The Premier League returns this weekend with a packed schedule of fixtures, headlined by a mouthwatering clash between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield, while Manchester United host Tottenham at Old Trafford in a contest shaped by significant team news on both sides.
At Old Trafford on Saturday evening, Tottenham will be without first-choice right-back Pedro Porro, who remains sidelined with the hamstring injury he picked up during Spurs' 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa. The 27-year-old travelled to Spain during the international break to consult a specialist but is not yet ready to return to action. Spurs are set to field a side including Van Hecke and Van de Ven, both of whom picked up knocks on international duty with the Netherlands but are expected to be fit enough to feature. Manager Roberto De Zerbi noted there was "an emotional aspect" to factor in regarding Van Hecke, whose wife gave birth to twins earlier in the week.
There was better news on the Dejan Kulusevski front, with the Swedish international nearing a return after more than 500 days out through a complicated patella injury that required two surgeries. Kulusevski featured in an internal 11-a-side friendly during the break and will travel with the squad in a supporting role, similar to how James Maddison was used before his own return from an ACL injury last season. De Zerbi confirmed Maddison himself would be available despite a minor recent setback that limited his pain-free training this week. Mykhailo Mudryk, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert remain unavailable for Tottenham.
United, meanwhile, go into the match on the back of a mixed run of form, with doubts over Patrick Dorgu, Diallo, Rashford, Mainoo and Baleba among others, though Bruno Fernandes continues to lead the line as the club's top scorer this season with three goals.
Elsewhere in the top flight, Arsenal host struggling Leeds at the Emirates on Saturday lunchtime, with the Gunners looking to continue their strong recent form after four wins in their last five league games. Bukayo Saka remains Arsenal's top scorer, while Leeds will be boosted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin's contribution of three goals so far this season.
Chelsea welcome Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge with several fitness concerns surrounding Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Joao Pedro, all listed as doubtful. Bournemouth, who have endured a difficult run of one win in five, will look to leading scorer Antoine Semenyo- listed under Tavernier in the squad notes with three goals this term, to find a way past the Blues' defence.
Sunday's standout fixture sees Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield, with Pep Guardiola's side arriving on the back of five consecutive wins and Erling Haaland in red-hot form with five goals already this season. Liverpool, missing the injured Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Conor Bradley among others, will need to find attacking solutions without their talisman striker.
Other fixtures across the weekend include Aston Villa against Brentford at Villa Park, Ipswich hosting Fulham in the Championship, Sunderland against Brighton at the Stadium of Light, Crystal Palace versus Nottingham Forest at Selhurst Park, and Hull facing Everton. The round concludes on Monday evening when Coventry host Newcastle at the CBS Arena.
Based on reporting from The Guardian and The Standard.