It has been an extraordinary three-week international break: Lionel Messis farewell game; Cristiano Ronaldos toddler-esque tantrum; and debut matches in new roles for Jurgen Klopp, Zinedine Zidane and Sebastien Pocognoli. But there has been one story that has dominated the agenda: the guilty verdict handed down to Manchester City. The appeal process is ongoing and City continue to deny any wrongdoing but the issue is certain to cast a shadow over the Premier League until that appeal, and the sanctions, are boxed off.In the intervening period, fans will be asked to throw themselves back into club issues knowing everything will be provisional until Citys punishment, if indeed there is one, is confirmed.It will be a hot topic up and down the country this weekend as the Premier League returns.Here are five things to look out for:WILL CITY CHIEF AL MUBARAK ROCK UP AT ANFIELD?Citys robust statement when launching their appeal indicated they remain confident all the charges will be dropped. With that in mind, will it be business as usual this weekend? The man central to the whole controversy is Khaldoon Al Mubarak. The City chairman is a regular at games and he has the chance to put on a show of solidarity with the players and fans by taking his seat in the directors box at Anfield. It is unlikely his presence would be welcomed by Merseyside Police with a very small element of Liverpools support baying for blood but the alternative is for Al Mubarak to let coach Enzo Maresca and his players all innocent parties to the alleged misdemeanours face the heat. WEST LONDON BUDDIES IN DIRE NEED OF WINSChelsea boss Xabi Alonso and Fulham counterpart Alvaro Arbeloa are close friends and it would not be a surprise if they sought each others company during the three-week hiatus. Both men head into this weekend knowing a defeat would ramp up the pressure on their positions. Alonsos side host winless Bournemouth still smarting from their 3-0 hammering at Brentford. Not only was it an awful result but the manner of the performance would have the Chelsea board not exactly renown for their patience shuffling uncomfortably in their seats. There is less expectation at Fulham but owner Shahid Khan cant be impressed by a record of two points from five games. The Cottagers go to newly promoted Ipswich knowing another defeat would mean they slip seven points behind one of their relegation rivals. Premier League Regular Season 6 Saturday 10, October 2026 Arsenal ARS 12:30 Emirates Stadium Leeds LEE Chelsea CHE 15:00 Stamford Bridge Bournemouth BOU Ipswich IPS 15:00 Portman Road Fulham FUL Aston Villa AST 15:00 Villa Park Brentford BRE Sunderland SUN 15:00 Stadium of Light Brighton BRI Manchester United MUN 17:30 Old Trafford Tottenham TOT Sunday 11, October 2026 Crystal Palace CRY 14:00 Selhurst Park Nottingham Forest NOT Hull City HUL 14:00 MKM Stadium Everton EVE Liverpool LIV 16:30 Anfield Manchester City MCI Monday 12, October 2026 Coventry COV 20:00 Coventry Building Society Arena Newcastle NEW GREAT UNDERACHIEVERS SET FOR OLD TRAFFORD CLASHFans will tune into the Saturday tea-time kick-off between Manchester United and Tottenham fascinated to see if these expensively assembled teams are as bad as their records suggest. According to Transfermarkt, United have the ninth most valuable squad in Europe (�786million) with Spurs one place lower at �708m. And yet, they have the princely total of one league win between them all season. That was secured by United at home to Ipswich. Tottenham spent huge numbers over the summer on the likes of Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Savio yet the suspicion remains they paid top dollar for fairly average players. That said, a win at Old Trafford would change the mood overnight.PALACE AND PARISH MUST PINE FOR GLASNERHe would never admit it but Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish must rue his inability to persuade Oliver Glasner to remain at Selhurst Park. The Austrian led the Eagles to three trophies in a glorious, albeit short-lived spell in South London, and makes his first return this weekend with Nottingham Forest. Since his departure, Palace have managed just one Premier League victory with Pierre Sage struggling to make his presence felt. If there is any consolation for Parish, it is the fact Glasner has hardly set the world alight at Nottingham Forest either. Glasner should be afforded a warm welcome from the home fans but amid the appreciation there will be a sense of disappointment and regret.WAS IT WORTH IT NEWCASTLE?Newcastles trip to Coventry on Monday night comes five days after the fifth anniversary of the clubs takeover by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund. Five years since ecstatic Geordies danced outside St James Park wearing tea towels on their heads. When not committing human rights atrocities, the new owners promised trophies and good times. But, bar one Carabao Cup success, they have not arrived. This summer the club had to sell several of its crown jewels, such as Anthony Gordon, Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, replacing them with untried youngsters. Matthias Jaissle took over from Eddie Howe and, although they have made a solid enough start, the underlying metrics suggest it could still be a tricky season for Newcastle. Having sacrificed their integrity by jumping into bed with the Saudis, you have to ask was it worth it? Topics AFC Bournemouth Arsenal F.C. Aston Villa F.C. Brentford F.C. Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Chelsea F.C. Coventry City F.C. Crystal Palace F.C. Everton F.C. Fulham F.C. Hull City A.F.C. Ipswich Town F.C. Leeds United F.C. Liverpool F.C. Manchester City F.C. Manchester United F.C. Newcastle United F.C. Nottingham Forest F.C. Sunderland A.F.C. Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 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