Liverpool vs. Everton (Saturday, 12.30pm)
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The red and blue halves of Merseyside renew hostilities at Anfield on Saturday lunchtime, as Liverpool and Everton mark the end of the international break with a tantalising Merseyside derby in the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp's fourth-placed troops find themselves 12 places and 11 points better off than the Toffees in the fledgling table, despite only taking one point from the last six on offer.
We say: Liverpool 3-1 Everton
Having developed a taste for goals on rival territory, Everton can snap their three-game scoreless streak against their long-time rivals, who continue to be plagued by fitness problems and late returnees from international duty.
However, even if Everton can draw first blood at Anfield, Liverpool's penchant for comebacks is sure to come to the fore, and Klopp's goal-happy attackers can help the hosts fight fire with fire to climb to the top of the standings, at least for a matter of hours.
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> How Liverpool could line up against Everton
> Liverpool injury, suspension list vs. Everton
> Mohamed Salah's record vs. Everton
> Everton's top-five worst Anfield Merseyside derby results
> Everton's top-five best Anfield Merseyside derby moments
Bournemouth vs. Wolves (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Still searching for their first Premier League victory of the 2023-24 campaign, Bournemouth play host to Gary O'Neil's Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
While the Cherries are placed inside the relegation zone, the visitors currently sit 14th in the table, four points clear of the bottom three.
We say: Bournemouth 1-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Bournemouth can ill-afford to see their winless run continue if they are to steer themselves clear of the danger zone, and they will view Saturday's clash with Wolves as a must-win considering that three of their next four fixtures are against teams who finished in the top five last season.
Wolves failed to score in both home and away encounters with the Cherries last season, but they have found their form in front of goal in recent months, netting in each of their last seven league games, and we believe that their new lease of life up top can help in their quest to claim maximum points at the Vitality Stadium.
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Brentford vs. Burnley (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Two bottom-half battlers square off at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday following the international break, as Brentford host Burnley in the Premier League.
Both sides took the lead in their most recent matches only to fall to painful defeats, as the Bees suffered a gut-wrenching 2-1 loss at Manchester United, while the visitors were trounced 4-1 by Chelsea.
We say: Brentford 2-0 Burnley
Morale is not plentiful in either camp at the moment, and the likes of Odobert and Luca Koleosho would do well to target Brentford's full-backs amid Frank's defensive crisis.
However, not a single Premier League team has kept the Bees at bay at the Gtech in 2023, and Burnley's defensive shortcomings should rear their ugly heads for Kompany's side as Brentford finally pick up their first home win of the top-flight campaign.
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Man City vs. Brighton (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Premier League champions Manchester City will attempt to return to winning ways when they welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
While the Citizens are striving to avoid a third successive top-flight defeat for the first time since 2016, the Seagulls are hoping to end a four-game winless run in all competitions.
We say: Manchester City 3-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
An intriguing and entertaining contest is in store between two of the Premier League's most attractive teams to watch, coached by two of the most innovative managers in the game, and it is hard to envisage this fixture without goals at both ends.
Brighton's mercurial possession-hungry approach to the new campaign has had its benefits in attack, but they have been wide open at the back and that could prove costly against a fired-up Man City side eager to bounce back from their recent setbacks with a victory on home soil.
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> How Man City could line up against Brighton
> Man City injury, suspension list vs. Brighton
Newcastle vs. Crystal Palace (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Having seen their marquee summer signing become embroiled in an unforeseen betting scandal, Newcastle United seek to banish such off-field demons when Crystal Palace visit St James' Park for a Premier League fixture on Saturday afternoon.
Both sides took a point from their most recent fixtures before the international hiatus, as the Magpies played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with West Ham United, while the Eagles and Nottingham Forest's goalless stalemate was a much more low-key affair.
We say: Newcastle United 2-0 Crystal Palace
Even with the unwelcome distraction of Tonali's impending ban, Newcastle should have few problems returning to winning ways in front of their own fans, as Palace's attacking deficiencies are set to cost them dear once again.
Howe may avoid risking some of his injury doubts with the visit of Dortmund in mind, but the in-form Magpies have been a tough nut to crack at the back on home soil and ought to keep the Eagles quiet with relative ease en route to all three points.
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Nott'm Forest vs. Luton (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Nottingham Forest will be looking to end a four-game winless run in the Premier League when they play host to Luton Town at the City Ground on Saturday afternoon.
While the Tricky Trees currently sit 14th in the table, the Hatters find themselves four places and five points further back in 17th after eight games.
We say: Nottingham Forest 2-0 Luton Town
Both Forest and Luton can head into Saturday's contest with optimism of claiming a positive result, but the hosts will be regarded as favourites to come out on top considering their strong home form.
Despite the absence of Awoniyi, there were enough signs in the draw with Palace to suggest that Forest have other attacking options at their disposal who can cause problems in the final third, and they should ultimately do enough to secure a narrow victory over the Hatters.
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Chelsea vs. Arsenal (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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Top spot in the Premier League table could be Arsenal's for at least 48 hours this weekend, as the Gunners trek to Stamford Bridge to square off with London rivals Chelsea on Saturday evening.
Only an inferior goals scored tally is keeping Mikel Arteta's men behind Tottenham Hotspur, whose former head coach Mauricio Pochettino is belatedly finding his feet in the blue half of West London.
We say: Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal's admirable defensive record away from home is at risk of being broken against a reinvigorated Chelsea team, but the Blues' ongoing injury crisis could prevent them from picking up where they left off against Arteta's title-chasers.
Having struggled for results at Stamford Bridge for so long, Arsenal appear to have found a consistent formula for success on their hosts' territory, and a greater depth of talent in reserve may prove to be the difference in the second half as Arteta's side halt Chelsea's revival to go top.
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> How Arsenal could line up against Chelsea
> How Chelsea could line up against Arsenal
> Chelsea injury, suspension list vs. Arsenal
> Arsenal injury, suspension list vs. Chelsea
Sheff Utd vs. Man Utd (Saturday, 8.00pm)
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Manchester United will endeavour to claim back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time this season when they travel to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United on Saturday evening.
While the hosts are rooted to the foot of the table following a winless start to the campaign, the visitors are languishing in 10th place and already find themselves eight points behind the summit.
We say: Sheffield United 1-3 Manchester United
Both teams are under pressure to claim a positive result this weekend and the contest between two defensively frail sides could result in goals at both ends at Bramall Lane.
Although Sheffield United will relish playing in front of a fired-up home crowd, Man United should ultimately have the attacking resources at their disposal to avoid an upset and come away from South Yorkshire with maximum points.
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