Manchester City could find themselves six points behind Arsenal should they lose to Nottingham Forest and the Gunners down Hull City at home this weekend.

Image: AFP

League leaders Arsenal take centre stage this weekend with a prime opportunity to tighten their grip on top spot and build a commanding cushion at the summit ahead of the international break.

The Gunners welcome Hull City to Emirates Stadium knowing that any slip-up from chasing rivals Manchester City would hand Mikel Arteta’s side the ideal platform to pull further clear. With eight wins from their opening nine matches – their sole domestic blemish coming in a defeat at Brighton – Arsenal will view Saturday’s encounter as a pivotal moment to assert their authority before the domestic campaign pauses.

City, meanwhile, travel to the City Ground for a demanding clash against Nottingham Forest. Eager to maintain pressure on the leaders while managing an unrelenting schedule across all fronts, City manager Enzo Maresca highlighted the luxury and necessity of leaning on his squad's depth.

“The important thing is that, day after day, I know the players better. This is the best thing,” Maresca said ahead of the trip. “It depends on the game. We have 60 to 65 games so it’s impossible to always use the same players. I’m quite lucky I have many good ones to choose from, depending on what we need for different games.”

On Sunday, Liverpool face a tricky trip to Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace, determined to steady the ship following a bruising 3-2 Champions League defeat in Istanbul against Fenerbahçe that exposed ongoing defensive frailties. Addressing reporters at his Friday afternoon press conference, head coach Andoni Iraola demanded an immediate response from his players to halt their mini-slump.

“We have to react after two defeats and we need the win against Palace away,” Iraola said. “We've been in similar situations – I remember Bournemouth before the international break, even the Brentford game – and we have to go there and do the job and win the game.”

Closing out Sunday's action, Old Trafford takes centre stage as Manchester United host Unai Emery’s Aston Villa. Michael Carrick's side enter the contest revitalised by a stunning midweek Champions League turnaround against AS Roma, rallying from two goals down to snatch a pulsating 3-2 victory.

That breathless European escape ended a protracted winless slump, but United must now translate that momentum into domestic points against a Villa side coming off a European setback in Barcelona.

Elsewhere, Chelsea travel to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur visit Elland Road to face Leeds United in the weekend opener, and Newcastle United make the trip south to take on Fulham at Craven Cottage.