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Senesi and Stability Boost Bournemouth

Following their inaugural game on Merseyside, the Cherries are yet to suffer unbeaten in the top flight, though their early surge has been checked by two straight draws: in their own stadium to the Magpies and on the road at Leeds. Fulham head to the Vitality Stadium on Friday, presenting Andoni Iraola's team a decent prospect of returning to successful habits and going second in the table. In the wake of a hectic summer, the head coach has sought stability in his team selection. Losing 2-1 at away to Leeds, the manager made a triple change to bring back three regulars – David Brooks, Scott and Marcus Tavernier – to his side and was rewarded with a late leveller. Iraola's men have also kept up a sturdy backline, letting in just one goal in four outings across the trips to Anfield and Leeds. Senesi, often playing in an largely completely new defensive unit, has been crucial to the team's continuity. The central defender earned accolades from the manager for his work at the back and menace at dead-ball situations – as evidenced by his headed pass for Kroupi's tying goal at Leeds' home ground.

• Bournemouth v Fulham, Friday 8pm (BST timings)

Longstaff Central to Leeds' Dead-Ball Prowess

Should Leeds hope to stay up and possibly succeed this season they will need to maintain capitalizing on effective free kicks and corners. 3 of the half-dozen top-flight goals Daniel Farke's squad have bagged following promotion to the Premier League have stemmed from set pieces and they could benefit from further examples – or at least one more – arriving at the North London side's cost at Elland Road on the weekend. The Leeds boss has assigned Sean Longstaff as his main set-piece taker and, to date, the ex- Magpies player is proving highly adept and vitally reliable at the skill. This repositioning of roles has also allowed his central partner Stach to get into the penalty area at set-pieces and throw his tall physique at the orb. Earlier on Tyneside, Longstaff also had a knack for making late, nearly Frank Lampardesque bursts into the box and registered a several goals from live action. Now the manager could use reviving that instinct in a footballer who lost his way a little at Newcastle last season but is appearing positively resurgent.

• Tottenham's visit to Leeds, Saturday 12.30pm

Sunderland May Cause Problems for Amorim

Given a visit to Anfield coming up after the FIFA window, a home game against teams that came up is, on paper, an opportunity for Amorim to ease the suffocating gloom around the Red Devils. In reality, it could be one more very difficult encounter at the Theatre of Dreams against an formidable Sunderland side with two fundamental characteristics their rivals are desperately short on: a clear style and adaptability. Questioned how he has been able to build such a unified team from a long list of summer signings, the Sunderland manager, stated: “The new lads bring a new energy and playing style … [but] we aren't building from zero – the character of the team is already established.” Whilst Amorim continues to be stuck in his own rigid approach, Le Bris has shown he is willing to change. Going into the prior term's promotion playoffs on the back of five straight defeats, he changed to a more reactive approach and established the foundation for success in the Premier League. These developments have been accomplished while Amorim has largely guided his side without progress, and not many would be truly shocked if the visitors were to push him closer to the dismissal this matchday.

• Manchester United versus Sunderland, Saturday afternoon kickoff

Arsenal Can Move On from Hammers Defeats

In the wake of overcoming their hoodoos at St James' Park and in front of their fans to the Greek side in the most recent two fixtures, the next challenge for Arsenal is a chance to erase thoughts of back-to-back defeats to the Hammers at the Emirates. Both eventually harming their chances of securing the title, with the narrow defeat in February a scarce times when Potter had a reason to celebrate during his doomed spell in charge of the Irons. A encouraging tie in his initial outing against the Toffees will have helped the new manager settle into his new club and the former Nottingham Forest gaffer will be anxious to capitalize on that on the weekend, having been unable to secure a victory against the Gunners ever since he was in charge of Wolverhampton in 2021.

• Arsenal v West Ham, Saturday at 3pm

Maresca May Look to Lavia Against Liverpool

Roméo Lavia was excellent when Chelsea overcame the Reds at home in last season. The Belgian midfielder provides elegance on the play and a excellent capacity to beat the press. But while he often helps Enzo Maresca's tactics appear better balanced, his {fitness record|in