The Premier League returns this weekend with a host of intriguing subplots as clubs look to build on or bounce back from their opening-day results.
At Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace host champions Manchester City on Friday evening, with Marc Guéhi in the spotlight after an unexpected role change. The centre-back operated in midfield alongside Elliot Anderson in last weekend's win over Bournemouth, even scoring the equaliser. Enzo Maresca now faces a selection dilemma given the arrival of £85m midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, though the 18-year-old may have to settle for a place on the bench as he adapts to English football.
Liverpool's new head coach Andoni Iraola faces an early test against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, needing to shore up defensive transitions after his side conceded twice from quick breaks in a difficult opening fixture at Newcastle. Morgan Gibbs-White, who tormented Liverpool's midfield last season, poses a fresh threat, while Forest's record signing Liam Delap has been registered in time to feature.
Bournemouth's set-piece frailties will be under scrutiny when Everton visit on Saturday. The Cherries conceded from a corner in their narrow defeat to Manchester City, continuing a troubling trend — only Liverpool shipped more set-piece goals in the division last season. Bournemouth have moved to address the issue by appointing set-piece specialist Nicolas Gagnon, but David Moyes's well-organized central defensive pairing of Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski will fancy their chances of exploiting any lingering weaknesses.
Elsewhere, Coventry travel to Hull in a Championship meeting between two sides tipped for relegation battles despite contrasting starts to the season. Frank Lampard's Coventry were beaten comfortably by Arsenal, while Hull impressed with a win over Manchester United. Young defender Lucas Herrington, who missed a crucial penalty for Australia at the World Cup, has been in strong form for the Tigers.
Sandro Tonali will look to make an impact against his former club Newcastle when Tottenham host them on Saturday, following a disappointing 3-0 opening-day defeat at Brentford. Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi will be eager for a response after a busy summer of recruitment.
At Chelsea, 20-year-old Josh Acheampong has an opportunity to cement his place in Xabi Alonso's plans when Brighton visit on Sunday, following an encouraging full debut in a back three against Fulham.
Sunderland face Fulham on Sunday under a cloud of scrutiny after pundit Jamie Carragher suggested the club could face relegation, drawing comparisons to Chris Wilder's Sheffield United side that went down in 2020-21. Régis Le Bris's team will hope for a first Premier League win against Fulham in over a decade, with the fitness of Nordi Mukiele crucial to tightening the defense.
Leeds host Brentford in a compelling contest featuring contrasting goalkeepers James Trafford and Caoimhin Kelleher, along with a striker battle between Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Igor Thiago. Daniel Farke also hopes to beat Sunderland to Marseille winger Igor Paixão. "I'm happy with my group and my signings so far," Farke said. "But we know we can definitely improve our squad. That is what Leeds supporters and Leeds United deserve."
Manchester United, meanwhile, face a daunting test against in-form Ipswich Town, who claimed a dramatic late win over Sunderland last time out. Michael Carrick will be under pressure to deliver a positive result after a lackluster opening-day loss at Hull.
Finally, Ezri Konsa returns to Villa Park with Arsenal on Monday, set for a warm reception after a productive seven-year spell at Aston Villa that included winning the Europa League and becoming an England international.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.