The 2018 World Cup qualifiers provided plenty of thrills and spills, but now it is time to return to the bread and butter of the Premier League.
The weekend's action begins in explosive style with Liverpool hosting Manchester United on Saturday lunchtime, and there are plenty of other factors to keep fans interested across all 10 games. I have picked out 10 of the most notable things you should keep an eye out for over the weekend in English football's top tier...
1. Klopp’s solution
Jurgen Klopp has had the international break to ponder Liverpool’s continued problems in defence ahead of their return against Manchester United. They haven’t kept a clean sheet in seven games in all competitions and the 12 Premier League goals they have conceded after seven games is jointly the 15th worst record in the division. For context no one inside the top four has shipped more than six.
2. Lukaku to join the eight club
Romelu Lukaku will be looking to become the first player to score eight goals in their first eight Premier League appearances for their new club. He has been exceptional at United and appeared fit while playing for Belgium against Cyprus during the break, despite concerns over an ankle injury.
3. Ronald and the sack race
Koeman is favourite for the sack after an underwhelming start to the season at big-spending Everton. History is on his side this weekend, though, because Everton, who play Brighton, have lost just one of their last 19 Premier League games against newly-promoted teams (W10 D8 L1).
4. Will Tottenham finally get first home Premier League win at Wembley?
They face Bournemouth and need to get that first win. They will have the benefit of a struggling opponent, given Bournemouth have taken just four points this season.
5. Zaha's rescue act
Crystal Palace are a desperate mess of a side. Seven games, seven defeats, no goals scored. Next up they face a potential pounding against Chelsea, but there is a degree of optimism in that Wilfried Zaha is fit for the first time since the opening day of the season.
6. Expect a treat at the Etihad
Manchester City have won their last two home games in the Premier League by a 5-0 scoreline – the only other Premier League side to record three consecutive home wins each by a five or more goal margin were Chelsea in 2010 under Carlo Ancelotti. City play Stoke.
7. Will Renato Sanches finally come good at Swansea?
Great expectations and an underwhelming reality. Paul Clement has not yet found a system that best suits Sanches, and the player himself has been wasteful, despite gradual improvements. Early days but he needs to make his mark because Swansea are sinking fast. They face Huddersfield for the first time in the top flight.
8. Will the Wilshere revival continue?
Will he get a league start? He has made his case with excellent performances against Doncaster in the Carabao Cup and BATE Borisov in the Europa League but needs to prove himself in the top flight again. Arsenal play Watford.
9. Pink boots
It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which means plenty of players could don pink boots in support of the campaign. Keep an eye out for Granit Xhaka in particular.
10. The Dyche juggernaut
Who can stop Burnley? They have beaten Chelsea and drawn with Spurs and Liverpool, and if they beat West Ham they might even jump to third, depending on other results. Dyche, by some margin, has been the standout manager of the early part of the season.
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