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Steven Gerrard’s return to Liverpool as Aston Villa manager headlines a jam-packed weekend of Premier League action.
After climbing to the top of the table last time out, Manchester City host Wolves while former leaders Chelsea will look to get back to winning ways against Leeds.
Antonio Conte’s Tottenham will not be in action however, after their trip to Brighton was postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak in the Spurs squad.
Here is everything you need to know about all nine games this weekend.
Brentford vs Watford (Friday, 8pm, Sky Sports)
Two teams looking to distance themselves from the relegation zone kick off our weekend as Brentford entertain Watford on Friday night.
This will be the first ever top-flight meeting between the pair, with the two sides having met in the second, third and fourth tiers of English football prior to this.
The Bees are unbeaten in their last eight league games on a Friday (six wins, two draws) and will have happy memories of their last Friday encounter — a superb 2-0 victory over Arsenal on the opening night of the season.
Watford’s Josh King has been directly involved in nine goals in his last nine away starts in the Premier League (six goals, three assists), though he has found the net in just two of his 26 away appearances in London.
Manchester City vs Wolves (Saturday, 12.30pm, BT Sport 1)
The Premier League champions are back on top of the table after taking advantage of Chelsea’s slip up at West Ham and will now look to maintain their hold on first place with a win over Wolves.
The Midlands outfit have caused problems for City in the past having done the double over the Citizens during the 2019-20 season.
Wolves’ Adama Traore has scored more Premier League goals against City than any other team (three), scoring both in a 2-0 away victory during that campaign.
Last term paints a grimmer picture for Wolves though, with Pep Guardiola’s side victorious by a 7-2 aggregate scoreline over the two meetings.
What is more, City have won 31 of their 39 Premier League games in 2021 — only Liverpool in 1982 (33) and Chelsea in 2005 (32) have managed more in a calendar year in English top-flight history.
Arsenal vs Southampton (Saturday, 3pm)
Arsenal will be determined to prove that their shock last-gasp defeat against Everton on Monday was just a blip when they come up against Southampton.
Eyeing a top-four place thanks to an unbeaten run of eight league games, the Gunners have been sent crashing back down to earth with three defeats in their last four.
Opponents Southampton are winless in their last four and have failed to taste victory in any of their 22 Premier League away clashes against the North Londoners.
Since under-pressure manager Ralph Hasenhuttl took charge in December 2018, Southampton have dropped an astonishing 71 points from winning positions, more than any other side.
Chelsea vs Leeds (Saturday, 3pm)
Chelsea will hope to put their 3-2 defeat to London rivals West Ham last weekend behind them when they face Leeds at Stamford Bridge.
Thomas Tuchel’s men looked in flawless form as they chased the Premier League title but have stumbled of late, drawing their last two home games as well as that loss at the London Stadium.
The Blues have won their previous four home league contests against Leeds — they have never beaten their rivals five times in a row.
If the Whites are to stop Chelsea they may have to rely on the form of Raphinha — who has scored six of their 15 Premier League goals this season, with no other player netting more than twice.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa (Saturday, 3pm)
Liverpool legend Gerrard finally returns to Anfield as a manager on Saturday in charge of Villa, who have won three of their four games under his tutelage.
Former Liverpool players returning as bosses have lost 14 of their 16 top-flight visits, with Kevin Keegan the last to win there in May 2003 with City.
There have been four Premier League hat-tricks in meetings between these two sides, with Ollie Watkins the last to score one in Villa’s remarkable 7-2 victory against the Reds in October 2020.
Mohamed Salah has either scored or assisted a goal in 13 consecutive Premier League games. A goal involvement in this match will move the Egyptian one closer to Jamie Vardy’s record run of 15 games in 2015.
Norwich vs Manchester United (Saturday, 5.30pm, Sky Sports)
After winning his first Premier League game as Manchester United interim manager, Ralf Rangnick’s next task is a trip to bottom side Norwich.
United secured an English league record 29 consecutive away games unbeaten earlier this season but have now lost two of their last four on the road.
None of the previous four Red Devils managers have lost their first top-fight away game (three wins, one draw), with Sir Alex Ferguson the last to do so in a 2-0 defeat to Oxford United in November 1986.
The Canaries suffered their first defeat under Dean Smith last weekend against Tottenham — ending his three-game unbeaten start.
The new manager has already beaten United this season, having won 1-0 at Old Trafford with Villa in September.
Leicester vs Newcastle (Sunday, 2pm, Sky Sports Premier League)
After finally winning their first Premier League game last weekend, Eddie Howe’s Newcastle will hope to take advantage of Leicester’s patchy form this season.
The Foxes’ shaky defence has proved their downfall this term — they are without a clean sheet in their last 16 games in all competitions.
Brendan Rodgers’ men have also conceded a league-high seven headed goals, which will be welcome news to the Magpies who have scored five headers this season — only Burnley and Chelsea have more.
But Leicester’s record against Newcastle is strong — since their return to the Premier League in 2014, they have won more games against the Tynesiders (eight) than they have versus any other team.
Burnley vs West Ham (Sunday, 2pm)
West Ham gave their hopes of a top-four finish a boost with their stunning victory against Chelsea and will hope for no issues at Burnley.
The Clarets have won four of their last seven league games against the Hammers, as many as they had in their previous 22 meetings.
David Moyes’ side have exceeded expectations this season but are looking to halt a run of back-to-back away defeats in the Premier League — they last lost more consecutively (seven) in the 2019-20 season.
Maxwel Cornet has scored in his two Premier League starts at Turf Moor this season — no Burnley player has ever netted in their first three home games for the club in the Premier League.
The Ivorian limped off in the first half of Burnley’s loss at Newcastle last weekend with a thigh injury and will be hoping he can recover in time to face the Hammers.
Crystal Palace vs Everton (Sunday, 4.30pm, Sky Sports)
A morale-boosting victory for Everton last time out will see them fancy their chances against Crystal Palace, who have lost their last three games.
That late win over Arsenal at Goodison Park ended a run of six defeats in seven to ease the pressure on Rafa Benitez and they are unbeaten in 13 meetings with the Eagles.
They still have issues to resolve though, with the Toffees conceding first in each of a five-game winless streak on the road.
Meanwhile, all four of Palace star Wilfried Zaha’s goals this season have been the first goal of the game — three of those proving to be match-winning strikes.
