Manchester City and Liverpool look to extend their lead over Arsenal in the Premier League title race, as football returns in England after the international break.

Both sides went into the break with three wins from three games and both are at home to accessible rivals, with City at home to Brentford, while Liverpool entertain Nottingham Forest.

The return from the international break always throws up selection issues, with some players returning in better shape than others, and City coach Pep Guardiola will have to decide whether Kevin de Bruyne will start after a difficult time with Belgium.

Nathan Ake also suffered a thigh injury during the break, while Phil Foden missed England duty due to illness and is also a doubt.

Arne Slot seems to have fitted in quickly at Liverpool and his side impressed in August, with Ryan Gravenberch performing well in central midfield.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (R) is challenged by Manchester United's Diogo Dalot during the English Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford in Manchester, Britain, on Sept. 1, 2024. (Xinhua)

Nottingham Forest are unbeaten in the start to the season and although it is a big ask, recent England debutant, Morgan Gibbs-White will give his side hope of something positive on Saturday.

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta signed a new contract on Thursday and that is a much-needed morale boost for Sunday's short visit to play Tottenham, as Arteta will need a makeshift midfield.

He is without the injured Mikel Merino (who has yet to make his debut after signing from Real Sociedad) and Martin Odegaard, with those injuries made even more important with Declan Rice's suspension after he was sent off against Brighton before the international break.

The Arsenal coach has highlighted Sunday's game and the trip to play Manchester City before the end of the month as vital to his side's title ambitions and he will need to do some serious reshuffling in midfield.

Manuel Ugarte will make his debut in midfield as Manchester United travel to play recently promoted Southampton on Saturday lunchtime.

Consecutive defeats have set alarm bells ringing at United and a third defeat to a team that hasn't taken a point this season, would be disaster for Erik ten Hag, who was even criticized by Cristiano Ronaldo this week.

Brighton are at home to Ipswich, looking to continue their impressive start against a recently promoted rival adjusting back to life among the elite, while Leicester City visit Crystal Palace, who have been boosted by keeping defender Marc Guehi and the deadline day signings of Maxence Lacroix, Trevoh Chalobah and Eddie Nketiah.

West Ham travel to south-west London to play Fulham, with West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug tipped to make his first start since moving from Borussia Dortmund.

Three defeats in three games, with 10 goals conceded mean Everton can't afford another defensive nightmare when they visit Aston Villa, but Villa Park hasn't been a happy place for Sean Dyche's men in recent years, with four defeats and a draw since 2019.

Chelsea travel to Bournemouth on Saturday, after giving hints of their potential at the start of the season and their pace will be a threat to the home side's high pressing style.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is at loan at Bournemouth from Chelsea, is ineligible to play, with Mark Travers making a rare start in goal.

Wolverhampton entertain Newcastle on Sunday with just one point from three games, and a run of just one win in 13 stretching back to last season as the pressure slowly grows on coach Gary O'Neil, despite his new contract signed this summer.

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