The Premier League returns, and the early kick-off at the Emirates pits Arsenal against Leeds United. Arsenal go into it looking to close the gap on Manchester City, while lowly Tottenham make the trip to Manchester United as part of the same round of fixtures.
The real intrigue at the Emirates is in the table. A win for Leeds would take them above Arsenal, a scenario that would count as a genuine surprise. Daniel Farke’s side were beaten 5-0 on their previous visit there, but that defeat came before the much-discussed mid-season change of formation, and the sense is that they will be a much tougher nut to crack this time.
Other factors play into the picture as well. The early start and the disruption caused by an extended international break are both part of the mix, raising the question of whether the ingredients are there for a shock.
Team news adds a further layer. In the predicted lineups for the weekend, Kai Havertz and Ezri Konsa are greyed out in the starting XI after picking up knocks, and the official Premier League fantasy game gives both a 75% chance of playing — which also serves as a reminder of the early deadline for fantasy managers.