
Twenty days on from the last Premier League fixture, the English top flight returns on Saturday, kicking off a mouth-watering weekend headlined by Manchester City’s trip to Liverpool.
While the international break shifted the focus elsewhere on the pitch, the Premier League remained at the centre of the news as City were found guilty of 114 of the 115 financial charges brought against them.
Talk of potential sanctions has dominated since the verdict, which City have appealed. Their first assignment could hardly be more fitting: a visit to Anfield to face arguably the club most affected by their breaches.
This fixture carries considerable significance at the best of times, but the circumstances have added another layer of intrigue. With City’s punishment still to be determined, uncertainty surrounds what Sunday’s result might ultimately mean for their position in this season’s table.
For now, Enzo Maresca’s side lead the way with a perfect record of five wins from five. Yet their results have not entirely silenced doubts about their performances.
Their 1-0 victory at Old Trafford with 10 men demonstrated impressive resilience, but the subsequent 5-3 success over Sunderland raised fresh questions. The visitors scored three times at the Etihad and won the expected-goals battle, suggesting City’s flawless start masks vulnerabilities Liverpool will hope to exploit.
That victory nevertheless moved City three points clear of Arsenal, whose unbeaten start ended with defeat at Brighton. The defending champions open the weekend’s action against Leeds United in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off as they look to get their title defence back on track.
Premier League tipster Ben Smith has picked out five selections across the weekend’s Premier League action, combining them into a 24/1 accumulator with BetMGM, who have competitive Premier League odds across the board.
In-form Dominic Calvert-Lewin looks a strong candidate to register a shot on target against Arsenal, having delivered in 16 of his last 18 appearances.
The former Everton forward has averaged 1.5 shots on target per 90 minutes over the past six months and, with four goals already this season, is currently one of the division’s standout strikers.
Staying fit has been crucial to that resurgence, and he can test an Arsenal defence still without William Saliba.
The Gunners are allowing 10.6 shots per game and conceded three at Brighton last time out. An unbeaten Leeds side should pose problems of their own.
Manchester United have registered a league-high 113 shots across their opening five matches, suggesting their poor start owes more to wasteful finishing than a shortage of chances.
They are also yet to keep a clean sheet, leaving Tottenham with an opportunity to build on their improved attacking display against Aston Villa.
Spurs showed greater cutting edge in that defeat, providing a rare positive amid an otherwise miserable start.
With United generating plenty of attempts but struggling to shut opponents out, the visitors can contribute to another entertaining encounter. Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals is the selection.
Oliver Glasner can make a productive return to Selhurst Park against a Crystal Palace side with just one win in their last 12 league games.
Forest have lost only once across their last seven away league matches, while Palace have suffered defeats in both home outings this season.
The visitors have also allowed the fewest shots in the division, conceding 52 across five games, which strengthens the case for under 3.5 goals.
Their unbeaten record in Premier League meetings with Palace adds weight to backing Forest to leave with at least a point.
City ended their long wait for an Anfield victory in front of fans last season, but repeating that feat looks a tough assignment.
The guilty verdict should add further edge to an already hostile atmosphere, while Phil Foden is suspended and Antoine Semenyo and Nico O’Reilly are doubts.
Liverpool have fitness concerns themselves, but remain unbeaten under Andoni Iraola and are beginning to show signs of progress.
The hosts look capable of extending that run, although City’s attacking threat makes both teams to score a worthwhile addition to the Liverpool double-chance bet.
Coventry City resume their campaign after getting off the mark for both goals and wins at Nottingham Forest before the international break.
Frank Lampard could welcome back Milan van Ewijk, Luke Woolfenden, Josh Eccles and Kaine Kesler-Hayden, although Haji Wright remains unavailable and Taiwo Awoniyi is suspended.
Newcastle have several absentees, including Tino Livramento, Dan Burn and Anthony Elanga, though Joelinton, Lewis Miley and Nico Gonzalez could feature.
The Sky Blues now have a chance to follow that breakthrough with a result in front of their own fans. Coventry double chance and under 4.5 goals completes the accumulator.
BetMGM have a great Premier League betting bonus you can redeem on this accumulator. When you open an account and bet £10, you'll get £40 in free bets, some of which you can use on football. Check out the BetMGM bonus.

+18 | Please gamble responsibly | Commercial content | T&Cs apply GambleAware.com