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LONDON, UK | Xinhua | The biggest question this weekend in the Premier League should be answered in Saturday’s first match when Manchester City travel to play Newcastle United.
Pep Guardiola’s side travel to the northeast after confirming that central midfielder Rodri suffered a knee ligament injury in last weekend’s 2-2 draw at home to Arsenal and will miss most of the season.
The question is who will replace the Spanish international in the City ‘engine-room’ after last season showed just how important Rodri is, with Guardiola’s side losing four from five games where he didn’t start.
Mateo Kovacic is likely to get the nod, but Rico Lewis or Ilkay Gundogan could also have a chance against a Newcastle side that sit sixth in the table but haven’t looked very convincing.
Arsenal received some criticism for their defensive tactics and time-wasting last weekend, but will be pleased with the result and can now build on it when they are at home to Leicester City.
Martin Odegaard is still injured, while Leandro Trossard is suspended, and goalkeeper David Raya is a slight doubt for the game with a knee injury, but coach Mikel Arteta should have enough firepower in attack to beat their recently promoted rivals.
Chelsea are showing impressive performances under manager Enzo Maresca, with forward Nicolas Jackson starting to show why they bought him from Villarreal a year ago.
Chelsea have an attractive tie at home to attack-minded Brighton, who have a doubt over forward Joao Pedro, while veteran midfielder James Milner is out with a hamstring problem.
Last weekend’s 3-0 defeat to home to Chelsea increased the pressure on West Ham coach Julen Lopetegui, and that pressure was ramped up further by a 5-1 League Cup thrashing to Liverpool on Thursday night.
West Ham cross London to play Brentford with the coach needing to see a big improvement from some of his players, but despite a long injury list, Brentford have shown they are feisty attack-minded rivals.
The announcement of a takeover by the Friedkin Group should end the off-field turmoil at Everton, but coach Sean Dyche needs to start getting points in the bag, after the first five games of the season have yielded just one point. The visit of a winless Crystal Palace side offers the chance to kickstart their season.
Nottingham Forest have impressed this season and remain unbeaten, although they will miss the suspended Morgan Gibbs-White for the visit of a Fulham side with two wins and two draws in their last four matches.
Apart from a surprise defeat at home to Nottingham Forest, Liverpool have adapted well to life under coach Arne Slot and after their midweek demolition of West Ham, they can expect to keep the pressure on at the top of the table when they visit Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Alisson is a doubt in goal for Liverpool with a muscle injury, but Slot’s problems are nothing compared to those of Wolves boss Gary O’Neil, whose side are bottom of the table with just one point from five games.
Sunday’s big game is at Old Trafford with Manchester United hosting Tottenham, with Erik ten Hag again in the spotlight following their flat UEFA Europa League draw at home to Twente.
Both sides will feel they have options of winning, with Tottenham playing a vulnerable high defensive line, while United seem lack the swagger that made them so difficult in the past and the losing coach is going to find himself under ever-increasing scrutiny.
Ipswich are unbeaten in three games, but have a difficult home game against Aston Villa, even though the visitors have lost John McGinn for two months with a hamstring injury.
Bournemouth face Southampton in a south-coast derby on Monday.
