London, Oct 3 (IANS) Could it be all-change at the top of the Premier League following a round of matches that looks certain to leave either Liverpool coach Arne Slot or Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca facing a difficult fortnight? Liverpool visit Chelsea on Saturday, with Chelsea sitting eighth in the table and Maresca having to avoid a third consecutive league defeat.

Liverpool travel after losing to Crystal Palace last weekend and then sliding to defeat against Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League in a game where goalkeeper Alisson Becker was injured. Giorgi Mamardashvili should replace Alisson in goal as Liverpool’s defense is also likely to be under the spotlight.

Arsenal can go top of the table for at least a few hours with a home win over West Ham United. Mikel Arteta’s side has lost its last two games at home to West Ham, but after last weekend’s win in Newcastle and a comfortable 2-0 midweek win at home to Olympiacos, the players will be optimistic, even though new coach Nuno Espirito Santo toughened up West Ham’s defense last weekend away to Everton.

Two coaches are under increasing pressure this weekend, with Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim needing a good result and performance when his side entertains Sunderland on Saturday.

Manchester United’s defeat to Brentford last weekend undid the good from the previous weekend’s win against Chelsea, and a disciplined Sunderland could test the patience of the Old Trafford fans and directors.

Ange Postecoglou also needs a win when Nottingham Forest visit Newcastle United, after a 3-2 Europa League defeat at home to Midtjylland on Thursday had home fans turn on him after six games without a win since replacing Espirito Santo.

Manchester City travel to Brentford with Pep Guardiola’s side still searching for the defensive consistency to turn the team into a title candidate, while an improving Aston Villa play at home to Burnley.

Tottenham Hotspur have a complicated visit to Leeds United, which is adapting well to life back among the elite, while Wolverhampton Wanderers continues their search for the first league win of the season at home to Brighton.

A Carabao Cup win over Everton and last weekend’s draw against Tottenham imply the Wolves are turning things around, but coach Vitor Pereira will want to avoid going into another international break winless.

–IANS

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