Manchester United host Sunderland bidding to relieve pressure on Ruben Amorim
Premier League leaders Liverpool head to Chelsea hoping to bounce back from consecutive defeats
Ange Postecoglou chases a first win as Nottingham Forest manager at Newcastle
Gameweek seven in the Premier League features some season-defining clashes and the pick of the action comes in a heavyweight clash from Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening as Chelsea play host to leaders Liverpool.
An under-fire Manchester United entertain Sunderland in another of Saturday’s four fixtures while Sunday sees Newcastle lock horns with Nottingham Forest and title-chasing Manchester City on the road at Brentford.
We have picked out some key team news for the big games taking place.
Manchester United vs Sunderland (Saturday, 3pm)
This could be do or die for Ruben Amorim as Manchester United manager, with the Red Devils having taken only seven points from six games despite splashing the cash over the summer on forwards Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
That trio will all be expected to start in a must-win at home to Sunderland while Amad Diallo has returned to training after a family bereavement.
Casemiro is another who is available following suspension but Amorim remains without influential defenders Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui.
The Black Cats have made a dream start to life back in the Premier League, collecting 11 points in six games, but Habib Diarra, Romaine Mundle, Dennis Cirkin, Aji Alese and Leo Hjelde all remain sidelined through injury.
Mozambique defender Reinildo Mandava is suspended but Nordi Mukiele is fit to return.
Chelsea vs Liverpool (Saturday, 5.30pm)
Chelsea are winless in three Premier League games while Liverpool have suffered back-to-back defeats to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, so both will be targeting victory at Stamford Bridge.
However, Chelsea’s task has been made harder by a lengthy injury list. Missing talisman Cole Palmer and new striker Liam Delap is one thing but defensively they are looking stretched with Dario Essugo, Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah all on the treatment table.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s 1-0 loss away to Galatasaray in the Champions League in midweek was compounded by injuries to Alisson and Hugo Ekitike while Giovanni Leoni is a long-term absentee.
Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest (Saturday, 2pm)
Ange Postecoglou has failed to win any of his six matches since being appointed as Nottingham Forest manager and Thursday’s 3-2 defeat at home to Midtjylland was made worse with star centre-back Murillo limping off in the first half.
With Ola Aina, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Douglas Luiz also sidelined through injury, Postecoglou may opt to switch to a four-man backline.
Newcastle’s Tino Livramento was carried off on a stretcher during defeat to Arsenal last weekend and joins Jacob Ramsey and Yoane Wissa on the sidelines.
Brentford vs Manchester City (Sunday, 4.30pm)
This looks a tall order for Brentford but they could be boosted by the availability of Reiss Nelson and Fabio Carvalho while Gustavo Nunes is also closing in on a return.
However, Paris Maghoma remains sidelined for the Bees.
Manchester City are unable to call upon the services of Rayan Cherki, Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Rayan Ait-Nouri but Pep Guardiola confirmed that no new injuries were sustained in the Champions League draw at Monaco in midweek.
