Five key questions ahead of the return of the Premier League this weekend

The Premier League returns this weekend after the latest international break, something that may well be music to the ears of many football fans.

Musings on Nations League and number of caps suddenly makes way for debates about title races and tribalism.

But the return of the Premier League also means the return of many interesting talking points and several big questions.

Here, we look at look at five of the biggest in the build up to an exciting weekend of action.

Which match are you most excited for this weekend? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/AZMfmrpVal

— Premier League (@premierleague) November 18, 2024

Will Manchester City end their winless run?

There hasn’t been much for Manchester City supporters to shout about of late. The looming shadow of more than 100 breaches of financial rules, the potential punishments should they be found guilty, a lengthy injury list, and a run of four consecutive defeats in all competitions.

But City fans will be buoyed by reports on Wednesday that manager Pep Guardiola has agreed to a one-year extension on his contract. And they will be hoping the positive vibes will also extend to the pitch, when Guardiola’s side host Tottenham on Saturday looking to get their season back on track.

Spurs, however, will be no pushovers. Ange Postecoglou’s team will be hoping they can bounce back from back-to-back defeats to Galatasaray and Ipswich before the international break.

How will Ruben Amorim fare in his first game?

There will be plenty of eyes on Portman Road on Sunday afternoon, not least because it will be the setting for the new Manchester United manager’s first game in charge.

Many will expect Amorim to make an impact right from the off, as the new boss will look to steady a ship that has been in turbulent waters for more than a decade.

The 39-year-old will be hoping his first English top-flight game as manager goes as well as his first in Portugal, which saw his Braga side run out 7-1 at Belenenses in January 2020.

But in Kieran McKenna, Ipswich boast an exciting young manager of their own, and one with first-hand insight into their opponents. The 38-year-old was, after all, part of the coaching staff at Old Trafford from 2016 to 2021.

Up close with the boss 🔎♟️#MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 19, 2024

Can Liverpool be stopped?

While it’s still very early days in the Premier League title race, Liverpool under new boss Arne Slot have made their intentions clear. Slot has made the most successful start of any Reds manager, and a record of 15 wins from 17 games in all competitions have left Slot’s team top of the league and going strong in Europe.

They travel to bottom side Southampton on Sunday. However, could off the field matters, such as the on-going questions marks surrounding the futures of Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, all of whom are out of contract next summer, threaten to derail the Liverpool train?

Are Arsenal serious title contenders?

While it might be a little too early to say who will be in the title race, it might not be too early to say who will be out of it.

Arsenal, like their rivals Manchester City, have been in stuttering form recently – again, perhaps not aided by off-field matters such as the shock departure of former player-turned-porting director, Edu.

A poor disciplinary record this season has not helped, but while only a fool would rule out the Gunners entirely at this stage, they will need to return to winning ways soon, beginning with the visit of high-flying Nottingham Forest on Saturday, if they have any hope of staying contenders.

Working hard with full focus on Saturday.

Watch Inside Training now 👇

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 20, 2024

How will the international break have impacted fitness levels?

One of the big discussion points so far this season has been the increasingly-packed football calendar at its impact on players.

Two international breaks in quick succession, on top of a fixture list that, for many sides, includes league, European and domestic cup competitions, is likely to test the limits of most Premier League squads, particularly in the absence of a winter break.

England captain Harry Kane criticised the decision of several players to pull out of the Three Lions squad last week. But will the international break ultimately prove to have a negative impact on the fitness of many Premier League players?