Manchester set for unpredictable derby match

All the talking points from this week’s Premier League fixtures

After a dramatic week of European action that brought mixed results for English clubs, the Premier League returns this weekend with an exciting set of fixtures.

From Liverpool aiming to strengthen their grip at the top of the table to a highly anticipated Manchester Derby that could go either way, Gulf News breaks down the three biggest storylines set to define this weekend’s action.

Liverpool return to Premier League action
Liverpool return to Premier League action after last week’s Merseyside Derby against Everton was postponed. The Reds remain top of the table but saw title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal drop points during their absence. Chelsea’s recent form has made them serious contenders, moving into second place and cutting Liverpool’s lead to four points.

Arne Slot’s side are back at Anfield, where they have won 12 of their last 13 home games in the league, keeping eight clean sheets in the process. Their last Premier League match ended in a 3-3 draw at Newcastle, and they followed that up with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Girona in the Champions League, leaving them in control at the top of the table.

Fulham arrive on the back of a 1-1 draw with Arsenal, a result that helped Liverpool’s title ambitions. The Cottagers are one of only four teams to have won at Anfield in the Premier League since March 2021, but that remains their only victory in the last 14 meetings between the sides (D3, L10). Marco Silva’s team have made a strong start to the season, collecting 23 points from 15 matches, their second-best tally at this stage in Premier League history.

However, Fulham’s away form has been less consistent, with just nine points earned on the road. Silva himself has a poor record against Liverpool, managing only one win in 11 attempts across four clubs.