After a second international break of the season, the Premier League is back - hopefully with a bang - this weekend.

Those who dread the two-week breaks can hardly complain this time, because the void was filled by the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as England manager, but the wait is over nevertheless. There are four more game weeks until the next international break, but let us focus on what's in front of us for now.

Liverpool lead Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the table, while at the other end, there are four sides still without a win after seven matches. Both of those things could change this weekend, with a few managers under intense pressure and trying to avoid becoming the first to be sacked this season.

Erik ten Hag is one of the managers under the pump after a dreadful run of form, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe running out of patience. Could a defeat this weekend trigger a sacking? Here are 10 talking points to consider from Mirror Football.

The first game of the Premier League weekend will be at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Spurs taking on West Ham. It is a big one for the home side, coming two weeks after they were embarrassed by Brighton.

Ange Postecoglou's side had a 2-0 lead at the Amex Stadium on October 6, only to lose 3-2 in a dramatic turnaround. It left their manager absolutely furious. The Australian manager launched into a passionate post-match rant in which he slammed his complacent players for the 'worst defeat' of his reign at Tottenham.

A reaction is required against West Ham, who should be confident after a morale-boosting 4-1 win over Ipswich a few weeks ago. Postecoglou is still seething, too, telling Optus Sport: "It wasn't the loss, it was the manner I wasn't comfortable with. I've been sitting on it for 10 days, I'm ready to explode once they get back in the building and that will be my therapy." Watch out, Tottenham players.

James Maddison reacts to Spurs' collapse against Brighton ( Image:

The Tractor Boys are yet to pick up a win since being promoted to the Premier League. They are in better shape than the three other winless sides, having drawn four, but remain desperate for a victory. A visit from fellow strugglers Everton is a good opportunity.

What Ipswich do have in their favour is an in-form striker. Summer signing Liam Delap has four top-flight goals already, including three in his past two games and comes well-rested having been suspended for England under-21s' second match of the break.

"If you want to go and fight him, he will match you," said the under-21s interim boss Ben Futcher. "If you want to race him, he'll win the race. Liam's a top No.9 and he's going to keep developing." Ipswich will hope he can continue that development on Saturday.

3. Ten Hag under the pump Manchester United v Brentford - Saturday, 3pm

Erik ten Hag really needs a win ( Image:

United have gone five matches without a win and have scored a pathetic five goals in the Premier League this season - three of which came in one match vs Southampton. Ten Hag has no more excuses. It's time to deliver. If they can stop Brentford from scoring in the first minute that would be a good start.

4. Battle for best of the rest Fulham v Aston Villa - Saturday, 3pm

Villa qualified for the Champions League last season by finishing fourth. The season before it was Newcastle who enjoyed that privilege following a brilliant campaign. So far, it's looking like Chelsea could be the team to take that position as the best of the rest, but Fulham have made a strong start to the campaign and might just fancy themselves.

Marco Silva suggested aiming for European football was not realistic when asked in May and is always one to play things down. But stranger things have happened. Wins over Newcastle and Nottingham Forest were followed by a valiant 3-2 defeat by Man City. Victory over Villa on Saturday may turn some heads.

5. Howe takes centre stage Newcastle v Brighton - Saturday, 3pm

Eddie Howe was touted as a potential England manager ( Image:

With all that's gone on, the Magpies have made a solid start, with three wins and three draws from seven games. A visit from wide-open and easy-on-the-eye Brighton could be one of the best matches of the weekend.

6. Saints desperate for a win Southampton v Leicester - Saturday, 3pm

Russell Martin has been something of a broken record this season, insisting he is proud of his team, despite results not going their way. It was the same story last time out after a 3-1 loss at Arsenal, but this time he had a point: there were signs of life for the struggling Saints.

Tyler Dibling has been a constant source of hope, while there is a sense that Martin is getting closer to finally working out his best starting XI following much tinkering. Southampton have already lost at home to Nottingham Forest and thrown two points away against Ipswich at St Mary's. They really need to break their duck, which stretches to 20 Premier League games when their final results of the 2022/23 relegation campaign are factored in.

7. Arteta's selection conundrum Bournemouth v Arsenal - Saturday, 5.30pm

Bukayo Saka picked up an injury while on England duty ( Image:

But there is a wider question for Mikel Arteta : should he rest his star winger? Saka had started every game for club and country this season before missing the trip to Finland on Sunday. Perhaps they could learn something from Rodri's injury after a hugely intense work schedule.

After the Saints win, Arteta admitted he had been tempted to rotate Saka this season: "We have to manage the load of him, but at the moment he's in a good place." It will be interesting to see how he's used on Saturday.

8. O'Neil needs change of luck Wolves v Manchester City - Sunday, 2pm

Wolves have endured an absolutely miserable start to the season and find themselves rock bottom with just a solitary point, having been handed a nasty fixture list. And they don't just feel hard done by on account of the schedule, which handed them Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle, Villa and Liverpool straight up - they've also had plenty of misfortune on the pitch.

Unfortunately for Gary O'Neil, it doesn't get any easier, with Man City visiting Molineux this weekend. Like most sides, Wolves have a dreadful record against City, having lost seven of their last eight in the league by an aggregate scoreline of 25-6, but there is hope. Rewind to September 30 last season and Wolves ended City's 100 per cent record in the league with a 2-1 win at Molineux. Something similar would provide a much-needed boost.

9. How good are Chelsea? Liverpool v Chelsea - Sunday, 4.30pm

Cole Palmer scored four against Brighton - but can he deliver at Anfield? ( Image:

Chelsea's only defeat in the league this season came against City and they will have their mettle tested at Anfield this weekend. Liverpool have the best defensive record, with five clean sheets from seven games. Forest have shown it is possible to win at Anfield; if Chelsea can do the same then people might start to take them seriously.

10. Eze needs to provide the spark Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace - Monday, 8pm

The positivity from the end of last season under Oliver Glasner now feels like a long time ago at Crystal Palace, who are yet to win this season. They have scored just five goals in the Premier League - the same as a dreadful United attack - and the same tally they managed in the final game of last season, at home to Villa.

The pieces should be there, with Glasner often fielding Jean-Philippe Mateta, Eddie Nketiah and Eberechi Eze. But it's simply not happening. The creative burden should fall upon Eze, who has one goal in seven league games so far, but contributing 11 and four assists in 2023/24. Palace need more from their main man on Monday.

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