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The Premier League finally returns on Saturday with a full bill of fixtures after a two-week hiatus during the international break.
With the end of the season fast approaching there are crucial games in the title race, relegation battle, and in the quest for Europe.
Leaders Arsenal travel to the Etihad for an all-important clash. A victory over the treble winners would keep Mikel Arteta’s side in pole position with just nine fixtures remaining.
At the bottom of the table Nottingham Forest host Crystal Palace in their first game since dropping into the relegation zone after their four-point deduction. Relegation rivals Luton face a difficult trip to Tottenham Hotspur.
Mail Sport covers the major talking points as we look at ten key things to watch out for during this weekend's Premier League fixtures.
The Premier League returns with several crunch fixtures including Arsenal against Man City
A win at the Etihad would see Arteta achieve his first double over Guardiola since leaving Pep’s wing as assistant at City in 2019.
Pep beat his protege in their first seven Premier League encounters, but Arteta triumphed over his former boss earlier this season thanks to a late Gabriel Martinelli strike.
That game was billed as vital in the title race as early as October, but Sunday’s meeting is even more important.
Another victory for the Gunners, who haven’t won at the Etihad since 2015, would be an emphatic statement of their title credentials and see them move four points clear of City at the top of the table.
Mikel Arteta will hoping to achieve his first double over Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola
Jurgen Klopp’s farewell tour continues as Liverpool host Brighton. The German will look to capitalise on title challengers Arsenal and Manchester City facing off by securing a first win over Roberto De Zerbi.
In their last meeting England defender Lewis Dunk scored an equaliser at the Amex to keep Klopp winless in four against the Italian boss, with his record standing at two losses and two draws.
Liverpool’s last win over Brighton came two years ago when Graham Potter was still in charge.
Klopp will hope Salah and Nunez can give his side an advantage as he approaches his final run of Premier League fixtures.
Lewis Dunk's equaliser last time out ensured Jurgen Klopp is yet to defeat Roberto De Zerbi
A dramatic 121st-minute Amad Diallo winner over arch rivals Liverpool saw Manchester United clinch a Wembley FA Cup semi-final spot at a roaring Old Trafford last time out.
Ten Hag returns to Brentford’s Gtech Stadium for the first time since a bruising 4-0 defeat at the beginning of last season.
The Dutchman will need to pick up all three points against the Bees to prove the FA Cup heroics were no false dawn and to ease mounting pressure on his job, with United still six points behind Tottenham who occupy the last potential Champions League position.
Amad Diallo helped Man United secure a dramatic 4-3 victory against Liverpool two weeks ago
Erik ten Hag will hope to build on that win and get revenge on Brentford on return to the Gtech
Nottingham Forest were plunged into the relegation zone after their four-point deduction for breaching Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) was announced during the international break.
Forest have since appealed against the punishment and Nuno Espírito Santo will hope his side can respond to the setback by claiming all three points against Crystal Palace on Saturday. A draw could also move them out of the relegation zone at the first time of asking.
Whilst most eyes will be on Forest, Oliver Glasner is looking to claim his first Premier League away win having replaced Roy Hodgson last month.
Nottingham Forest face Crystal Palace in their first game since being deducted four points
