Arsenal visits Sunderland, Man City hosts Liverpool in Premier top-4 clashes

Arsenal visits Sunderland on Saturday in one of the most fascinating games of the weekend in the Premier League.

Arsenal has a six-point lead at the top of the table, while Sunderland is currently fourth after the best start to a season by a promoted side since Hull City in 2008.

Sunderland remains unbeaten at home and Granit Xhaka’s form in central midfield has been vital to that, giving his experience to a young team that has so far shown no fear back among the elite.

Viktor Gyokeres is out injured for Arsenal on Saturday, while midfielder Martin Zubimendi is another doubt for Mikel Arteta’s side.

The other big match of the weekend sees second-placed Manchester City hosts third-placed Liverpool on Sunday.

Liverpool looks to be returning to its best after dominating Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, but Manchester City striker Erling Haaland will provide a stiff test to the Liverpool defense.

Haaland has 13 league goals this season and 27 in total for his club and country, and he will naturally be the center of attention, while others such as Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah will have a say in the outcome of the game.

Tottenham and Manchester United open the weekend on Saturday lunchtime, and Spurs’ coach Thomas Frank needs a performance more in line with Tuesday’s 4-0 win at home to Copenhagen in the Champions League than with last weekend’s defeat against Chelsea when his side failed to manage a shot on target.

Chelsea travels to play a winless Wolverhampton Wanderers that sacked coach Vitor Pereira in the wake of last weekend’s 3-0 loss to Fulham.

Cole Palmer is sidelined, but Liam Delap returns for Chelsea and could partner Joao Pedro in attack against a rival without the suspended Emmanuel Agbadou.

Aston Villa hosts Bournemouth slightly handicapped by the lack of recovery time following its Europa League win at home to Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday night.

The weekend also sees what has become a traditional grudge match between Crystal Palace and Brighton, who sit next to each other in the standings.

After beating Newcastle a week ago, West Ham needs to double up when Burnley visits the London Stadium. A home win could allow West Ham to climb out of the bottom three.

Nottingham Forest is at home to Leeds United in another game between two sides in the relegation mix, with Sean Dyche looking for his first league win as Nottingham Forest coach.

Everton faces Fulham in a match between two sides just clear of the relegation zone, and Newcastle United travels to Brentford in a match where set-pieces are likely to decide the game.