Premier League Preview: Key Storylines to Watch This Weekend

Michael Carrick is keeping an eye on ‘Dr Tottenham’ as he preps for a challenging clash, while Oliver Glasner makes his way back to Selhurst Park. And will Manchester City adopt a siege mentality as they head to Anfield? Declan Rice's place in England's midfield came under scrutiny after Alex Scott’s standout performance in the 7-0 rout of Croatia. However, Rice's decision to step back from Thomas Tuchel’s squad to manage his workload seems wise. After a grueling post-World Cup schedule with just three weeks off, the 27-year-old has battled persistent back issues since his hamstring injury last December. Mikel Arteta will be hoping that Rice, rumored to be on the brink of signing a new lucrative deal with Arsenal, returns refreshed as they gear up to defend their Premier League title against Leeds on Saturday. Aston Villa's international contingent shone during the break, but Alejandro Garnacho, who stayed behind, may have left the most significant mark on Unai Emery. The Villa squad traveled to Spain for a mid-season training camp, and Garnacho, who hasn’t seen much action with only 31 minutes under his belt this season, scored in both friendly matches against Southampton and Sevilla. The 22-year-old, on loan from Chelsea, is eager to make an impact. He recently declared on social media, “Ready now!”—and Villa fans will be hoping he is indeed prepared to light up the pitch against Brentford. At Bournemouth, things are looking grim for Marco Rose as he deals with a growing injury list. With Alex Scott sidelined for two months after an injury on international duty, Bournemouth is in a precarious position, sitting 17th and still chasing their first league win. They squandered leads in four of their first five matches, and with Scott’s absence, Ryan Christie is expected to step up when they visit Chelsea. There’s also a chance for 20-year-old Alex Toth, who recently broke into the Hungary starting lineup, to get more playing time during this busy stretch. Ipswich Town has found itself in mid-table with six points, thanks to victories over Sunderland and Crystal Palace. Despite tough losses to Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal, manager Gary O’Neil has kept spirits high, portraying a positive outlook even after a recent defeat. Meanwhile, Fulham, under Álvaro Arbeloa, is also new to the job and looking to improve after a promising performance against United that didn’t yield the victory they deserved. Josh King is expected to carry much of the load as they face Ipswich. Sunderland, who are still alive in the Carabao Cup and navigating a hectic schedule, will be tested against a high-scoring Brighton side. With injuries to key players Dan Ballard and Brian Brobbey, coach Régis Le Bris faces challenges in reshaping his squad. After conceding five goals to Manchester City, Sunderland's defense must tighten up to contain a Brighton team that has already netted 16 goals this season. And speaking of challenges, Manchester United has its own hurdles as they prepare to face Tottenham. Historically, United has been a salve for struggling teams, and this season has been no different. As they welcome Spurs to Old Trafford, Carrick’s men will look to avoid a repeat of last September’s 3-0 defeat, a match that marked the beginning of Erik ten Hag’s tumultuous journey at the helm. A loss to Tottenham could reignite the crisis talk surrounding United.