Top three talking points for Premier League’s return

With the final international break of 2024 done and dusted, league football can resume across the board, interrupted until March 2025. It ushers in a loaded fixture schedule from late November down to the winter period and the festive season till the new year.

The Premier League will resume on Saturday with Chelsea’s trip to Leicester City on Saturday’s early kickoff, but there will be six more games, with three more spread across Sunday and Monday. The biggest game of the weekend is Manchester City against Spurs at Etihad, but aside from the news that Pep Guardiola has signed a new contract, nothing about the fixture attracts.

So, we look into the attractions in the Premier League this weekend.

1. Ruben Amorim’s resumption at United

There is a new man in charge at Old Trafford, and he resumed during the international break after the sacking of Erik Ten Hag and the temporary stand-in of Van Nistelrooy.

His first game will be at Ipswich Town on Sunday evening. He won his last game in the Portuguese league, leading Sporting Lisbon to a comeback win over Braga just days after humiliating Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League.

2. How will teams cope with injuries?

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson and Alexander Arnold are injured, while Arsenal is dealing with the fitness of both Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.

Tottenham will be without Rodrigo Bentancur for up to seven games because of a suspension due to a racial slur made during the international break against Spurs teammate Heung-Min Son.

Nine players pulled out of England’s duty this international break, with some of the aforementioned, alongside players from Chelsea and Southampton, pulled out due to injuries.

3. Who stops Liverpool?

Liverpool has become unstoppable this season, even though they have lost once this season. They are five points ahead of Manchester City, and Arne Slot has been enjoying a good start to life at Anfield, including in Europe.

However, with Pep Guardiola’s new contract at Etihad stadium, there is a lot to worry about.