Premier League: What to expect this weekend

• Premier League action resumes in full force after the last international break of the year until the start of the new year.
• We look at the major talking points ahead of this weekend’s games.

Premier League action resumes in full force after the last international break of the year until the start of the new year.

We look at the major talking points ahead of this weekend’s games.

City face Liverpool

Virgil Van Dijk will face a tough test against Erling Haaland. Photo/Manchester Evening News

With some epic matchups between the two, Manchester City and Liverpool have had the greatest rivalry in the Premier League in recent years. After a dismal season, people speculated that Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool was losing ground, but changes made last summer have turned the team’s fortunes around.

This weekend’s match between City and Liverpool at the Etihad is between the top two clubs in the standings by just one point. In their quest for a 24th straight home victory, Pep Guardiola’s club will begin as favorites against a Liverpool squad that has struggled away from home. Since making his first trip to the stadium in 2015, Klopp has been unable to win a Premier League match at Manchester City.

The fight between Virgil van Dijk and Erling Haaland will serve as the contest’s main storyline. The former is one goal away from 50 in the Premier League and, should he score, will become the fastest player in the history of the division to reach 50 goals. Van Dijk, though, recalls his haughty prime. The Dutch defender hasn’t been dribbled past and leads the Premier League in the percentage of duels won (80.5%) this season.

Newcastle face a tough test

This weekend, Newcastle hosts Chelsea in the Premier League with the hopes of building on their recent success at St. James’ Park. The Magpies will take on a Chelsea team that is currently on a goal-scoring spree this week after winning four straight games at home without giving up a goal.

The west Londoners had only seven goals in their first seven league games, but they have scored 14 in their past five. Nicolas Jackson, who had several obvious misses before his hat-trick against Spurs, was wasteful in his early season play, but he has now regained form, scoring four goals in two games.

Cole Palmer, who has gelled with Jackson and Raheem Sterling thus far this season, will return full of confidence following his first outings in an England shirt. After spending £52 million to join RB Leipzig, Christopher Nkunku may also make his eagerly anticipated debut following a preseason setback.

Punished Everton welcome United

Everton FC received a 10-point deduction recently. Photo/Sky Sports

This weekend’s match between Manchester United and Everton will undoubtedly be fierce since the Toffees are still stinging from the Premier League‘s 10-point punishment for violating profit and sustainability regulations. Everton, led by Sean Dyche, denounced the punishment as “wholly disproportionate” and “unjust,” causing them to fall into the Premier League’s relegation zone.

Because of their recent improvement under Dyche and their sense of injustice, Everton, who has been at the bottom of the league all season, are only two points from safety. This could bring the long-divided team together and make Goodison Park one of the most difficult places to play this year.

Although they have triumphed in their last three away games against Fulham, Sheffield United, and Burnley, Manchester United have not impressed throughout that stretch. If Ten Hag’s squad is to maintain its current momentum, the Red Devils will have to prepare for a blue reaction.

Will Awoyini’s injury affect Forest?

Taiwo Awoniyi is injured for Nottingham Forest. Photo/Nottingham Forest

Taiwo Awoniyi of Nigeria will be sidelined “for months” after worsening a groin ailment while on international duty, according to Steve Cooper, who has confirmed that Nottingham Forest would be without the player for a considerable amount of time.

Since joining Forest, Awoyini has averaged a goal every 123 minutes and has become a talisman for the team. He has scored 10 goals in his past 14 Premier League appearances.

In the Premier League, only Stan Collymore (119 minutes) has a better record for Forest. The 26-year-old will be missed greatly for this weekend’s match against Brighton as well as the upcoming months.

Fulham in danger

With a four-game losing streak that has put the Cottagers slightly above the five-team relegation battle gathering underneath them, Fulham finds itself at risk of getting drawn into the scrap.

After Aleksandar Mitrovic was sold in the summer, Raul Jimenez, a summer acquisition who will play against his old team Wolves on Monday, was unable to score goals for Marco Silva’s team. Since the beginning of the previous season, the Mexican has only scored one Premier League goal in 26 games, therefore younger, more experienced players are needed in the final third.

With rumors of interest in Wolfsburg attacker Jonas Wind and Fluminense midfielder Andrea, the west Londoners have been connected to some intriguing prospects. Every one of them would give Fulham, which is in risk of becoming stale, a genuine boost in quality. Until much-needed reinforcements show up in January, Silva will be hoping to keep the team out of trouble.