have had three long weeks to stew over their shock but deserved 3-0 beating away at Brighton before the international break.
They were brushed aside by the smooth Seagulls back in late September with manager Mikel Arteta magnanimous in defeat: “Today there is a lot to learn. Credit to Brighton for what they have done. I think we were very far from our level.”
Since then Arteta has penned a new contract which seems to have re-energised all those at the Emirates and given City’s off-field dramas the Gunners now believe they can press on and “dominate” – in the words of CEO Richard Garlick this week – football for the next few years.
A tricky test awaits them after the restart, mind. Leeds United, still yet to taste defeat in the league this season, visit the Emirates on Saturday lunchtime in what will be a fascinating contest.
Glasner’s return
Sunday sees three PL matches take place and one of the 2pm games has a particular intrigue about it.
Neither Crystal Palace nor Nottingham Forest have made particularly eye-raising starts this term, with the former on four points and the latter on five.
But the game is significant given it marks the first return to Selhurst Park for Oliver Glasner, just four months on from his emotional exit. Glasner spent two-and-a-half years with the Eagles and won them their first major honour, the FA Cup and then followed it up with the Conference League – his last act in the job last May.
His exit from Palace was announced midway through last season amid a tetchy period where he openly criticised those above him after bad results and unhappiness about the club’s transfer policy. There was a period where it looked as though the relationship would end prematurely but Glasner stayed on and ultimately steered Palace to European glory. Whilst the vast majority of Palace fans are likely to give him a good reception this weekend, the fickle nature of football means some will probably still be bearing grudges.
