Sports World

After the first ever three-week international break in the Premier League calendar, club football is finally back. Matchweek 6 begins on Saturday and builds towards one of the biggest fixtures of the season so far, as Liverpool host leaders Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.

Here is what to look out for, with all kick-off times in Ghana time (GMT).

Saturday, October 10

11:30 – Arsenal v Leeds United
14:00 – Aston Villa v Brentford
14:00 – Chelsea v AFC Bournemouth
14:00 – Ipswich Town v Fulham
14:00 – Sunderland v Brighton & Hove Albion
16:30 – Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur

Sunday, October 11

13:00 – Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest
13:00 – Hull City v Everton
15:30 – Liverpool v Manchester City

Monday, October 12

19:00 – Coventry City v Newcastle United

The big one: Liverpool v Man City

Sunday's meeting at Anfield has every ingredient. City arrive as league leaders with a perfect record after five matches, but under the shadow of last week's guilty verdict on Premier League financial charges, which they are appealing.

Liverpool are unbeaten under Andoni Iraola but have spent the break counting injuries. Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo both left international duty hurt, and France have confirmed that centre-back Jeremy Jacquet has a hamstring strain. City had their own scare when Erling Haaland limped off for Norway, although The Times has since reported that the striker was suffering from fatigue rather than injury.

Arsenal open the weekend

Arsenal kick things off at home to Leeds on Saturday lunchtime. Kai Havertz left Germany duty last month with what was described as a minor muscle problem, and his availability will be one of the early team-news talking points.

Brighton and Brentford's fine starts

Two of the season's early surprise packages are in action on Saturday afternoon. Brighton sit third with ten points and travel to Sunderland, while Brentford, unbeaten and fourth on nine points, visit Aston Villa.

United v Spurs under the lights

Saturday evening's meeting between Manchester United and Tottenham at Old Trafford is the late kick-off, and both sides will want a strong response after three weeks away from league action.

At the other end

Coventry City are 18th with three points from their first five games and close the round on Monday night at home to Newcastle. Sunderland, 14th, and Crystal Palace, 15th, both have four points and will be looking to climb away from trouble.

What to watch for

Three weeks without league football means fitness and sharpness will be big factors, particularly for players who were involved in multiple international matches. Expect managers to be cautious with anyone carrying knocks, and for team news to shape several of these games, none more so than Sunday's showdown at Anfield.

Photo: Rodhullandemu / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0