11 key questions ahead of the weekend’s Premier League fixtures: Will Spurs stop the rot? Can Jose end his misery? Moyes for the sack
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THE Premier League is back for one last bang before another international break this weekend, and SunSport analyses the 11 key talking points to look out for.
Clubs want to consolidate their position ahead of the busy Christmas period, while certain bosses need a result - none more so than under fire Manchester United chief Jose Mourinho away at Swansea.
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It all kicks off on Saturday at 3pm with four Premier League fixtures, followed by Chelsea v Everton, while it truly is a Super Sunday with five games across the day.
Tastiest of all is the north London derby, where Spurs need to turn their stuttering form around - and what better occasion than against high-flying bitter rivals Arsenal....
Not so Hot
They might be the only unbeaten team in the league, but Spurs need to silence their doubters after three successive draws and a terrible Champions League loss at Wembley to Leverkusen.
Only two goals have been scored in the absence of the injured Harry Kane, who should return this Sunday, with Son's goals drying up and Vincent Janssen failing to score from open play.
But what better day to get back on track than a fierce derby against their bitter North London rivals who have had a marvellous start to the season?
If they can't get themselves into gear at the Emirates, they could find themselves six points off the Premier League pace-setters by the end of the weekend.
Guns out
Arsene Wenger's side have truly been flexing their muscles this season, level on points with leaders Manchester City and undefeated since the opening day of the season.
While there are still inevitable questions over Arsenal's longevity and ability to go the distance with many fans fearing an inevitable hiccup, a win against their rivals will convince many they have a new-found steel and determination this campaign.
Wenger traditionally suffers worse results in November than any other month, and his quest to end that hoodoo could hinge on an injury crisis ahead of Tottenham clash.
The Frenchman is sweating on the fitness of Santi Cazorla, Nacho Monreal, Kieran Gibbs, Theo Walcott and Hector Bellerin - could Spurs capitalise on Arsenal weaknesses?
No Mour Pain
After a poor defeat 2-1 to Fenerbahce in the Europa League last night, the Special One is under arguably more pressure than any time in his managerial career.
His honeymoon period was short and not-so-sweet, having not won in the Premier League for over a month - and last night, Mourinho took the risky step of questioning his players' commitment.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic epitomises their problems with his crisis of confidence, having somehow failed to end his scoring drought against Burnley with a shocking miss - and is now without a goal in nine hours.
Defeat against struggling Swansea and it begs the question how much more United fans can take as they slip futher and further back in the pack.
Swans on song?
Bob Bradley, who has had the shortest possible honeymoon period of his own, may look at United and think this is the best chance to kick them when they are down.
The American has taken charge of three games, picking up just one point in a home draw with Watford.
After defeat at Stoke on Monday, Bradley admitted confidence is low and the only way to improve a "concerning situation" with a real possibility of relegation is to start getting results - and what better than a home tie against a giant club in crisis?
Many are fancying the Swans to cause a seismic upset of their own on Sunday.
Famous Five?
They had a small blip, but Chelsea have no steamed back into the title race with four wins in their last four games - all with clean sheets.
They kept out the likes of Manchester United and Leicester in that spell, the first time they have kept four clean sheets since August 2010 - and will face an Everton side who are on the recovery after their own poor run of form.
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But Chelsea are unbeaten at Stamford Bridge in their last 21 home Premier League games against Everton since a 0-1 loss in November 1994.
Antonio Conte's men have also won all but one of their games at Stamford Bridge this season, and it seems it could happen again.
Dodgy Dave
Sunderland remain rooted to the bottom of the table after 10 games after picking up just two points and continue to struggle in the Premier League.
They will also be without manager David Moyes, who has lost the support of the fans already, for the trip to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday as he serves a one-match touchline ban to continue the misery. A loss could edge him closer to the exit door.
But impressive Bournemouth currently sit in the top 10 after collecting 12 points from their opening fixtures and have a good home record, losing just once at home in the league this season to Manchester United.
Guard of honour
Pep Guardiola recently endured his worst winless run of his sparkling managerial career - but his Man City side have come bursting back into life and form with 4-0 win against West Brom last Saturday.
In midweek, they stunned Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday with a 3-1 win, and it seems City are well and truly back in business after they won their opening 10 games of the season.
Middlesbrough picked up only their second Premier League win of the campaign against Bournemouth last weekend and will find it tough against a City side unbeaten at home this season.
Hammer it home
Can West Ham United finally put off-field troubles behind them amid fan violence in their new London Stadium and do something right on the pitch?
It will be their first home game since the scenes of trouble in the stands during their EFL Cup game with Chelsea and they need a win, as they sit perilously close to the relegation zone.
They face a resurgent Stoke City side who are careering away from the bottom of the league having won their last three Premier League games.
Not so magic Mike
Since becoming permanent manager, Mike Phelan has endured a horrendous run of results - and to go with a lack of fit players, they now have a lack of coaches after Gary Walsh left for Aston Villa.
They have lost six straight Premier League games and another defeat this Sunday would see the Tigers' worst run of form at any level since 1980.
Defender Harry Maguire said this week that it's about momentum and Hull need to get "something on the board" - and clean sheet might be a good place to start for Phelan against a good Southampton side on the crest of a wave after their fantastic win against Inter Milan last night.
Eagles crash landed
After a solid-enough start buoyed by the goals of Christian Benteke, Alan Pardew's Palace have now lost their last three games with seven goals conceded in the last two fixtures.
They may get the confidence boost they need against a Burnley side who have scored just seven times so far this season - but are very well organised at the back and are decent at home.
Red red run
People are genuinely believing Jurgen Klopp's stunning Liverpool side could go all the way this season and storm to their first Premier League title.
They have won five and drawn one of their last six matches - but there are still question marks over their leaky defence, which has let in more goals than any other side in the top six and have kept just one clean sheet all season.
But with their front three of Sadio Mane, Phillipe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, they would back themselves to outscore Watford tomorrow - although Walter Mazzarri's side are certainly no pushovers.