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Something for the weekend? Premier League match winners picked out

Sam Elliott
Time to shine: Harry Winks will be vital if Spurs are to win at their arch rivals
Time to shine: Harry Winks will be vital if Spurs are to win at their arch rivals

Goodbye international break, home-nations play-off heartache, injured absentees and mundane 0-0 draws.

Hello the return of the Premier League, big derby games and relegation six pointers.

The domestic game kicks back into life on Saturday with a massive match at the Emirates Stadium but who are the players that will settle matters?

We bring you the men who will matter most in all the games as bring you a guide to the weekend’s games.

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Arsenal v Tottenham
This game doesn’t need much of a build up. If you live in London, it’s all you’ve heard about all week and, from the winners, all you’ll hear about for some time. The focus falls on Tottenham to show north London is now, beyond question, theirs. With Victor Wanyama injured, and Eric Dier in defence because Toby Alderweireld is out until Christmas, Harry Winks must step up.

Bournemouth v Huddersfield
The Cherries’ massive November started very well indeed. Late but great victory at Newcastle, they can take a giant leap towards survival in the next three games, with Huddersfield and Burnley at home and a winnable trip to Swansea. But the Terriers want a result too, Rajiv van La Parra could have a big say.

Knowing me, knowing you: Zaha hopes to be playing the right tune for Crystal Palace against Everton
Knowing me, knowing you: Zaha hopes to be playing the right tune for Crystal Palace against Everton

Crystal Palace v Everton
With Super Sunday between Watford and West Ham anything but, and even Brighton fans wondering why Sky have picked their game with West Brom on Monday, this should really be on the box. Defeat could mean season over for Palace already, while Everton may actually consider David Unsworth is they can win at Selhurst and can’t agree a settlement with Watford for Marco Silva. Eagles’ Wilf Zaha needs another big game.

Burnley v Swansea City
Although Christmas has been ‘coming’ since the middle of September, nobody would have expected Burnley to be seventh when the John Lewis advert aired. Paul Clement needs a result with trips to Chelsea, Everton and Liverpool looming. Swans’ Alfie Mawson will be key on a big afternoon.

Leicester City v Manchester City

We thought West Brom could stop them, we thought Arsenal had a great chance but no – City power on. Improving Leicester City will put the shutters up but if they fall behind surely the chance will be gone. On a high from international glory with Denmark, Kapser Schmeichel needs another big game.

Van man: Virgin van Dijk, the Southampton defender, attracted offers from Liverpool in the previous transfer window
Van man: Virgin van Dijk, the Southampton defender, attracted offers from Liverpool in the previous transfer window

Liverpool v Southampton
The Reds face their feeder club and all eyes will be on one man they couldn’t gobble up – Virgil van Dijk. Not so much a subplot, but the big story. He was the player most spoken about at Anfield in the summer and he didn’t even join. Will the giant Dutchman be distracted, or show Jurgen Klopp what he missed out on?

West Brom v Chelsea
On one hand Chelsea love the Hawthorns. Crowned champions there last season, but on the other defeat at West Brom has cost two managers their jobs inside the last five years. Tony Pulis is worried about his, and defeat this weekend puts him in peril. Their record against the Blues is pitiful, losing the last 11 so Gareth Barry has to help stop the rot.

Manchester United v Newcastle
Jose Mourinho knows dropped points could, if results are at their worst, see City open up an 11 point gap. That can’t happen, and they’re taking on a Newcastle side whose good start has been long forgotten. Expect Rafa to play for a point – United can’t even afford to think conservatively, it’s time for Romelu Lukaku to show his worth and get back on the goals trail.

First day in the job: David Moyes needs Aaron Cresswell to be back in form for Watford
First day in the job: David Moyes needs Aaron Cresswell to be back in form for Watford

Watford v West Ham
Will this be Marco Silva’s curtain call as David Moyes takes his bow? Good job there’s plenty of talking points, otherwise this would have been a strange Super Sunday pick. West Ham will have to defend a whole lot better than they have been and Aaron Cresswell needs to be solid as a rock.

Brighton v Stoke City
This won’t pull in the TV punters, but sometimes those are the great games. Albion are in their highest ever position and it’s not just about their home form as we first though. With Jack Butland injured with England, Glenn Murray will be licking his lips – the in-form striker is the man to watch at the AMEX.