Liverpool have enough to deny Manchester City

The Premier League returns this weekend from the final international break of the year, and rarely enough sees all of last year's top four in action on a Saturday. First up in the early kick-off is Liverpool, who will be taking on one of the clubs vying to supplant the Anfield side in the Champions League places at the end of the season, Manchester City.

Rafa Benitez is beginning to see light at the end of tunnel when it comes to injuries at the club; Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger should all start tomorrow, and while it's probably still too early for Alberto Aquilani's debut start in the Premier League, that day draws ever closer. Up front 'Diving' David Ngog (above) should start in place of Fernando Torres, who is being allowed more time to recuperate from his long-standing groin problem.

For Manchester City, it will be the first visit for Gareth Barry to the club who he was 'supposed' to sign for in the summer before Mark Hughes' crafty raid took him to Eastlands. His weary colleagues Craig Bellamy and Carlos Tevez, who have both spoken about retirement from the game this week, will be jockeying for position as four of Hughes's striking options - including Roque Santa Cruz and Emmanuel Adebayor - will be available.

City are coming off a run of five consecutive draws, so ill be hoping they can break down Liverpool with their open, attacking game, but this is the sort of game that Benitez's team usually manages to nick by the odd goal. Off the pitch, the crocked players of both clubs will be comparing their war wounds and swapping stories of a mysterious Serbian housewife with her miracle healing hands.

Later in the day Chelsea host Premier League new boys and strugglers Wolves, in a match that shouldn't trouble the Stamford Bridge steamroller but which could see keeper Wayne Hennessey get a fair bit of match practice. The Midlands club face Spurs, Manchester United and Liverpool in their next three away games, so anything that they can pick up would be greatly treasured.

Arsenal face a tricky trip to the Stadium of Light to take on Steve Bruce's resurgent Sunderland. The Mackems were rather unlucky to lose their last game to Spurs and have won four times at home to date this campaign, so Arsene Wenger's slightly depleted squad will be on alert that they don't suffer the sort of Northern mugging that they have in the past. Robin van Persie will be out for the Gunners, likely replaced by Eduardo, who'll look to celebrate his new deal with club in style.

The late game sees Everton travel to Old Trafford, where Sir Alex Ferguson will still be prowling the touchline after the FA confirmed that his ban will commence from the next game. His opposite number and compatriot David Moyes has had a nightmare start to the season due to a rash of injuries, and while he has key members of his squad returning it is unlikely that they'll record a win here.

Elsewhere there's a relegation clash going on at the KC Stadium as West Ham seek to put Phil Brown back on Death Row, Aston Villa will look to storm Burnley's Turf Moor citadel and Fulham visit Birmingham. Sunday's games pair up Lancashire cloggers Bolton and Blackburn for Sam Allardyce's return to the Reebok stadium, Spurs look to keep in touch at the top with a win against the mercurial Wigan and Stoke take on Portsmouth. ·